A Tasty Food Tour Through Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas

With apologies to Oklahoma and Kansas — though you won’t be left out —  this post on Tasty Regional Food will focus on Texas and its famous barbecue. And, despite the fact that we, the authors, have enjoyed barbecue on trips to and through Texas, we are not Texans nor have we worked or lived there. (Well, third grade at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, but that hardly counts…)

So we are drawing on the taste buds of our Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas Good Sam Rep Teams — Sally and David Harmon III, and Mike and Elaine Ewing — all of whom not only work in this region but live in Texas as well. While some of their recommendations also match up with Google searches we did, others are strictly personal. But these four really do like their food – so we, personally, would trust their choices.

For Barbecue in Texas, the recommendations in alphabetical order are:

1701 Bar B Q in Beaumont

Central Texas style Q smoked over live oak firewood. Cooking only over live fire can be challenging,  but diners say 1701 doesn’t miss its mark. All sauces and sides are prepared fresh in-house. Chicken, pork, beef, turkey, and sausages.

Bar-A-Barbecue in Montgomery

Family-owned and operated craft barbecue restaurant serving homemade sides along with their meats. Chef Cooper Abercrombie was born and raised locally, and the food from his kitchen has won statewide awards. A warning note – they close at 4 pm or earlier if the food runs out.

Burnt Bean Co. in  Seguin

This restaurant topped the 2025 Texas Monthly list of the 50 best BBQ restaurants in Texas. Run by former barbecue competitors Ernest Servantes and Dave Kirkland, they braved the restaurant slowdown during COVID and opened up in 2020. From opening day on, they’ve had lines out the door. A reviewer said they find ways to elevate every menu item from sides to desserts. Their Sunday-only Barbacoa taco gets rave reviews. Brisket, pork ribs, pork chops, beef ribs, and sausage are all on the menu.

CorkScrew BBQ in Spring

CorkScrew was among four Texas restaurants in 2024 to win the first-ever Michelin stars awarded for barbecue.  Family-owned and operated since 2010, owners Will and Nicole Buckman started out operating out of a trailer before going to a brick-and-mortar.  All sauces, sides, seasonings, and desserts are made in-house, and all meats are farm-raised, prime grade, and humanely processed. Prime Beef Ribs and Whole Chickens are available on weekends only. But pork and other beef, plus turkey breast and sausages, are available daily.

GW’s BBQ in San Juan

Coming in fifth on this year’s Texas Monthly list of Top Barbecue eateries, GW’s is definitely worth a stop. George Watts runs the restaurant with his family — including his dad — in tow. George serves up beef, pork, and Cajun turkey, but also offers smoked Asian-marinated duck, smoked and confitted beef tongue, and pork loin – plus a lasagna Bolognese sausage. And they’re almost as proud of their sides – such as golden beet slaw – as they are of the meats.

Half-Acre BBQ in Midland

Half-Acre honors five generations of the Scharvauer family’s commitment to their Pasture-to-Plate philosophy. Half-Acre is an extension of their ranch and their Midland Meat Company.  Scharvauer Ranch dates back to 1883, and the fifth-generation John decided to open the BBQ in 2019 and brought on Midland native Aaron Lesley, an award-winning barbecue competitor, as the pitmaster. Fresh salads and sides also star on the menu.

Leroy & Lewis BBQ in Austin

Leroy & Lewis came in second in this year’s Texas Monthly top 50 list and also won a Michelin Star in 2024 and 2025. They are proud of local sourcing, inventive barbecue, cold drinks, and old-school hospitality. If you’ve never been, the owners suggest trying their smoked or confit Beef Cheeks and their pork pulled from a smoked whole hog, with a side of Texas Red Chili Frito Pie. Try topping your barbecue with house-made Kimchi with shrimp.

Good Sam reps working in Kansas and Oklahoma highly recommend these restaurants:

White River Fish Market & Seafood Restaurant in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Yes, an outstanding seafood restaurant in the middle of Oklahoma, and an institution for almost 100 years. O.T. Fallis, the founder and owner for almost 50 years, opened the Fish Market in 1932 and added the restaurant 10 years later. Garry Cozby, a Texan, bought the business in 1981 and continues the tradition of a family-friendly restaurant offering fresh fish at good prices. Located near Tulsa International Airport, the fish arrives daily from coastal cities in North and South America.

Choices include Grouper, Shrimp, Halibut, oysters, Red Snapper, Flounder,  Alligator, Crawfish, and Soft-Shell Crab – and the list goes on and on. Sides tend toward the Southern with fried okra, fried green tomatoes, rice, pinto beans, green beans, and cole slaw. Desserts such as Buttermilk Pie and Sweet Potato Pie round out the selections. Both the market and the restaurant are closed on Sundays. A second location has been opened in Broken Arrow, OK.

Tuptim Thai in Topeka, Kansas

“Amazing Green Curry” were the first words out of Good Sam rep Sally Harmon’s mouth. And another reviewer said that after trying Thai food all over the world, Tuptim Thai is always better.  The Harmons and other reviewers say the service is excellent and the prices are too. Not fancy,  just delicious Thai food, big portions, and friendly servers.

Three Fires Steakhouse in Prairie Band Casino, Topeka

Local tribal-raised beef is the star of the menu here. But porterhouse pork chops, seafood, chicken and pasta share the spotlight along with specialty cocktails and an extensive wine list.

The following Good Sam RV Parks and others welcome you to visit Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas:

Wanderlust Crossings RV Park in Weatherford, OK
Blue Water RV Resort in Freeport, TX
HTR Texas Hill Country RV Park in Kerrville, TX
Reef Chill RV Resort in Rockport, TX
Stella Mare RV Resort in Galveston, TX