When your hunger is the size of Texas the only way to fill it is with a foodie journey through the state. Texas is home to some of the most amazing cuisine. From Texas BBQ to Tex-Mex, whatever you are craving will be easy to find.
Texas is also home to some of the most unique and fun restaurants in the states. There are plenty of options to add to your foodie journey but we of course have our favorites! From Burgers to Waffles these stops are not to be missed!
Willy Burger
Located in Beaumont, Texas Willy Burger serves up some of the best homemade burgers with a side of nostalgia. They grind their hamburger meat up fresh and you can actually watch in their open air kitchen. Every single day they start with a 60lb side of beef that is stripped and then ground. They hand form their patties and then fry them like granny did on an old-fashioned griddle. Your bun is toasted right next to your burger and you have never had a hamburger bun like Willie’s. They are pillow soft and taste amazing! Taking a trip to Willy’s is like taking a trip to the 50’s. They serve hand cut, hand-dipped onion rings that are cooked right in front of you and milkshakes so thick you may need a spoon! Of course, if burgers aren’t your thing they have alternatives like: grilled tuna, grilled chicken, and grilled portobella mushroom. If you decide to take a trip in time make sure you order the Hee Haw burger! It is topped with pimento cheese, fried green tomato, bacon, and a red pepper jelly. As Willy would say “It is yummy yummy for yo tummy!”
Gourdoughs
In the mood for a donut? How about a donut burger? Well then you need to take a trip to Gourdough’s in Austin, Texas! Owners Ryan Palmer and Paula Samford take the simple donut and turn it into a powerhouse which draws people from all over Texas. Even though Gourdough’s has sweet donuts people come here for the amazing savory ones! Located in an airstream with a few outside tables, Gourdough’s ambience is as quirky as the menu, but don’t let that fool you. The food is as good as what you would get at an upscale restaurant. If you are in the mood for a sandwich, I recommend the Bacon Me Crazy. It has loads of bacon, provolone cheese, guac, cilantro, tomato, red onion, and mayo. Of course it is all served on a donut bun. If you want something more substantial because your hunger is bigger than texas, then you really need to get the Dirty South. Hand battered chicken steak is served on top of a piping hot donut and then covered with creamy white gravy with cranberry habanero jelly. Also, it comes with the lightest, fluffiest potato pancake you will ever sink your teeth into. Don’t forget to save room for dessert! Gourdough’s also has a great selection of dessert donuts including the Southern Bell. The Southern Bell is filled with house made pecan pie filling and topped with cream cheese icing and candied pecans. It is very rich, so share!
Biscuits+Groovy
This place makes breakfast as weird as it’s name! If you want your typical biscuits and gravy with no flair, this is not the place for you. If you are a foodie though, you need to run here. Located in Austin Texas Biscuits+Groovy takes biscuits and gravy to another level. This isn’t restaurant but a food trailer and there are two locations, one in Hyde Park at 51st+Duval and another in Barton Springs. Also, picnic table seating is available. Don’t be dismayed when you walk up and only see about 8 items on the menu, owner Jon Lach found recipes that were amazing and stuck with them! Each one is named after a groovy famous person. Our favorite is the Johnny Hash; it is topped with white pepper gravy, potatoes, peppered maple bacon, sausage, and colby cheese. The orange juice is freshly squeezed from organic oranges and there is no sugar added. You can also add extra toppings for an additional charge. On weekends and holidays things get very busy, so come early!
Mac and Ernie’s Roadside Eatery
Mac and Ernie’s is so awesome they are only open 3 days a week: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Hours may vary so you may want to check their website and make sure they are open when you want to visit. If you are a big fan of Diners, Drive In’s and Dives, you may remember Mac and Ernie’s from the very first episode. Located in Tarpley, Texas; Mac and Ernie’s offers great food at really great prices. A hamburger and fries will only set you back about $8.00. And it isn’t some boring burger either. It is grilled to perfection, topped with melty, gooey cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. The french fries are regular cut fries and are deep fried to golden perfection. If you are wanting to be a little more adventurous you may want to try dinner. You can get lamb chops with cucumber yogurt or Ancho chili honey basted quail. On Sunday’s they have an amazing brunch and lunch. This place gets super busy so you might want to get here early.
The Waffle Bus
When you want a waffle but not just any waffle, you need to head to The Waffle Bus in Houston, Texas. This big red bus has been featured on both Food Network and the Cooking Channel. It is no wonder, considering they take a simple waffle and turn it into a foodie dream. The have savory and sweet sandwiches, burger sliders, chicken wings & waffles, delicious crunchy waffle fries, and of course, straight up waffles topped with powdered sugar and syrup on the side. If you are in the mood for something sweet, try the Chocolate Covered Strawberry waffle sandwich. In the mood for something savory? Chicken and Waffles win every time! Whatever your waffle craving, the Waffle Bus will satisfy it every time!
If you are traveling through Texas to get somewhere else, or you live here but have never ventured out of your hometown, there are many foodie stops along the way. So venture out and try some of the best food Texas has to offer. Just remember to take your hat off at the table and bring your hunger, because everything is bigger in Texas!
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