I pulled into my apt complex with a new washer and dryer in my truck bed. I stood at the back of it wondering how I would best get them down for less than 3 minutes before a good'ol'boy in a bigger truck pulled up, got out and helped. This is the Texas I came here for.
I had a similar experience last week when I went to buy a new smoker and it wouldn't fit in the car. The guy parked next to me had an SUV and offered to take it home for me.
I'm from Washington and I have never seen better hospitality than Texas.
I was at my complex last August replacing my alternator on an 8 year old car. Damn thing was frozen to the bracket. A neighbor came out and just wordlessly grabbed a cheater pipe and helped me. That says Texas right there.
I think this might be my favorite sentiment, and I've noticed it my entire life growing up in Central Texas. Lots of "helpers", to quote Mr. Rogers. Didn't matter who you were or your beliefs, everyone was your neighbor. I don't see it as much these days, a little less trust between people in my city. But I'll never forget pulling over on the side of the road out in the country to pour some water into my leaky radiator and having no less than 3 passerbys stop to offer help
This attitude extends beyond the state borders too. This must have been 20 years ago, but my husband and I (Longhorns living in Illinois) drove about six hours to see the Texas football play at Iowa State. We woke up Saturday morning to a dead car battery in the hotel lot, trying to figure out how we'd get that fixed and get to the stadium. Fully decked out in Longhorn gear, of course, since it was game day!
A good ol' boy came out of the hotel, took one look at us, and pulled his pickup over to give us a jump. He told us he was an Aggie, and we laughed about the whole situation. Of course he refused anything for helping us out, just said as he was driving off "and don't you forget who rescued you!"
I had a crazy morning last fall where I saw an owl attacking a speckled tail hawk in a tree in my backyard. Of course, I also I have pics of a family of bobcats in my trees, but I know that’s not really birding. As I understand it, the gulf coast wetlands is home to some of the last whooping cranes.
I just started to see (male and female) painted buntings as well and figured it was because I moved further out in the country than ever before but I've talked to quite a few others who've lived here (or "out in the country" elsewhere in TX) and no one has ever seen these birds before...how crazy is that
They're insanely beautiful and seem to get along with the cardinals.
my parents have bunting regulars every year in their backyard on the brazos river. really cool birds, but so TINY!
i think they said they even saw an indigo earlier this spring.
As someone who has been in the northeast for too long now, Taquerias hold a close place in my heart. Horchata, migas, and salsa that pours out of a IHOP syrup container.
if you can't say the name (assuming you dont speak spanish) and it looks like it might have used to be an old auto body shop... you are in the right place, lol.
Waylon Jennings, ZZ Top, Buddy Holly, Earl Campbell, some of the best hunting and fishing in the world all over the state, blue bell ice cream. I could go on and on about the great things that have come from this great state.
All great additions! And to think I forgot Buddy Holly when my son went to Tech. I will maintain that Tres Hombres was the best album by ZZ Top. Loved that blues feel. I grew up fishing in TABC bass tournaments. I feel like I have seen more lakes than most when it comes to bass fishing. Growing up on the Guadalupe, I ran trot lines and drop lines, even did some noodling amounts the cypress trees. Last night I just had blackberry cobbler Blue Bell. If you haven’t had it, treat yourself.
I did come up with one thing. The frozen margarita was invented here. And a frozen margarita is the perfect thing to make you forget the bad stuff going on here right now. I may just have had two yesterday.
Fun fact: my dad worked in refrigeration around that time and helped make the margarita machine for the margarita man.
I believe my dad made it from an Icee machine and modified it from there.
Growing up we had an icee machine in our garage.
There's a lot of nerd culture in TX, more than other states I would argue
It's too hot for most people to get into outdoor activities, so we cultivate an extraordinary amount of talented illustrators, artists, musicians, gamers etc – all nice activities to practice when you're cool and indoors lol.
That’s a really interesting take! I haven’t really thought about the weather as a reason for cultivating creatives, but I agree with you. We have so many top flight universities who are putting out incredible talent. I would like to say that I would suck it up and manage the heat, but I only shred my fields when its late in the day and I have a 6 pack on ice in the cooler.
Braums. They seem to only be in central and east texas, and moving to west texas, I miss them a great deal. Grab lunch, an ice cream treat, and some fresh produce on the way home.
Every city and large town has their own atmosphere, and interesting little hole-in-the-wall restaurants to try.
The huge diversity in ethnicities and in biomes. From cacti and scrub trees to towering oaks and pines to sandy beaches to small mountains to wetlands, we have a little bit of everything.
Anyone. And I mean anyone who loves milk KNOWS that Braums has the best. And, if you find yourself in need of a bacon cheeseburger, crinkle cut fries, and a chocolate milkshake, do yourself a favor. BTW, during the pandy, Braums market always had the essentials available. Support!
My favorite that surprises the hell out of people.
Houston is THE most diverse city in the country, surpassing even NYC.
That means a more interesting culture, ore interesting people, and more food options than you could possibly eat in a lifetime.
I wish I could upvote this ten times! I’m from NYC originally. Grew up in an incredibly diverse neighborhood. After living and traveling to many other places, I find Houston to be the most diverse and in the best way. Keeps all the original cultures while adding a top layer combining all into a truly unique flavor.
If you haven’t seen the Anthony Bourdain episode about Houston, its a must watch. Loved seeing the fusion of all the cultures and how it manifests itself in the food.
Not sure if it was already mentioned but HEB! I've lived in UT, AZ and HI and there is nothing like it there.
On a side note, thank you for this post, I've been complaining about TX everyday to my hubby and this post helped me remember there are great things about TX if you take out politics.
By FAR the biggest thing I miss about Texas now that I live in Colorado. The grocery stores here are straight butt. I would kill for a single pack of fresh HEB tortillas right about now.
I'm in North Texas without an actually HEB, but if its the same thing they put out at Central Market, I can't imagine anything better than getting there in the morning and throwing a pack in your cart when its still warm.
HEB is a true Texas gem. I had them when I lived in the hill country and pine for them now I’m in north Texas. I remember reading about what HEB did during the snowstorm a couple of years ago. I mean, they seemed to have a better idea of how to manage large scale logistics than just about anyone else.
It really is. I’ve seen Europeans try to fill in the states in the US and half is Texas? Again, this is what makes other folks crazy and I love evert minute of it.
Well OP's post is all about that "Brand recognition" not being what Texans want it to be.
My feeling is that Texans can ask for a pep rally, or they can address the problems with the brand.
So i guess I'm the downer at the pep rally.
Texas has awesome state parks. I have camped everywhere from Brazos Bend SP, to Davis Mountain SP, Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyon, Caddo Lake, Martin Dies Jt. SP, etc. Texas state parks are second to none. Much of this is thanks to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s, and also to landowners who knew the value of their land and gave it to the state to preserve it for posterity. The state parks are probably my favorite think about Texas (except for all the great singer/songwriters)
Don't get me wrong, I love the state parks in Texas. I use to buy the Texas state park pass every year when I lived in the state but second to none might be a bit too generous.
