There’s a distinct energy in products that come from Texas. Many began as bold ideas, fueled by determination and hard work. Explore their origins, see how they evolved, and discover the spirit that keeps them globally relevant today.
Dr. Pepper
The unlikely story of Dr Pepper begins in 1885 at Waco’s Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store, where a small-town pharmacist created a soda inspired by the fruit-syrup scents in his shop. More than a century later, that blend of 23 flavors became the signature taste of a billion-dollar company—a story of Texas ingenuity that predates Coca-Cola by a full year. Its unmistakable flavor and early national advertising campaigns helped cement its place in soda history and at the countertop of culture.
At the Dr Pepper Museum in downtown Waco, visitors can explore more than 100,000 artifacts dedicated to the brand and the broader soft drink industry. Vintage bottling equipment, branded signage, and promotional relics line the old plant’s halls, mapping the arc from pharmacy to pop-culinary icon. The museum’s old-fashioned soda fountain remains a highlight, where a uniformed soda jerk mixes the drink by hand using original syrup, carbonated water, and a perfect swirl of the wrist.
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus opened its doors in Dallas in 1907 with a bold premise: bring designer fashion to a city better known for cattle barons than couture. At the time, it was a gamble. But it worked.
While the brand has long since gone national, its flagship store in downtown Dallas still draws design lovers and curious shoppers alike. Inside, visitors will find runway names, Texas-made luxury goods, and thoughtful tributes to the retailer’s century-plus legacy woven throughout the space.
Lucchese, Tony Lama, Tecovas
Founded in 1883 in San Antonio, Lucchese built its reputation the traditional way: by hand. Over decades, the brand has perfected premium craftsmanship and distinctive stitching that exudes an unmistakably Texas spirit. Today, you’ll spot its handiwork on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and on Big Tex each fall at the State Fair. Tony Lama, founded in El Paso in 1911, is an iconic Texas bootmaker. For generations, these handcrafted boots have been worn by boot lovers and style seekers, each pair embodying the tradition that made Texas famous for western wear.
Bringing a modern twist to these legacies, Tecovas launched in Austin in 2015, and is known for clean, contemporary silhouettes. At the brand’s South Congress flagship store travelers can step in, find their fit, and walk out ready to explore the city.
Whataburger
Long before its orange-and-white stripes became a cultural icon, Whataburger was just a roadside stand in Corpus Christi. Founded in 1950 by an ironworker with a vision for a burger so big it took two hands to hold, the name came easy once customers started saying it out loud.
That ambition stuck. Whataburger’s headquarters eventually moved to San Antonio, but the brand’s heart still lives in Corpus Christi, where devoted fans often make the pilgrimage to see where it all began. While the menu has grown, the made-to-order commitment hasn’t changed.
Blue Bell
Blue Bell Creameries has been making ice cream in Brenham since 1911, and its fans don’t just follow the brand, they wait for it. Each month’s flavor lineup sparks anticipation, especially in the 23 states lucky enough to carry it. With classics like Homemade Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, and Cookies ’n Cream, Blue Bell has built a loyal following that rivals any national brand.
Weekday tours at the Little Creamery trace the company’s journey from small-town butter maker to frozen-dessert heavyweight. Visitors learn how the name was inspired by a wildflower that blooms across Texas each summer, and how the product’s signature texture depends on keeping every scoop below 20 degrees. The tour ends the only way it should: with a complimentary scoop (often of a returning flavor fans have anticipated for months).
Tito's & YETI
Few brands capture Austin’s character quite like Tito’s Handmade Vodka and YETI—each built from the ground up with a clear purpose and no interest in shortcuts.
Tito’s got its start in 1997, when Bert “Tito” Beveridge began making vodka in a one-room distillery on the city’s east side. What began as a scrappy solo operation now stands as the largest distillery in North America, known as much for its corn-based, gluten-free spirit as for its ongoing philanthropic work.
YETI followed in 2006, founded by brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders after years of frustration with coolers that couldn’t withstand the demands of their hunting and fishing trips. Their solution—a more durable, more functional design—quickly gained traction among serious outdoor enthusiasts. Today, the brand’s South Congress flagship blends retail space with live music, a casual bar, and community events.
Kendra Scott
Jewelry designer Kendra Scott started her business in Austin in 2002 with $500, a spare bedroom, and a vision for bold, affordable pieces she couldn’t find elsewhere. What began during her first pregnancy, after an earlier venture folded, grew into a billion-dollar brand enjoyed by millions worldwide.
Today, visitors to the South Congress flagship can browse the full collection, design their own at the Color Bar, or attend one of the store’s regular launch events. The store’s open layout and bold, feminine style reflect the designer’s philosophy: that beauty and empowerment go hand in hand.
Shiner
One of Texas’s most recognizable exports flows from a town of just over 2,000: Shiner, Texas, halfway between Austin and Houston.
At the edge of town, Spoetzl Brewery cranks out millions of gallons of cold Shiner Bock to a thirsty, thankful world. Named for Bavarian-born brewmaster Kosmos Spoetzl, who purchased the operation in 1909, the brewery still uses his early recipes as the foundation for its signature brews.
Guided tours wind through fermentation tanks, bottling lines, and century-old equipment, offering a close-up look at the tradition that’s shaped the town. With just five brewmasters in its entire history (and a Prohibition-era pivot to alcohol-free “near beer”) Spoetzl has always found a way forward.
Each visit ends with a tasting flight: maybe a Ruby Redbird, maybe a White Wing, or maybe something seasonal that hasn’t hit shelves yet. The point is to try what’s new while appreciating what’s lasted.
Buc-ees
No road trip across Texas feels quite right without a stop at Buc-ees. Founded in Lake Jackson in 1982, this roadside giant has grown from a humble convenience store into something closer to a pilgrimage site for travelers. Over time, it’s built a kind of cult following—less because of hype, and more because people genuinely love it.
Step inside and you’ll understand why. The locations are massive, with rows of fuel pumps outside (some topping 100) and a spotless, airport-sized interior buzzing with activity. There’s fresh barbecue, shelves of house-made fudge, a full bakery, a wall of jerky, and coolers lined with every drink imaginable. In one corner, a display of cast-iron skillets; in another, branded onesies for newborns. It’s loud, it’s loyal, and it’s unmistakably Texas.
It Ain’t Their First Rodeo
In Texas, the story of a brand often starts with a person, a place, and an idea that refuses to quit. You can still see that story up close: etched into old brick walls, poured into glass bottles, and stacked on shelves lined with loyal history. When you do, you’re not just seeing where these brands came from—you’re stepping into the spirit that keeps them going.
To explore more of the creativity and care behind Texas-made goods, visit Go Texan, where local makers, homegrown products, and authentic stories extend the legacy these brands helped build.
