You can try pretty much every cuisine in the world without ever having to leave Texas, so it’s no wonder we have some of the most delicious food on the planet. If you want something a little more exciting than your run-of-the-mill neighborhood grill or diner, though, you should definitely try out these unique little spots to get your grub on. These are 14 unique restaurants in Texas that you should not miss.
- Black’s BBQ - Lockhart, TX
Michael_Corey77/TripAdvisor The oldest BBQ restaurant in Texas, this place is a must-try if you want the best brisket, ribs and links that money can buy. 215 N Main St, Lockhart, TX 78644, USA
- Willy Burger - Beaumont, TX
Great Burgers and Crispy Onion Rings/TripAdvisor The oldest BBQ restaurant in Beaumont. Enjoy homemade burgers, fries, and shakes in this 50’s-style diner. You can eat inside the main restaurant or dine in an old-fashioned airstream trailer next to the main building. The “willy, willy good” burgers coupled with the retro atmosphere puts a unique twist on the standard burger and fry joint. 5535 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77706, USA
- The Pickett House - Woodville, TX
Country Cooking/TripAdvisor People come from all over the world to enjoy delicious eats at this cute little restaurant in East Texas. They serve southern comfort food in a family-style restaurant, and the real kicker is, it’s all-you-can-eat. Every Texan’s dream come true. 157 Private Rd 6000, Newton, TX 75966, USA
- Gourdough’s - Austin, TX
Kimberly Vardeman/Flickr This place doesn’t just serve donuts..they go the extra mile and serve donut burgers, donut sandwiches, fried chicken on top of donuts…you name it, they can make it. As long as it includes donuts. If you’re a foodie, you will be in absolute food heaven here. 2700 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
- Chi’Lantro - Austin, TX
mmcheng/Flickr Where authentic Korean flavors meet classic southern favorites…the Original Kimchi Fries are definitely a favorite among Austinites. 1509 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
- Biscuits + Groovy - Austin, TX
Stephanie/Flickr There’s a reason why Austin continually tops the charts for one of the best food cities in the country..if you want more than just a plain old biscuit with gravy for breakfast, visit this popular breakfast joint. You’ll soon understand why Austin locals love breakfast so much. 1210 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
- Hypnotic Donuts - Dallas, TX
thethrillist.com Donut connoisseurs will fall in love with this place..they have everything from peanut butter, banana, and bacon covered donuts to cake donuts with brown butter glaze to cinnamon rolls with bits of bacon and maple glaze on top. Mmmm. 9007 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218, USA
- Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe - San Antonio, TX
Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe/Facebook Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Lulu’s definitely lives up to that with their famous 3 pound cinnamon rolls featured on an episode of Man vs. Food, plus the biggest chicken fried steak you’ve ever seen. My advice: come here on an empty stomach. (Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe has permanently closed) North Richmond Avenue, N Richmond Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
- Mac and Ernie’s Roadside Eatery - Tarpley, TX
Dave 77459/Flickr If you ever find yourself a couple hours northwest of San Antonio, stop in here for their famous Cabrito Burgers, as well as antelope and other gamey meats. 11804 Farm to Market Rd 470, Tarpley, TX 78883, USA
- Maar’s Pizza and More - San Antonio, TX
Pizza/TripAdvisor If you want delicious pizza, fried mac and cheese, and other yummy fried treats in a cool cosmic atmosphere, check out this place for an out-of-this-world experience.
- Torchy’s Tacos - Austin, Dallas and Houston, TX
Seth Anderson/Flickr If you’re craving tacos, you have to stop in at Torchy’s to try some of the most popular tacos here in the Lone Star State. 1822 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, USA
- The Waffle Bus - Houston, TX
Luna715/Flickr If it’s waffles you want, it’s waffles you’ll get when you eat at this food truck in Houston. They have waffle burgers, fries, chicken & waffles, and even a waffle with smoked salmon on top. 1835 N Shepherd Dr suite a, Houston, TX 77008, USA
- The Gristmill - New Braunfels, TX
Management/TripAdvisor This bar & grill overlooking the Guadalupe River used to be a cotton gin, and the restaurant is actually considered a historic place by the state of Texas. Enjoy steaks, hamburgers, and grilled food with a spectacular river views and a relaxed hill country atmosphere. 1287 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
- Hubcap Grill - Houston, TX
Dave 77459/Flickr Tired of the standard American burgers? Come on down to the Hubcap Grill, where you can get Frito-topped burgers, Greek burgers, and even burgers topped with peanut butter. Delish! 1133 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008, USA
It’s no secret that Texas offers delicious food from BBQ to Asian to Indian to everything in between. It’s impossible to list them all, but these are some of the most unique restaurants you’ll find throughout the Lone Star State. What are some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!
Michael_Corey77/TripAdvisor
The oldest BBQ restaurant in Texas, this place is a must-try if you want the best brisket, ribs and links that money can buy.
215 N Main St, Lockhart, TX 78644, USA
Great Burgers and Crispy Onion Rings/TripAdvisor
The oldest BBQ restaurant in Beaumont. Enjoy homemade burgers, fries, and shakes in this 50’s-style diner. You can eat inside the main restaurant or dine in an old-fashioned airstream trailer next to the main building. The “willy, willy good” burgers coupled with the retro atmosphere puts a unique twist on the standard burger and fry joint.
5535 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77706, USA
Country Cooking/TripAdvisor
People come from all over the world to enjoy delicious eats at this cute little restaurant in East Texas. They serve southern comfort food in a family-style restaurant, and the real kicker is, it’s all-you-can-eat. Every Texan’s dream come true.
157 Private Rd 6000, Newton, TX 75966, USA
Kimberly Vardeman/Flickr
This place doesn’t just serve donuts..they go the extra mile and serve donut burgers, donut sandwiches, fried chicken on top of donuts…you name it, they can make it. As long as it includes donuts. If you’re a foodie, you will be in absolute food heaven here.
2700 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
mmcheng/Flickr
Where authentic Korean flavors meet classic southern favorites…the Original Kimchi Fries are definitely a favorite among Austinites.
1509 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Stephanie/Flickr
There’s a reason why Austin continually tops the charts for one of the best food cities in the country..if you want more than just a plain old biscuit with gravy for breakfast, visit this popular breakfast joint. You’ll soon understand why Austin locals love breakfast so much.
1210 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
thethrillist.com
Donut connoisseurs will fall in love with this place..they have everything from peanut butter, banana, and bacon covered donuts to cake donuts with brown butter glaze to cinnamon rolls with bits of bacon and maple glaze on top. Mmmm.
9007 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218, USA
Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe/Facebook
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Lulu’s definitely lives up to that with their famous 3 pound cinnamon rolls featured on an episode of Man vs. Food, plus the biggest chicken fried steak you’ve ever seen. My advice: come here on an empty stomach. (Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe has permanently closed)
North Richmond Avenue, N Richmond Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Dave 77459/Flickr
If you ever find yourself a couple hours northwest of San Antonio, stop in here for their famous Cabrito Burgers, as well as antelope and other gamey meats.
11804 Farm to Market Rd 470, Tarpley, TX 78883, USA
Pizza/TripAdvisor
If you want delicious pizza, fried mac and cheese, and other yummy fried treats in a cool cosmic atmosphere, check out this place for an out-of-this-world experience.
Seth Anderson/Flickr
If you’re craving tacos, you have to stop in at Torchy’s to try some of the most popular tacos here in the Lone Star State.
1822 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Luna715/Flickr
If it’s waffles you want, it’s waffles you’ll get when you eat at this food truck in Houston. They have waffle burgers, fries, chicken & waffles, and even a waffle with smoked salmon on top.
1835 N Shepherd Dr suite a, Houston, TX 77008, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
This bar & grill overlooking the Guadalupe River used to be a cotton gin, and the restaurant is actually considered a historic place by the state of Texas. Enjoy steaks, hamburgers, and grilled food with a spectacular river views and a relaxed hill country atmosphere.
1287 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
Tired of the standard American burgers? Come on down to the Hubcap Grill, where you can get Frito-topped burgers, Greek burgers, and even burgers topped with peanut butter. Delish!