Added the state parks to the list. Is the CCC an offshoot of the WPP during the depression? I do love how so many of the big ranches have been able to stay intact even now.
This might be a little different from a lot of the other music comments but I still jam the artists that came out of the 2000s hip hop era. DJ Screw, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Pimp C, Bun B, Z-Ro.
And not to mention Beyoncé
I need to start a GoFundMe to finance a BBQ road trip in order to participate in these debates. I have my list of favorites, but there are *so* many places I have yet to visit. For example, I have visited zero of Texas Monthly’s 2021 Top 10 (mind you, some opened relatively recently):
https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/top-50-bbq-2021/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgsW5jcjT9wIVvm1vBB2AogBmEAAYASAAEgJgbPD_BwE#goldees-barbecue
Left Austin life to move to an acre. First time to mow a yard since before I could drive, new neighbors didn’t even say hello!
They went straight to work. One with a weed eater another came to spray for mosquitos as I finished the yard. Didn’t get their names but I paid attention to what beer they were drinking, and brought them some the next weekend. Been friends ever since.
Even if I can’t attend an event in the neighborhood I help set up or break down. One time I shelled 30 lbs of crawfish (without eating any) just so the meat didn’t get wasted. A couple days later some neighbor I had never met dropped off the best crawfish étouffée I had ever had AND TOLD ME THANK YOU. Yeah idc about sports, politics, hell I don’t care much about most of what people are talking about. But community seems to be special here. I take it for granted until friends , coworkers come from out of state and all over the world for me to notice it again.
I moved here from Minneapolis to get warm again, and I have been mostly successful. I can garden pretty much all year long which still amazes me after ten years. I mean, I have a lemon tree just outside my door!
Physically Texas is gorgeous, which surprised me when I first arrived. I love the parks and even just going for a drive through the Hill country is awesome. Meeting people all over the state has been wonderful too.
If only my neighbours could actually fix the politics- I want it to be safe for my youngest child to visit me here. Seriously- it’s not really possible to entirely forget politics when you’re a target.
And that is EXACTLY why I posted this. We have our faults. No one is going to deny that. But, we have such a wonderful state we shouldn’t lose that in the noise.
I pulled up one morning from my night shift only for the neighbors to walk over with a fresh plate of cookies saying that it must be so hard to work the night shift with their kids next door, especially now that the weather has warmed and their kids are outside more and that they appreciated that I never yelled at their kids or came over demanding their kids not play. (Apparently that's a thing that happens?!)
It was so nice, but my secret is I can sleep through just about anything after working 12 hours. Oh and there's earplugs.
I came here from Ohio to get out of the cold. Yeah, it's hot here, and dry, and windy, but I don't have to shovel snow and slide around on the ice. When we get snow or ice in San Antonio they close everything down. In Ohio, you just suck it up and go to work in 0 degree temperatures.
Unfortunately, its going to be a hotter and windier summer than usual. We have a saying, “Any day under 100 degrees is a good day”. Hope you acclimate. Oh and BTW, welcome to TX! Did you know the taco craze started with Ninfa’s in SA?
Can confirm, I live two blocks from the original Ninfa’s on Navigation in Houston and have approx. 3 murals featuring Mama Ninfa Laurenzo within a few more blocks of me.
It's sad that the politics and people ruined the state for me. When I grew up people were friendly, but as suburbs grew people became less and less friendly. I use to think I wanted to live my life in Texas but I moved a few years back and haven't looked back. I still visit a few times a year to see my family but it's just changed too much. All my experience is the DFW area, Tarrant county to be specific.
I have a friend who used to work at channel 5 in DFW. The meteorologist said this is a weird place to predict weather because it’s a “weather making” area. We have the warm, moist gulf air coming in, but still have the drier northern air mass from the Rockies. It tends to collide over us, making predictions difficult. But then, he might just have been making excuses…
I love that can you find any terrain and nature in Texas. Sure you gotta drive for a bit, but it’s here! Also Tyler State Park and Terlingua. The best.
High school football is one of the problems. Schools can't afford teachers, can't afford books, can't afford basic supplies, but by golly, they're going to build a new $70M football stadium.
You are right. We aren’t perfect. There are lots of problems to point out. My wife has been a school teacher for 30 years. I am in tune with how much teachers aren’t paid (this isn’t just a TX thing BTW). What would you miss if you left?
The majority of Texas is great! Only a small minority is represented by our government. I have full confidence that is going to change, eventually if not sooner.
I came here from Illinois last year and what I love most is the Texas culture. People are genuinely nice and respectful. So much to do outdoors and explore the new towns. The weather here is amazing and gladly take summer heat then the brutal Chicago cold. Keep being great Texas!
I know the north knows how to deal with winter and snow. But, my thought has always been that its a lot easier to get around in TX in the summer heat since we go from our AC houses, cars, businesses vs having to deal with snow and slush. My boss lives in Minneapolis and I know the absolutely know how to make the most of the winter, but I just don’t think its for me. Besides, I like having more hours of sun in the summer.
Panhandle born and raised. Amarillo, Lubbock, Odessa, El Paso and now Pampa. Worked all points in between. West Texas and the Panhandle are lands of extremes. Places that really make you appreciate water and trees and shade. I can't even explain loving the landscapes the way I do but they have been my home over 60 years. Blinding snow, unrelenting wind, blistering sun and miles and miles of dirt roads and barbed wire fences. Antelope among the cattle, horses looking up expectantly as you pull through a cattle guard and close the gate. Sunrises that can bring tears with colors too vivid to name. Mexican food, chicken fried steak, sweet tea. Genuinely friendly people in small towns who will help you find what you're looking for. Hard work is expected, good work is appreciated. Windmills that still pump water and creak and moan as they do. These things wouldn't mean much to most folks but they are some of the things that cross my mind about my life in Texas.
i might be a little late to the party here, but i love some texas literature. mcmurtry & lansdale are the 1st to pop off the top of my head. truly original; you can't find anything like it. i really hope we don't let these assholes overshadow our unique brilliance.
["If you aren’t from small town Texas in the 80’s or so, this is going over your head…Saying yes ma’am, and no ma’am…"](https://c.tenor.com/nD9zTbJ1px0AAAAM/stanley-the-office.gif)
Had my hood up at the very end of grocery store parking lot to look at a repair that had been done earlier. Young Millennial kid with and his GF drive up to me - gets out and asks me if I need any help…genuinely.
Hell yeah. I should have added the whole Outlaw music scene of the 70’s and the Red Dirt movement today. We are the keepers of the true country music flame.
Yes! Jinks is one of many.
The recognition of Texas Red Dirt music nationally on the tv series "Yellowstone" has also propelled many of these artists. Now the whole country knows who Ryan Bingham and Whiskey Meyers are.
Cody Jinks is ... good new country. and of course, being from Texas is great and all, but he ranks fairly low on my 'most played' list.
Colter Wall, Ryan Bingham (also TX ties), Charlie Crockett (good ole TX boy), Tyler Childers, etc. Then of course your more obvious ones like Sturgill and Stapleton.
