I think the cultural influences from Mexico should count. As far as food goes, Mexican food is some amazing stuff, but the American variations are different, yet amazing in their own rights. Tex-Mex, New Mexican, and Cali-Mex are some of my favorite spins on traditional Mexican food. Plus I think you’re already including Mexican influences with BBQ and rodeo.
yeah there’s a lot of baggage in saying there’s no culture. cuz that also ties into the whiteness discussion. whiteness is the de facto cultural vacuum, the hegemony that eats other cultures, the mainstream, the default. so portraying texas as a cultural vacuum is sort of erasing everything non-white about it.
Oh! I misinterpreted the tone of your last sentence. I getcha now! Cheers!