Fantastic Fest Review: Something in the Dirt
Cerebral horror’s greatest duo circle through cosmic conspiracies
Austin Trail of Lights Returns to Its Traditional, On-Foot Format
The beloved Zilker Park holiday celebration returns
Ken Paxton’s Lawyers Keep Flubbing, but He Might Not Appear Anyway
Leaving the state for an abortion is on the line
Regal Arbor Closed
North Austin art house institution quietly shuttered
Darren Aronofsky to be Honored by Austin Film Festival
Fest features Bob Saget’s final film, new Laura Poitras doc
Fantastic Fest Review: Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters
Into the shadowy mind of the man that created Hellboy
Fantastic Fest Review: Hellraiser
The Cenobites are back in the third best entry in the franchise
Girl God Checkmates Comedy
Trans comedy duo brings their new sketch show to Austin
Jo’s Helpful HAAMburgers, World Saké Day at The Yard, Suerte’s Seafood Flex, Perry’s Fall Feastables, Cory Starr Shines, No Shortage of Good Booze, and More, More, More
All the news that’s fit to get your taste buds quivering
Fantastic Fest Review: Piggy
Spanish teen slasher subverts the tropes
Art Heals Festival Aims to Eliminate HIV, Mental Health Stigma Through Artwork
Black, queer-led event highlights healing creative space
Another End of an Era: Nau’s Enfield Drug Is Closing
The soda shop and pharmacy has been struggling for years
Este es (almost) Aquí!
Suerte’s new restaurant brings the ocean’s bounty – starting next week
Fantastic Fest Review: Huesera
Motherhood told in splintered bones and fractured identity
Fantastic Fest Review: V/H/S/99
The found footage anthology goes back to the ’90s
Moody Center Becomes Harry’s House for Styles’ First of Six Nights
A riot of colors and near-constant screaming on historic run
Fantastic Fest Review: Smile
Opening night selection continues the summer of smart studio horror
Fantastic Fest Review: Oink
Adorable stop-motion tale of a very poopy pig has a smart message
Fantastic Fest Review: Vesper
Eco-horror melds with fairytales in this remarkable SF parable
Fantastic Fest Review: Lynch/Oz
How the Wizard of Oz shaped the Blue Velvet director
TribFest Recap: Can Texas Plan Properly for Droughts and Floods to Come?
Are we “thinking as preciously about water as we can”?
TribFest Recap: Red and Blue Teams Find Common Ground Before the 88th
Six points of agreement as the new Legislature coalesces
TribFest Recap: Liz Cheney Chooses To Go Out the Hard Way
Scion of power learns the limits of 21st century politics
Fantastic Fest Review: Terrifier 2
Art the Clown slashes his way to horror’s wildest heights
Fantastic Fest Review: A Wounded Fawn
Greek tragedy and gore combine in this wild serial killer romp
TribFest: Oil Terminal Protest Interrupts Buttigieg’s Q&A (But He Doesn’t Mind)
Transport secretary: “I hear you” about Gulf Coast project
Food Truck
Veracruz All Natural started as two sisters selling snow cones and juices out of a trailer on East Cesar Chavez and has now expanded to six locations selling authentic Mexican dishes and drinks. Fresh and delicious tacos, queso, and guacamole could only be better with a cold cup of agua fresca or a refreshing smoothie.…
Seafood
When you’ve been in business for more than three quarters of a century, you must be doing something right. The seafood market provides fresh, seasonal seafood like salmon and lobster for your home cooking and grilling needs, while the restaurant side offers oysters, po’boys, generous plate dinners, and happy hour peel-and-eat shrimp with $2 Modelos.…
Sandwich
It’s no small feat for a sandwich to be at once no-nonsense and playful, but that’s the abiding spirit of this Austin institution (est. 1975). Signature subs like the Office Favorite (egg salad and bacon) and the California Club (turkey, avocado, bacon) are reliably good, and made to your exact specifications by somebody who’s probably…
Wine Selection
Who doesn’t love a wine list organized thematically by figures from pop culture like Jayne Mansfield and the Notorious B.I.G.? Here are dozens of old-world, natural, and bubbly wines by the bottle, and almost a few dozen offerings (at any given service) by the glass. If you can’t find something to suit your palate, you’re…
Don’t Worry Darling
Even Florence Pugh can’t save this heavy-handed thriller
Kids’ Menu
