A few years ago, I was on a bus tour, and we stopped at Killen’s Barbecue in Pearland. Someone suggested we try the rib. I didn’t see any takers so I ordered it. It was massive and I ended up sharing it with several others. I’ve never found any rib that can beat it…and I’ve tried.

Incredible BBQ can be found in the Texas Hill Country. We once lived down the road from Dripping Springs, and it was convenient for us to drive over to Salt Lick BBQ, take a picture of the pit, and enjoy some of their mouth-watering barbecue. My favorite meal is the Marino’s Triple Chop sandwich with brisket, sausage, and ribs. Hard to go wrong! LOVE THEIR BBQ SAUCE!

With only a little over 500 residents, Strawn isn’t big. Mary’s Cafe makes up for the town’s small size by serving one of the largest chicken-fried steaks in Texas. I ordered a medium when I was there. It took about 20 minutes to get my meal because they bread them fresh in the kitchen. It was fork-tender, and the fries covered even more of the steak in this photo. Not pictured is the soup bowl full of white gravy. It’s definitely worth the hype.

The Angry Cactus in San Angelo is the only restaurant I’ve ever seen that serves chicken-fried steak in medallion size. Of course, one medallion makes enough for lunch, but three gives you leftovers or a late-night snack.

In Fort Worth, Ol’ South Pancake House is a local institution. They’re known for their World Famous German Pancake, filled with lemon juice, powdered sugar, and butter, and they make it tableside. It’s a lot, so come hungry or order their smaller Dutch baby.

Jose’s Cafecito Restaurant in Weslaco serves up Tex-Mex breakfast favorites that will keep you coming back for more. When we camped down in the Rio Grande Valley about a decade ago, we had breakfast at Jose’s. This is the Fireman’s Breakfast, a half order, can you imagine what a full order would be?

Burgerland in Paris is a retro favorite, making the classic burger. You can sit at the limited-seating bar and watch the cook flip burgers and put the fries in the fryer. You can grab a seat at an outdoor picnic table or eat in your car. No matter where you eat, the burger is a throwback to yesterday. I loved it, as I worked for a restaurant in my first job at 14, and it reminded me of those old-school burgers.

I ate at Blue Sky Texas in Amarillo several years ago, as a friend of mine who lived in town told me about it. This West Texas staple makes a mean home-style burger. I loved that you could add extras on the side. I opted for a side of green chile to add to it. It brought the heat and the flavor. And the fried jalapeno rings only added to it.

Starlight Theatre in Terlingua is a must-stop for chili lovers exploring Big Bend country. The tiny town is known for its infamous International Championship Chili Cook-off. I sampled a cup of their chili when I drove the perimeter of Texas, when I first started this blog. I’d do it again in a heartbeat – eat the chili and drive the perimeter.

While Casa Rio in San Antonio has been serving up this Tex-Mex staple along the River Walk for generations and most know them for their multi-colored umbrellas along the Riverwalk, their chili is delicious. Rich and dark, this chili is served alongside saltine crackers, onions, and cheese, as God intended.

I spent a couple of months down in the Rio Grande Valley when my husband and I took a year off to RV. We tried many restaurants, but one of our favorites was La Playa Mexican Cafe in Harlingen. My husband loved their crunchy tacos. I loved their fried stuffed avocado. We both loved their margaritas. With all that love, how can you lose?

While Garcia’s in Buda is known for its enchiladas and family-friendly vibe in a converted historic home. We lived in Buda for a few years, and it was definitely our go-to restaurant. The food was exceptional, but it was all about the chips and salsa, particularly the chips. They have the lightest and crunchiest chips I’ve ever had. If I could own stock in them, I’m convinced I’d be rich.

I discovered Shrimp ‘N Stuff when I visited Galveston Island prior to Mardi Gras one year. I’d heard it was a local favorite. Located in a neighborhood, I loved everything about it, including the lady who got out of her car in a purple gown, no doubt dressed for the season. Their coconut shrimp is one of my favorites. There’s no pretense about this place. Wear a gown or wear shorts and a t-shirt. No matter, you’ll eat well here.

For me, sometimes it’s the simple things in life you need to enjoy. At Laguna Bob’s on South Padre Island, they offer an ideal spot for viewing the sunsets, while enjoying shrimp with a little lemon juice and cocktail sauce, and maybe, a cold beverage with an umbrella in it.

If you’ve driven I-35 from Dallas/Fort Worth to Austin, you’ve been through the tiny town of West. The Czech Stop serves as both a fuel stop for your car and for you and your passengers. The store is famous for its authentic Czech pastries, especially its sweet fruit-and-cream cheese kolaches. And for those of you wanting the savory option, they do offer Klobásník. Did you know Czech Stop is home to the official Kolache of the Texas Legislature?

The Kolache Shop in Brazoria offers old-school favorites in a small-town setting. We stopped here on our perimeter tour and learned that they were among several bakeries on the Texas Kolache Trail. Sign me up!!!

If you’re not following the Oxbow Bakery’s Facebook page in Palestine, you really should. They share the latest pie options on their site, so you know what to order when you arrive. And you better hope they have it. Located in their Old Town, it’s a pie-lover’s dream, with a rotating menu of classic and seasonal flavors. My husband loves their peanut butter, and I love their banana blueberry.

My first taste of the Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie from Goode Company BBQ in Houston came by UPS. I was sent this incredible pie to share with my staff at the time. And, yes, it came in this cool box that reads, “You might give some serious thought to thanking your lucky stars you’re in Texas.” The box had me. The pie sold me. Not too shabby for a place known primarily for its BBQ.

Farm House Fried Pies in Mineola makes fried pies like my grandma used to make them. You can watch the ladies make the pies and fry them in the cast-iron skillet in the back of the store. They are the real deal. Pie crust is flaky and delicious, with fillings from apricot to moonshine.

Normally, I try not to feature the same restaurant twice on a list. But Killen’s BBQ in Pearland earned a double-feature. The monster beef rib was delicious, but save room for the warm carrot cake. It comes drenched in a cream cheese glaze and topped with crispy fried carrot curls. It tastes like Thanksgiving and home all wrapped up in a warm, perfectly spiced cake.