To understand , you need to eat your way through it. The state's culinary creds have been forged in smoke, seasoned with salt and pepper, and shaped by generations of diverse cultures and traditions that have left their mark on every corner of the region.
If you dig deep beneath the barbecue mythology, you'll uncover a rich ecosystem that tells the tale of Texas, drawing on centuries-old culinary traditions—from Mexican influence and Southern comfort food to Asian innovation.
And whether it's your fifth trip or your first, every visit uncovers something new—with each of the seven regions offering up dramatic landscapes, outdoor adventures, unique flavours, storied history, and moments for exploration and reflection. There's something for everyone once you grasp the lay of this vast and vibrant land.
And thanks to this guide, you'll know exactly where to eat when you take the holy trip to the Lone Star State. Let's dive in, shall we? Just make sure to come hungry.
Franklin Barbecue
Austin
Image credit: Franklin Barbecue | Facebook
The first thing you'll notice at is the incredible scent of post-oak wood smoke and rendering beef fat—especially early in the morning. People start lining up before sunrise, bringing folding chairs and coolers filled with drinks to stay cool while they wait.
This isn't just barbecue; it's a way of life. Aaron Franklin has achieved ultimate pitmaster status—turning a roadside trailer operation into one of the most hyped barbecue joints in America. The brisket's glistening black coating gives way to buttery meat, which explains why you'll find everyone—from visiting tourists to well-known regulars—waiting patiently in line. They don't take bookings here, so just rock up, pull up a seat, and tuck in.
Xochi
Houston
Image credit: Xochi | Instagram
Houston has quietly become one of America's most captivating food cities, largely because of its unmatched mix of tradition and innovation. , helmed by chef Hugo Ortega, is a shining example.
The restaurant specialises in Oaxacan cuisine, which means complex moles that take days to prepare, heirloom corn transformed into incredible tortillas, and crispy fried molotes (masa cakes filled with potato and chorizo). Ortega, who arrived from Mexico and worked his way up from dishwasher to James Beard Award winner, plays a huge role in what makes this fine dining experience so compelling.
Snow’s BBQ
Lexington
Image credit: Snow's BBQ | Facebook
In barbecue-obsessed Texas, achieves mythic status by doing things differently. It's located in Lexington (population: approx 1,200), operates only on Saturday mornings, and is run by 90-year-old pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz—who wakes at 6am, gets in her pickup truck, and drives to Snow's to light the fires.
The brisket and pork steak have a quality that defies easy explanation—served by the pound until sold out—served up with simple sides like slaw, potato salad, pinto beans, washed down with an iced tea or soda.
Mixtli
San Antonio
Image credit: Mixtli | Instagram
Behind an unassuming entrance in San Antonio sits , a Michelin-starred restaurant where chefs Diego Galicia and Rico Torres work their magic. Each menu explores a specific region of Mexico, moving beyond the "Mexican food" label to showcase the incredibly diverse cuisine through impressive historical reinterpretations.
The 10-course tasting menu could include traditional ingredients one moment and modern techniques the next—think crab, prawn and pickled carrot, wild boar and dried chiles, and acorn and Texas pecan mole with winter vegetables.
La Barbecue
Austin
Image credit: la Barbecue | Facebook
has got legacy and innovation packed into its DNA. Founded by LeAnn Mueller (of the famous Mueller barbecue family) and now run by her wife Ali Clem, it's a standout in a culinary field where barbecue has long been a male-dominated tradition.
Meats are priced by the pound, and served up on platters with pickles, shells & cheese, house-made sausage and potato bread. The brisket rivals any in Austin (high praise in this city), but it's the atmosphere—unpretentious, welcoming, and distinctly Austin—that makes it stand out. In a rapidly changing city, it captures both tradition and progress, all wrapped up in butcher paper.
Tatsu
Dallas
Image credit: Tatsu | Instagram
For years, Texans seeking world-class sushi had to board planes to coastal cities. Now Dallas' has changed up the game. Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi presides over just ten seats, serving omakase with fish flown in daily from all corners of the globe, including Japan, Mexico, Spain, and Alaska.
Each morsel is a careful balance between tradition and the chef's vision, while the intimate setting makes it feel like you're dining in someone's home. It's not cheap, but neither is flying to Tokyo. Each meal is served omakase style, with one or two appetisers, a rotation of nigiri style-sushi, a hand roll, miso soup and dessert. Every bite simple, but of Michelin-star quality.
Mike’s Chicken
Dallas
Image credit: Mike's Chicken | Facebook
Inside a laundromat in a Dallas strip mall, makes a persuasive case for fried chicken as one of life's perfect foods. The family-run spot produces these crispy morsels with skin that shatters like delicious glass—while the meat stays impossibly juicy.
The sides—particularly the mac and cheese—deserve mention too, but it's the chicken that people line up for. In a state with no shortage of fried chicken options, Mike's stands apart with their simple but effective execution.
Panther City BBQ
Fort Worth
Image credit: Panther City BBQ | Facebook
The pitmasters at understand a fundamental truth: barbecue tradition should provide the foundations, not limitations. Their brisket elote of creamy Mexican street corn topped with chopped brisket, queso fresco and hot sauce is living proof.
While the central Texas-style brisket checks all the traditional boxes (peppery bark, pink smoke ring, tender interior), it's the inventive sides and specialties like pork belly burnt ends that earned them recognition from the Michelin Guide. With its bold flavours—and the Guinness World Record for longest barbecue marathon by a team—Panther City BBQ has cemented itself as a must-visit for barbecue lovers heading to Fort Worth.
Worked up an appetite? Hey, you and me both. With Texas’ bounty of landscapes, people, foods, and cultures, book in that annual leave, loosen your belt, and start planning your visit .
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Images: Sourced from venue Facebook and Instagram