10 Texas Foods That Are Overhyped & 10 That Deserve More Love
Texas Has Plenty of Food Opinions
Texas has a food scene that's big enough to inspire strong opinions, especially when barbecue, Tex-Mex, and anything involving a tortilla enter the conversation. Some dishes have become so famous that visitors arrive expecting an unforgettable meal, only to discover that the reality can depend heavily on where they eat it. Meanwhile, plenty of excellent Texas foods don't get nearly as much attention outside their home state.
1. Brisket
When it comes to brisket, Texas is known for making it really good. A great brisket is amazing, but because it's so well known, you'll think all briskets at any restaurant will be just as amazing. Not true, because if it's dry or too fat or doesn't have enough smoke to it, the name won't make it taste better.
2. Frito Pie
A Frito pie can be really simple and delicious. With corn chips, chili, and toppings, it's a quick meal you can grab anytime. But because it's labeled as a must-try food in Texas, it seems like it's more than what it actually is. Chili over chips you've had before.
3. Chicken-Fried Steak
Another one that seems like you wouldn't be able to go wrong with this one. Unfortunately, the quality depends heavily on preparation, and a tough piece of meat covered in mediocre gravy isn't going to become great simply because it's a Texas classic. A good version is worth trying, but the dish's reputation can sometimes set expectations higher than the plate delivers.
4. Giant Cinnamon Rolls
These have been popping up everywhere in Texas recently, whether it be from restaurants or bakeries. The roll is normally bigger than normal, which can be fun to see. You're given a cinnamon roll that looks huge. Once you've eaten enough dough and frosting, you may find yourself wishing the roll had focused more on balance than spectacle.
5. Texas-Style Chili
A lot of Texas restaurants will not put beans in their chili. Which, if you're not a fan of beans, you'll love this. But sometimes it's more interesting to see how many arguments there are about what's in chili. A bowl can still be satisfying without turning the ingredient list into a constitutional argument.
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6. Queso
Almost every Tex-Mex restaurant has queso. Who can go wrong with melted cheese, right? Well, there can be some that are made with cheese and so much salt that it can fill you up. If you've had a particularly good queso, you know what it can be, but not every bowl deserves the level of excitement it receives.
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7. Barbecue Sausage
There is more than just brisket at the BBQ joint in Texas. Some may say sausage is just that, sausage that's put on the BBQ tray. It can taste amazing if it's made correctly. It's worth ordering when the restaurant is known for making its own, but it shouldn't automatically outrank everything else on the menu.
8. Kolaches From Big Chains
Texas has a great variety of kolaches around the state. From different immigrant areas, kolaches can be found all over. If you go to a store chain and get some, you might ask yourself why people rave about them.
9. Loaded Nachos
Texas restaurants love to stack their nachos with many ingredients. Just make sure you have plenty of time to finish it all. You're likely to get a mess of wet chips and have one bite of food that you may not like. Better to have fewer ingredients and your chips stay crispier.
10. Giant Steak Challenges
You can find these types of challenges at multiple restaurants in Texas. If you're looking to take on an eat-a-steak challenge, they're fun, but if you're hungry for a great meal rather than a competition, ordering a reasonably sized steak may be the smarter move. Now let's look at 10 dishes that deserve more love.
1. Breakfast Tacos
Breakfast tacos are one of the easiest Texas foods to overlook if you're focused entirely on barbecue and Tex-Mex staples. A warm tortilla filled with eggs, potatoes, cheese, beans, bacon, or sausage can make an excellent breakfast without requiring much fuss. Once you find a place that gets the tortilla and fillings right, you may start wondering why you didn't order one sooner.
2. Kolaches From Local Bakeries
Kolaches at a chain store are OK. But going to a bakery and trying a kolache is something you should try. There are fruit kolaches and more. They don't have to be big and stuffed full of ingredients to taste good.
3. Frito Pie From a Good Chili Stand
If you find a stand that has good chili, you have to try the Frito pie. Chips, chili, cheese, onions, etc. It can be very tasty. It's not as pretty as a pile of BBQ, but trust me, it's good if the chili is.
4. Barbacoa
One that many may skip over is barbacoa, but it deserves a spot in the Texas food conversation. Traditionally prepared beef can become exceptionally tender and flavorful, making it an especially good filling for tacos. Add fresh toppings and a good tortilla, and you've got a meal that can easily compete with the state's more famous dishes.
5. Carne Guisada
Another great option if you're sick of BBQ. Tender beef with a thick gravy will make your mouth water. Whether you eat it over rice or with some tortillas and beans, it's always a nice meal. After driving around Texas all day, you'll definitely crave something hearty.
6. Pecan Pie
Who wouldn't love a dessert with pecans in Texas? It's always good to visit and try pecan pie. It can be sweet and have plenty of pecans in it. If you're visiting Texas and enjoy desserts, skipping pecan pie would mean missing one of the state's most fitting treats.
7. Migas
Migas makes excellent use of ingredients that might otherwise seem simple, combining eggs with tortilla pieces, cheese, peppers, onions, and other additions depending on the recipe. It's particularly well suited to breakfast because it's filling without feeling excessively heavy. You might arrive expecting ordinary scrambled eggs and end up with one of the more memorable meals of your morning.
8. Chicken Tamales
Everyone knows about tamales around holiday time. They can be a great snack or meal that you should try all year. There are many different flavors and ways to prepare them. Chicken tamales are a great way to round out your time in Texas.
9. Texas Sheet Cake
You won't always see this listed as a dessert to try while in Texas. But it can be a great treat to end your day with. It's easy to share with others, and it doesn't have to be at a restaurant.
10. Czech Sausages
Texas has a long Czech heritage, and that influence shows up in the state's sausage-making traditions. Czech-style sausages can offer plenty of flavor without needing a mountain of toppings or complicated preparation. If you're traveling through Central Texas, taking the time to try local sausages can give you a taste of the state's history that goes well beyond the usual barbecue recommendations.
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