We regularly update our guides to ensure you have the most accurate information.
Quick Answer
A proper Texas party means generous hospitality, excellent BBQ, plenty of tacos, cold beer, and making every guest feel like family. Cook more than you think you need, keep the drinks iced, and don't stress—Texans care about good company, not perfection.
In Texas, we don't just throw parties—we throw proper parties. That means brisket that's been smoking since dawn, flour tortillas warm off the griddle, coolers full of Lone Star and sweet tea, and enough food to feed the whole county. Here's how to host like a true Texan.
The Texas Party Philosophy
The Rules
- • More is more. Run out of beer before brisket, never the other way around.
- • Come as you are. Boots and jeans are always acceptable.
- • Everyone eats. Feed vegetarians, kids, and the neighbor who "just stopped by."
- • Cold drinks matter. Ice is not optional.
The Vibes
- • Relaxed. No rushing, no schedules. Food's ready when it's ready.
- • Welcoming. "Y'all come on in" energy.
- • Outdoors when possible. Porch, patio, backyard, tailgate.
- • Music playing. Country, Tejano, classic rock—dealer's choice.
The Essential Texas Party Menu
BBQ Essentials
- • Brisket - The king. Smoked low and slow.
- • Ribs - Pork or beef, your call.
- • Sausage links - Hot guts, jalapeño cheddar, or classic.
- • Pulled pork - For sandwiches or tacos.
- • Smoked turkey - For the non-beef crowd.
- • Burnt ends - The prize pieces.
Tex-Mex Side
- • Warm flour tortillas - For wrapping brisket.
- • Queso & chips - Yellow, white, or both.
- • Guacamole - Fresh made.
- • Street tacos - Meat options from the smoker.
- • Pico de gallo - With jalapeños.
- • Mexican rice & beans - Classic sides.
Classic Sides
- • Potato salad
- • Coleslaw
- • Pinto beans
- • Mac and cheese
- • Corn on the cob
- • Pickles, onions, jalapeños
Bread Basket
- • Flour tortillas (most important!)
- • Corn tortillas
- • White bread (yes, plain)
- • Jalapeño cornbread
Desserts
- • Pecan pie
- • Peach cobbler
- • Tres leches cake
- • Blue Bell ice cream
- • Bunuelos
The Brisket-in-Tortilla Move
At any proper Texas party, someone will take a warm flour tortilla, pile on chopped brisket, add a little pickled jalapeño, maybe some onion and BBQ sauce, and make the most perfect brisket taco. This is the way.
Texas Party Drinks
The Essentials
- • Lone Star - The National Beer of Texas.
- • Shiner Bock - From the little brewery in Shiner.
- • Sweet tea - The sweeter the better.
- • Ranch Water - Tequila, Topo Chico, lime.
- • Margaritas - Frozen or on the rocks.
- • Dr Pepper - It was invented in Texas.
The Setup
- • Coolers full of ice - Multiple, clearly labeled.
- • Beer trough - Galvanized tub with drainage.
- • Sweet tea dispenser - Big glass jar with spigot.
- • Lemonade - For the kids and designated drivers.
- • Bottled water - Texas heat is no joke.
- • Topo Chico - For Ranch Water or straight.
Ranch Water Recipe
2 oz tequila blanco + juice of 1 lime + Topo Chico mineral water to fill. Serve over ice in a highball glass. The official drink of Texas summers.
Texas Party Decorations
Keep it authentic—think rustic ranch, not Halloween costume shop. The goal is "lived-in Texas" not "tourist trap Texas."
Do This
- • Texas flag (tasteful, not overkill)
- • Mason jars for drinks & flowers
- • String lights
- • Bandana napkins
- • Galvanized metal accents
- • Potted cacti & succulents
- • Cowboy boots as vases
- • Rustic wood signs
Skip This
- • Plastic cowboy hats
- • "Yeehaw" everything
- • Fake tumbleweeds
- • Oil derrick centerpieces
- • Excessive rhinestones
- • Sheriff star badges
Color Palette
- • Burnt orange
- • Turquoise
- • Rust red
- • Natural cream/tan
- • Sage green
- • Weathered wood tones
The Texas Party Playlist
Texas Country
- • George Strait
- • Willie Nelson
- • Waylon Jennings
- • Koe Wetzel
- • Randy Rogers Band
- • Pat Green
- • Turnpike Troubadours
Tejano & Conjunto
- • Selena
- • Los Tigres del Norte
- • Grupo Mazz
- • La Mafia
- • Intocable
- • Ramón Ayala
Texas Rock & Blues
- • Stevie Ray Vaughan
- • ZZ Top
- • Gary Clark Jr.
- • Black Pumas
- • Robert Earl Keen
- • Hayes Carll
Types of Texas Parties
The Backyard BBQ
The most common Texas gathering. Smoker going, cooler full, lawn chairs out.
Dress code: Jeans, boots optional. | Key element: That one guy who won't leave the smoker.
The Tailgate
Truck beds down, portable grills out, hours before (or instead of) the game.
Dress code: Team colors required. | Key element: A working sound system and folding chairs.
The Porch Party
Smaller, more intimate. Hanging on the porch, watching the sun set, good conversation.
Dress code: Whatever you were already wearing. | Key element: Rocking chairs and citronella candles.
The Quinceañera / Big Family Gathering
Multi-generational, lots of food, probably in a VFW hall or church gymnasium.
Dress code: Church clothes to casual. | Key element: A table for abuela to hold court.
The Ranch Party
If you're lucky enough to have land or know someone who does. Bonfires, stargazing, space to spread out.
Dress code: Boots actually needed. | Key element: A bonfire and clear sky.
Texas Party Pro Tips
Beat the Heat
Texas summer parties need shade, fans, misters, and LOTS of ice. Start later (5pm+) when the sun isn't brutal. Keep water everywhere.
Plan for More
Texans bring friends. And their friend's cousins. Always prep 20% more food than your headcount. It's the Texas way.
Set Up Self-Serve
Coolers, drink stations, buffet-style food. Let guests help themselves. You shouldn't be playing bartender all night.
Keep Tortillas Warm
Wrap in foil, keep in a 200°F oven or cooler side of the grill. Cold tortillas are a crime against hospitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not from Texas—can I still throw a Texas party?
Absolutely! Texas welcomes everyone. Focus on the hospitality, the food, and making people feel at home. That's more Texan than any decoration.
What if I can't smoke brisket?
Order from a BBQ restaurant or grocery store. No shame in it. Plenty of Texans buy their BBQ. Focus on great tortillas, cold drinks, and good company. That's what matters.
What's the minimum for a "proper" Texas party?
Good meat (smoked, grilled, or store-bought), warm tortillas, cold beer, and genuine hospitality. Everything else is extra. Texas is about attitude, not perfection.
Y'all Come Back Now
Get authentic Texas tortillas for your next gathering.