1133 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Texas Restaurants With Big Taste October 06, 2022 Will Suphan What are the bucket list Texas restaurants one shouldn’t miss? Everything’s bigger in Texas and that includes the flavors. The state has a cornucopia of cuisine worthy of any bucket list. Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Fort Worth is at the head of the herd and serves up massive steaks, big baked potatoes, and of course a sizable surf and turf. If you want down-home simplicity with astounding flavor, the Blue Bonnet Cafe is a must-eat. Texans flock to Marble Halls for some of the best pie in the state which has its own happy hour. Their chicken fried steak is a real contender as well, fried to perfection and smothered in peppery, satisfying white gravy. Where are the best places for Texas barbecue? Texas barbecue is world famous and for good reason. While the state is huge, you’ll never have to go far for some of the best barbecue. The City Market in Luling is one of the very best, where you can order right there in the pit room and get your barbecue served up on red butcher paper in true authentic style. The Salt Lick will have you salivating before you even walk in the door. With a gigantic barbecue pit, the scent of pork and beef ribs, sausages, chicken, and more are only outdone by the flavor. Save up your appetite for their all-you-can-eat option! What are the best Mom and Pop restaurants in Texas? Texas is well known for homestyle, Mom and Pop cooking and has lots of options to choose from. The Pickett House in Woodville serves up stupendous Southern eats on shared, gingham cloth covered tables making everyone feel like one big family. After you’ve passed the potatoes, make sure to leave room for their amazing peach cobbler. You might not think a general store would be the place for some of the best steak you’ll ever have, but the Leona General Store in Leona, Texas is a local favorite. On Fridays and Saturdays, their hand-cut ribeye flies off the grill and you can even choose the size!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Texas Restaurants With Big Taste
October 06, 2022
Will Suphan
What are the bucket list Texas restaurants one shouldn’t miss? Everything’s bigger in Texas and that includes the flavors. The state has a cornucopia of cuisine worthy of any bucket list. Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Fort Worth is at the head of the herd and serves up massive steaks, big baked potatoes, and of course a sizable surf and turf. If you want down-home simplicity with astounding flavor, the Blue Bonnet Cafe is a must-eat. Texans flock to Marble Halls for some of the best pie in the state which has its own happy hour. Their chicken fried steak is a real contender as well, fried to perfection and smothered in peppery, satisfying white gravy. Where are the best places for Texas barbecue? Texas barbecue is world famous and for good reason. While the state is huge, you’ll never have to go far for some of the best barbecue. The City Market in Luling is one of the very best, where you can order right there in the pit room and get your barbecue served up on red butcher paper in true authentic style. The Salt Lick will have you salivating before you even walk in the door. With a gigantic barbecue pit, the scent of pork and beef ribs, sausages, chicken, and more are only outdone by the flavor. Save up your appetite for their all-you-can-eat option! What are the best Mom and Pop restaurants in Texas? Texas is well known for homestyle, Mom and Pop cooking and has lots of options to choose from. The Pickett House in Woodville serves up stupendous Southern eats on shared, gingham cloth covered tables making everyone feel like one big family. After you’ve passed the potatoes, make sure to leave room for their amazing peach cobbler. You might not think a general store would be the place for some of the best steak you’ll ever have, but the Leona General Store in Leona, Texas is a local favorite. On Fridays and Saturdays, their hand-cut ribeye flies off the grill and you can even choose the size!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Everything’s bigger in Texas and that includes the flavors. The state has a cornucopia of cuisine worthy of any bucket list. Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Fort Worth is at the head of the herd and serves up massive steaks, big baked potatoes, and of course a sizable surf and turf. If you want down-home simplicity with astounding flavor, the Blue Bonnet Cafe is a must-eat. Texans flock to Marble Halls for some of the best pie in the state which has its own happy hour. Their chicken fried steak is a real contender as well, fried to perfection and smothered in peppery, satisfying white gravy.
Where are the best places for Texas barbecue?
Texas barbecue is world famous and for good reason. While the state is huge, you’ll never have to go far for some of the best barbecue. The City Market in Luling is one of the very best, where you can order right there in the pit room and get your barbecue served up on red butcher paper in true authentic style. The Salt Lick will have you salivating before you even walk in the door. With a gigantic barbecue pit, the scent of pork and beef ribs, sausages, chicken, and more are only outdone by the flavor. Save up your appetite for their all-you-can-eat option!
What are the best Mom and Pop restaurants in Texas?
Texas is well known for homestyle, Mom and Pop cooking and has lots of options to choose from. The Pickett House in Woodville serves up stupendous Southern eats on shared, gingham cloth covered tables making everyone feel like one big family. After you’ve passed the potatoes, make sure to leave room for their amazing peach cobbler. You might not think a general store would be the place for some of the best steak you’ll ever have, but the Leona General Store in Leona, Texas is a local favorite. On Fridays and Saturdays, their hand-cut ribeye flies off the grill and you can even choose the size!