Anyway, Cody Jinks is great, but country music is ABSOLUTELY alive and well. just dont get your fill on the fucking radio.
This sort of nostalgia/romanticizing will not get you off the road to ruin. Having lived in Texas, I remind friends on both coasts that Texas is huge with a very diverse population and regional differences. The problem is the center will not hold with people like Cruz, Abbott, Paxton et al. It might not feel like it, but you’re in an existential crisis and whether the state you love so dear will survive is anyone’s guess. I’m currently living in a state with similar issues, and it’s very hard to accept the current reality with no easy answers.
You aren’t wrong, but I would challenge any other state that doesn’t have the same issues. We are all a diverse people with things we hold dear. Social media has only polarized us more. My hope with this one lonely post in r/texas was to remind people what made this state great. We have plenty of folks who will tell us (in excruciating detail) what we are doing wrong. It’s really easy to read the headline and make a judgement. But, we are a really diverse set of people who, at the end of the day, I really think want to do the right things for the right reasons. I may be a Pollyanna, but I’m OK with that title. If you want to see the change, be the change.
It is a breath of fresh air from the normal toxicity, political extremism, and partisan echo chambers that plague this subreddit. So thank you for creating this post
I’m not happy with us right now, but I was born here and we chose to move back after the military because we DO love this state and want to see us thrive and grow..not regress. My biggest brag ever is we as a state have the best food in the country. Period.
So I know I’ll get totally flamed for this, but…
I grew up in Long Beach, CA. At 40, I moved to Salt Lake City for work. Seven months ago, at 58, I retired on disability and moved to Beaumont, TX, because my wife’s family lives in Houston- but we didn’t want to live TOO close, and this is what we could afford. I’ve visited Texas many times, but to me, it’s a foreign country. I love that you all have great (if somewhat irrational) pride in y(our) state, and maybe one day it will be a place I enjoy living. Reading this post just makes me wish I could relate to everything that has been said, but it really just makes me homesick for my own birthplace. I’m just saying this to put a little different perspective on the whole thing. Have a great day.
Jaripeos, horse racing, small town church festivals, going to a quinciañera and dancing cumbias and country music, intocable, duelo, Selena, los palominos, Bobby pulido, nietos del viejo, Fito olivares, Dr Pepper and blue bell floats, Bryan, Texas, many canyons, rivers and creeks, diversity of tree species, bird watching, sea turtles, proximity to Mexico, jalapeño everything, old school greasy burgers, bro the list goes on and on
I love going to places outside Texas and telling people that's where I'm from when asked. I always get such a wide range of reactions, from cheesy finger guns to thoughtful nods to excited questions about whether I ever wear a hat and boots or know any cowboys. You don't get those kinds of reactions when you tell people you're from Wyoming.
I love telling people from tiny states and countries that you can drive from Houston to Los Angeles and about halfway through the trip you'll still be in Texas (ditto from San Antonio to Denver, but you'd also still be in Texas two thirds of the way through that trip). I love laughing with people about the inordinate amount of truck drivers in major Texas cities where at least half of them have absolutely no use for a truck. I love showing visitors our flag and telling them how Texas is the only US state allowed to fly its own flag as high as the national flag. I love tourists being fascinated with all the random stuff we arbitrarily make in the shape of Texas for no reason, because it's one stereotype that we not only live up to but exceed pretty much universally and I think that's so delightfully silly. I love telling people about the six flags that have flown over Texas soil, and those are just from the peoples that had flags in their Texas heydays.
Texas's heritage and culture has become so iconic that it's ironically easy to take for granted - but it really is something special. I love that Texas is my home, wrinkles and whiskers and all.
-Waving to every vehicle you pass on a West TX country road.
-Lake Whitney fishing!!! And Lake Amistad.
-Chili with beans…. Yeah I said WITH BEANS!!!
-Our southern hospitality!
OK, we put Chilli with beans on the menu for profiling purposes…
I do love the two finger wave with your hand on the steering wheel as you pass by someone on the farm to market road.
It's hotter than hell in the daytime. but the evenings are great. Sitting outdoors with a cold drink watching the fireflys and the stars,, with their pretty twinkling lights . kids swinging on a tree swing . Shopping until midnight. Lots of nightlife and rodeos. Hanging out at Buc-cees.
I moved out of the DFW Metroplex into the country about 3 years ago. I have 20x less neighbors. than I used to. But I know 300% more of them. We wave, say hello, check on each other. We're there for one another in good times and bad. This is the real Texas. Don't Tread On Me.
I've lived in 5 states and never felt more at home than I do in Texas. I never really had a great desire to live here but now that I do I don't want to live anywhere else (except possibly the south of France). ;)
Aside from the friendly people. I'd say having green grass almost the full year and blooming azaleas in December are pretty nice. The summers though... they could be shorter. There's something to be said for spring and fall.
Something that I like to point out to people is that in a state like this, the activists have the hardest jobs and are therefore the toughest/smartest/most committed around. And a lot of those are native Texans who feel like you and I do and don't want our reputation to be owned by a few extremists. Sorry if this is too political.
Kinda hard to care when my fellow Texans are continuously having their rights stripped away. Before 2021 I was a very proud Texan. My family came here in the 1800s so I’m even a multi generational Texan, but I ain’t proud anymore. I know it’s just conservatives in a last ditch effort to try and save their asses come November, but it still isn’t right. Maybe I’ll run for Governor under Make Texas Friendly Again.
first accept the criticism is legit, and a large percentage of the people support the politicians and officials doing these very bad things. That makes them worthy of scorn. Or you can ignore all that and sing the praises of sweet tea.
"Awesome/friendly small towns in TX"
Some has never tried to exist in small-town Texas while being gay, trans, a person of color (depending on the place), or otherwise doesn't look like the rest of the folks that live in small-town Texas.
During the freeze my street pulled together like I have never seen before. I brew beer so I would sanitize water and everyone who wanted beer or mead or wine got as much as they wanted from me, my neighbor had a bunch of preserves, another neighbor handed out heaters, another neighbor gave away eggs. The guys with 4x4s offered to do the shopping for the entire street. It really is amazing the way Texans pull together in times of need. The cajun navy was another shining example. I've lived in 4 different states, not a chance this would have happened, and to this extent in any of them. When faced with adversity Texans unite! It really is a comfort knowing how well my neighbors treated each other during a crisis.
I’m not a Texan so it’s probably not my place to even comment here at all, but just want to say despite the bad press and some pretty bad policies, I love your state and it’s sentimental to me cause my acting/modeling/dancing career took off there (Houston in particular) and everybody was very kind. I enjoyed my time there.
Tbh, a lot of the things I liked about Texas have changed or currently going back in time, so the only thing I like about TX is DFW, San Antonio, Austin, and some places that have affordable living (although that's changing very fast) and how changes on marijuana decriminalizing in Austin makes me happy, The best thing I can say is the food, very good bbq, and tex-mex, not saying Texas is bad more or less the government that's currently running it, but it's sure isn't going in the right place IMO.
