At a Glance
- Black-eyed peas are central to New Year’s luck traditions in Texas.
- West Side Cafe will serve them with bacon on January 1 to celebrate its 30th year.
- Po Melvin’s in Irving has sold black-eyed-pea dishes every day since 1988.
- Why it matters: Eating these foods can bring good fortune, money, and prosperity for the coming year.
New Year’s traditions in Texas have long turned humble dishes into symbols of luck and prosperity. Black-eyed peas, pork, cornbread, grapes, leafy greens, and even jelly donuts are believed to bring wealth and good fortune. Restaurants across the state are embracing these customs to welcome the new year.
Tradition Behind the Pea
The black-eyed pea, also called cowpea, traces back to the Civil War when Union troops spared them for livestock. Joel Hancock of West Side Cafe explained:
> “From what I understood growing up, it happened during the Civil War when Sherman was bringing the Union troops down south. They would either steal or destroy all the crops, and they left the black-eyed peas, or they also call them cowpeas, because they were for the livestock, so they didn’t touch them. Well, the southerners use that black eyed peas to survive the winter, so it’s pretty lucky to me.”
He added that the dish is a staple on the menu, especially on January 1.
Joel Hancock said:
> “I describe it as Cheers without alcohol. Everybody knows everybody.”
- Black-eyed peas symbolize wealth and money
- Pork represents progress and prosperity
- Cornbread stands for gold in Texas and the South
- Grapes bring wish fulfillment and luck
- Leafy greens promise good fortune
- Jelly donuts suggest a rise in money for the year
Celebrations at Local Eateries
West Side Cafe, opened in 1996, will serve bowls of black-eyed peas with bacon on January 1. The restaurant is also known for comfort foods like buttermilk pancakes, biscuits and gravy, chicken n’ dumplings, and a weekly black-eyed pea soup.
Po Melvin’s in Irving, founded in 1988, has offered black-eyed-pea dishes daily since its opening, following a family tradition of a prized legume.
| Restaurant | Year Opened | Black-Eyeed Pea Menu |
|---|---|---|
| West Side Cafe | 1996 | Daily, plus January 1 special |
| Po Melvin’s | 1988 | Daily |
The tradition of eating 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is said to give the best chance for luck throughout the year.
Key Takeaways
- Black-eyed peas are a New Year staple in Texas, linked to Civil War history.
- West Side Cafe celebrates its 30th year with a special January 1 menu.
- Po Melvin’s has served black-eyed peas daily since 1988.
Happy New Year from News Of Fort Worth and enjoy the luck of the legume. By Ryan J. Thompson for News Of Fort Worth
