Texas - "The Lone Star State"

Texas is the second largest state of the United States of America. Geographically located in the south central part of the country, Texas shares an international border with Mexico to the south and borders the U.S. states of New Mexico to the west, Oklahoma to the north, Arkansas to the northeast, and Louisiana to the east. Houston is the largest city in Texas and Austin is the capital of the state. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify Texas as a former independent republic, and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. The "Lone Star" can be found on the Texas state flag and on the Texas state seal, The origin of the state name, Texas, is from the word, "Tejas", which means 'friends' in the Caddo language. The Caddo Nation is a confederacy of several Southeastern Native American tribes. Their ancestors traditionally inhabited much of what is now East Texas, northern Louisiana and portions of southern Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Due to its size and geologic features, Texas contains diverse landscapes that resemble both the American South and Southwest. Although popularly associated with the Southwestern deserts, less than 10 percent of Texas' land area is desert. Most of the population centers are located in areas of former prairies, grasslands, forests, and the coastline. Traveling from east to west, one can observe terrain that ranges from coastal swamps and piney woods, to rolling plains and rugged hills, and finally the desert and mountains of the Big Bend.

One Texas industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle. Due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy. The state's economic fortunes changed in the early 20th century, when oil discoveries initiated an economic boom in the state. With strong investments in universities, Texas developed a diversified economy and high tech industry in the mid-20th century. Until 2010, Texas shared the top of the list of the most Fortune 500 companies with California at 57.With a growing base of industry, the state leads in many industries, including agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace, and biomedical sciences.

Texas is a large state, and its cuisine is influenced from a wide range of cultural influences, including German, British, Mexican, Native American, and some Italian. Texas Barbeque, hamburgers, Steaks and Tex-Mex is among the popular cooking that state Texas can offer. Texas is known for its own variation of chili con carne. Texas red chili is an ingredient in Frito pie, a dish made with the eponymous Fritos corn chip, invented in Texas and produced by Plano, Texas-based Frito-Lay corporation. As part of the experience of getting to know 50 States popular dish, we made a visit to Texas Rhodehouse in Tempe, AZ to have a taste of what Texas cuisine has to offer.  Texas Roadhouse is an American chain restaurant that specializes in steaks and promotes a Western theme. While enjoyed a cup of Texas Red Chilie, a "fall-of-the bone" barbeque ribs, we could not help ourselves not completing  our experience with a filet mignon that Texas Rhode House decided to call "Dallas Fillet".