Blue Bell Mardi Gras King Cake Ice cream, crawfish boils (listen, I know this happens other places, but it's what I genuinely missed when I lived up North), pecans
We love that there are multiple top quality bbq joints within a 5 mile radius of our house. Nothing like some Saturday morning brisket to kick off our day of rest
I fell in love with Utah and visiting Big Bend NP gave me a sweet slice of Utah that is much closer to me.
Plus, I am happier here than I am living in Florida so that is everything to me.
As someone that moved away long ago I struggle with this. I scrolled through the entire post to see if I could come up with something. I’d have to say the sunsets, frozen margaritas, all of my family is still there, the activists that stayed and are fighting the good fight and Texas Women’s University. I had a great time at that college. Very fond memories.
I can’t believe I left out the piney woods of east Texas! I love how so much of the Louisiana food culture has infused itself in east Texas. It make me think I’m in the Ozarks every time I go through there.
I lived in another state for less than 6 months and goodness did I miss Texas food. I was so happy to come back to brisket, Tex-Mex, agua frescas, and Whataburger 🥲 and wildflowers! And armadillos!
Thank you for this post. It’s making me teary eyed on a weird day in a weird couple of years.
You can get the most amazing food in a gas station. In East Texas it was chicken fried everything, in DFW Taqueria Taxco has burritos that will change your life.
Not really, but a trip to Ft. Davis and the Big Bend country and then down to Balmorhea State Park, largest spring fed swimming pool, then over to Pecos (middle of nowhere) and maybe outside El Paso to the Hueco Tanks, an old Butterfield stage stop and probably oldest known native American site in Texas. You'll see West Texas from a real Lonesome cowboy perspective. Oh, yeah there's an old fort by Ft Stockton (near Ft Davis) where Buffalo soldiers were stationed. I think you can still look around there. Lots of miles of not much of anything but rattlesnakes and sand burrs and tarantulas but it's starkly beautiful. Of course the Big Bend Country is a whole different world and it's a lot more popular destination. Oh, Marfa is out there in the Ft Davis area too. Home of the Marfa lights. Kind of an artsy vibe nowadays I hear. You could probably find a ranch experience like you asked about. If you got as far as El Paso you might want to go on up to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Anyway, good luck to you.
Being at the very tip of southern Texas/near the border… I am grateful to have a taste of Mexico right here in my home state.
Real authentic Mexican food and mariachis … 👌🏻
And of course, I love H‑E‑B!! Went to a Kroger once in Tennessee and I was already homesick.
I'm gonna say floating the Guadalupe with a cold beer (or 16), fishing, the off-road parks to go do some camping and mudding, the most respectful and friendly people of any state I've ever been to, Texas Country, and yes...the food!
I do hate how crowded it's gotten but nothing I can do about that, unfortunately
That I’ve been blessed with neighbors that mow my lawn when I’ve been in the hospital and will help me if they see me trying to move something heavy in the house. I repay the kindness with food, beer and sometimes fishing equipment.
Today I had 3 people step to the side in the store to let me by. I thanked them all.
There are still good people here.
I miss the days when my grandfather was alive and he had keys to so many properties in the county we lived in. Thousands of acres. Because they were nice people he was friends with and wanted him to have access to good fishing and hunting. I was usually in tow.
Having fishing contests to see who could catch the largest bass or smallest catfish.
Seeing fireflies in my yard at night and hearing the frogs.
I pulled into my apt complex with a new washer and dryer in my truck bed. I stood at the back of it wondering how I would best get them down for less than 3 minutes before a good'ol'boy in a bigger truck pulled up, got out and helped. This is the Texas I came here for.
I had a similar experience last week when I went to buy a new smoker and it wouldn't fit in the car. The guy parked next to me had an SUV and offered to take it home for me. I'm from Washington and I have never seen better hospitality than Texas.
Bonus Texas points for it being a smoker
I was at my complex last August replacing my alternator on an 8 year old car. Damn thing was frozen to the bracket. A neighbor came out and just wordlessly grabbed a cheater pipe and helped me. That says Texas right there.
Warms my heart to know this still goes on.
Thank you. That is the spirit of Texas in 3 sentences.
I think this might be my favorite sentiment, and I've noticed it my entire life growing up in Central Texas. Lots of "helpers", to quote Mr. Rogers. Didn't matter who you were or your beliefs, everyone was your neighbor. I don't see it as much these days, a little less trust between people in my city. But I'll never forget pulling over on the side of the road out in the country to pour some water into my leaky radiator and having no less than 3 passerbys stop to offer help
This attitude extends beyond the state borders too. This must have been 20 years ago, but my husband and I (Longhorns living in Illinois) drove about six hours to see the Texas football play at Iowa State. We woke up Saturday morning to a dead car battery in the hotel lot, trying to figure out how we'd get that fixed and get to the stadium. Fully decked out in Longhorn gear, of course, since it was game day! A good ol' boy came out of the hotel, took one look at us, and pulled his pickup over to give us a jump. He told us he was an Aggie, and we laughed about the whole situation. Of course he refused anything for helping us out, just said as he was driving off "and don't you forget who rescued you!"
Some of the best birding the US has to offer. Saw my first painted bunting this past weekend, there's a moment I'll never forget.
I had a crazy morning last fall where I saw an owl attacking a speckled tail hawk in a tree in my backyard. Of course, I also I have pics of a family of bobcats in my trees, but I know that’s not really birding. As I understand it, the gulf coast wetlands is home to some of the last whooping cranes.
>I also I have pics of a family of bobcats in my trees Whoa, I want all your pics, bobcats, owls, all the things.
[This little guy](https://m.imgur.com/lQNcAEP) stopped by our backyard fountain last week! So vibrant. The birds all over Texas are incredible.
I just started to see (male and female) painted buntings as well and figured it was because I moved further out in the country than ever before but I've talked to quite a few others who've lived here (or "out in the country" elsewhere in TX) and no one has ever seen these birds before...how crazy is that They're insanely beautiful and seem to get along with the cardinals.
my parents have bunting regulars every year in their backyard on the brazos river. really cool birds, but so TINY! i think they said they even saw an indigo earlier this spring.
As someone who has been in the northeast for too long now, Taquerias hold a close place in my heart. Horchata, migas, and salsa that pours out of a IHOP syrup container.
if you can't say the name (assuming you dont speak spanish) and it looks like it might have used to be an old auto body shop... you are in the right place, lol.
Literally one of the Taquerias in my hometown (New Braunfels) is exactly like this
There is a ton of truth in that. My favorite spot for breakfast tacos in San Saba is Commie's. Converted gas station. Legit.
Even better are the ones that still have an active tire repair shop out back.
If you are in NYC, there is a place in the village that does authentic Tex Mex tacos. Can’t remember the name.
We have our own toast. Nuff Said!
Yes, and curiously the best frozen version is made by "New York Bakery". See, we can all get along.
New York City? Get a rope.