Wherever you are, Austin, there’s a Hat Creek nearby. That means convenient, fast-casual, made-to-order cheeseburgers and chicken nugs for the kids while the grownups catch a round of craft beers on the indoor/outdoor patio. No matter your age, definitely save some room for a Dirt Worm: an Oreo-chocolate-and-gummy-worm milkshake. Finalists: Chuy’s, Mandola’s Italian Kitchen, Sawyer…
South American
For pushing 20 years, this boutique favorite has been serving hearty Argentine fare, the family matriarchs’ recipes, to the Austin masses. Much more interesting than just the beefy, bready dishes in most mind’s eyes, the nuance of flavor is layered, sublime, and always pairs perfectly with their signature Malbec. For a nightcap, make a resy…
Steak
What could be a better indicator of Austin’s soaring growth than the spendy steakhouse tucked into a converted Clarksville home, Jeffrey’s? The iconic upscale restaurant, established in 1975 and bought by McGuire-Moorman (now MML) Hospitality in 2011, focuses on making steak memorable. Your recollections of that birthday with the fancy dessert will be dominated by…
Winery
Informed by founder Sammy Lam’s twin passions of wine and travel, both Wanderlust locations boast extensive, globally influenced self-pour, on-tap wine lists, including many Texas-made brands. Wanderlust also hosts community events involving champagne towers and cheese plates, so … why are you still reading this? Finalists: Austin Winery, Fall Creek Vineyards, Southold Farm + Cellar,…
Carmen
Maltese midlife crisis comedy is a pleasant if undemanding jaunt
Late-Night Dining
Yes, because sometimes you want the best breakfast the night before tomorrow’s hangover kicks in, and this clean, well-lighted place – part of Austin’s foodscape since 1980 – is gonna offer you that and an entire menu of other seasonal and often locally sourced deliciousness as you wind down toward the dawn’s surly light. Finalists:…
Southern /Soul
This house of Southern-style cuisine from chef Hoover Alexander and his team continues to purvey the sort of down-home, stick-to-your-ribs dishes, so rich with flavor, that make your palate and stomach sure that there must be a heaven and Hoover’s might just be an outpost of it. Soul food, indeed. Finalists: Country Boyz Fixins, Fixe…
Sushi
It’s no secret that Tyson Cole put our capital city on the international sushi map with this apotheosis of the itamae’s art in 2003. Nowadays, Uchi is still smoothly defending its throne of freshness, taste, and style – even as talented newcomers continue adding to the Austin scene’s fishy elevation. Finalists: Komé, Neighborhood Sushi, Sushi,…
Ambience
What happens when you team the Tatsu-Ya culinary brand (Ramen, Kemuri, DipDipDip) with renowned designers at McCray & Co., “big” experts Blue Genie Art Industries, the lighting wizardry of Natalie George Productions, Thrown Light’s video projectionists, Gl33k sound design gurus, and beverage director Cory Starr? A one-of-a-kind extravaganza brimming with unique, complex flavors. And, naturally,…
Chup
A serial killer targets film critics in this Bollywood thriller
African
Woinee Mariam, who emigrated from Ethiopia to the United States at age 16, offers Austinites (and Pflugervillians) two locations at which to savor the flavors of East Africa. Warm spices imported from Ethiopia, fresh injera bread made in house, and family-style platters served in woven baskets make Taste of Ethiopia a perfect destination for East…
Tex-Mex
Matt and Janie Martinez started their restaurant 70 years ago and their family still runs the beloved south-side institution on South Lamar. Come for the lunch specials and a chance to be around longtime Austinites and newcomers alike, enjoying margaritas and tacos, enchiladas, and chiles rellenos (don’t forget the famous Bob Armstrong dip!). Finalists: Chuy’s,…
Taco
The Vazquez sisters’ taco empire spans from Manchaca all the way to La Frontera. And it’s a big-tent empire, from the veg-packed El Diferente and Furioso tacos to the more traditional Tex-Mex fare like barbacoa, al pastor, shrimp, and mole tacos. No matter your preferences, you’ll happily bend the knee to Austin’s queens of tacos.…
Bathrooms
