5 Texas Traditions Worth Celebrating (and Savoring!)
When Texas does Christmas, it brings the full flavor spectrum: bold, smoky, spicy, sweet, and unapologetically larger-than-life. In a season built around connection and community, these five Texas Christmas staples honor the heart of our Mission: serving clients with confidence, care, culture, and a little culinary adventure along the way.
Below, we break down each beloved Christmas dish, complete with ingredients, descriptions, and DFW restaurants where you can enjoy the real thing, no kitchen cleanup required.
1. Christmas Tamales
Nothing is more “Texas Christmas” than tamales. Generations gather to assemble them, filling the home with laughter, storytelling, and a reminder of the legacy at the heart of the season, something The Assaad Group calls Legacy-Minded Living.
DFW Restaurants for Great Tamales
- Tamale House Dallas – East Dallas classic for traditional pork and chicken tamales
🔗 https://tamalehousedallas.com - Tommy Tamale Market & Café – Grapevine – Locals swear by these
🔗 https://tommytamale.com - La Popular Tamale House – Oak Cliff – A 60+ year Dallas staple
🔗 https://lapopulardallas.com
Ingredients
Filling:
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- Onion, garlic
- Ancho & guajillo chiles
- Cumin, oregano, salt, pepper
Masa:
- Masa harina
- Pork broth
- Lard
- Salt, baking powder
Assembly:
- Corn husks, salsa verde
2. Smoked Prime Rib with Texas Rub
A true holiday showstopper, Texas-style smoked prime rib is the luxurious centerpiece your guests will talk about well into New Year’s. Bold, memorable… very Assaad Group energy.
DFW Restaurants Serving Prime Rib for the Holidays
- Bob’s Steak & Chop House – Grapevine & Dallas
🔗 https://bobs-steakandchop.com - Pappas Bros. Steakhouse – Dallas
🔗 https://pappasbros.com - Del Frisco’s Double Eagle – Fort Worth & Dallas
🔗 https://delfriscos.com
Ingredients
- Prime rib roast
- Kosher salt, coarse pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic & onion powder
- Fresh rosemary
- Olive oil
- Oak or mesquite wood chips
3. Texas Chili con Carne (Bean-Free, of Course)
A cozy winter ritual. A bowl of Texas chili tastes like December on the ranch, rugged, hearty, and deeply comforting. Perfect for after a night at Grapevine’s “Christmas Capital of Texas” festivities.
Local Places Serving Real Texas Chili
- Tolbert’s Restaurant & Chili Parlor – Grapevine Main Street
🔗 https://tolbertsrestaurant.com - Chili Parlor – Fort Worth
🔗 https://chilifortworth.com - Pecan Lodge – Deep Ellum (Not a chili house, but their brisket chili is legendary)
🔗 https://pecanlodge.com
Ingredients
- Beef chuck
- Ground beef
- Onions, garlic
- Ancho & pasilla chiles
- Chile powder, cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Beef broth
- Salt & pepper
4. Jalapeño Cornbread Dressing
This is classic Southern dressing if it had a Texas-sized personality. Jalapeños add the kick, and the cornbread brings the comfort. It’s a staple in many DFW homes and the perfect example of Connector Energy: bringing people together around good food.
DFW Restaurants for Cornbread Dressing
(Dressing is usually available seasonally around Thanksgiving–Christmas.)
- Babe’s Chicken Dinner House – Roanoke & Carrollton
🔗 https://babeschicken.com - Soulman’s Bar-B-Que – Several DFW locations
🔗 https://soulmans.com - Eddie Deen’s Crossroads Smokehouse – Arlington
🔗 https://eddiedeen.com
Ingredients
- Crumbled cornbread
- White bread cubes
- Onion, celery
- Chopped jalapeños
- Chicken broth
- Eggs
- Sage, thyme
- Salt & pepper
5. Texas Pecan Pie
The grande finale. Glossy, rich, pecan-studded perfection and a dessert that represents Texas’ agricultural heritage with just enough luxury to feel like a holiday indulgence. A perfect match to our Vision: Where Legacy Meets Lifestyle.
Top DFW Spots for Pecan Pie
- Emporium Pies – Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum, McKinney
🔗 https://emporiumpies.com - Uncle Julio’s – Several DFW locations (their pecan pie is underrated)
🔗 https://unclejulios.com - Bread Winners Café – Dallas
🔗 https://breadwinnerscafe.com
Ingredients
- Pie crust
- Texas pecans
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Optional bourbon splash
Where Texas Tradition Meets Holiday Heart
Whether you’re hosting a luxury holiday dinner in Southlake, grabbing tamales before strolling Main Street Grapevine, or simply embracing the magic of a Texas Christmas, these dishes remind us what the season is about: connection, community, and creating memories that last. At The Assaad Group, we live by the Platinum Rule treating people the way they want to be treated and that includes serving up resources, recommendations, and lifestyle insights that turn houses into homes and seasons into traditions.