AUSTIN, Texas — Nothing says Texas quite like a few pounds of beef.
Lawmakers in the Texas Legislature have begun discussing making the Tomahawk ribeye the official steak of Texas.
Texas is the leading producer of beef in the U.S., and beef production is a critical piece of the state’s economy. The cattle industry brings in billions of dollars to the state each year, accounting for 40.4% of the state’s agricultural revenue in 2021.
House Concurrent Resolution 101 would direct the Texas Department of Agriculture to promote the specific cut and support the state’s beef industry.
A standard Tomahawk ribeye usually ranges anywhere between 2.5 to 3.5 pounds, although it can be bigger or smaller depending on the supplier. The choice of the Tomahawk is noteworthy, considering Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently said he wanted to rename the New York Strip cut the “Texas Strip” at restaurants and grocery stores across the Lone Star State.
“Out of curiosity, I asked each of them their favorite cut of meat,” Patrick posted on social media platform X in February. “A few said New York Strip. I asked why we didn’t call it a ‘Texas Strip’ because New York has mostly dairy cows. Just because a New York restaurant named Texas beef a New York Strip in the 19th Century doesn’t mean we need to keep doing that.”