A bathroom is many things beyond just a repository – if you know, you know. Eberly’s facilities are private, pristine, and placid: a winning combo on all fronts. A commingled sleek space for washing up, Instagrammable lighting, dark blues, accented with hip prints of musicians, and sturdy disposable towels: You might want to stay a…
Cuando Sea Joven
Age-swap antics as a 70-year-old woman becomes her younger self
Barbecue
Have you ever driven past Terry Black’s and not seen a line to rival Franklin’s? Since 2014, twin brothers/owners Mike and Mark Black have stayed busy, churning out legendary brisket, plump beef and pork ribs, and spicy sausage. Splurge on some mac & cheese and banana pudding and you’ve got a Central Texas hat trick.…
Thai
A perennial favorite, the classics keep us coming. Yes, the massaman curry, tom kha, and pad thai are tops, but you really need to try the Kao Soi 360. Titaya’s offers the best version of this Northern Thai/Burmese dish in the capital city. Chewy ramen noodles, succulent braised chicken, a turmeric-based curry, and the pickled…
Veggie Burger
A veggie burger that, dare we say, sways public opinion on “meat-free” in the land of beef is surely a superstar. This housemade (baked, never frozen) patty features brown rice, crimini mushrooms simmered in cream, black beans, oats, onions, cheddar, and fresh-cut parsley. Perhaps most importantly, this budget-friendly wonder stays intact during the chomp sesh,…
Food Event/Festival
It’s common knowledge that November is prime time in River City, so naturally, the see-and-be-seen food fest happens the first weekend. The city’s most star-studded chefs and makers flock to Auditorium Shores to test their latest greatest concoctions on 100% willing crowds and showcase the finest flavors of any season. Wine bellies, full hearts, can’t…
Catherine Called Birdy
Lena Dunham goes for historical comedy
Caribbean
After having initially wowed our city as executive pastry chef for Emmer & Rye and its cohort, the award-winning Tavel Bristol-Joseph triumphs again in this homage to his Guyanese culinary roots, helming an islands-inspired kitchen that excels in the savory as well as the sweet – and is well complemented by a cocktail-forward bar program.…
Vegan/Vegetarian
Pro-worker, plant-based before it was cool, and forever South Austin weird, Bouldin Creek Cafe has our hearts and our stomachs on lock. The menu is sprawling, but we’ll never say no to breakfast (served all day!). The tofu scramble zings in migas and the b’fast Scramwich, and hot damn, that blueberry cornbread, y’all. Finalists: Arlo’s,…
Beer Selection
Logically, a place is going to have the best beer selection in town when they brew 21 different (delicious) in-house variations of it while also curating the most well-rounded guest beer wall in all 254 counties in Texas. If there’s not something you can happily swig here, maybe take up doing taxes as a hobby…
Lakeside Dining
These fine folks are unabashedly proud to share fishing stories and add grilled pineapple to just about everything. When your ideal vibe is “Tiki but make it 1997-no-cranes-in-the-skyline,” and you really want to be among the raucous, lei-draped happy hour crowd, get thee to the lake and order Mexinesian shrimp flautas. Finalists: The County Line,…
Chef
This affable, gregarious native of Torreón, Mexico, moved to Austin in 2009 and honed his prodigious skills at Launderette, La Condesa, and Uchiko before opening Suerte with Sam Hellman-Mass in 2018, drawing flavor-drunk raves from our critics – and the general public, Eater Austin, Food & Wine, and The New York Times. Finalists: Tavel Bristol-Joseph…
Chinese
Chef, proprietor, and restaurateur Ling Wu presents a well-curated selection of dim sum with classic Cantonese flavors, a sprinkle of Sichuan fare, and of course those fantastic dumplings. All are constructed with local wholesome ingredients (when available). The dumplings are fire, delicate, but sturdy, and the Shanghai soup dumpling is the move. Finalists: China Family,…
Vietnamese
Dreaming of a perfectly made bánh mì dressed with as much fiery chili sauce as you can handle? How about pho, topped with braised brisket or crispy pork belly from Niman Ranch? Elizabeth Street Cafe tweaks the above already-perfect Vietnamese dishes by using the best local, organic produce they can get. Finalists: 888 Pan Asian…
Brewery
