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LBJ

Harrelson dons prosthetics for this complicated biopic

by Steve Davis

Best Way to Stop Smoking

Locally owned since 1975, and now part of the Yost Automotive family, Muffin provides the kind of friendly personal service you don’t see much anymore, including free evaluations and estimates. Shop manager Tom Finger has been working there for 38 years, since he was 18 years old. That’s well before there were personal computers, so…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Shop for Slaying Domestic Demons

It is a rite of passage that no one really looks forward to. One of your appliances has died. Be it the fridge, your dishwasher, or (God forbid!) your wine cooler, Austin Appliance Rebuilders has an ever-rotating selection, and great deals to boot (we got a washer/dryer combo for $400, and they delivered it the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best More-Than-Just-Film Series

Don’t let the name fool you: The Hyperreal Film Club, which hosted its inaugural screening series last summer, goes beyond any “film club” we know. For one thing, the founders – David McMichael, Jenni Kaye, and Tanner Hadfield – are interdisciplinary artists whose visionary programming runs the gamut of media. No form is unwelcome, nor…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Hand-Pulled Chinese Noodles

Co-chef/co-owner Ting Lin preserves the ancient art of noodles while putting on a show for restaurant patrons: stretching, pulling, twisting, flinging the dough before it’s shaped into various styles, all given Italian names on the menu. Try the Tom Yam Chicken Noodle Soup (coconut milk chicken broth, red bell peppers, Enoki mushrooms, bean sprouts &…

by Chronicle Staff

Best All-Vinyl DJ Crew

Officially launched in December 2014, the collective is an outfit of all-female, vinyl-only DJs, identifying with nationalities and cultures including Latina, Tejana, and Chicana. Currently spread out in seven chapters in California and Texas, these crate-digging women run the gamut of genres, never focusing on any specific sound. With each spin, these proud and prominent…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Affordable Housing Superheroes

The smartest, most effective outfit in town, Foundation Communities combines high-quality affordable housing with on-site support services for education, health, and financial stability. Now serving over 2,800 families and 600 single adults, its LEED-certified projects continue to grow, with the latest penciled in for Mueller. What’s more, FC’s Community Tax Centers help low-income folks from…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Like No Prank Else

Banners, posters, and a social media push announcing the opening of a Chili’s on East Sixth and Waller had locals up in arms about the gentrification and overzealous development of our dear city. With Austin City Limitless Queso, Waller Wings, and Fun Fun Fun Fries on the signature menu, it was just too much to…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Dog

He’s held over 340 different job titles at the Chronicle (see staff box), but still finds time to host an annual SXSW party and maintain an active social media presence. No others need apply.

by Chronicle Staff

Best DWI Lawyer

“Mary Ann is an attorney you hope you never meet, but if you do, she’s a person you’ll always be glad you know. (Unless you’re on the other end of a cross-examination; if that’s the case, she’ll shred you, your mama, and the Prius you rode in on.)” – Bronwen Butler Finalists: Rick Flores, Adam…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Vintage/Antiques

“Always an adventure in here. You never know what you are going to find! Sometimes it’s something amazing, sometimes it’s something creepy. Sometimes it’s both!” – Megan McCauley Finalists: Austin Pets Alive! Thrift, Blue Velvet, Room Service Vintage

by Chronicle Staff

Best Museum

“Fabulous exhibits and an amazing aura.” – Aarti Gosrani Finalists: The Bullock Texas State History Museum, The Contemporary Austin, The Thinkery

by Chronicle Staff

Best Vegan/Vegetarian

“Without a doubt, best in category – but better than that, just a great restaurant, no categorization or qualifiers needed.” – James Markham Finalists: Counter Culture, Juiceland

by Chronicle Staff

Best Activist

“She is a superstar. Because of her, Austin is a no-kill city. Because of her, thousands of dogs were saved during Hurricane Harvey. There is no stopping her. ‘We can’t’ is not in her vocabulary.” – Sherry Holdridge Finalists: Fatima Mann (Counter Balance ATX), Chas Moore (Austin Justice Coalition), Stephanie Trinh (AURA), Abe Louise Young

