The best restaurants Texas

Timetable

Most restaurants stay open between 5pm and 9pm. Some restaurants also function as cocktail bars and may have later opening hours, usually until midnight. Texans dine earlier than Europeans, usually around 6pm. On weekend evenings, it can be very difficult to find a table. Since restaurants are a very common social gathering place - Texans even go there up to four times a week! -you'll find that there's always a small waiting list at the entrance. We therefore recommend booking in advance, or not showing up too late. However, there's often a bar where you can enjoy a cocktail while you wait.

Budget & Tips

Given that Europeans are used to eating much smaller portions than we do here, we recommend sharing dishes between two people, which is really easy to do, or taking leftovers home to finish off. The restaurants where this tip is most easily applied are Tex-Mexes, but also American diners or chain restaurants. Plates are very large and hard to finish, so why not simply share a plate between two people?

A low price range means spending around US$10 to US$20 per person for the main course, to which you add a drink (often unlimited). Count on around US$40 for a more upscale restaurant, and US$100 per person for a luxury restaurant.

Generally speaking, tex-mex and diners are among the cheapest restaurants, as are food-trucks. But beware: some food-trucks are trendy hipster addresses where you can pay exorbitant prices for a tiny vegan sandwich. Some restaurants also offerbring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) service, often in Asian restaurants.

What costs extra

What always comes as a surprise to foreigners is the 6% tax and the 15-20% tip that must be added when paying the bill. In general, you'll automatically be charged 20% of the bill, which is no mean feat! But it's important to remember that waiters don't have a very high fixed salary, and much of their income comes from tips. It's very bad form not to pay a tip.

The local way

Texas and New Mexico are known for their spicy cuisines, with hot sauces always available on restaurant tables. If you're looking to eat locally, you'll want to go to a Tex-Mex restaurant, a barbecue joint or an American diner . So there's often plenty of meat on the table. In Texas, you'll be able to sample Southern cuisine: hushpuppies, okra, fried chicken, cookies and gravy, and so on. Then, Mexican influences add enchiladas, tacos, salsa and guacamole to the menu.

All served with hot sauce. In New Mexico, you'll find sauce specialties with local green or red chiles, including chile soups or fried tacos called sopapillas. The size of the dishes is impressive, and you'll leave with a belly more than full. Tex-Mex dishes are often accompanied by lots of melted cheese, salsa, beans and rice. You eat with cutlery, except for tacos and barbecue, which you eat with your hands.

Another very local habit when it comes to drinks: there will always be ice cubes in your glass. And try American-style ice teas, which are real iced black tea.

Texas specialties include craft beers. We recommend Jester King Atrial Rubicite, Real Ale Axis IPA, Live Oak Hefeweizen, and many more.

Kids

Children are not allowed in bars in Texas. You must be at least 21 to drink alcohol in the USA. However, in most restaurants you can bring your family.

Smokers

You can't smoke indoors, and very often even outdoor areas prohibit it. Smoking is not common practice, and some bars reserve dedicated areas.