Dairy Queens in Texas Have Their Own Menu—And We Want It All

If you’ve ever visited a Dairy Queen in Texas (or even the DQ Texas website) you might’ve come across the slogan “That’s What I Like About Texas”. This is quite a change from the DQ slogan we’ve seen everywhere else: “Happy Tastes Good”. And it’s far from the only thing that’s different about DQ in Texas.

Dairy Queens in Texas feature menu items that you might not find anywhere else, ranging from nachos and tacos to some very different burger offerings. We hear they might even have their own jingle for commercials! That’s not too surprising. Here’s what you need to know before you hit up a DQ in Texas.

Here’s What to Expect From DQ’s Texas Menu

Courtesy Rusty Hill Photography, Dallas, TX

With Texas, you expect to go big, and the Texas DQ doesn’t disappoint. Texas-exclusive offerings include (but are definitely not limited to):

• The Hungr-Buster: a quarter-pounder with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles and mustard
• The Belt-Buster: a burger that doubles up on the quarter-pound patties
• The Triple-Buster: yep, this triples the patties
• The Dude Chik’n Fried Steak Sandwich: fried steak with lettuce, tomatoes and salad dressing
• Steak Finger Country Basket: crunchy fried steak strips

Of course, that’s not all! When in Texas, you expect some Mexican-inspired fare, and the Texas DQ doesn’t disappoint. Here’s what else you can find on the menu:

• Texas T-Brand Tacos
• Nachos Deluxe
• Beef Taco Salad
• Grilled Chicken Taco Salad

Why Does Dairy Queen Have a Different Menu in Texas?

Your first response might be to think that it’s because Dairy Queen started in Texas. You’re not the only one who’d think that—as of 2017, Texas had the most Dairy Queens of any state, at approximately 600. The very first Dairy Queen was actually opened in Joliet, Illinois, even though the chain is so popular in Texas, it’s literally known as “the Texas stop sign”.

But there is a reason for that unique menu, and it involves some selling and buying. International Dairy Queen sold its franchising rights in Texas to Rolly Klose in around 1947, who in turn sold exclusive rights for DQ to several restauranteurs who began to experiment with offerings beyond the usual soft-serve and desserts. When Texas Dairy Queen was repurchased by International DQ in 1980, the restauranteurs negotiated with the company to allow them to continue with the Texas-exclusive items and their own brand of marketing.

These items aren’t the only unique things created by franchisees—even the iconic Blizzard was a franchisee creation.

Can I Get ‘Em at DQs Outside Texas?

Unfortunately, these items are Texas exclusives—you’ll have to head down to the Lone Star state to get ’em. However, the DQ secret menu has some items that you can get no matter where in the country you are, as long as you have a store nearby. Indulge in a Butterbeer Blizzard, or add some nostalgia with the Jack and Jill Sundae or the Peanut Butter Bash Sundae—the possibilities are endless!