by Chronicle Staff

Best Social Ride

“Always a great time and adventure with good people and good vibes.” – Alexander Starks Finalists: Bikin’ Betties, Team Snacks Slow Your Roll

by Chronicle Staff

Most Chillax Relax for Rex

Dog owners know the most stressful part of vacationing isn’t the TSA pat-down: It’s worrying over how our puppers will handle kennel life. No need to fret when you board your dogs at Austin Pup Culture. During the day, they get to play ruff with the regular daycare doggos; at night, they have the run of…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Way to Flavnt Your Pride

Androgyny is in. Ask anyone. If you’re looking locally for unisex options, look no further than FLAVNT (pronounced flaunt, like Chvrches). This brother/sister duo specializes in T-shirts, hoodies, and binders (currently available in four colors to match varying skin tones). There’s a simple or sassy style perfect for queers, trans folks, and anybody looking to…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Out-There Producer-Designer

When your résumé from the past year includes building a Satanic Panic escape room for Fantastic Fest, lighting a dance on Mansfield Dam for Fusebox Festival, and producing all 11 site-specific dances in Jennifer Sherburn’s monthly 11:11 series, you clearly aren’t content just doing the same-old same-old creative work. And so it is with indie…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Heat Slayer

Austin is a brutal aggregation of terrible traffic and scant H-E-B parking spots, topped with a sour cherry of having the country’s worst climate outside of Tucson. It makes any walk from Lot ZZ to the produce section an absolute beating. Lucky for us, Austin’s brewers know our safe space, none more so than St.…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Beat Down

Experimental electronic musicians Ben Webster and Andrew Brown – known on wax as Butcher Bear and Soundfounder – established the Exploded Drawing party on staunchly Fugazi-like principles: $5 cover, all-ages, fiercely DIY. Seven years later, the semi-monthly event remains a lighthouse for Austin’s producers, beatmakers, and artists. Inhabiting warehouses, art studios, and underground venues, the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Artivist

When the going gets tough, Drew Riley gets tougher. The local artist, best known for her jaw-dropping Gender Portraits series of folks defying gender norms, spent the worst half of 2017 at the Capitol fighting against a slough of anti-trans and LGBTQ hate bills filed during the 85th legislative session. Her dedication to fighting the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Bruisers, Grapplers, and High Fliers

Roll up, roll up, see all the fun of the squared circle with WrestleCircus, the no-holds-barred wrestling promotion that has crowds cheering and international grappling stars beating on the canvas to get in. See! The smashiest, bashiest brawlers! Gaze in wonder! When aerial experts fly from the top ropes with the greatest of ease! Gasp!…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Horn Blowing

Benefiting SAFE (Stop Abuse for Everyone) at the Austin Children’s Shelter, May’s annual convergence of city vehicles and the demographic fascinated by them remains a show, tell, and touch for all ages. Clamber aboard a school bus, or climb in the back of an ambulance or APD patrol car. Backhoes, fire engines, cranes – you…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Home Maintenance/Services

“ABC is one of those rare service companies that seems to take seriously giving back to the community.” – Brian Benschoter Finalists: Humpback Junk Removal, Open Envelope Studio

by Chronicle Staff

Best Bookstore

“BookPeople is not just the best bookstore in Austin: It’s among the best in the world. Truly inspiring to be around. I go every chance I get.” – Jon Fortenbury Finalists: BookWoman, Half Price Books, Malvern Books

by Chronicle Staff

Best Desserts

“My mother was angry when I said Sugar Mama’s was my favorite mama. Then she tried the cupcakes.” – Cale Cormier Finalists: Capital City Bakery, Chez Zee

by Chronicle Staff

Best Adult Club

“The Yellow Rose’s status in Austin is untouchable, to a degree.” – Travis Benn Finalists: Expose, The FRIENDS Club, Palazio Gentlemen’s Club, Perfect 10

by Chronicle Staff

Best Sportscaster

“The voice of sports in Austin!!!” – Tim High Finalists: Dennis de la Peña (FOX 7), Roger Wallace (KXAN), Craig Way (Austin Radio Network)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Sports Venue