We had to go to penalty shootouts (hand-counting paper ballots!) to determine a winner after full time resulted in a “Best Brewery in Austin” draw. The fans decreed that a fair result was indeed a stalemate between the two beer giants: Jester King and Meanwhile Brewing. Each represents the current climate of Austin’s beer scene,…
Established Restaurant
The New American, farm-to-table brilliance of Odd Duck, begun as a food trailer on a barren South Lamar lot by brothers Dylan and Bryce Gilmore in 2010, has shone steadily in its posh, glass-walled digs since 2014, bringing an ever-changing menu of locally sourced viands cheffed up to lip-smacking perfection. Finalists: Aba, Eldorado Cafe, Loro,…
French
The heady combo of classy and saucy at this Eastside pleasure den is what makes Justine’s so unequivocally French. Whether you’re looking for a classic, traditional meal starting with a Kir Royale and escargots or want to do bumps of caviar and guzzle champagne, this is the place for you. Finalists: Austin Rôtisserie, Épicerie, Hopfields,…
Cuisine Wild Card
Like all great Cajun chefs, the people at Evangeline Cafe take their seasonings seriously. Bring a bottomless appetite to better enjoy the slow-cooked gumbo, or challenge yourself with alligator bites. The wild card on EC’s menu is the bunless Cheeseburger Salad, which may be drizzled with the house rémoulade. Finalists: Bento Picnic (Best Bento Box),…
Cider Selection
With more than two dozen house ciders, cider-based cocktails, and guest ciders, Austin Eastciders: Barton Springs has you covered on selection, while Austin Eastciders: The Collaboratory offers a more pared-down selection of house ciders on tap and in cans/bombers to take home. If you’re leaning crisp and dry, choose the Texas Brut. If you’re feeling…
Patio
Resting at the top of Tom Miller Dam, Mozart’s Coffee Roasters’ view – and vibe – is very relaxing, looking over a (relatively) tamed Colorado River. Grab a cortado or a tea, maybe a pastry, and drink it all in. And let’s not forget that in November and December, that same expansive patio is lit…
Most Missed/Dearly Departed
Austin voted with their hearts and lifted up Texas French Bread as “most missed.” The good news is, their knee-buckling baked goods, made with organic heirloom Texas wheat, pressed on the giant stone wheels at Barton Springs Mill, are not gone. Texas French Bread’s treats can still be obtained at local farmers’ markets, and will…
Indian
Located inside the supposedly haunted Bertram Building in Downtown Austin’s historic Guy Town, Clay Pit has been around for more than 20 years. While you can find classics like butter chicken and chana masala, the real stars on the menu are fusion items like naan pizzas, curried mussels, jalapeño cream cheese naan, and chapati tacos…
Breakfast Taco
With their homemade corn tortillas and filling breakfast tacos including their staple El Tradicional or migas, Veracruz has become a local go-to for a quick breakfast around town. Pick up a juice, smoothie, or agua fresca to go with your La Reyna breakfast taco and kick-start your morning (or hungover afternoon). Finalists: Granny’s Tacos, Juan…
Coffee Shop
Radio’s coffee is excellent, as are the beers. The noms – Veracruz All Natural tacos, Dee Dee’s Thai street food, those Briscuits – are their equal. As is the welcoming place itself, with that expansive outdoor patio and a superb lineup of live music and other events throughout the week. If we could, we’d probably…
Playscape
Hat Creek boasts something they coined called “burger patios” – indoor/outdoor spaces where parents can grab a beer and the littles can romp on a playground, typically anchored by an impressive red tube slide that shovels scoopfuls of children out onto the fake turf like bulk Sour Patch Kids at a candy shop. According to…
New Restaurant
This little counter-service restaurant on the corner of 12th and Harvey has a gourmet menu of French- and Italian-influenced American food that hits the mark for quality. Family-run, Birdie’s has a perfectly Austin combination of a luxe menu, a lovingly curated wine list, and a sleek space with a roomy patio perfect for relaxed upscale…
Interior Mexican
Serving Austinites interior Mexican cuisine since 1975, Fonda is an institution, always good for a splurge-worthy meal. Start with queso fundido with rajas and chorizo verde and a Numero Uno Margarita. Finish with the Mixiote (slow-cooked seasoned lamb), but really anything you dive into will be delectable. Finalists: Comedor, El Alma, El Naranjo, Suerte