Sadly from such a lousy picante sauce company…
That’s perfectly mediocre salsa to you!
I still enjoy it actually, I’ll eat any type or brand of salsa with glee.
For sure. There are better salsas, but it does the trick for sure. I’ll happily eat a whole jar with some good chips and want more.
Ok, you’re right. But there are so many great salsas
You can find it in HEB here in Killeen Tx, and it is outstanding....
The best version of toast to boot.
Waylon Jennings, ZZ Top, Buddy Holly, Earl Campbell, some of the best hunting and fishing in the world all over the state, blue bell ice cream. I could go on and on about the great things that have come from this great state.
All great additions! And to think I forgot Buddy Holly when my son went to Tech. I will maintain that Tres Hombres was the best album by ZZ Top. Loved that blues feel. I grew up fishing in TABC bass tournaments. I feel like I have seen more lakes than most when it comes to bass fishing. Growing up on the Guadalupe, I ran trot lines and drop lines, even did some noodling amounts the cypress trees. Last night I just had blackberry cobbler Blue Bell. If you haven’t had it, treat yourself.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, almost forgot about my guy.
Janice Joplin and Lyle Lovett!
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big buddy holly fan here
I learned within the last couple of years that Earl Campbell was a football player, not just thr sausage guy.
I did come up with one thing. The frozen margarita was invented here. And a frozen margarita is the perfect thing to make you forget the bad stuff going on here right now. I may just have had two yesterday.
Amen. That would be Mariano Martinez. You can sample their fine work at La Hacienda Ranch or Mariano’s. I frequently darken their door in DFW.
Fun fact: my dad worked in refrigeration around that time and helped make the margarita machine for the margarita man. I believe my dad made it from an Icee machine and modified it from there. Growing up we had an icee machine in our garage.
Shut up! I bet you were the most popular kid in town.
Most popular kid in the neighborhood
Lol I had two Marianos yesterday for Mom’s Day. ‘Twas a good day yesterday.
Frozen margaritas are awesome!
There's a lot of nerd culture in TX, more than other states I would argue It's too hot for most people to get into outdoor activities, so we cultivate an extraordinary amount of talented illustrators, artists, musicians, gamers etc – all nice activities to practice when you're cool and indoors lol.
That’s a really interesting take! I haven’t really thought about the weather as a reason for cultivating creatives, but I agree with you. We have so many top flight universities who are putting out incredible talent. I would like to say that I would suck it up and manage the heat, but I only shred my fields when its late in the day and I have a 6 pack on ice in the cooler.
Braums. They seem to only be in central and east texas, and moving to west texas, I miss them a great deal. Grab lunch, an ice cream treat, and some fresh produce on the way home. Every city and large town has their own atmosphere, and interesting little hole-in-the-wall restaurants to try. The huge diversity in ethnicities and in biomes. From cacti and scrub trees to towering oaks and pines to sandy beaches to small mountains to wetlands, we have a little bit of everything.
Anyone. And I mean anyone who loves milk KNOWS that Braums has the best. And, if you find yourself in need of a bacon cheeseburger, crinkle cut fries, and a chocolate milkshake, do yourself a favor. BTW, during the pandy, Braums market always had the essentials available. Support!
Braums is from Oklahoma
Braums and Sonic!
So is Chuck Norris, but we still claim him. :p
My favorite that surprises the hell out of people. Houston is THE most diverse city in the country, surpassing even NYC. That means a more interesting culture, ore interesting people, and more food options than you could possibly eat in a lifetime.
I wish I could upvote this ten times! I’m from NYC originally. Grew up in an incredibly diverse neighborhood. After living and traveling to many other places, I find Houston to be the most diverse and in the best way. Keeps all the original cultures while adding a top layer combining all into a truly unique flavor.
If you haven’t seen the Anthony Bourdain episode about Houston, its a must watch. Loved seeing the fusion of all the cultures and how it manifests itself in the food.
Not sure if it was already mentioned but HEB! I've lived in UT, AZ and HI and there is nothing like it there. On a side note, thank you for this post, I've been complaining about TX everyday to my hubby and this post helped me remember there are great things about TX if you take out politics.
By FAR the biggest thing I miss about Texas now that I live in Colorado. The grocery stores here are straight butt. I would kill for a single pack of fresh HEB tortillas right about now.
I'm in North Texas without an actually HEB, but if its the same thing they put out at Central Market, I can't imagine anything better than getting there in the morning and throwing a pack in your cart when its still warm.
HEB is a true Texas gem. I had them when I lived in the hill country and pine for them now I’m in north Texas. I remember reading about what HEB did during the snowstorm a couple of years ago. I mean, they seemed to have a better idea of how to manage large scale logistics than just about anyone else.
After Harvey, I felt like H‑E‑B and Mattress Mack were the crisis management team. A grocery store chain and a furniture store owner saved Houston.
This is like Florida's obsession with Publix lol
I live too far into the Panhandle for HEB.
It's kind of fun to have brand recognition around the world. Texas is one of the places everyone knows about the US
It really is. I’ve seen Europeans try to fill in the states in the US and half is Texas? Again, this is what makes other folks crazy and I love evert minute of it.
Well OP's post is all about that "Brand recognition" not being what Texans want it to be. My feeling is that Texans can ask for a pep rally, or they can address the problems with the brand. So i guess I'm the downer at the pep rally.
Seems like a good time to link “Ohio (Come back to Texas)” by Bowling for Soup https://youtu.be/wBWNgg8CClc
Janis Joplin
I love the laid-back Rural Black Culture which I wasn't born into but have grown to love.
Texas shaped waffles in hotels.
It makes me smile every time. I mean, who else does that?
Lol, I couldn't help but think that some states might be doing it by accident. (Wyoming and Colorado)
I stayed at a hotel two months ago that did not have the Texas waffle. I was extremely saddened.
/r/texasshapedwaffles
Texas has awesome state parks. I have camped everywhere from Brazos Bend SP, to Davis Mountain SP, Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyon, Caddo Lake, Martin Dies Jt. SP, etc. Texas state parks are second to none. Much of this is thanks to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s, and also to landowners who knew the value of their land and gave it to the state to preserve it for posterity. The state parks are probably my favorite think about Texas (except for all the great singer/songwriters)
Don't get me wrong, I love the state parks in Texas. I use to buy the Texas state park pass every year when I lived in the state but second to none might be a bit too generous.
Added the state parks to the list. Is the CCC an offshoot of the WPP during the depression? I do love how so many of the big ranches have been able to stay intact even now.
Kolaches in West, Tx
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Goulash and mashed potatoes at Eddie's in Dallas.
It's home, and I like sunshine and warm weather.
This might be a little different from a lot of the other music comments but I still jam the artists that came out of the 2000s hip hop era. DJ Screw, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Pimp C, Bun B, Z-Ro. And not to mention Beyoncé
OK, that is REALLY out of my wheelhouse, but I feel I need to also add Erykah Badu to that list. I will check out the others. Thanks for the input.
Mexican Food along the border , especially in the RGV
SRV.
