The restaurant is more than a restaurant: it’s got a concert venue, a massive outdoor patio, and delicious food. It’s located in a former Model T depot with 20,000 square feet of space on the West End along historic Film Row. Savvy diners know to order the seasonal scallop crudo, the elote pizza, and a Porch Swing, this place’s Southern version of a Pimm’s Cup.

Downtown Denison’s Main Street has been the location of a considerable revival effort, and 34 Chophouse is the steakhouse to hit when one drops by the town to see all the progress. There are steaks, as expected, but the Eisenhower Pot Roast paired with an Old Fashioned is an order worth trying.

Spending a day on the square in Denton can yield some fantastic music and book finds from Recycled, a cute souvenir from the 3 Wishes gift shop, and a long afternoon of craft beers and build-your-own charcuterie boards at Barley & Board. Or, if you don’t like beer, there’s a fun cocktail menu and mimosa flights.

When traveling to or through Shreveport, a stop at Mabry House, a quaint Victorian house converted into a restaurant, won’t disappoint. Eat plates of seasonal American fare by candlelight — what’s on offer is constantly changing and always exceptional. For a singular dining experience, consider the chef’s tasting menu with a wine pairing.

There are a lot of opinions about where to find the best barbecue in Texas, and Country Tavern in Kilgore is on the top five list of many folks. This place is known for its ribs, which it coats in a Coca-Cola-infused barbecue sauce to make them finger-lickin’ good. 

Disclaimer that this one is the family restaurant of your friendly Eater Dallas editor, but it also has the best chicken fried steak in Texas. The burgers and steaks are pretty darn good too, and spending a day on nearby Lake Livingston isn’t a bad way to whittle away some time.

Co-owners and chefs Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley serve a New American menu at this restaurant that’s part of Eater Austin’s 38 Essentials. They call it a “nose-to-tail and farm to table dining experience,” which means diners will find the familiar, from a 44 Farms bavette steak and Parisian gnocchi with oyster mushrooms and mustard greens to the less frequently seen, including pork collar and tomato leaf cassarecce.

Eater Houston’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022 deserves a visit when passing down 45. It’s a modern Indian restaurant in the kitchen of chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra. Classic Indian fare gets a “magical” treatment, such as biryani made with jack fruit or malai kofta with prunes and cheese. 

Christine Ha, who took home the MasterChef title and is a past James Beard Award nominee, runs this Vietnamese restaurant in Houston. Her childhood and family favorites inspired the menu, including “Mom’s Eggrolls,” bang bang shrimp, and sticky wings. And the well-known, Texas-famous rubbish apple pie a la mode is a must to finish the meal.

Rosario’s has been serving great Tex-Mex in San Antonio for 30 years — the right place, right city, and new address for this long-standing restaurant. Head that way for the ideal frozen marg and plates of Mexican comfort food: nachos, tacos, ceviche, enchiladas, parrilla, and so much more.

Heading to the Gulf shore means getting seafood. This Galveston oyster bar and Cajun restaurant is a local legend, with Gulf oysters served raw or cooked in various manners. Pair your order with a beer or martini, and sniff that sweet, salty air.