1. Lake Ray Hubbard Is So Gorgeous It’s Absurd
Lake Ray Hubbard provides quite the stunning backdrop for Garland and the surrounding areas. But the lake isn’t just easy on the eyes, it’s also great recreation.
Windsurfing, skiing, kayaking and boating are all popular on the tranquil waters. Its also an attraction for avid anglers looking to land bass and catfish.
2. Beef Is Boss In Garland
It’s hard to go wrong with barbecue in Texas, especially in Garland, but there’s one thing to keep straight: If it ain’t beef, that dog won’t hunt.
For the best beef Bar-Be-Que in the state, find your way to Garland’s very own Meshack’s BBQ Shack (follow your nose, because locating the tiny shack is no easy feat.)
Here they serve simplicity realized. The brisket is smoked using pecan wood and pairs perfectly with their baked beans and potato salad.
3. And David’s Is Your Stop For DIY Texas Barbeque
There are plenty of hot spots for Texas barbeque in Garland, but a true Texan knows there’s no better kitchen than a home kitchen. In Garland, that means stocking up at David’s Meat Market.
4. In Garland, Everyone Has Seen A Flying Saucer
Whether you’re looking for a place to unwind or somewhere to stir things up, Lake Flying Saucer is Garland’s prime destination for a good time. The Saucer is known for an extensive tap list, and what better way to enjoy a cold brew than with a great view of the lake.
5. Turkey Isn’t Just For Thanksgiving Here
The words “turkey season” get quite a few folks in Garland riled up.
Camo is a year-round thing, but when those gobblers are beckoning the town is abuzz with hunters making preparations from gathering their calls and decoys to making sure their licenses are in order and amassing ammunition.
6. Garland Takes Food Trucks To The Next Level
Miss Beulah Belle, Babe's Chicken Assault Vehicle, makes every other food truck in the country quiver in its boots.
Featuring Texas’s finest fried chicken, Babe’s is family cooking done right.Their menu is extensive but people come for miles to get their hands on Babe’s crispy, tender chicken. It’s so good you’ll swear off other chicken joints.
Oh, and the biscuits. Who knew a kitchen staple could be so revelatory? They are somehow dense yet fluffy at the same time. Add a touch of honey and you could consider making an entire meal out of them, but you have to save room for the chicken.
7. If You Value Your Life, You Are A Cowboys Fan
Taking a stroll around Garland can sometimes feel like a scene out of Dr. Seuss’s Star Bellied Sneeches. People refer to the Dallas Cowboys as “America’s Team” and none think it's sacrilege to call them "God's favorite football team."
8. Not To Be Confused With This Cowboy
Don’t kid yourself, in Garland there are real cowboys about. These fellas are old souls and while they may look intimidating they are far more likely to give their seat up for a lady than any city slicker.
9. Don’t Get Caught Saying You’re From Dallas
Anything North of 635 isn’t exactly Dallas, and while you can tell people from out of state that you are from Dallas, people in Deep Ellum will be quick to correct you.
10. This Is What A Party Looks Like In Garland
Though Lakewood Brewing Company has only been brewing beers for a few years, they are gaining quite a bit of attention while brewing award-winning craft beers.
The Temptress Imperial Milk Stout is bold yet silky smooth and at 9.1 ABV she should be handled delicately to boot. If you’re looking to slip into something a little more casual, their Rock Ryder is your poison. It is a bright, easy-drinker with just enough spice to keep things interesting.
11. It's Not All Barbecue And Steaks
Arguably the best pho in the Dallas area is tucked into a cozy little hole-in-the-wall in Garland. When you need a break for all the brisket and Tex-Mex or want a surefire hangover cure, Pho Bang is where you need to head.
12. And Monterrey’s Is Tex-Mex To The Max
In a state awash in Tex-Mex cuisine, you could spend a lifetime exploring every nook and cranny for the ultimate taco at the right price, or you could head straight for Monterrey’s Taqueria in Garland.
For $10 you can get a pound of barbacoa, plus a dozen tortillas and all the trimmings.
13. Firewheel Coffee Will Make You Sweet On Garland
Firewheel is where people from Garland get their caffeine fix, and nothing goes with coffee quite like a homemade Cookie and Cream Cupcake.
14. You’ll Be Pinching Pennies All The Way To Nickelrama
Pinball is king in Garland and Nickelrama is proof that it you don’t have to break the bank to have a good time. While the kids are swarming the prize-ticket games, arcade aficionados are abuzz around the selection of classics including 10 Stern Pinball machines.
The flashing lights and bells and whistles are enough to induce a nostalgia overload, but don’t get distracted lest you miss out on an extra ball.
15. Garland Was The Inspiration For King Of The Hill
Mike Judge, creator of the popular animated series King of the Hill, is said to have loosely based the series on Garland. Whether that is true or not remains to be seen, but the similarities to real life in Garland are quite striking.
16. …If That Thought Is Unsettling, Just Focus On LeAnn Rimes
The Grammy Award winning country super-star grew up in Garland. The town’s music scene has profited from its proximity to Dallas, and Rimes’ success has spurred the town’s talents to follow in her footsteps.
17. Fish Is Both A Noun And A Verb Here
In Garland, if you give someone a fish they are going to barbeque it. If you teach someone to fish they’ll take the rest of the week off work.
18. Garland Has Its Own Favorite Flower
The Garland area is known for the Firewheel and the town shows a special affinity for the sunny bloom. You can find the flowers in yards all across town and the fiery bloom lends its name to a historic neighborhood, the major shopping area and a golf park featuring 63 holes to play.
19. The Critter Capers In Garland May Spook City Folk
Raccoons are resourceful creatures and the expanding city-scape has only made them bolder.
20. Everything Is Bigger In Texas, Including The Weather
Rain may not come often, but when it does, hold on to your britches. Thunderstorms can be powerful and provide quite the Kodak moment… if your trigger finger is fast enough.
21. Resist All The Imitators And Just Get A Resistol Hat
Nothing says more about a person in Texas than their headgear. In Garland, Resistol has been the go to hat for nearly a century.
22. “Texas Made Here” Is More Than A Branding Slogan. It’s A State Of Mind.
Garland is proud to play its part in shaping the Texas community dynamic. You’d be hard pressed to find another town that exemplifies what it means to be Texan more than Garland.
The people are as kind as they are rugged, the food tastes unique yet is emphatically nostalgic and the landscape is untamed but feels just like home--Garland is what Texas is made of.
