Fish Taco (Lobster Taco)
The "taco" is a Mexican sandwich wrapped in a tortilla, usually containing meat. The "fish taco" became popular in the United States when Ralph Rubio first sold them from his…
White Chili (“bowl of white”)
White chili ("bowl of white") differs greatly from the "bowl of red" that is the Texas official state dish (chili). White chili contains chicken and white beans;…
Cobb Salad (Southwest Cobb Salad; Southwestern Cobb Salad; Texas Cobb Salad)
Cobb salad was created and named after Robert (Bob) Cobb, the owner of the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles, California. There is some debate as to whether Cobb invented the salad in 1926…
Coonass (Coon-ass)
"Coonass" (or "coon-ass") is a term used to describe Cajuns. The term is used especially in Lousiana and in the parts of Texas with a strong Louisiana influence (such as Port…
Dirty Rice (Cajun Rice)
Dirty rice (sometimes called "Louisiana dirty rice" or "cajun rice") is a popular Louisiana rice dish. Port Arthur ("Cajun Capital of Texas") has several places that…
Rattlesnake Code (Rattlesnake’s Code)
The "cowboy code" was an unwritten code of conduct for the cowboy, a way to treat everyone fairly and honestly. For gunslingers, there was also a "rattlesnake's code." The…
Freddie Fudpucker or Freddy Fudpucker (cocktail)
In the early 1970s, California had its "Harvey Wallbanger" (a cocktail of orange juice, vodka, and Galliano) and Texas/Mexico replied with "Freddie Fudpucker" or "Freddy…
“Never drink unless you’re alone or with somebody”
"Never drink unless you're alone or with somebody" appears as an "anonymous cowboy quote" in the book Cowboy Cocktails (2000), by Grady Spears and Brigit Binns. The…
Sombrero (cocktail)
A "Sombrero" cocktail is Kahlua (the Mexican coffee liqueur) and cream or milk. The drink is first cited in the 1970s. It is unknown why the name "Sombrero" (a Mexican hat) was…
Election Wagering (“peanut-and-toothpick” bet)
New Yorkers bet on more than the horses. Around 1900, it was popular to bet on election results. Some bets involved money, and others involved performance. The peanut-and-toothpick bet required the…
“I have calf brains, stewed kidneys, pickled pigs’ feet…” (Dallas waitress joke?)
Boyce House told the following joke in his 1955 book, You Can Always Tell a Texan (But You Can't Tell Him Much): "A man who was just getting over a spree entered a Dallas cafe and sat…
“Great Seafood, Not a Lot of Clams” (Rockfish Seafood Grill slogan)
"Great Seafood, Not a Lot of Clams" is the slogan of Rockfish Seafood Grill, a Dallas-based seafood restaurant chain. Texans hate clams? Rockfish Seafood GrillROCKFISH Seafood Grill is…
Nacho Cheese (“not your cheese” or “not yo’ cheese”)
Nachos is a Tex-Mex dish dating from about 1940. In 1966, Doritos tortilla chips were created by Frito-Lay (a Texas company). A popular Doritos flavor (since 1972) is "nacho cheese." By…
Jalapeño Soup (Cream of Jalapeño Soup; Avocado-Jalapeño Soup; Potato Jalapeño Soup)
Jalapeño Soup is a popular use of the jalapeño (the state pepper). The first recorded citation of "jalapeño soup" appears in the 1970s, but the soup became popular in the 1990s.…
Heaven and Hell Cake (angel food and devil’s food)
"Heaven and Hell Cake" was created by Stephan Pyles at the Star Canyon restaurant in Dallas, in 1994. It's now served at at his own Stephan Pyles restaurant in Dallas, and the…
Disco Fries (American version of “Poutine”)
"Disco fries" are first cited in 1996 and are believed to have started at New Jersey diners. Some think that "disco fries" means "diner fries," while others insist…
Port A (Port Aransas)
Port Aransas is called "Port A" by local residents. The shortened name has spread to its many visitors. Wikipedia: Port Aransas, TexasPort Aransas is a city in Nueces County, Texas, on…
Schleppie Award
The Schleppie Award was started in 2007 by NYPIRG's Straphangers' Campaign and Transportation Alternatives. The award goes to New York City's least reliable buses. Since 2002, the…
Texas With a Little Something Extra (Beaumont slogan)
"Texas With a Little Something Extra" is a slogan for the city of Beaumont (2003-present). Beaumont is close to the Louisiana border, and the Louisiana local word of "lagniappe"…
Barbecue Crabs (BBQ Crabs)
Barbecue crabs (or "barbecued crabs") is a specialty of the gulf area of southeast Texas. It is believed that barbecue crabs was first served by Willie Foster at Granger's at Sabine…