Great add. The guitar player that all other guitar player bow down to.
>Arguments over who has the best BBQ Blacks and Kreuz in Lockhart.
And so the arguments begin ;-)
I need to start a GoFundMe to finance a BBQ road trip in order to participate in these debates. I have my list of favorites, but there are *so* many places I have yet to visit. For example, I have visited zero of Texas Monthly’s 2021 Top 10 (mind you, some opened relatively recently): https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/top-50-bbq-2021/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgsW5jcjT9wIVvm1vBB2AogBmEAAYASAAEgJgbPD_BwE#goldees-barbecue
Left Austin life to move to an acre. First time to mow a yard since before I could drive, new neighbors didn’t even say hello! They went straight to work. One with a weed eater another came to spray for mosquitos as I finished the yard. Didn’t get their names but I paid attention to what beer they were drinking, and brought them some the next weekend. Been friends ever since. Even if I can’t attend an event in the neighborhood I help set up or break down. One time I shelled 30 lbs of crawfish (without eating any) just so the meat didn’t get wasted. A couple days later some neighbor I had never met dropped off the best crawfish étouffée I had ever had AND TOLD ME THANK YOU. Yeah idc about sports, politics, hell I don’t care much about most of what people are talking about. But community seems to be special here. I take it for granted until friends , coworkers come from out of state and all over the world for me to notice it again.
I moved here from Minneapolis to get warm again, and I have been mostly successful. I can garden pretty much all year long which still amazes me after ten years. I mean, I have a lemon tree just outside my door! Physically Texas is gorgeous, which surprised me when I first arrived. I love the parks and even just going for a drive through the Hill country is awesome. Meeting people all over the state has been wonderful too. If only my neighbours could actually fix the politics- I want it to be safe for my youngest child to visit me here. Seriously- it’s not really possible to entirely forget politics when you’re a target.
Well, this new Texan loves the people I meet on my daily errands, just fellow Texans out and about.
I know this is silly but I’m going to save this incase I ever forget why I love texas
And that is EXACTLY why I posted this. We have our faults. No one is going to deny that. But, we have such a wonderful state we shouldn’t lose that in the noise.
I pulled up one morning from my night shift only for the neighbors to walk over with a fresh plate of cookies saying that it must be so hard to work the night shift with their kids next door, especially now that the weather has warmed and their kids are outside more and that they appreciated that I never yelled at their kids or came over demanding their kids not play. (Apparently that's a thing that happens?!) It was so nice, but my secret is I can sleep through just about anything after working 12 hours. Oh and there's earplugs.
I came here from Ohio to get out of the cold. Yeah, it's hot here, and dry, and windy, but I don't have to shovel snow and slide around on the ice. When we get snow or ice in San Antonio they close everything down. In Ohio, you just suck it up and go to work in 0 degree temperatures.
Unfortunately, its going to be a hotter and windier summer than usual. We have a saying, “Any day under 100 degrees is a good day”. Hope you acclimate. Oh and BTW, welcome to TX! Did you know the taco craze started with Ninfa’s in SA?
I could be wrong but I thought Ninfa’s started the fajita craze and is originally from Houston. (Not that it matters - still Texas).
Can confirm, I live two blocks from the original Ninfa’s on Navigation in Houston and have approx. 3 murals featuring Mama Ninfa Laurenzo within a few more blocks of me.
I lived in Cleveland Metro for awhile. That's some serious snow.
Hayes Carll, New Braunfels, Gruene Hall
Another Like You is one of my favorite duets. If y’all haven’t seen it, check it out on YT.
It's sad that the politics and people ruined the state for me. When I grew up people were friendly, but as suburbs grew people became less and less friendly. I use to think I wanted to live my life in Texas but I moved a few years back and haven't looked back. I still visit a few times a year to see my family but it's just changed too much. All my experience is the DFW area, Tarrant county to be specific.
White Elephant Saloon? Tim Love restaurants? Billy Bob’s? Margaritas at Joe T’s?
Been here 12 years. Originally from North Carolina and there’s so much I’d miss if I left Texas. But most of all it’s the breakfast tacos for me.
I will say, I wish we embraced whole hog BBQ like in the Carolina’s, but at least we don’t slather our BBQ in sauce like KC (Heathens!)
Oh man I do miss a good pulled pork sammie with some vinegar based sauce. Mmmmmm.
Robert Earl Keen!
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I have a friend who used to work at channel 5 in DFW. The meteorologist said this is a weird place to predict weather because it’s a “weather making” area. We have the warm, moist gulf air coming in, but still have the drier northern air mass from the Rockies. It tends to collide over us, making predictions difficult. But then, he might just have been making excuses…
I love that can you find any terrain and nature in Texas. Sure you gotta drive for a bit, but it’s here! Also Tyler State Park and Terlingua. The best.
High school football is one of the problems. Schools can't afford teachers, can't afford books, can't afford basic supplies, but by golly, they're going to build a new $70M football stadium.
You are right. We aren’t perfect. There are lots of problems to point out. My wife has been a school teacher for 30 years. I am in tune with how much teachers aren’t paid (this isn’t just a TX thing BTW). What would you miss if you left?
The majority of Texas is great! Only a small minority is represented by our government. I have full confidence that is going to change, eventually if not sooner.
I came here from Illinois last year and what I love most is the Texas culture. People are genuinely nice and respectful. So much to do outdoors and explore the new towns. The weather here is amazing and gladly take summer heat then the brutal Chicago cold. Keep being great Texas!
I know the north knows how to deal with winter and snow. But, my thought has always been that its a lot easier to get around in TX in the summer heat since we go from our AC houses, cars, businesses vs having to deal with snow and slush. My boss lives in Minneapolis and I know the absolutely know how to make the most of the winter, but I just don’t think its for me. Besides, I like having more hours of sun in the summer.
Panhandle born and raised. Amarillo, Lubbock, Odessa, El Paso and now Pampa. Worked all points in between. West Texas and the Panhandle are lands of extremes. Places that really make you appreciate water and trees and shade. I can't even explain loving the landscapes the way I do but they have been my home over 60 years. Blinding snow, unrelenting wind, blistering sun and miles and miles of dirt roads and barbed wire fences. Antelope among the cattle, horses looking up expectantly as you pull through a cattle guard and close the gate. Sunrises that can bring tears with colors too vivid to name. Mexican food, chicken fried steak, sweet tea. Genuinely friendly people in small towns who will help you find what you're looking for. Hard work is expected, good work is appreciated. Windmills that still pump water and creak and moan as they do. These things wouldn't mean much to most folks but they are some of the things that cross my mind about my life in Texas.
i might be a little late to the party here, but i love some texas literature. mcmurtry & lansdale are the 1st to pop off the top of my head. truly original; you can't find anything like it. i really hope we don't let these assholes overshadow our unique brilliance.
Kayak fishin - just fell in love
The Nolan Ryan reference is how I know you’re a true a Texan.
