# Define "Texas Lunch" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 12, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680 "2019-10-12T14:52:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/41 "2019-10-12T23:17:03Z")
Boston is still trying to get rid of [all that molasses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Molasses_Flood), huh? ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/42 "2019-10-12T23:18:52Z")
I have lived in Texas, Oklahoma, California, and Colorado, all without ever hearing this one. This would have just been called a chili dog, or maybe a chili cheese dog, anywhere I’ve lived. I have heard of Texas Toast. I don’t remember if I had Texas Toast in Texas. It’s just a thick slab of toast, you know, bigger than the average piece of toast, because everything’s bigger in Texas. Especially egos. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/43 "2019-10-12T23:35:14Z")
ALL baked beans are made with molasses. Boston style includes brown sugar, and is made with pea beans…too sweet for me. Maine style baked beans use larger beans, like the Yellow Eye or the Soldier bean. And B&M canned baked beans come from Portland, Maine, not Boston. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/44 "2019-10-13T00:27:27Z")
Thank you all. I thought it was a common thing. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/45 "2019-10-13T01:17:56Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > ALL baked beans are made with molasses. No they aren’t. Bush’s are the best selling baked beans in the US, and their [Original Recipe](https://bushbeans.com/en_US/product/original) uses brown sugar instead of molasses.\* Most of their other varieties are also made with brown sugar. Only their [Boston Recipe](https://bushbeans.com/en_US/product/boston-recipe)is made with molasses (and brown sugar). (Some of their other varieties are flavored with maple syrup or honey.) Molasses is a hallmark of Boston baked beans, but other styles may or may not include it. British-style baked beans are quite different than American style,especially by containing tomato sauce. They are also often sweetened with brown sugar, although some varieties use treacle (basically molasses). \*Ingredient list: Prepared White Beans, Water, Brown Sugar, Sugar, Bacon, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Mustard (Water, Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Spices), Onion Powder, Caramel Color, Spices, Garlic Powder, and Natural Flavor. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/46 "2019-10-13T01:54:26Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > ALL baked beans are made with molasses. No. Sweetener can be brown sugar, molasses, or maple syrup (or any combination thereof.) That is, when we’re talking about American “baked beans,” as opposed simply to any beans that are baked. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/47 "2019-10-13T02:10:00Z")
“Baked beans” was what I meant, specifically New England baked beans baked in a New England beanpot. Molasses is the traditional ingredient. Molasses is a local New England product. Brown sugar and maple syrup are weird outliers. Obviously maple syrup is also local…so is apple-cider jelly — but not ordinarily used. Maine baked beans: Yellow Eyes, salt pork, molasses, mustard powder, onion (put in peeled and whole and fished out at the end of cooking), salt and pepper. A shot of dark rum is optional. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/48 "2019-10-13T02:50:26Z")
Huh, I would have figured a Texas lunch to be a plate of cheese enchiladas with frijoles and rice, at least that’s a standard lunch special at the taquerias I frequent. I get mine with onions and jalapeños. The only point of debate is how you take your iced tea; I’m in the minority in preferring unsweetened. The other possibility would be Whataburger. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/49 "2019-10-13T03:15:05Z")
> [@Jack\_Burden](#): > > Huh, I would have figured a Texas lunch to be a plate of cheese enchiladas with frijoles and rice, at least that’s a standard lunch special at the taquerias I frequent. I get mine with onions and jalapeños. The only point of debate is how you take your iced tea; I’m in the minority in preferring unsweetened. > > The other possibility would be Whataburger. I endorse this post. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/50 "2019-10-13T03:20:18Z")
Yeah, Jack Burden has it right. The only thing I may add is the three-taco plate with beans and rice, another popular option. And may I say that for those of you who have not been blessed by visiting Taco Palenque, nyah nyah nyah. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/51 "2019-10-13T03:24:21Z")
