6 Unique Texas Dishes that Non-Texans Find Strange
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For me, traveling means getting to enjoy flavors and tastes that I wouldn’t have the joy of experiencing back home. From the colorful street food markets of Thailand to food pit stops (karinderyas) in the Philippines, I welcome exotic food with an open mind – and, of course, an open mouth! However, naturally, there are certain dishes that put me out of my comfort zone (which doesn’t mean I don’t try them, though)!
This got me wondering – if I were visiting the state of Texas for the first time, what kind of foods would I be surprised by? And what types of dishes would I have second thoughts about trying? Texas cuisine is wonderfully diverse, and sometimes this means spotting a few unconventional items on the menu. If you’re as curious about new food like me, then you’ll enjoy this list of unique Texas dishes that non-Texans may find rather odd.
Barbacoa
Barbacoa is traditionally prepared using meat from the head of a lamb, goat, or cow (most often the cheeks). This meat is roasted slowly in a dug-out pit until it is deliciously tender. Some barbacoa joints even offer up brains and tongue as part of their Tex-Mex menu. And don’t forget about cow eyeballs, or ojos in Spanish. Admittedly, as open-minded as I claim to be about food, I have yet to try this – eating something that can stare back at you seems a little eerie! However, some brave souls I know have tried them and have likened the texture to that of fresh oysters.
Fried Gator
In my opinion, there’s nothing like sitting down at a Texas food joint and feasting on a big ol’ plate of deep-fried gator. Yes, by “gator” I mean alligator, and I’m not just here to tell you about how it tastes like chicken! This exotic meat is widely available at a bunch of seafood joints in Texas. Best paired with a mayo dip, fried gator is a go-to Texas snack and can hold its own as a delicious dinner time main!
Chili (beans be damned!)
Chili is a Texan’s bread and butter – it’s a total food staple and ingrained into the state’s rich culinary history. So much so that in 1977, it was even crowned the official dish of the Lone Star State. But don’t you go adding any beans to your bowl of Texas chili. In the state of Texas, when it comes to making a wholesome bowl of red, legumes are a big no-no.
Rattlesnake
Yes, like its alligator cousin, rattlesnake also tastes like chicken. You can find these snakes in the arid regions of the state, especially in West Texas. In a Hollywood movie, you may see someone kill a snake that creeps up on them in the wild. But what they don’t show you is how a Texan then gets their grub up. Though rattlesnake is mostly consumed fried, you can also find it in chili, sausage, and carnitas – a pretty versatile meat!
Deer Sausage
Known for its myriad hunting grounds, Texas is the place to catch some game animals – especially deer! After a successful day out in the wild, there’s nothing more satisfying than cooking up and enjoying the fruits of your hunt. And with that we have deer sausage, as well as other deer meat products. Well-seasoned links of smoked deer sausage are welcome at any home barbecue I’m running.
Cow Testicles
Texans don’t want to waste any kinds of meat and thus find ingenious ways to cook up all parts of an animal. Balls and all. Fried cow testicles, or “calf fries” as they are referred to in the Texas Panhandle, are commonly served at festivals and specialty eateries. There’s even a testicle festival in Fredericksburg, where people spend a whole day celebrating this niche delicacy. This fest features a crazy testicle eating contest, allowing brave souls to test their stomachs and eat as many fried balls as they can!
Planning a trip to Texas? Why not try something totally new and mad! Whether it’s barbacoa, beanless chili, or even a bowl of balls(!), there’s something for even the most adventurous foodies. Go out of your comfort zone and tuck into some of the Lone Star State’s most unique dishes.
Do you need to go to markets that sell fresh seafood across Texas?
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