11 Restaurants That Everyone Who Grew Up In Texas Has Eaten At
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Many of our fondest childhood memories involve food — after all, it is one of our favorite things here in Texas. All of us who grew up here have been to these 11 iconic restaurants at least once. Check them out:
I don't think this one requires much of an explanation. Us Texans are so serious about our Whataburger that we'd choose it over a nice, sit-down meal any day. What can we say? It's more than just fast food.
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Lockhart is the self-proclaimed BBQ Capital of the World, and Black's is the oldest restaurant of its kind in Texas. It's been serving up slow-cooked ribs, brisket, and other mouthwatering cuts of meat since 1932, and it's a staple in every Texan's diet.
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Open since 1911, we've all had plenty of time to enjoy some of the freshest seafood on the Gulf Coast at Gaido's. From pecan-crusted catfish to melt-in-your-mouth oysters, everything is carefully prepared and served with a smile by the incredibly hospitable waitstaff. Gaido's isn't just a seafood joint; it's an experience.
This adorable little mom-and-pop cafe is known all over the state for dishing up all our Southern favorites like tender, crispy chicken-fried steak and huge breakfast spreads. And if you leave without trying a piece of homemade pie, you might as well move to another state.
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Us Texans are serious about our BBQ, so it's no surprise that this shrine of meat is one of our most iconic restaurants. Everything is absolutely bursting with flavor, even without the sauce.
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There isn't a huge menu at Louie Mueller, but that just means more time can be devoted to the few items they do offer. Their brisket is by far the most popular choice; slow-cooked in a 50-year-old pit and seasoned to perfection, it absolutely melts in your mouth. They also have sausage, pork ribs & tenderloin, and turkey.
Just like Whataburger, this one doesn't need much explaining. I spent many a summer night enjoying blizzards with my family as a kid, and I know many of my fellow Texans did the same.
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Tex-Mex is one of the major food groups in our state, and nobody does it better than the original Ninfa's. Fajitas are their specialty — whether you order them with steak, chicken, or seafood, the combination of sizzling meat and fresh veggies, zesty salsas, and warm tortillas creates a flavor combo like nothing you've ever experienced before.
Luling City Market is one of those authentically-Texan experiences that just doesn't exist anywhere else. The atmosphere alone merits a visit with the line going straight through the smoker room. Choose from brisket, ribs, pork loin, chicken or turkey breast (or a little bit of everything — no judgment here!)
These are the types of steakhouses we live for here in Texas. No white tablecloths or fancy steakhouses but instead some no-frills, delicious food and Southern hospitality. You'll find every cut of meat imaginable on the menu, cooked exactly how you like it. Plus, they're located in the historic Stockyards District — it doesn't get much more Texan than that!
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Mary's has been voted the best CFS in the state time and time again, and we totally understand why. It's one of the most iconic dishes in the state, you won't find it crispier or more tender anywhere else.
How many of these places have you been to? What other restaurants has every native Texan eaten at? Let us know your favorites!
For more iconic places to eat in Texas, check out The Epic Road Trip That Lets You Try All Of The Best Food In Texas.
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