I suppose an older generation of Texans might say it’s the LuAnn at Luby’s. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/52 "2019-10-13T14:03:00Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > So far it sounds like this is a dish known only in Pennsylvania, and doesn’t actually occur in Texas. Yeah, that would be my take on it. Right after I graduated from high school my family moved to Reading, Pennsylvania and I took a summer job in a sandwich shop. One day a customer ordered a “California burger” which was not on the menu. I sidled over to the girl who was at the grill and asked sotto voce, “What’s a California burger?” Knowing I was from California, she nearly dropped her spatchula. “It’s with tomato and lettuce; what do you call them in California?” “A deluxe hamburger?” Another place down the road did have it as a menu item and it was with mayo and sliced olives which makes a little more sense, I guess. > [@Colibri](#): > > British-style baked beans are quite different than American style,especially by containing tomato sauce. They are also often sweetened with brown sugar, although some varieties use treacle (basically molasses). We have [tomato sauce baked beans](https://www.amazon.com/Van-Camps-Pork-Beans-6pack/dp/B007TJN1ZG/ref=pd_sbs_325_t_1/131-1340947-4434951?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B007TJN1ZG&pd_rd_r=88c1a83f-05da-485d-a6c8-4f2a005f99cf&pd_rd_w=jQsvW&pd_rd_wg=IvkQX&pf_rd_p=5cfcfe89-300f-47d2-b1ad-a4e27203a02a&pf_rd_r=66T1K5XW6KX87G0869PX&psc=1&refRID=66T1K5XW6KX87G0869PX) in the US, too. I prefer the molasses/brown sugar variety. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/53 "2019-10-13T14:33:40Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > We have [tomato sauce baked beans](https://www.amazon.com/Van-Camps-Pork-Beans-6pack/dp/B007TJN1ZG/ref=pd_sbs_325_t_1/131-1340947-4434951?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B007TJN1ZG&pd_rd_r=88c1a83f-05da-485d-a6c8-4f2a005f99cf&pd_rd_w=jQsvW&pd_rd_wg=IvkQX&pf_rd_p=5cfcfe89-300f-47d2-b1ad-a4e27203a02a&pf_rd_r=66T1K5XW6KX87G0869PX&psc=1&refRID=66T1K5XW6KX87G0869PX) in the US, too. Closer, but still not the same as [Heinz Beanz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Baked_Beans). A true English fry-up demands the original. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/54 "2019-10-13T15:07:01Z")
It sounds kind of like what some hot dog places in NJ call a “Texas Weiner” but I never heard of a “Texas Lunch”. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/55 "2019-10-13T15:24:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Closer, but still not the same as [Heinz Beanz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Baked_Beans). A true English fry-up demands the original. 😛 we can get those in my area, Meijer usually has them. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/56 "2019-10-13T16:00:24Z")
Staters has them around SoCal, on the International aisle. Right next to the Tim-Tams and HP Sauce. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/57 "2019-10-13T16:18:12Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Closer, but still not the same as [Heinz Beanz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Baked_Beans). A true English fry-up demands the original. 😛 I grew up with Heinz beans. I assumed they were made by the ketchup company, and were an ordinary US product. No? [https://www.kroger.com/p/heinz-vegetarian-beans-in-rich-tomato-sauce/0001300045160](https://www.kroger.com/p/heinz-vegetarian-beans-in-rich-tomato-sauce/0001300045160) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/58 "2019-10-13T16:31:34Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I grew up with Heinz beans. I assumed they were made by the ketchup company, and were an ordinary US product. No? > > [https://www.kroger.com/p/heinz-vegetarian-beans-in-rich-tomato-sauce/0001300045160](https://www.kroger.com/p/heinz-vegetarian-beans-in-rich-tomato-sauce/0001300045160) Same company, yes, but apparently, until recently, the English “Heinz Baked Beans” weren’t generally made for sales in the US (though one could find them in stores specializing in English foods). The [Wikipedia entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Baked_Beans) states that, in 2016, Heinz started specifically making and labeling them for US sales. My guess is that the ones you grew up on (assuming you grew up in the US) weren’t exactly the same product as the English one. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/59 "2019-10-13T16:35:11Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I grew up with Heinz beans. I assumed they were made by the ketchup company, and were an ordinary US product. No? > > [https://www.kroger.com/p/heinz-vegetarian-beans-in-rich-tomato-sauce/0001300045160](https://www.kroger.com/p/heinz-vegetarian-beans-in-rich-tomato-sauce/0001300045160) they’re different. Baked beans is an American dish with a molasses or brown-sugar & pork based sauce _sometimes_ with tomato, in the UK they took it and used a tomato-based sauce instead. we invented it, they ruined it 😉 (joking, it’s just different. not worse.) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680/60 "2019-10-13T16:41:55Z")
You’ll note that the one I pointed to is vegetarian (no pork) and while it might not be obvious from the label, the sauce is definitely tomato-based. But yes, it is different from the standard breakfast beans you get in the UK. It’s sweeter, the sauce is thicker, and it’s less aggressively tomato-y, I think. Still, it’s closely related. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-texas-lunch/841680.md?page=4)