Texas tourism officials say those who visit their jurisdiction will be able to enjoy intriguing food-and-drink opportunities, although some of those dining options clearly have non-American influences and there was a time when those sampling wine in an area that now has a burgeoning wine industry might have drawn disapproving glances from some area residents.

Travel Texas held a recent Toronto gathering that had Aileen Ramos of of Texas city Laredo — found by the Mexican border — telling attendees that her city has put a twist on a cuisine associated with Texas.

“You all know Tex-Mex of course?” she asked. “In Laredo, we call it Mex-Tex.”

Ramos’ update came on the heels of the news that Texas will get its own Michelin guide.

McKenna Dowdle of Visit Lubbock in turn said her city and the region it’s in is “primarily known as the wine country.”

But back in the 1970s the surrounding county was a dry one, with a university professor back then helping develop a local wine industry in an area where many frowned upon alcohol.

Today’s visitors can visit the High Plains Wine Trail, which links area wineries and vineyards, Dowdle reported.

“It all starts and ends with a glass of wine,” she said of a Lubbock visit.

Dowdle also noted that Lubbock has a performing arts hall named after musician Buddy Holly, a native Lubbock son.

Dee Dee Poteete of Visit San Antonio in turn said that San Antonio — which last year hosted IPW, the show designed to attract international travellers to the United States — is “like a little piece of Europe” in Texas.

Among its historical features are long-standing missions built by the Spanish, said Poteete. Those missions collectively have UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Poteete labelled San Antonio “welcoming, diverse and inclusive.”

Zane Harrington of Visit Dallas told the gathering that sports enthusiasts will be in their element in his city, which has eight professional sports teams.

2026’s international soccer World Cup championship — which will be held in North America — will see nine matches played in Dallas, “more than any other North American city,” he continued.

Harrington said Dallas has “four beautiful seasons,” and his city’s innovative side is underscored by it’s being the home of the “frozen Margarita machine.”

Meanwhile, Ramos — who conceded that a “lot of people don’t know border communities ” —  praised the “very vibrant culture” found in Laredo, which at one time was an independent country. 248 days of independence ended when “we ran out of money,” she added.