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June 19, 2019 | By Wes Ferguson
On the first morning of Camp Brisket, professor Davey Griffin begins to sharpen his knives before a rapt audience of barbecue aficionados. Griffin is wearing thick safety glasses, blue Kevlar gloves, and two aprons tied around his waist—a white apron on top of another one made of chainmail. On Griffin’s head is an Aggie-maroon hardhat.
Safety first, brisket second.
May 8, 2019 | By Michael Corcoran
From its opening in 1936 until the late ’50s, when the advent of air-conditioning moved the party to indoor venues, Sunken Garden made Shiner the swingingest small town in Texas. All the big Texas swing and polka bands, including Houston’s Blue Ridge Playboys, played here to capacity crowds of 500, according to the Lavaca County Historical Commission. But these days, dining, not dancing is the draw.
April 25, 2019 | By June Naylor
At Lucia, one of the most coveted dinner reservations in Dallas, Jennifer and David Ugyur conjure the spirit of their journeys through Italy. If you look closely, you’ll notice David’s international driving permit from one of their trips framed on the wall. Beyond inspiring the décor, a laid-back, European sidewalk café vibe permeates the Bishop Arts District space.
April 16, 2019 | By
Chip had always dreamed of opening a breakfast joint, and when the historic Elite Café, located on the Waco traffic circle, came up for sale in 2016, the Gaineses decided to make that dream a reality. In the process, they wanted to preserve an important part of Waco’s history. The original Elite Café opened in downtown Waco in 1919, and the second location on the traffic circle followed in 1941. The Gaineses gave the Spanish-style building a complete overhaul while also preserving its historic feel. Framed black-and-white photographs and an original menu from the café’s past adorn the walls.
March 6, 2019 | By Kimya Kavehkar and June Naylor
Four Texans are finalists for the Best Chef: Southwest category. After the finalists for the annual James Beard Awards were announced in Houston on Wednesday, the number of Texans in the running for the honors dwindled from 27 to four—all chefs vying for the title Best Chef: Southwest. Representing Austin are Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye, Michael Fojtasek of Olamaie, and Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine, and representing San Antonio is Steve McHugh of Cured.
March 1, 2019 | By Julia Jones
The road to Fire Street Pizza seems more likely to lead to nowhere. As you wind around cedar trees and open, mostly empty ranch land on FM 439 near Belton, you might think you’ve gotten lost. But the red laser-cut sign hanging over the restaurant’s driveway will put hungry travelers at ease: “There’s no place, quite like this place, anywhere near this place, so, this must be the place.”
February 19, 2019 | By Robyn Ross
If the thought of vegan food conjures images of a giant plate of alfalfa sprouts, it’s time to revisit the concept. These days, vegan restaurants in Texas tend more toward soul food than rabbit food, and they use creative stand-ins for beef (protein-rich seitan, made from vital wheat gluten), cheese (soaked and pureed nuts), and pork (the shredded flesh of the giant Asian jackfruit) that can satisfy even die-hard carnivores. While Austin has long been considered the capital of Texas’ vegan scene, other cities now offer stiff competition in the way of veggie-forward, animal-free fare.
February 5, 2019 | By Kimya Kavehkar
The Texas history museum in Austin hopes to bring comfort and good eats to visitors with its updated cafe. The Story of Texas Café at the Bullock Museum of Texas History in Austin is sporting a new look, catering vendor, and menu. The café recently closed for three weeks to refresh the space with new upholstery and an updated kitchen, and also to work with Rosemary’s Catering, led by chef Baron Cazares, on developing a menu that includes salads, paninis, chili, chips and queso, and the popular build-your-own baked potatoes. Daily specials, like brisket nachos, coastal shrimp cocktail, and chorizo con papas, are posted on the café’s Twitter page.
January 31, 2019 | By John Davidson
On the banks of Terlingua Creek, a ramp leads down into La Kiva, one of the most famous bar/restaurants in the Big Bend area. In Hopi culture, a kiva is an underground chamber used for religious and political meetings. But this kiva is a meeting place for the dreamers, lost souls, river guides, and tourists who are drawn to the old mining town and surrounding desert.
January 24, 2019 | By Kimya Kavehkar
For a sneak peek of up-and-coming culinary talent, make plans to visit Savor in San Antonio.
The restaurant opened Jan. 22 inside the Texas campus of the Culinary Institute of America at the Pearl entertainment district. Led by professional instructors, students working toward associate degrees prepare and serve local and seasonal, “modern American” food that draws from various cultures they’ve studied, from Asian to European cuisine.
December 21, 2018 | By Laurel Miller Illustrations by: Shaw Nielsen
Texans are never ones to back down from a challenge—even so, these six food competitions from across
the state are pretty daunting. From 4.5-pound steaks to 20-scoop sundaes, Texas has enough gut-busting contests to keep competitive eaters and curious, hungry folks satisfied—or potentially sent into a food coma.
Consider the following restaurants and festivals worthy of a detour the next time you’re feeling a bit peckish.
December 19, 2018 | By Cary Clack
Wearing a red apron and blue “Retired Air Force” cap, William Garner walks out of the kitchen of Mr. & Mrs. G’s Home Cooking and Pastries in San Antonio. It’s the lunch rush, and the phone is ringing as the 81-year-old takes his usual seat behind the cashier. “Hello,” he answers. “Pot roast? Yes, we do.”
December 19, 2018 | By June Naylor
Frisco’s entertainment complex at the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters, The Star, exudes all the glitz one expects from a Jerry Jones-adjacent operation. One boutique, for instance, sells a kid-size sparkly blue Ford F-150 emblazoned with a silver star for $15,000. But Zaytinya, the Mediterranean restaurant from chef José Andrés, shines in a different way.
December 7, 2018 | By John Lumpkin
Those making a return trip to the artsy West Texas town of Marfa will notice quite a big change at popular fine-dining destination Stellina. In August, the restaurant, which opened in 2016 in Maiya’s former space, converted its menu concept from “rustic Mediterranean” to offerings influenced by the cooking of Oaxaca and elsewhere in Mexico’s interior.
Published 10 times per year by the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Highways, the official travel magazine of Texas, encourages travel to and within the Lone Star State and tells the Texas story to readers around the world.
