Two weeks ago I boarded a plane to head over to Texas to visit a family member. The occasion? They were moving back to New Jersey for business. My intentions were twofold. The first was to help them pack up and prepare for the move, and the second was to go on a metaphorical pub-crawl with them due to the fact that some of my favorite food places are in Texas. Not only that, but one of my favorite landmarks is there, too.

To begin, let’s start with that "landmark" I mentioned. Fort Worth is home to one of the best Botanical Gardens that I have ever visited. The garden itself is a 109-acre area boasting over 2000 types of flora, and it's practically open at all times for the low price of free. Of all the experiences that I’ve had, walking through those gardens was one of the best. It’s a quiet environment filled with all types of flora and sculptures. However, my favorite part of the gardens was the Japanese Garden. It’s a small pittance of an entry fee, and every cent is worth it. From expansive Koi ponds to zen gardens it's quite easy to find it far more than just visually appealing.

But beyond that is the variety of dining establishments in the DFW area, specifically Fort Worth of course. The first of which is my favorite little roadside cafe-like establishment, Fred's Texas Cafe. The one I frequented was in Fort Worth's cultural district. The building itself was a nice little space, with both indoor and deck seating. On weekends they host local musicians to play various sets, which only adds to the atmosphere of the place. Of all the things I’ll miss most about the place, it’s the burgers. "The Big Fred" was my dish of choice, a three-quarter pound patty with all the fixings. By far one of the best burgers I’ve ever had in my life.

The last place that comes to mind is the Fort Worth Stockyard. It’s like a small downtown area that isn’t actually downtown, filled with restaurants, malls, the Rodeo stadium and a few good steakhouses as well. It’s a fun place to go at night, and it's classified as a historic district. Indeed it’s a popular place both for the nightlife and the food, as well as the odd rodeo or festival. The latter two often leave the place far more crowded than it normally is, but there’s something nice to see when a large number of people come to one place to see something happen.

While Texas might not be the best vacation spot or romantic get away, it still turns out to be a great place for food and festivities. From burgers to steak and even salads and soup, the culinary delights of Fort Worth rarely disappoint. So if you're ever in the area, go experience some of the culture in one of the best ways possible –– by consuming it.