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Planning trips around Buc-ee’s:
What do you get when you mix a gas station, a huge grocery store, and a cartoon beaver? According to Texans, the number one road trip stop in the nation. Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s sells gas, candy, Beaver Nuggets, BBQ, and kolaches in a larger-than-life setting. It’s a one-stop shop for any needs you could possibly have.
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Having a personalized Whataburger order:
While Houston is known for its out-of-this-world BBQ, Texas-based Whataburger offers some fierce competition. The standard Whataburger is relatively simple—basically a cheeseburger with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and diced onions on a toasted bun. But what Houstons love is that you can order a Whataburger literally any way you’d like. Eat your heart out, Burger King.
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Going 85 in a 65 zone and still getting passed.
All states have their crazy drivers, but Houston drivers take it to a whole new level. If you’re a slow driver, you’d better stick to the right-most lanes and make way for the cars zooming along the highway. Fast drivers are going to drive fast no matter how resolutely you park yourself in the fast lane. If you don’t move over, you’ll find yourself getting tailgated.
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Brunching for breakfast tacos.
If you’re from Houston, you know the city is king of tex-mex—and that’s not an exaggeration. The evidence? Breakfast tacos. Most Americans haven’t even heard of this tasty phenomenon. Breakfast burritos are having their time in the limelight, but breakfast tacos (their less post-brunch coma-inducing little brother) are a perfect combination of two beloved foods: breakfast and tacos. In Houston, breakfast tacos are a way of life. Just don’t forget the hot sauce.
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Houston summers (and the other three months of the year).
Yes, most states’ temperatures rise significantly during the summer months—but Houston is like a different planet. Summer temps last longer and typically top 95+ degrees farenheit most days. And let’s not forget about the sticky, sweaty humidity that seems inescapable. Keep that sunscreen and 10-gallon hat handy.
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Pollen, aka Houston snow.
Once the spring season finally starts to emerge, pollen is tagging along closely behind. Spring becomes a season of torture for Houstonians with allergies—and cars, buildings, and lawns are covered in the sticky yellow powder. Since snow is a rare sight for most Houstonians, pollen is the closest they’re going to get.
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Never actually going to Space Center Houston.
This NASA space center is a tourist destination—and something that Houston is well-known for. But unless you went there on a field trip in elementary school, you probably haven’t spent much time among the mission control center, astronaut suits, and moon exhibits. You’ve probably gotten your fill of “Houston, we have a problem” puns, though.
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Drinking queso by the gallon.
If you’ve ever been to a Mexican restaurant, you’ve probably had some good queso. But people from Houston have the advantage of behind surrounded by truly delicious queso—what more would you expect from the birthplace of Tex-Mex? From smoky queso dip to queso fries to queso burgers, Houston knows how to do queso right.
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A passionate devotion to H-E-B.
This grocery store is more than just your neighborhood Kroger. H-E-B is a Texas original, and is known for its rampant state pride. Houstonians flock to their local H-E-Bs to pick up Texas-shaped tortilla chips, huge containers of hummus, and Mexican candies. And if you’re lucky, you might even get to snap a picture with H-E-B’s shopping bag-shaped mascot, Buddy.
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Spending your free time at RodeoHouston.
Texas is known for its rodeos, but RodeoHouston has them all beat. RodeoHouston has everything you’d expect from a traditional rodeo—livestock shows, bull riding, and cowboys. But at RodeoHouston, you can also ride a ferris wheel, munch on some fried Oreos, and buy some handcrafted cowboy boots. There’s a reason musicians from George Strait to Faith Hill to Miley Cyrus have performed at RodeoHouston.
Houston Living
10 Things Only People From Houston Understand
09
Apr
Apr
Do you consider Houston to be your home? If you do, you probably have a lot of Houston pride—and for good reason. Houston is the fourth most populated city in the United States, and home to global game changers like NASA, Beyonce, and queso. Here are 10 things that only Houston locals would understand:
