Posted in Texas
February 26, 2017
10 Irresistible Restaurants That Define Texas
When we think about Texas, a few key words and phrases come to mind: small-town charm, Southern hospitality, comfort food, excess, and barbecue being some of the main ones. These 10 iconic restaurants embody those characteristics, therefore defining what our state is all about. If you want to learn more about Texas or have an out-of-state friend who doesn’t quite understand how we do things here, just visit one of these eateries and you’ll have it all figured out in no time.
This is easily the most iconic barbecue pit in the state. Nothing says Texas like a mammoth portion of tender, season-to-perfection meat.
The length of the line says it all - and it's usually this long, if not longer, at Franklin. What can we say? We know good barbecue here in Texas, and we're willing to wait for it.
Everyone who's anyone knows that where chicken-fried steak is concerned, Mary's definitely takes the cake. The portions are Texas-sized, the meat is tender while the crust is crispy, and the gravy (served on the side) is rich and creamy.
Lockhart might as well be the barbecue capitol of Texas with its numerous delicious joints. Black's has been owned by the same family since it first opened, and it's the oldest restaurant in Texas with that claim to fame. Between the moist brisket, tender sausage, and several other types of slow-smoked, melt-in-your-mouth meat, there are few restaurants that define Texas more than Black's.
Known for its five pound cinnamon rolls, Lulu's embodies the Texan notion of making everything bigger. The portions are massive, but the quality of food doesn't waver one bit.
I'm sure y'all have all heard of this iconic stop along Route 66. Home to the 72-oz steak challenge that renders your meal free provided you finish it, it doesn't get much more Texan than that.
Also in Lockhart, Kreuz is one of the only restaurants to give Black's a run for its money. It's hard to decide which one is better - luckily, we don't have to because they're both here to stay. Barbecue from family businesses just tastes better for some reason.
Us Texans are very family-oriented, so this restaurant is right up our alley. You'll sit with other families at huge tables as you feast on endless portions of Southern comforts like mashed potatoes, chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, and more. It doesn't get much better than that.
There aren't enough words to describe how amazing Blue Bonnet Cafe is, so I'll just let this pie do the talking. Endless varieties are made fresh daily with only the freshest ingredients (including love and passion.) The regular food is to-die-for as well, and the friendly waitstaff take impeccable care of their customers.
Just because Gaido's isn't exactly the definition of small-town charm doesn't make it any less Texan. Since 1911, this iconic seafood joint has been serving up the freshest catches to tourists and locals alike. It's been a permanent fixture on the island, and it isn't going anywhere any time soon.
Have you been to any of these iconic restaurants in Texas? What other joints do you think define our state better than any words could? For more delicious places to eat in our state, check out 11 Under The Radar Restaurants In Texas That Are Scrumdiddlyumptious.