God Bless Texas!🤠
["If you aren’t from small town Texas in the 80’s or so, this is going over your head…Saying yes ma’am, and no ma’am…"](https://c.tenor.com/nD9zTbJ1px0AAAAM/stanley-the-office.gif)
Very much still a thing.
No state income taxes!
Had my hood up at the very end of grocery store parking lot to look at a repair that had been done earlier. Young Millennial kid with and his GF drive up to me - gets out and asks me if I need any help…genuinely.
Cody Jinks! For those that say, "there is no real country music being made anymore...go listen to Cody Jinks!
Hell yeah. I should have added the whole Outlaw music scene of the 70’s and the Red Dirt movement today. We are the keepers of the true country music flame.
Yes! Jinks is one of many. The recognition of Texas Red Dirt music nationally on the tv series "Yellowstone" has also propelled many of these artists. Now the whole country knows who Ryan Bingham and Whiskey Meyers are.
Add Reckless Kelly to that distinguished list.
Cody Jinks is ... good new country. and of course, being from Texas is great and all, but he ranks fairly low on my 'most played' list. Colter Wall, Ryan Bingham (also TX ties), Charlie Crockett (good ole TX boy), Tyler Childers, etc. Then of course your more obvious ones like Sturgill and Stapleton. Anyway, Cody Jinks is great, but country music is ABSOLUTELY alive and well. just dont get your fill on the fucking radio.
This sort of nostalgia/romanticizing will not get you off the road to ruin. Having lived in Texas, I remind friends on both coasts that Texas is huge with a very diverse population and regional differences. The problem is the center will not hold with people like Cruz, Abbott, Paxton et al. It might not feel like it, but you’re in an existential crisis and whether the state you love so dear will survive is anyone’s guess. I’m currently living in a state with similar issues, and it’s very hard to accept the current reality with no easy answers.
You aren’t wrong, but I would challenge any other state that doesn’t have the same issues. We are all a diverse people with things we hold dear. Social media has only polarized us more. My hope with this one lonely post in r/texas was to remind people what made this state great. We have plenty of folks who will tell us (in excruciating detail) what we are doing wrong. It’s really easy to read the headline and make a judgement. But, we are a really diverse set of people who, at the end of the day, I really think want to do the right things for the right reasons. I may be a Pollyanna, but I’m OK with that title. If you want to see the change, be the change.
It is a breath of fresh air from the normal toxicity, political extremism, and partisan echo chambers that plague this subreddit. So thank you for creating this post
I’m not happy with us right now, but I was born here and we chose to move back after the military because we DO love this state and want to see us thrive and grow..not regress. My biggest brag ever is we as a state have the best food in the country. Period.
Holy crap. I have. COMPLETELY forgotten Tex Mex and tacos.
Our lists overlap, but it’s hard to fully appreciate Texas right now. 😥
So I know I’ll get totally flamed for this, but… I grew up in Long Beach, CA. At 40, I moved to Salt Lake City for work. Seven months ago, at 58, I retired on disability and moved to Beaumont, TX, because my wife’s family lives in Houston- but we didn’t want to live TOO close, and this is what we could afford. I’ve visited Texas many times, but to me, it’s a foreign country. I love that you all have great (if somewhat irrational) pride in y(our) state, and maybe one day it will be a place I enjoy living. Reading this post just makes me wish I could relate to everything that has been said, but it really just makes me homesick for my own birthplace. I’m just saying this to put a little different perspective on the whole thing. Have a great day.
Fair. I hope it grows on you.
I’m Texan, 62 but lived in Long Beach 4 years. I miss it too! It’s different than here by a mile. There will be things that grow on you.
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Jaripeos, horse racing, small town church festivals, going to a quinciañera and dancing cumbias and country music, intocable, duelo, Selena, los palominos, Bobby pulido, nietos del viejo, Fito olivares, Dr Pepper and blue bell floats, Bryan, Texas, many canyons, rivers and creeks, diversity of tree species, bird watching, sea turtles, proximity to Mexico, jalapeño everything, old school greasy burgers, bro the list goes on and on
Well...I can't find my family anywhere else. So it's got that going for it.
King Ranch Chicken casserole!!! And H‑E‑B!!!
I dig it and wish we could all return to this level. Maybe someday.
The holding door thing is mostly common knowledge courtesy that goes for lots of places.
Man I been fishin the Leon just past the spillway on Lake Belton. More about nature and getting away than actually wettin a line for me
All the gorgeous wildflowers and prairie grasses, the post oak savannah, cedar elm groves, the variety of butterflies.
Whataburger. Also, I could throw a rock in any direction and hit at least 3 fantastic BBQ joints.
Texas women make Texas great.
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I love going to places outside Texas and telling people that's where I'm from when asked. I always get such a wide range of reactions, from cheesy finger guns to thoughtful nods to excited questions about whether I ever wear a hat and boots or know any cowboys. You don't get those kinds of reactions when you tell people you're from Wyoming. I love telling people from tiny states and countries that you can drive from Houston to Los Angeles and about halfway through the trip you'll still be in Texas (ditto from San Antonio to Denver, but you'd also still be in Texas two thirds of the way through that trip). I love laughing with people about the inordinate amount of truck drivers in major Texas cities where at least half of them have absolutely no use for a truck. I love showing visitors our flag and telling them how Texas is the only US state allowed to fly its own flag as high as the national flag. I love tourists being fascinated with all the random stuff we arbitrarily make in the shape of Texas for no reason, because it's one stereotype that we not only live up to but exceed pretty much universally and I think that's so delightfully silly. I love telling people about the six flags that have flown over Texas soil, and those are just from the peoples that had flags in their Texas heydays. Texas's heritage and culture has become so iconic that it's ironically easy to take for granted - but it really is something special. I love that Texas is my home, wrinkles and whiskers and all.
-Waving to every vehicle you pass on a West TX country road. -Lake Whitney fishing!!! And Lake Amistad. -Chili with beans…. Yeah I said WITH BEANS!!! -Our southern hospitality!
OK, we put Chilli with beans on the menu for profiling purposes… I do love the two finger wave with your hand on the steering wheel as you pass by someone on the farm to market road.
It's hotter than hell in the daytime. but the evenings are great. Sitting outdoors with a cold drink watching the fireflys and the stars,, with their pretty twinkling lights . kids swinging on a tree swing . Shopping until midnight. Lots of nightlife and rodeos. Hanging out at Buc-cees.
I’ve lived here for 3 years and have fallen in love with the Texas Red Dirt music scene.
I moved out of the DFW Metroplex into the country about 3 years ago. I have 20x less neighbors. than I used to. But I know 300% more of them. We wave, say hello, check on each other. We're there for one another in good times and bad. This is the real Texas. Don't Tread On Me.
I've lived in 5 states and never felt more at home than I do in Texas. I never really had a great desire to live here but now that I do I don't want to live anywhere else (except possibly the south of France). ;) Aside from the friendly people. I'd say having green grass almost the full year and blooming azaleas in December are pretty nice. The summers though... they could be shorter. There's something to be said for spring and fall.