Burger
Oy, that Mo Pittle! He’s no mere culinary tummeler, nu, regardless of what he’s named his neighborhood-nourishing house of hamburgers, this diner where his traditional Reform Jewish background intersects with delicious Tex-Mexery and results in burgers, burritos, latkes, and more that’ll help even the hopelessly farblondjet find themselves well-fed. Finalists: Dan’s Hamburgers, Hopdoddy Burger Bar,…
Distillery
Tito Beveridge may have rocked the global alcohol industry when he totally pwned the San Francisco World Spirit Competition back in 2001, but these days the hometown hero’s brand of vodka-flavored vodka is the established front-runner in a world of spirited contenders, a world where the more clueless bar tourists will request a “Tito’s and…
Pop-Up
Is it a burger pop-up or is it an excuse to get hammered on a Monday night? Yes. Matthew Bolick (co-owner of Better Half) makes “Gucci McDonald’s” smash burgers for lucky folks who are both willing to stand in a long line (with booze and beats) and lucky enough to actually get one. Check Instagram…
Pastry Chef
This Lubbock native and second-generation restaurant worker has been elevating her “perfect-bite” desserts at Uchi since 2015. Now Quant oversees the pastry programs at Uchiko and Uchi Denver, and serves as head pastry chef for Hai Hospitality (which includes Loro and Dallas outpost Uchiba), making her a state pastry champion, of sorts. Finalists: Krystal Craig…
Italian
Owner and chef John Carver conjures his knowledge of Northern and Southern Italian cuisine into gastronomic wizardry, abetted by house-made pastas, locally sourced meats, seasonal vegetables, and his elegant venue’s custom-built, wood-burning grill, oven, and plancha. Do we even need to tell you about all the wines curated from Italy, Spain, France, Argentina, Chile, and…
Chicken-Fried Steak
JAK’s fancified, deeply satisfying version of the Southern classic improves on the cheap cuts of meat you’re used to with their massive slab of New York strip. The green chile gravy topper is the pièce de résistance. Looking for something marginally lighter? Chicken-fried chicken breast and pork chop are options, too. Finalists: Cherry Creek Catfish,…
Juice/Smoothies
What’s bright green, tastes like peanut butter and bananas, and comes in a compostable cup? JuiceLand’s Wundershowzen, which harnesses the aforementioned power of PB and B with spinach and hemp protein, and is discounted on Thursdays. Fall into a Wundershowzen rut, or challenge your tastebuds with a durian, strawberry matcha, or Blue Majik-topped smoothie. Finalists:…
Service
Complimentary valets meet you at your car and kick off Uchiko’s incredible service. Diners rave about the attentiveness of welcoming hosts, waiters who ask about allergies and take time to listen to your preferences in order to make the best recommendations, and staff that go above and beyond to make dining at Uchiko an experience…
Sous-chef
A true Cinderella story, Nuñez worked his way up through the ranks, over the course of 10 years, from dishwasher to server assistant to sous-chef at one of Austin’s premier restaurants. As sous, Nuñez oversees the output of the multiple Best of Austin award-winning restaurant’s gorgeously delicious seasonal fare. We have a feeling his ascendancy…
Japanese
What was once completely foreign to American palates is now ubiquitous thanks to Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto’s growing empire. For the uninitiated, start with the chicken shoyu broth: Tatsu-Ya’s is always on point, with just the right amount of soy sauce, never bland, never too salty. The noodles are cooked to perfection every time,…
Dumplings
Begin with the siu mai: crispy, crispy pork, and shrimp or chicken shiitake. Hit the Shanghai jumbo seafood soup dumpling mid courses – it’s a progression – then bookend your dumpling journey with the steamed spinach. Remember to bite the tops off the soup dumplings, insert vinegar and chili (or not), let cool slightly, and…
Margarita
Some might argue that Matt’s El Rancho is the inception point of Austin-style Tex-Mex. Their most enduring contribution to the ubiquitous tipple in this part of Texas, the margarita, is an introduction of freshly squeezed lime juice. History is written by the victors. The House Frozen is the go-to, or if you want a complete…
