Texans love their food, and it shows in one of the most recognizable foodie cultures in the country. There are a few things that are just quintessentially Texan (think Dr. Pepper and Bluebell ice cream), and we’ve got them all written down so you can find the best Lone Star favorites in the Big D. Enjoy some of Texas’ most beloved comfort foods in a city that’s rapidly growing its reputation for having some of the best eats in the state.

Chicken Fried Steak

You can’t talk about comfort food without talking about chicken fried steak. It’s fried (obviously), comes topped with gravy, and goes great with mashed potatoes. That’s the kind of food that makes you feel good about your life, and Norma’s serves up some seriously great chicken fried steak that’s the go-to for this Texas classic.

Kolaches

These delicious little pastries are Czech in origin, but like always, we Texans had to put our own special twist on them. We’ll add jalapeños and varieties of sausage that blend the traditionally fruit-filled baked goods with a savory southern spice. The Kolache Bake Shop freshly bakes these soft, sweet, doughy delights to perfection each morning to fix your kolache itch.

Steak Fajitas

Fajitas got their start in West Texas as a poor ranch worker’s dish intended to make cheaper cuts of meat (skirt steak) tastier. They accomplished that goal. Today steak fajitas are still a Tex-Mex staple, and the best place to get them is Gabriela and Sophia’s Tex-Mex

Sweet Iced Tea

Now let us set the record straight. Texas does not claim to have the best southern-style sweet tea (we’ll leave that to the Carolinians), what we *do* have here is Texas sweet tea- a lighter, arguably sweeter version of “ice” tea. And we’re proud of it. Head over to Jakes Burgers and Beer for one of the best glasses of the golden sweet stuff in the city.

Brisket

Barbecue is basically a religion around these parts. There’s just something about some well smoked meats that makes you relax after the first bite. Therapy on a plate, y’all. Brisket is one of the most masterfully crafted Texan dishes, and nobody’s serving it up better than Pecan Lodge. Just make sure you get there before they run out of the stuff, because people will line up outside the door for an hour just to get a piece of this BBQ.

Pecan Pie

We can’t end this list without touching on an after-dinner delight, especially when its a pie so beloved we made it the official state dessert. Pecan pie is one of those simple pleasures in life. It’s easy to make and even easier to eat, which makes the competition for best pecan pie a heavily debated one. One place has it down to a science, though. If you want that perfect slice of pecan pie, you’ve got to head on over to Emporium Pies for the “Drunken Nut”!