Everything is better in the Lone Star State, and that includes Texas food. There are certain foods that automatically make you think of Texas when you eat them: barbecue, chicken fried steak, and queso to name a few. Some of the best food in Texas just can’t be made quite the same anywhere else, so they’ve essentially become symbols of our state and some of the most popular foods in Texas. When it comes to the question of what food is Texas known for, every resident of the Lone Star State knows and loves these 15 iconic dishes.

1. Barbecue
Flickr/wallyg
There's something about tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone beef that's been slow-smoking all day that just screams Texas. And though there are tons of BBQ joints, there’s one eatery that serves up the best version of this iconic Texas food.
2. Chili
Flickr/jypsygen
It's our state dish! No beans, of course. One of the most famous foods in Texas, there are lots of places to fill up on this classic dish; however, there are some spots that claim to serve the best chili in Texas.
3. Chicken Fried Steak
Flickr/imelda
It's a down-home Southern classic. The gravy has to be just right, though - not too lumpy, not too runny. When it comes to this beloved Texan food, there’s no better place to indulge than Joe’s Place. It doles out some of the best and biggest chicken fried steak in Texas.
4. Queso
Flickr/imelda
We may not have invented cheese, but we did invent melting it and smothering it on all of our Mexican food. And using chips as a vehicle to get it to our mouths. These are some of the top spots to fill up on this classic Texas food.
5. Dr. Pepper
Mike Mozart via Flickr
Though not technically food, Dr. Pepper is sure to come up when asked about food Texas is known for. Hear more of the fascinating history of Dr. Pepper:

6. Blue Bell
Flickr/criminalintent
Yeah, it's THAT good.

The Blue Bell story started on a hot summer day in 1907, when a group of local businessmen in Brenham, Texas decided to establish the Brenham Creamery Company to make butter from excess cream brought in by area farmers. The creamery began making ice cream a few years later and delivering it to neighbors by horse and wagon. In 1930, the company changed its name to Blue Bell Creameries after the native Texas bluebell wildflower.
7. Kolaches
Flickr/jewellshoots
Whether sausage or fruit-filled is your jam (pun intended), we've got the best you'll ever eat. They originated here, after all. One of the most popular foods in Texas, there’s an entire trail dedicated to these baked treats.

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8. Sweet Tea
TheCrimsonMonkey via GettyImages
If the thought of sipping an ice cold glass of tea sweet enough to rot your teeth on grandma's porch while watching the cows graze in the field doesn't remind you of Texas, I don't know what will.
9. Fair Food
Flickr/wwny
We may be known for throwing anything and everything into a deep fryer, but hey - it comes out delicious 99.9% of the time.
10. Tex-Mex
Flickr/magtravels
Because Mexican food without copious amounts of cheese and delicious unidentifiable globs of bean matter is just sadness. Lots of places serve Tex-Mex, but none are quite as unique as JQ’s, which puts a tasty twist on one of the most famous foods in Texas.
11. Hamburgers
Flickr/slice
Yep, we invented these guys, too - in Athens in the 1880s, to be exact (and have since perfected them even more). Face it, everything good comes from Texas. Check out these eateries for some of the best burgers in Texas.
12. Breakfast Tacos
Flickr/jimnicholas
Mexican food + breakfast? One of the most winning combos in existence. And we know just the place to get your fill of this classic Texan food.
13. Pecan Pie
Flickr/jow
Every house in Texas has pecan pies in the oven almost constantly during the holiday season. It's just a fact. Luckily, you don’t have to be a baker to enjoy this famous food in Texas.
14. Frozen Margaritas
Flickr/bookgrl
These may be popular all over the country now, but their home is right here in Dallas. And as the unofficial cocktail of Texas, the frozen beverage is definitely among the most famous foods in Texas.
15. Whataburger
Flickr/qnr
This isn't any one specific food, but come on...it's Whataburger. Did you really think I'd leave it out??

Ah, all our favorites in one post. Now we’re really craving some good chips and queso. What’s your favorite Texas food? If you were asked, “What is the best food in Texas,” how would you answer? What other dishes are among the most popular foods in Texas? Tell us!

It’s not just Texan food that makes the Lone Star State unique. We’ve also got a language all our own. Not so sure? Check out these words and phrases only people from Texas will understand.

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More to Explore

Texas Food

Daniella DiRienzo | May 26, 2022

What are the local favorite restaurants in Texas?

There are lots of great restaurants in Texas, some of the more popular restaurants include:

  • Blue Bonnet Café in Marble Falls. In business since 1929, it’s a longtime local favorite known for its good food and friendly service. Not just a local favorite, though, the eatery has won several accolades, including being named the “best hole-in-the-wall diner” in Texas.
  • Mary's Cafe in Strawn, where you can get some incredible chicken fried steak, pie, and much more.

 

What are the most highly rated restaurants in Texas?

Some of the most highly-rated restaurants in Texas include:

  • Cattleman’s Steakhouse in Fabens, which serves up a dining experience like no other. The large family-style restaurant is nestled on a working ranch, which means guests are treated to a Western atmosphere, along with some of the best and biggest steaks in Texas.
  • Bliss in San Antonio, where you'll enjoy contemporary American cuisine in a restored former gas station.
  • Uchi in Austin, which offers an authentic Japanese dining experience!

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