Can You Get a Michelin Star in Texas?

Texas is not exactly known for being a major culinary destination. While the state does boast some world-class BBQ and Tex-Mex, few Texans would expect to find a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Lone Star State. But, surprisingly, it is possible to get a Michelin star in Texas.

A Michelin star is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a restaurant. It is awarded by the prestigious French guidebook publisher, Michelin Guide, which has been rating restaurants since 1900.

The coveted stars are given to establishments that demonstrate excellence in food quality, preparation and presentation. As of 2021, there are only two restaurants in Texas that have earned this recognition.

The first is Uchi in Austin, which earned its first Michelin star in 2020. Uchi has been serving up modern Japanese cuisine since 2003 and has developed a loyal following over the years.

The restaurant’s menu features innovative dishes such as grilled shishito peppers with yuzu kosho sauce and king crab with citrus ponzu sauce. Uchi’s commitment to quality ingredients and imaginative cooking have earned it international acclaim.

The second Texas restaurant to receive the much-coveted Michelin star is Bolivar in Houston. This upscale seafood spot opened its doors in 2018 and has quickly become one of Houston’s hottest dining destinations.

The menu at Bolivar features dishes such as crispy redfish with jalapeno cream sauce and seared scallops with bacon jam vinaigrette. The freshness of the seafood combined with creative flavors makes Bolivar’s dishes stand out from other restaurants.

Conclusion:

Overall, it is possible to get a Michelin star in Texas although it may be quite rare at this moment due to the limited number of restaurants that have earned this prestigious honor so far. With more chefs striving for excellence and innovation however, perhaps more restaurants across the state will soon join these two elite establishments as awardees of this highly sought after accolade!