If there’s one thing Texas doesn’t mess around with, it’s food.
This road trip will take you to seven of the state’s oldest restaurants, where history and flavor go hand in hand.
From century-old barbecue pits to legendary Tex-Mex joints and Gulf Coast seafood shacks, each stop tells a story as rich as the dishes they serve.
So, gas up the car, grab your loosest pair of jeans, and get ready to taste Texas history one bite at a time.
1. The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery – Amarillo
The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery has been serving up giant steaks and Wild West vibes since 1960, and it’s the place with the famous 72-ounce steak challenge.
Inside, it’s all cowboy kitsch, with long wooden tables, taxidermy on the walls, and a stage where brave souls attempt to finish that massive steak in one hour.
They’ve also got their own brewery, a shooting gallery, and even an old-school motel next door, so you can sleep off your food coma in true Texas style.
2. Joe T. Garcia’s – Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, Joe T. Garcia’s has been the spot for family-style Tex-Mex since 1935, and trust us, this place is an institution.
The patio alone is legendary—think lush gardens, twinkling lights, and fountains that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret fiesta.
Even with a limited menu, they serve up heaping plates of sizzling fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, and the kind of margaritas that’ll make you forget what day it is.
3. Stagecoach Inn – Salado
Stagecoach Inn sits in a 1852 building that has worn many hats—hotel, stopover, and now a go-to destination for Southern comfort food that keeps history alive.
The building itself looks straight out of a history book, with wooden floors, stone walls, and an old-school charm that makes you want to sip sweet tea on the porch.
Their famous hushpuppies are pure magic—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and served with a side of honey butter that should be illegal.
4. Scholz Garten – Austin
Scholz Garten has been dishing out bratwurst and beer since 1866, making it the oldest operating beer garden in Texas—and the go-to hangout for everyone.
The vibe is pure Austin: big communal tables, live music, and an atmosphere that somehow feels like both a rowdy tailgate and a laid-back backyard hangout.
Order a schnitzel, grab a giant stein of German beer, and soak up the history at a place that has been fueling Texas-sized appetites for over 150 years.
5. Kreuz Market – Lockhart
If you’re serious about Texas barbecue, Kreuz Market in Lockhart is holy ground—they’ve been smoking meat the old-school way under its name since 1900!
Tradition runs deep here, with perfectly smoked brisket, sausage, and ribs served on butcher paper, the way it’s been done for over a century.
Step inside, and you’ll be hit with the mouthwatering smell of post oak smoke, giant pits sizzling with meat, and the undeniable feeling that you’ve found barbecue heaven.
6. Mi Tierra Café y Panadería – San Antonio
Mi Tierra Café y Panadería in San Antonio isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a fiesta spot that’s been serving Tex-Mex classics since 1941.
Inside, it’s bursting with color, with piñatas hanging from the ceiling, walls covered in twinkling lights, and a mariachi band roaming between tables.
Whether you’re here for a plate of sizzling carne asada or just stopping by for a sugary dessert from the bakery, this place makes every meal feel like a celebration.
7. Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant – Galveston
Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant has been serving up Gulf Coast seafood since 1911.
This means they’ve had over a century to perfect the art of frying, grilling, and blackening the freshest fish around.
The dining room is all about old-school elegance, with white tablecloths, nautical touches, and huge windows looking out over the water.
Their famous pecan-crusted fish is the stuff of legend, but don’t skip the giant crab cakes or the rich, buttery bisque—this is seafood done right.
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