With 15 newly minted Michelin Stars, Texas—renowned for its stellar barbecuse, Tex-Mex and tacos–has now officially been recognized as an international culinary hub.

On the front of Atlanta restaurant Little Bear, a 30-seat joint serving Jewish food-meets-Sichuan Chinese for less than $20 a dish, is a decal that says, “Michelin Tire Dining, two-and-a-half tires.” It was a joke borne out of Little Bear’s previous incarnation,

Three Austin barbeque restaurants received a Michelin Star, and were included in Michelin's first Texas Guide.