These 25 Texas Foods Prove The The Lone Star State Has The Best Cuisine

Because chips without queso is blasphemous.

1. Fajitas

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Fajitas originated from the Spanish ranch hands of South and West Texas. Skirt steak served on a skillet with veggies, and chesse = pure perfection.

2. Pecan Pie

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The pecan nut is the official health nut of Texas. So naturally the pecan pie is a cut above the rest.

3. Brisket

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There are many varieties of barbecue all over the country, but nothing beats a Texas-style brisket slow smoked for eight hours.

4. Every fried food at the Texas State Fair.

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Deep frying is what makes good food great. Whether it's Oreos, funnel cakes, or Twinkies, the Texas State Fair does fried food better.

5. Sweet Tea

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The oldest known recipe for sweet tea comes from a community cookbook that originated in Texas. You haven't lived until you've had this served in a mason jar on a hot summer day.

6. Chili and Chili con carne

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Chili is the official state dish of Texas. The Texan version has no beans while the Tex-Mex version does. Both are unique, both are delicious.

7. Chicken Fried Steak

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With origins in the Texas Hill Country, this traditional dish only comes in two sizes, large and Texas-sized.

Lulu's Bakery and Cafe in San Antonio has one of the biggest chicken fried steaks you'll ever see.

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8. Breakfast Tacos

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Breakfast a lot of other places may mean pancakes and eggs. In Texas it means breakfast tacos. You can combine ingredients like eggs, potato, cheese, beans, onions, and chicharrones any number of ways to make the perfect breakfast.

9. Blueberry Cobbler

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The Texan version of this Southern dish starts with batter on the bottom mixed with blueberries and more batter on top. This sweet treat is the perfect way to end any meal.

10. Kolaches

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These Czech pastries are great for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the best place to get them is at Czech Stop in West, Texas.

11. Ice Cream

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Sure you can get ice cream everywhere, but attention to detail makes Blue Bell the best. The cream used is never over 24 hours old and drivers stock the shelves themselves to guarantee quality.

12. Frito Pie

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Originated in Dallas, this treat in a bag is a staple at many football games throughout the state.

13. Tortilla Soup

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Texans understand that this amazing soup is also a great way to use tortilla chips before they go stale.

14. King Ranch Casserrole

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This casserole consisting of tomatoes, green chiles, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, diced bell pepper, and chicken can feed even a Texas-sized appetite.

15. Chile con Queso

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This mix of chili peppers and cheese is typically served as an appetizer in many Tex-Mex restaurants. What better way to start your meal?

16. Fried Okra

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This easy-to-make dish means summertime in Texas. All you need is buttermilk, cornmeal, spices, and a fryer.

17. Cheese Enchiladas

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Enchiladas come in many varieties, but Texans were among the first to smother them in cheese. Tortillas filled with cheese, vegetables, and your choice of meat. The road to addiction is paved with cheese enchiladas.

18. Frozen Margaritas

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Mariano's Mexican Cuisine in Dallas was the restaurant that first invented the frozen beverage. The first frozen margarita machine was even donated to the Smithsonian. What's not to like about an alcoholic slushie?

19. Corn Dogs

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German Texan sausages makers developed these delights when they found native Texans had an aversion for sausage. Carnivals and food courts have never been the same.

20. Texas Caviar

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The Texas version of this high class dish includes black-eyed peas, corn, avocado and mango. It is a lot less expensive than actual caviar, and it's great with tortilla chips.

21. Hamburgers

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The great American hamburger is actually a Texas original. Uncle Fletch made the first version of the hamburger in Athens, Texas during the late 1880s. You're welcome.

22. Chimichangas

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The chimichagna was thought to have been invented in Texas when a restaurant worker accidentally dropped a burrito into a deep fryer. This delicious deep fried burrito is crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

23. Do-nuts

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Shipley's emphasizes freshness to the point where they make sure your do-nut is always warm when you eat it. Many locations are also open 24/7.

24. Pecan Pralines

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Being that pecans are the state nut these nuggets of caramel, brown sugar, and pecans make these a must-have treat.

25. Dr Pepper

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This Texas original only uses real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.