Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
brought with them. Local festivals in central areas celebrate the polka and favorite foods,
such as sausage and
kolache
(sweet-bread pastries stuffed with savories or sweets.)
Asian
Although making up only between 4% and 7% of any city's population, Asian immigra-
tion to urban Texas has been increasing, especially from Vietnam. Houston has the largest
melting pot, with Korean neighborhoods and a little India, in addition to large Vietnamese
and Chinese communities. This has meant an expanded array of authentic foods have
entered the local lexicon. Don't be surprised when a
bánh mì
(Vietnamese sandwich) food
truck pulls up next to you.
Native American
There's a notable absence of Native Americans in Texas. The small population is a result
of several factors, including disease. But much of it can be attributed to the mass exile
way back during the end of the Republic of Texas and beginning of statehood. There are
three state-recognized tribes with reservations in Texas. The Alabama-Coushatta Reserva-
tion, and its casino, is in east Texas, near Livingston. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo has its re-
servation outside El Paso, and the Kickapoo Tribe occupies land in southwest Texas, near
Eagle Pass. Of the east Texas tribe whose language gave Texas its name, the Caddo Indi-
ans, only a dozen or so native speakers remain.
