Texas, prepare yourself. Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken restaurant is set to open its first franchise location in the state by the end of 2022 or early 2023. Texans will soon be munching sandwiches, dipping tenders, and sipping shakes at one of Shaq's new dining establishments. The NBA Hall of Famer plans to populate the Lone Star State with around 50 locations.

But which Texas city will be the first to sink its teeth into that tasty chicken? According to a recent article from Eater Houston, the restaurant is slated to open its first stand-alone location in Houston's Westchase area. Until now, the only place to find Big Chicken in Texas has been on the concourse of Moody Center in Austin.

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Photo: Google Maps/Canva
Photo: Google Maps/Canva
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It appears Big Chicken is targeting metropolitan cities nationwide, with plans to launch about 150 new locations in total. You'll soon see these restaurants popping up in states like California, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Utah, and Tennessee. Besides Houston, other Texas cities welcoming Big Chicken will include Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.

Photo: Big Chicken/Facebook
Photo: Big Chicken/Facebook
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I'll tell you this much, from what I've seen, the menu sounds delicious. You'll find some of Shaq's childhood favorites in the line-up, like the Cheez-It-encrusted Lucille's Mac and Cheese. I've heard from a couple buddies that the first sandwich to try is called the "Shaq Attack", a chicken sandwich topped with pepper jack cheese, jalapeno coleslaw, and spicy chipotle barbeque sauce. Now that's my kind of sandwich.

As fast as this restaurant chain is growing, maybe one day soon we'll see it pop up in Abilene. Until then, you'll have to make the short drive to Dallas or Austin to enjoy some of Shaq's Big Chicken.

It's true - Texans are serious about their cuisine. Look below to discover food and drink that define Texas.

Top 25 Delicious Foods & Drinks That Define The Great State of Texas!

There's more to Texas than just Dallas Cowboys and oil in fact, Texas has helped shape the taste of America. From BBQ, to Tex Mex to Ice Cream and beyond, Texas has introduced the rest of the U.S. to the Texas way of life through food. So what foods and drink make Texas so special? Let's take a look.