Texas takes its food seriously, and these ten restaurants prove it. Whether the recognition belongs to the chef behind the stove or the establishment itself, each one has earned a James Beard Award nomination or win, and we’ve had the pleasure of tasting our way through every single one.
Hugo’s – Houston
James Beard Award Winner (Chef Hugo Ortega)
Chef Hugo Ortega’s beloved namesake restaurant has earned him a loyal following and a James Beard Award. The menu features Mexican food at its finest, from melt-in-your-mouth lamb Barbacoa to tender rabbit stew served in traditional garnachas — sweet potato masa cakes. The cozy Backstreet Cafe is another one from Ortega, and where his story first began. He started there as a dishwasher before winning the heart of its owner, Tracy Vaught. Please note: Backstreet Cafe is temporarily closed. According to the restaurant’s website, they will reopen in a new building in the summer of 2026.
Watch the Hugo’s segment HERE.
Watch the Backstreet Cafe segment HERE.
Irma’s Original – Houston
James Beard Award Winner (America’s Classics)
Chef Irma Galvan has been serving authentic Mexican food in Houston since 1989. She earned the James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2008. At the iconic Irma’s Original, there are no physical menus—just bold, unforgettable cooking. Don’t miss the fresh guacamole, chile rellenos, and her rich, signature chicken mole. The restaurant is a favorite spot amongst the Houston Astros. Watch the segment HERE.
Phat Eatery – Katy
James Beard Semifinalist (Chef Alex Au-Yeung, In Memoriam)
The late Alex Au-Yeung, a James Beard Award semifinalist, left a lasting mark at Phat Eatery in Katy’s Asian Town with his delicious take on Malaysian street food—nasi lemak, curry laksa, kerabu prawns, and the standout CK Teow. His legacy lives on today, carried forward in the kitchen and on every plate. Watch the segment HERE.
Burnt Bean Co. – Seguin
James Beard Nominated (Historic First)
Burnt Bean Company put Seguin on the culinary map with its world-famous brisket. The restaurant made history as the first barbecue joint ever to be nominated for Best Chef in the U.S. by the James Beard Awards. Along with craft barbecue, you’ll find menu items like hot Cheeto queso mac, street corn pudding and award-winning desserts. Watch the segment HERE.
2M Smokehouse – San Antonio
James Beard Semifinalist (Chef Esaul Ramos Jr.)
Chef Esaul Ramos is a James Beard nominated pitmaster who fuses Texas traditions with Mexican flavors at 2M Smokehouse in San Antonio. Don’t miss the smoked meats and slammin’ sides at this hotspot. Menu items include serrano peppers and Oaxaca cheese pork link sausages, homemade sweet coleslaw, tangy Mac and cheese and mouthwatering Mexican street corn. Watch the segment HERE.
Curry Boys BBQ – San Antonio
James Beard Semifinalists (Chefs/Founders Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia and Sean Wen)
At Curry Boys BBQ in San Antonio, South Texas meets Southeast Asia in a bold, unexpected way. The chefs/founders have created one of the most inventive BBQ menus in the state – earning James Beard recognition along the way. The signature dish, the Brisket Smoke Show, serves super-tender brisket over a bed of jasmine rice, topped with an aromatic green coconut curry and crispy shallots. Watch the segment HERE.
The Esquire Tavern – San Antonio
James Beard Nominated (Outstanding Bar Program)
The oldest bar on San Antonio’s River Walk (opened in 1933) and the longest one in Texas, The Esquire Tavern is a James Beard Award-nominated spot where sophisticated bites like house-made charcuterie and deviled eggs share the spotlight with standout craft cocktails. Watch the segment HERE.
Odd Duck – Austin
James Beard Semifinalist (Chef Mark Buley)
Odd Duck in Austin offers a seasonal menu that’s always evolving based on what’s fresh and local. The restaurant is known for dishes like Wagyu ribeye and duck eggs and ham. Everything is made from scratch with ingredients sourced across the region. Watch the segment HERE.
Cochineal – Marfa
James Beard Semifinalist (Chef/Owner Alexandra Gates)
Run by James Beard-nominated chef Alexandra Gates, Cochineal is a world-class restaurant nestled in the Chihuahuan desert in Marfa with a seasonal menu that changes weekly. Dishes like her traditional Swiss-rooted tutti geschnetzeltes — featuring nilgai from a nearby Texas ranch — make it unlike anything else in the state. Watch the segment HERE.
Perini Ranch Steakhouse – Buffalo Gap
James Beard Award Winner (America’s Classics)
A Buffalo Gap landmark for more than 40 years, Perini Ranch Steakhouse earned a James Beard Award in 2014 and is known for its amazing steaks, award-winning burgers, and world-famous mesquite smoked peppered beef tenderloin. Hollywood celebrities and traditional Texans alike make the pilgrimage to this tiny town near Abilene. Watch the segment HERE.
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