Special Occasion Restaurant
By now you’ve heard tales of Jeffrey’s $500 steak and caviar service. It is very Clarksville, and very fine dining indeed, but that 32-day dry-aged porterhouse is just under $200 actually, and it’s 42 ounces, which is plenty for the whole table. And if you wore your good shoes, they boast one of the most…
Bakery
From weekend breakfasts of pastries and quiches to a simple lunch of a bowl of soup and a half sandwich – maybe on a croissant, and chased with a cookie – Upper Crust nourishes both your sweet tooth and your soul. UC is there for special occasions too, including cakes and a steady supply of…
Korean
This fast-casual mini-chain offers a veritable choose-your-own-adventure of options. Bowl or Ssäms? Korean BBQ steak or spicy pork, fried egg and pickled veggies, and the sauce, maybe a little more traditional with Sriracha or lime juice, or more West Campus with spicy ranch? Hey, they were probably the first in town to serve Japchae noodles…
Enchilada
Matt’s El Rancho keeps it classic: If it’s not broken, no need to fix it, and their enchiladas are no exception. If you want that OG-Austin-style Tex-Mex, it’s beef or cheese enchiladas with chili con carne all day. This is the enchilada order by which all Tex-Mex shall be judged. Finalists: Chuy’s, Eldorado Cafe, Enchiladas…
Milkshakes
You crave a smooth, creamy milkshake. Luckily, there’s a P. Terry’s near you, so now all you have to do is choose. Do you go classic with double chocolate or vanilla? Or try the creative shake of the month? Either way, it’s not going to break the bank, and you don’t even have to get…
View
The food at the Oasis is secondary to the spectacular views of Lake Travis and the absolutely breathtaking sunsets at this 40-year-old lakeside restaurant. Grab yourself a beer or a cocktail and soak in the splendor as Mother Nature shows off her best work: the cliffs, trees, and vibrant open sky of the Texas Hill…
Breakfast
Oh, there maybe used to be heavier competition for this category, but by now – with multiple locations in Austin and beyond (and that hella yummy pancake mix in Costco) – longtime fave Kerbey Lane, a champion of local sourcing, has pretty much cemented itself as Austin’s icon of wake-up-and-eat excellence. Finalists: Bouldin Creek Cafe,…
Mediterranean
One of the brightest dining stars on South Congress, Aba (which means “father” in Hebrew) is a Mediterranean restaurant that highlights the best culinary traditions of Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece under the talented hand of chef CJ Jacobson, with Liz Pearce’s array of region-resonant wines and spirits shining like a sea of relaxation. Finalists:…
Ice Cream/Frozen Treat
No need to scream, these local ice cream experts have shops set up in 13 locations across Austin, plus spots in Houston and San Antonio. Whether you prefer the real-deal full-dairy flavors (350 on rotation!) or the dairy-free frozen yogurts and fruit ice, sweet relief from endless summer is never far. Finalists: Dolce Neve, Lick…
Mocktails
No matter the “why,” sometimes a craft cocktail sans booze is precisely the right move. The skill level of the mixologists at this small but mighty North Loop spot – which carries several variations of Seedlip, by the way – means you’re guaranteed the full-bodied flavor you’re hankering for without any risk of hangover or…
Weekend Brunch
Looking for a delicious way to kick off your weekend? Chicken and biscuits, barbacoa eggs Benedict, and mascarpone-stuffed challah French toast are the good life choices available to you at Jack Allen’s Kitchen’s weekend brunch. Their Southern-inspired menu and farm-to-table concept mean Texas portions of elevated comfort foods, plus a full menu of specialty cocktails.…
Drive-Through
P. Terry’s drive-through has saved our bacon on plenty of had-to-work-late nights and woke-up-hungover mornings. (Bacon! Also a good add-on to the 100% Black Angus beef burgers!) At P. Terry’s, you’re gonna get a smile from whoever’s manning the window, you’re gonna feel good because you know they’re being paid a living wage, and if…
Middle Eastern/Arab
