Certain restaurants have a signature meal that people come from all over to try. These 10 restaurants in Texas are known statewide for a single menu item, and you absolutely must try them all. Believe us, you’re going to love these famous dishes in Texas.

1. Chicken-Fried Steak at Mary's Cafe (Strawn)
TripAdvisor/Klmeeks
TripAdvisor/Klmeeks
Receiving countless accolades for its chicken-fried steak, this small-town diner has quickly become a statewide institution. Strawn is home to less than 1,000 people, but the chicken-fried steak at Mary's is anything but small. Covering nearly an entire dinner plate, these behemoths are cooked to perfection with a crispy crust and tender meat. Try one for yourself at 119 Grant Ave, Strawn, TX 76475. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
2. Chicken-Fried Bacon at Sodolak's Original Country Inn (Snook)
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Facebook/SodolaksSnookTX
What's better than chicken-fried steak? We're glad you asked. Chicken-fried bacon is the specialty here at Sodolak's, and it's every bit as scrumptious as it sounds. You'll find this East Texas delicacy at 9687 FM 60, Snook, TX 77878. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
3. Bread Pudding at HWY 77 Cafe (Rosebud)
TripAdvisor/ttot11
Facebook/HWY 77 Cafe
Good old-fashioned country cookin' is what HWY 77 Cafe is all about. Red-checkered tablecloths, wooden chairs, and vintage memorabilia create an atmosphere frozen in time. One bite of this rich, creamy bread pudding is a one-way ticket back to Sunday supper at grandma's house. The restaurant is located at 1101 US Highway 77, Rosebud, TX 76570. To learn more, visit their website here.
4. Cinnamon Rolls at Lulu's Bakery and Cafe (San Antonio)
TripAdvisor/ChZi
TripAdvisor/DavidSotoJr
Lulu's is nationally known for its Texas-sized menu items. Chicken-fried steak, cinnamon rolls, and several other dishes continually make headlines for their sheer magnitude. Although it can be hard to preserve quality when making a dessert this large, Lulu's has no issues in the flavor department. Try one of these three-pound monstrosities at 918 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212. To learn more, visit their website here.
5. Ribeye Steak at Leona General Store (Leona)
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TripAdvisor/1777gina
You haven't experienced steak until you've been to Leona's. General stores don't typically serve hot meals, but we've never been happier about a breach in the status quo. These mouthwatering ribeyes attract customers from all over East Texas, and you too can try one at 136 N Leona Blvd, Leona, TX 75850. To learn more, visit their website here.

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6. Beef Ribs at Black's Barbecue (Lockhart)
TripAdvisor/Lucaschaya
Facebook/Black's BBQ
Black's is the oldest family-owned BBQ restaurant in Texas, having been open since 1932. Everything on the menu is absolutely scrumptious, but the giant beef tips deserve some extra love. They're huge, fall-off-the-bone tender, and rubbed with a special seasoning blend. The original joint can be found at 215 N Main St., Lockhart, TX 78644, but Black's also has three other Hill Country locations. To learn more, visit their website here.
7. No. 5 Special at Keller's Drive-In (Dallas)
Foursquare/Rubana K.
Foursquare/Nick S.
This nostalgic drive-in is a snapshot of a bygone era. It's been a Dallas icon for 52 years and doesn't plan on going anywhere in the near future. The No. 5 Special has cheese, lettuce, tomato, special dressing, and two patties sandwiched between fluffy poppyseed buns. Sink your teeth into this beauty at 10554 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75220. To learn more, visit their website here.
8. Meringue Pies at Blue Bonnet Cafe (Marble Falls)
TripAdvisor/Nan S
TripAdvisor/MontgomeryBrewster
Everyone who's anyone in Texas has heard of Blue Bonnet Cafe. This charming, 50s-style diner dishes out all sorts of classic Southern meals, served by the familiar, smiling faces of 25-year+ veteran waitstaff. All the pies are delicious, but this mile-high meringue is simply unbeatable. Send your taste buds to dessert heaven at 5703, 211 US-281, Marble Falls, TX 78654. To learn more, visit their website here.
9. Queso at Kerbey Lane Cafe (Austin)
Flickr/danielgreene
Facebook/Kerbey Lane Cafe
This popular Austin haunt has tons of locations across the city, all of which offer the famous Kerbey Lane Queso. It's so good, you can even find it at Whole Foods! Nobody knows the secret recipe, but it sure is addictive. Try it for yourself at 3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731. To learn more, visit their website here.
10. Gulf Oysters at Gilhooley's (San Leon)
TripAdvisor/Amelia M.
TripAdvisor/Sean M
Grilled, fried, or even stuffed with shrimp, there's no end to what Gilhooley's can do with oysters. These suckers are huge and taste fresh as can be. Come slurp up a few at 222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.

For more iconic meals in Texas, check out our previous article: These 15 Iconic Foods In Texas Will Have Your Mouth Watering.

How many of these menu items have you tried? What other outstanding restaurants in Texas keep you coming back for one specific dish? Let us know your favorites in the comments below!

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More to Explore

famous dishes in Texas

Elisa Regulski | March 09, 2020

What kind of food is Texas known for?

The Lone Star State is known for a wide variety of scrumptious eats. Some of the most iconic meals in Texas are spicy and smoky. Tex Mex is wildly popular, and BBQ is always highly sought-after. Sometimes, the two are combined! If you ever get the chance to devour a delicious brisket taco from Valentina’s, you’ll be blown away. This humble food truck sits in south Austin, and people wait in line for hours just to enjoy a meal here.

What are the most famous restaurants in Texas?

Franklin Barbecue, located in Austin, is one of the most outstanding restaurants in Texas. It’s not uncommon for people to get in line as early as 9 a.m. Their ribs melt in your mouth and fall off the bone. The brisket is otherworldly. They only serve BBQ until they sell out, so it’s always wise to get there early. The Big Texan, located in Amarillo, is another famous restaurant. This western-themed eatery is best known for their giant 72-ounce steaks. If you can eat the whole thing, you may just get a prize.

What are the best places to get chicken-fried steak in Texas?

There’s no doubt about it -- there are so many great places to get chicken-fried steak in Texas. The Broken Spoke, located in Austin, serves some of the best. Most people know this as a historic dance hall, but that’s just the beginning. Their home cooked meals are absolutely superb.

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Featured Addresses
119 Grant Ave, Strawn, TX 76475, USA
9687 FM 60, Snook, TX 77878, USA
1101 US-77, Rosebud, TX 76570, USA
918 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Leona General Store, North Leona Blvd 136, TX-75, Leona, TX 75850, USA
Black's Barbecue Lockhart, 215 N Main St, Lockhart, TX 78644, USA
Keller's Drive-In, 10554 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75220, USA
Blue Bonnet Cafe, 211 US-281, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
3704 Kerbey Ln, Austin, TX 78731, USA
222 9th St, San Leon, TX 77539, USA