Texas Manners and Folkways (Dallas, San Antonio: house, university, tornado)

[love roses]

I've had good steaks in Texas, but Denver is actually good at doing steaks.

[doss1]

Honestly, I think it doesn't matter what state you go to. Steaks are usually a pretty good item to get right, unlike BBQ which only a few select states can do (NCarolina, Kansas City, Texas, etc).

As long as the steak is not taken from a stressed cow that kNOWS it's going to die, then it will be good. Cattle release some crazy chemicals in their blood when they know they're gonan get slaughtered...it makes the meat tough to chew, a sign of poor quality meat especially from places that pay for cheap labor (remember in the news a few weeks ago about the cows so sick they could hardly walk?).

I know for a fact South Texas does not do steaks as good as the upper portion of Texas. San Antonio definitely does not do BBQ, which is another pet peeve of mine.

On the other hand, I think the generic places like Texas Road House are pretty darn good. My favorite was Texas Land and Cattle, but lately something is going wrong.

[jd2008]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

Honestly, I think it doesn't matter what state you go to. Steaks are usually a pretty good item to get right, unlike BBQ which only a few select states can do (NCarolina, Kansas City, Texas, etc).

As long as the steak is not taken from a stressed cow that kNOWS it's going to die, then it will be good. Cattle release some crazy chemicals in their blood when they know they're gonan get slaughtered...it makes the meat tough to chew, a sign of poor quality meat especially from places that pay for cheap labor (remember in the news a few weeks ago about the cows so sick they could hardly walk?).

I know for a fact South Texas does not do steaks as good as the upper portion of Texas. San Antonio definitely does not do BBQ, which is another pet peeve of mine.

On the other hand, I think the generic places like Texas Road House are pretty darn good. My favorite was Texas Land and Cattle, but lately something is going wrong.

Well, I have to disagree with your first statement. Better steakhouses get better cuts of beef with better chefs.

There are some good steakhouses in Texas. Cattlemen's in Forth Worth is very good for example. There are also good places in Houston and Dallas. But, overall for steaks, New York and Chicago have better steakhouses for various reasons (money, history, culture, etc). I personally don't eat all that much red meat anymore but New York is my favorite place to get steak. They also have easier access to fresh lobster and great wine lists which makes the experience even better.

San Antonio; it's more a place for Mexican Food. As far as Victoria, BC...I would stick with seafood. Salmon is great; some of the best in the world.

[doss1]

thanks for the comments jd2008. We better get this thread back on topic before a mod slaps my wrist again

So, Texas mannerisms....do they open the door for women in any other state as much as Texas?

[tstone]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

San Antonio definitely does not do BBQ, which is another pet peeve of mine.

Strange you say that, since so many of the locals tout the BBQ (and Tex-Mex) as if it were the sacred dishes put there by the grace of God. I don't think their BBQ is that bad, though I've had better in Houston.

I've had equally as good Tex-Mex in both SA and Houston.

[blueskies49]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

thanks for the comments jd2008. We better get this thread back on topic before a mod slaps my wrist again

So, Texas mannerisms....do they open the door for women in any other state as much as Texas?

The rest of the South, maybe? Since Texas was mostly settled by Southerners that'd be my guess.

[lonestar2007]

Don't know about the rest of you gals, but I love it when a gentleman tips his hat and says, "Howdy ma'am" in a true genuine manner and you know he's grown up with this being inbred into his very fiber. It makes you know you're home. Now I'm talking about the real deal here, not one of those clowns dressed up in cowboy garb trying to imitate John Wayne.

[Aggie]

Originally Posted by blueskies49

The rest of the South, maybe? Since Texas was mostly settled by Southerners that'd be my guess.

.... what about all the police blotters/registers in the upper midwest with the case stamped closed with "GTT" .... i.e., Gone To Texas

I'd say the door opening effort is very similar to Texas here in South Carolina.

[latetotheparty]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

Very true, Miss Lily! Along with a casual wave at those in the opposite lane on rural highways, pulling over to the shoulder and letting others go around you, to help them pass, is a staple of Texas driving manners!

i have lived in missouri for the last 22 years, but still chuckle at the memory of how absolutely FLOORED my ex was when he saw this behaviour on our trips to rockport to visit my mom.....

this and pulling over to the side of the road when a funeral procession is passing.....

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by latetotheparty

this and pulling over to the side of the road when a funeral procession is passing.....

Great one! I actually intended to mention it earlier...the pulling over for a funeral procession! I am not sure how common it is anymore in the truly large cities, but even in my hometown of Wichita Falls (pop. 100,000) it is still a mostly observed custom. It definitely is in smaller towns and rural areas!