Halal Bros’ status as a go-to spot for generous portions of delicious Middle Eastern fare is well-deserved. The menu is simple: Tender proteins like lamb and chicken (or falafel) rest atop flavorful, fluffy rice. Juicy gyro and shawarma wraps burst with flavor. Loaded fries serve as a white- and red-sauce delivery mechanism. You simply cannot…
Noodles/Ramen
In no surprise, Austin chefs/DJs Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto got a lot of love from our readers. Revered for their tonkotsu broth, Ramen Tatsu-Ya includes vegan options as well as a take on traditional Tokyo-style chicken broth. Pro tip: Order extra noodles to sop up every last drop of leftover broth. Finalists: Julie’s Noodles,…
Tequila Selection
The team at this gorgeous Oaxacan-inspired wonderland created a uniquely inspired spirits menu to accompany incredible dishes like beet huarache, tlayuda de hongos, and ceviche de coco. Their four robust tequila styles (even extra Anejo) produced in five Mexican states using only Blue Weber Agave really make our hearts sing. The Don Dario – with…
Experience Wild Card
You never need an excuse to head to the picturesque Hill Country, but mid-May to mid-August – peak peach season – is the best time to head 80 miles east to Fredericksburg and neighboring Stonewall, where orchards galore are producing the juiciest, most intensely sweet peaches in the state. Finalists: Midnight in the Garden (supper…
Fine Dining
Jeffrey’s continues to impress with caviar service, dry-aged prime beef, and the lightest souffles. Just west of Downtown, Jeffrey’s is still top of the list for special occasions, celebrations, or simply memorable fine dining experiences. The attentive staff and complimentary valet service may seem over the top at other restaurants, but it’s standard practice here.…
New American
What’s the definition of New American cuisine? You can find that answered exquisitely at several Austin venues, but especially at Odd Duck, where Bryce Gilmore and sous chefs Javier Nuñez, Matthew LaCaze, Daniel Rodriguez, and Jay Salvante work a fusion of global foodways and modern techniques into meticulous plates of culinary artistry. Starter case in…
Pizza
Home Slice makes Austin’s most consistently delicious pizza. Customize their New York-style chewy-crisp crust by topping it with either sweet marinara or fruity olive oil, perfect mozz or pillowy ricotta. There may be no more perfect pairing than Home Slice’s pepperoni-mushroom pie with a fluffy and lightly lemony slice of their N.Y. cheesecake. Finalists: Bufalina,…
Whiskey Selection
Sure, this Eastside hang is almost always packed to the gills with filthy beautiful people, but it’s also a total dive (in the best way) that boasts an annual Coney dog eating contest. Which makes it a primo destination for a killer whiskey menu. Whether you fancy it neat, old-fashioned, or dolled up, these folks…
Blonde
Treatise on fame turns Marilyn Monroe’s life into a horror story
APD Protects and Serves Itself With Eighth Street Report
Lessons learned?
Dining Out
Best Food Truck, Best Fine Dining, and more
Faster Than Sound: Infinite Hellscape Brings Austin Eclecticism Into Focus Under West Texas Stars
Camping at the first-year Austin/Marathon/Ft. Davis fest
Different Court and State, Same Alex Jones
Jones keeps lying in court and getting caught
Cuisine
Best Italian, Best Barbecue, and more
Review: The Bearer’s Chained to a Tree (Silent Pendulum)
Austin metalcore trio tightens the restraints
Austin’s Best Food and Drink Events This Week
Dinner parties, farmer’s markets, beer, wine, and more for the week of September 22, 2022
Dish
Best Tacos, Best Sushi, and more
Moseying Out Into the Multiverse With the Quantum Cowboys
Geoff Marslett probes memory and the many-worlds theory in his new animated mind-bender at AFS Cinema
Arts Events
Art galleries, theatre, comedy, dance, and more
Beverages
Best Margarita, Best Milkshake, and more
Review: No One at the Circus – The Story of Ghostwriter Through Place and Song
In one-man band’s situationally annotated lyric book, the path is the goal
Community Events
Local events, volunteer opportunities, kids’ activities, and more
Experience
Best Ambience, Best Service, and more
Fantastic Fest Cuts Into the Scarier Side of Cinema
Austin’s weirdest film festival returns
Day Trips: The Vanishing Texana Museum, Jacksonville
Train ticket leads to museum demolition
Review: Zach Theatre’s The Inheritance, Part 2
