Welcome to Texas, partner! The land of the brave and the free, land of cowboys, rodeo, and BBQ. Remember, everything is bigger in Texas! But is it though? We will find out in this blog. At first glance, this seems like an exaggeration; a slogan meant to entertain, rather than inform. However, after spending the lastfive years living in Houston and visiting cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, it’s clear that this phrase reflects a deeper cultural and physical reality. The phrase isn't entirely literal, but it isn't purely metaphorical either; it's reality and myth at once. But let's dive into what the deeper meaning and truth is behind this phrase, or should I say, lifestyle.
Scale Is the First Shock
The most immediate understanding of “bigger” is related to physical size, and this is often the first, notable surprise. Texas is huge, covering approximately 268,596 to 268,820 square miles. It is larger than any European nation except Russia. And, if it were a country, it would rank as the 39th-largest in the world. Distances between locations are much greater than what many international students expect, and what is considered “close” in Texas can still mean a 20 to 30-minute drive. This scale is especially evident in buildings and highways, with Houston among the main culprits. Houston highways are among the widest and most extensive in the world, headlined by the Katy Freeway (I-10), which spans up to 26 lanes (including managed lanes and frontage roads). Even the cars driving on those highways are, in fact, bigger. Particularly, pickup trucks and SUVs are generally larger and more prevalent in Texas than in many other states. Texas leads in heavy-duty truck ownership, and large, modified, and "Texas-sized" trucks are common on the road, contributing to the perception of larger vehicles.
When it comes to buildings, Texas is home to massive shopping centers, with the Galleria (Houston) leading the state as the largest, at over 2.4 million square feet and 375+ stores. Other major malls like Memorial City Mall and Willowbrook Mall also exceed 1.5 million square feet. These big-sized buildings are also part of daily tasks; for instance, grocery shopping usually involves stores like H-E-B, which are much larger than typical supermarkets in many countries. The same applies to roads, parking lots, and university campuses, all designed with ample space rather than density. Consequently, movement around the city is organized differently; walking is less common, planning ahead is essential, and owning or having access to a car is often necessary rather than just optional.
Bigger Portions, Bigger Experiences
Another dimension of “bigger” appears in food culture, where restaurant portions are often noticeably larger, sometimes enough for two meals, and this is not limited to specific cuisines but is a general expectation across casual dining, fast food, and even some higher-end restaurants. This reflects more than generosity, it reflects a cultural emphasis on abundance and value, where meals are not only about sustenance but also about experience, comfort, and sharing, and for international students, this can require a small adjustment, both in ordering habits and in expectations around dining.
When doing groceries, this phenomenon is not just true, but it almost feels like an intentional embrace of the “Everything is bigger in Texas” motto and a proud act of “being Texan”. Texas' own HEB supermarket (as well as some other groceries) has products labeled as "Texas-size", featuring larger bulk packaging and generous serving sizes compared to standard national averages. Examples of these larger offerings include half-gallon ice cream containers (like Blue Bell) and larger meat packages (especially for grilling and BBQ). So, when shopping for groceries in Texas, be ready to carry a big bag.
A Culture of Boldness and Confidence
Beyond physical scale, “bigger” also describes a mindset. In Texas, there is a noticeable confidence in how people present themselves, their ideas, and their identity, evident in conversations, social interactions, and even in how the state is represented. Texans have an almost patriotic feel towards Texas and the Texan way of living. Displaying the Lone Star flag and wearing Texas-themed gear, such as cowboy boots and hats, is a common way to show pride. This confidence is often expressed positively, through friendliness, openness, and enthusiasm. However, for newcomers, it may initially feel intense or unfamiliar, and it is important to recognize that this is generally not intended as arrogance, but rather as a cultural norm rooted in pride and self-assurance. Despite Texans being known for their "don't mess with Texas" attitude, Texans take pride in hospitality, kindness, and neighborliness, often summarized as "holding yourself to a higher standard".
So…What is not bigger in Texas?
We discussed the size of the territory, buildings, highways, food portions and personality and how it relates to “Everything is bigger in Texas”, but where do the facts align and where is it exaggerated?
Alaska is over twice the size of Texas. The largest mansion in the country, Versailles in Windermere, Florida, is roughly double the size of Texas's largest contender, the Champ d'Or house in Denton County. While Texas is known for oversized portions, these are also common throughout the South and Midwest.
And finally, the most important part…My opinion
Is it 100% scientifically backed, with no argument? Is everything bigger in Texas?…drumroll please…No. Do we, or should we care? NO! And we won’t (yes, I said we, honorary Texan). The phrase “everything being bigger in Texas” is beyond quantitative measure. Though food and trucks are huge here, this phrase is a feeling and a philosophy of its own. And the proof is that we know it, and everyone else also knows it. There hasn’t been a time I’ve gone to the rodeo or an event, and I see people fascinated by the size of the loaded potato they just ordered or asking themselves how they will bite that triple-decker BBQ sandwich while admiring the 130-foot Ferris wheel. It is walking by Herman Park and hearing people say “Good Morning!” as they walk their dogs. Or, going to Daikin Park and celebrating a home run with an unknown person sitting beside you– and I don’t even care about baseball. I'm there for the hot dogs. It’s a feeling that I would summarize in the word “Hearty”, and yes, you can bet your hat, everything is bigger in Texas.
Welcome to Texas! Yeeehaaaa!
MSc. Manuel Carmona Pichardo
PhD Candidate Chemistry Department
GPS Graduate Ambassador
Jones Lab