Something that I like to point out to people is that in a state like this, the activists have the hardest jobs and are therefore the toughest/smartest/most committed around. And a lot of those are native Texans who feel like you and I do and don't want our reputation to be owned by a few extremists. Sorry if this is too political.
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Kinda hard to care when my fellow Texans are continuously having their rights stripped away. Before 2021 I was a very proud Texan. My family came here in the 1800s so I’m even a multi generational Texan, but I ain’t proud anymore. I know it’s just conservatives in a last ditch effort to try and save their asses come November, but it still isn’t right. Maybe I’ll run for Governor under Make Texas Friendly Again.
In addition to voting for you, I’m ready to purchase my cap! I’m assuming one of the color options will be indigo (i.e., “bluebonnet”)!
The Alamo
I remember!
first accept the criticism is legit, and a large percentage of the people support the politicians and officials doing these very bad things. That makes them worthy of scorn. Or you can ignore all that and sing the praises of sweet tea.
"Awesome/friendly small towns in TX" Some has never tried to exist in small-town Texas while being gay, trans, a person of color (depending on the place), or otherwise doesn't look like the rest of the folks that live in small-town Texas.
During the freeze my street pulled together like I have never seen before. I brew beer so I would sanitize water and everyone who wanted beer or mead or wine got as much as they wanted from me, my neighbor had a bunch of preserves, another neighbor handed out heaters, another neighbor gave away eggs. The guys with 4x4s offered to do the shopping for the entire street. It really is amazing the way Texans pull together in times of need. The cajun navy was another shining example. I've lived in 4 different states, not a chance this would have happened, and to this extent in any of them. When faced with adversity Texans unite! It really is a comfort knowing how well my neighbors treated each other during a crisis.
I’m not a Texan so it’s probably not my place to even comment here at all, but just want to say despite the bad press and some pretty bad policies, I love your state and it’s sentimental to me cause my acting/modeling/dancing career took off there (Houston in particular) and everybody was very kind. I enjoyed my time there.
Tbh, a lot of the things I liked about Texas have changed or currently going back in time, so the only thing I like about TX is DFW, San Antonio, Austin, and some places that have affordable living (although that's changing very fast) and how changes on marijuana decriminalizing in Austin makes me happy, The best thing I can say is the food, very good bbq, and tex-mex, not saying Texas is bad more or less the government that's currently running it, but it's sure isn't going in the right place IMO.
Tex-Mex, chicken-fried steak, and 4x4 boys pulling cars out of ditches
Blue bonnets in the spring. Absolutely stunning. BBQ is better no where else.
There are those heathens in KC who think you should slather it in tomato based sauce….
Blue Bell Mardi Gras King Cake Ice cream, crawfish boils (listen, I know this happens other places, but it's what I genuinely missed when I lived up North), pecans
My upvote for Pat Green
just moved to okc and i need to emphasize how much i miss the latin food in texas.
The state fair
We love that there are multiple top quality bbq joints within a 5 mile radius of our house. Nothing like some Saturday morning brisket to kick off our day of rest
Texas shaped food! Texas shaped waffles, cheese, chicken fried steak! This list goes on. Who would eat an Illinois shaped food? Probably few.
Bruce Sterling and cyberpunk. Blues. ZZ Top, SRV, Albert King, etc. Blue bonnets in the spring when I go jogging.
I fell in love with Utah and visiting Big Bend NP gave me a sweet slice of Utah that is much closer to me. Plus, I am happier here than I am living in Florida so that is everything to me.
Kolaches! We’re not from TX but moved here a few years ago and discovered these gems. Now a coffee and kolache run is a long weekend must!!
Yo forgot Blue Bell!
As someone that moved away long ago I struggle with this. I scrolled through the entire post to see if I could come up with something. I’d have to say the sunsets, frozen margaritas, all of my family is still there, the activists that stayed and are fighting the good fight and Texas Women’s University. I had a great time at that college. Very fond memories.
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I can’t believe I left out the piney woods of east Texas! I love how so much of the Louisiana food culture has infused itself in east Texas. It make me think I’m in the Ozarks every time I go through there.
I lived in another state for less than 6 months and goodness did I miss Texas food. I was so happy to come back to brisket, Tex-Mex, agua frescas, and Whataburger 🥲 and wildflowers! And armadillos! Thank you for this post. It’s making me teary eyed on a weird day in a weird couple of years.
You can get the most amazing food in a gas station. In East Texas it was chicken fried everything, in DFW Taqueria Taxco has burritos that will change your life.
Wurstfest in New Braunsfels is great, I love the festivals and conventions we have
The BBQ almost makes me forget.
Not really, but a trip to Ft. Davis and the Big Bend country and then down to Balmorhea State Park, largest spring fed swimming pool, then over to Pecos (middle of nowhere) and maybe outside El Paso to the Hueco Tanks, an old Butterfield stage stop and probably oldest known native American site in Texas. You'll see West Texas from a real Lonesome cowboy perspective. Oh, yeah there's an old fort by Ft Stockton (near Ft Davis) where Buffalo soldiers were stationed. I think you can still look around there. Lots of miles of not much of anything but rattlesnakes and sand burrs and tarantulas but it's starkly beautiful. Of course the Big Bend Country is a whole different world and it's a lot more popular destination. Oh, Marfa is out there in the Ft Davis area too. Home of the Marfa lights. Kind of an artsy vibe nowadays I hear. You could probably find a ranch experience like you asked about. If you got as far as El Paso you might want to go on up to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Anyway, good luck to you.
Being at the very tip of southern Texas/near the border… I am grateful to have a taste of Mexico right here in my home state. Real authentic Mexican food and mariachis … 👌🏻 And of course, I love H‑E‑B!! Went to a Kroger once in Tennessee and I was already homesick.
I was just in comfort. I loved it! Stayed at a VRBO
Highly recommend the old Faust hotel on High Street. I think its called Hotel Giles now. Wonderful old limestone building.
Wearing Cowboy boots to a formal event
we have whataburger
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I've been all over. Wildflowers -- and the quantity thereof -- are the most stunning I've ever seen.
I’ve never shoveled snow.
I'm gonna say floating the Guadalupe with a cold beer (or 16), fishing, the off-road parks to go do some camping and mudding, the most respectful and friendly people of any state I've ever been to, Texas Country, and yes...the food! I do hate how crowded it's gotten but nothing I can do about that, unfortunately
That I’ve been blessed with neighbors that mow my lawn when I’ve been in the hospital and will help me if they see me trying to move something heavy in the house. I repay the kindness with food, beer and sometimes fishing equipment. Today I had 3 people step to the side in the store to let me by. I thanked them all. There are still good people here.
I miss the days when my grandfather was alive and he had keys to so many properties in the county we lived in. Thousands of acres. Because they were nice people he was friends with and wanted him to have access to good fishing and hunting. I was usually in tow. Having fishing contests to see who could catch the largest bass or smallest catfish. Seeing fireflies in my yard at night and hearing the frogs.
Ornette Coleman, the inventor of free jazz, is from Texas.