Second installment of this audacious opus is too much of a good thing
How Art the Clown Became a Horror Icon
Slasher epic Terrifier 2 breaks all the rules, but director Damien Leone is just telling the story he wants to tell
The Verde Report: What You Need to Know About the MLS Cup Playoffs in Austin
When and how to watch Austin FC in their first-ever playoff match
Best of Austin Restaurants 2022
During the handful of years (2013-2021) that The Austin Chronicle Food team curated the First Plates awards, we took pride in our collective deep and broad knowledge of just about every corner of this growing city’s dining scene. We were excited to send you, our dining-out readers, into our neighborhoods in search of new discoveries,…
Election Ticker: They Ban, We Plan
Celia Israel and Kirk Watson answer urbanists, Israel lays out repro rights plan, and more
We Have an Issue: Toasts All Around
Celebrating the Best of Austin: Restaurants awards, and sending off Music Editor Kevin Curtin
Millennial Mayhem in V/H/S/99
The fifth installment in the found footage horror anthology series gets the Y2K jitters
Qmmunity: Take Me Home, Country Queers
OUTlaw Pride Festival declares there’s nothin’ more outlaw than being queer in country music
Free Will Astrology
Your weekly horoscope, September 23-29
Voxtrot: The (Re)start of Something
12 years after disbanding, the forerunners of modern indie-pop call on the “mystical, inexplicable force” that flowed through their Early Music
Food Editor Melanie Haupt’s 10 Favorite Austin Restaurants
1) Eldorado Cafe 2) Canje 3) Julie’s Noodles 4) Patrizi’s 5) Komé 6) Nixta Taqueria 7) Micklethwait Craft Meats 8) Sway 9) Home Slice Pizza 10) Brentwood Social House
The Luv Doc: Her Own YouTube Channel
The Luv Doc is not trying to fetish shame
Five Films to Catch First at Fantastic Fest
The movies you’ll want to see before drafting your year-end best-of lists
Chronicle Editorial Staffers Name Their Essential Dishes
We’ve all got our favorites
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
Johnny Cash once had a fight with an ostrich and lost. Trying to remember the Baltic states? Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are north to south in alphabetical order. The band Coven who performed “One Tin Soldier” on the Billy Jack soundtrack was satanic, and their debut album purported to include the first recorded Black Mass.…
Austin Seeks Federal Funds for Safer Streets
The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill presents an opportunity
Austin at Large: Battle Lines Being (Re)drawn
The imperfect ways we try to describe what’s at stake when neighborhoods change
Crucial Concerts for the Coming Week
Carrie Rodriguez’s Laboratorio, itchy-O, Fontaines D.C., Ash Lauryn, Nas & Wu-Tang, and more
The Film Family That Slays Together Makes Child’s Play Together
Documentarian Kyra Elise Gardner celebrates the community around pint-sized slasher Chucky in in Living With Chucky
Headlines / Quote of the Week
The One With Burning Books: To almost no one’s surprise, Texas ranked as the U.S. state with the most book bans last school year with 800+ banned across school districts, per a new report from PEN America. The One With Burning Buildings: After more than 15 fires blazed across South Austin last weekend, police are…
Opinion: Wildflower Center Fails Its Conservation Mission by Lighting Up Its Landscape
Field of Light exhibit glamorizes outdoor landscape lighting and ignores light pollution’s harmful effects on wildlife, plants, and human health
Austin Aquarium Under Scrutiny Again After PETA Investigation
One fish, two fish, red fish, dead fish
Public Notice: More Drama in Hays County
Plus APD at City Council, and what’s one man’s trash …
Animals, Society, and Race at Huston-Tillotson
New course tackles how animal welfare work intersects with racism
Best of Austin: Restaurants 2022
Some thoughts on the inaugural Best of Austin: Restaurants Awards
Federal District Court Rules Employers Can Refuse to Purchase Health Insurance That Covers PrEP
When lifesaving medicines are against someone’s religion
Overall
Best New Restaurant, Best Chef, and more
Crow Bar’s Gone in Flames, Good Work Austin Calls In the S.I. Votes, Pizza Is Pretty Much Rampant Everywhere, Festival Season’s Coming for Us All, and This Is Fine
All the news that’s fit to get your taste buds quivering
