Taste of the Triangle: A Texas-Sized Food to Do

Content Produced in Partnership with Beaumont CVB

On the Lonestar – Louisiana border, Beaumont’s location makes it the best of both worlds — Texas-sized fun with the revelry of Southern traditions like Mardi Gras. And one of the best ways to celebrate Fat Tuesday? The Taste of the Triangle, which includes bites from all over the Golden Triangle.

A long-running food festival that’s had many iterations from open bar to Black Tie, the 30-plus year event is a highly anticipated town to-do. Put on by the Sabine Area Restaurant Association (SARA) as a way to showcase the Golden Triangle’s unique culinary scene, participating restaurants prepare 2-3 dishes that highlight the area’s Cajun-Creole-Southern roots in booths adorned with masks, beads, and balloons to get in the festive spirit.

There were muffulettas, gumbo, jambalaya, and more bread pudding than I could possibly imagine, but some of the more standout bites actually came from the ethnic spots in town. In fact, local favorite, Chaba Thai Bistro, took home the top prize for best dish with their mouth-watering Panang curry, savory dumplings, and fried rice.

The event is all you can eat and drink (beer, wine, and spritzers) with “bites” that are actually Texas-sized portions (think entire racks of ribs and full sandwiches) ensuring everyone leaves stuffed and happy. Despite the amount of food available, people have creatively mastered the art of getting the most bang for their buck over the years, sneaking in frisbees to double as plates and one woman who brought in a muffin tin and empty baby carriage as a way to stash to-go treats. Bless her heart.

But it’s all in good fun because at the end of the day, it’s eating for a cause. The event is actually a fundraiser for Lamar culinary scholarships and the purchase of livestock which will be used to feed local food banks. You can feel good about overindulging and supporting the mission.

Taste of the Triangle Gets You One Bite Closer to Beaumont

Sure, Houston and Austin may hog the Texas food spotlight, but Beaumont’s Taste of the Triangle proves the flavor party is happening east of I-10. From Cajun heat to Gulf Coast treats, this festival isn’t just a feast—it’s a flex. Whether you’re a curious foodie, a longtime local, or just in it for the cocktails and people-watching (no judgment), this event serves up the perfect excuse to explore a corner of Texas that always brings the spice. Make sure to put it on the culinary calendar for next year — and be sure to pack your stretchy pants.

If you’re looking for more places to explore, check out these are other intriguing areas in Southeast Texas:

• Baytown: Try geocaching, the art scavenger hunt app, and don’t miss Buc Ee’s, a gas station that has better BBQ, jerky, and snacks than most of America.
• The Woodlands: Pleasantville on steroids, the Woodlands has great shopping, riverfront trails, and one of the best outdoor concert venues in the country.
• Brazosport: Five destinations in one, Brazosport, is one of Southeast Texas’s most accessible beach getaways.
• Beaumont: The Cajun capital of Texas, tour the historic downtown and get your fill of tasty cuisine.
• Corpus Christi: A bit further afield, Corpus is home to thousands of acres of dunes as part of the Padre National Seashore. Try water sports, go horseback riding on the beach, and watch the waves.
• Pearland: Houston’s neighbor to the south promises good eats and photo spots aplenty.

More Texas Travel:

• 75+ Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in Texas
• 14 Surprising Road Trips You Need to Take in the Lonestar State
• An Austin foodie and photo guide.
• Things to do in the Big D…. Dallas, get your mind out of the gutter.
• Instagram Spots and Must-dos for First-Timers in Fort Worth.
• The best Cheap Eats in Dallas
• A Houston Chinatown Guide