“Hard to find another place where you can feel like you’re intimately connected to 100,000 friends. There’s simply nothing like it.” – Matt Lawson Finalists: Dell Diamond, House Park

by Chronicle Staff

Most Innovative Medical Care

Whether you’re seeking STI testing, access to PrEP – the little blue pill that basically stops the transmission of HIV when taken daily – or gender affirming care and hormones, Austin’s Kind Clinic is your one-stop shop. What started as an entirely volunteer-run clinic to help residents learn about and get on PrEP has transformed…

by Chronicle Staff

Best-Case Scenario in Which the Bugs Are the Features

For those of us who can resist, at least long enough, the maudlin gravity of a shelter-bound cat or dog’s please-adopt-me eyes, there’s no place in town as pet-wonderful as Daniel Keeper’s ZooKeeper Exotics. The newly expanded store is stocked from floor to ceiling with reptiles, amphibians, and more species of arachnids than ever haunted…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Level Up Your Character

If you’ve ever dreamed of entering a medieval tavern straight out of Skyrim, then the Emerald Tavern is your next quest marker. Housing an extensive array of board games and slinging ale, caffeine, sandwiches, and baked goods, this safe haven from a cruel and unrelenting world has an extremely knowledgeable staff, an endearing atmosphere, and…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Indian Food Truck Serving Southern Hospitality

Opened just in January, this food truck serves authentic Indian favorites, including goat curry and saag paneer, with kind service and occasional free dessert treats. Though the trailer is somewhat secluded on East Sixth, its owners are truly welcoming to both newbies and experts of Indian cuisine.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Boozy Spot to Tap Into Your Inner Child

During the day, this carnival-inspired bar is strictly G-rated, where kids and their adult tenders can toss beanbags and slurp house-made sodas. But it’s at night, when they shave the ’rel off the door sign to become a Bar O’ Fun, that we most love this cozy space on the ground floor of the new…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Breath of Legal Fresh Air

Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore signed up to run for her new gig reluctantly at first, but became convinced that somebody needed to bring the D.A.’s Office “a renewed vision.” Only the third person in the succession, Moore cleared out historical cobwebs (and plenty of incumbent staffers), and has taken long strides toward renewing…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Field of Dreams

Nestled 12 miles east of Austin on architect Jack Sanders’ 5-acre workshop, the Long Time is somewhat of a time machine. The unlikely baseball field and home to the Texas Playboys is ground zero for the revival of sandlot baseball – informal, DIY adult teams from towns across the south reveling in the nostalgia of…

by Chronicle Staff

Best LemonAID Stand

When Mother Nature gives you lemons, you make lemonade. So when Hurricane Harvey devastated Rylee Dill’s hometown of Corpus Christi, she and her best friend Eva Sanderson set up shop at the entrance to the Greenbelt. In just two days, their operation raised over $400, which the fifth graders donated to hurricane relief efforts.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Hotel/Motel

“Super nice and super haunted. Super winning.” – Adam Creighton Finalists: Austin Motel, Hotel San José, South Congress Hotel

by Chronicle Staff

Best Comics/Fandom

“Thanks for babysitting my boyfriend while I’m at work!” – Kayla Harrison Finalists: Austin Books & Comics, Hops & Heroes, TItan Moon Comics, Tribe Comics & Games

by Chronicle Staff

Best Actor/Actress

“She’s visceral, unflinching, funny, honest, and unapologetically herself. Ebony is a queen.” – Taji Senior Finalists: Kaci Beeler, Sarah Marie Curry, Adriene Mishler

by Chronicle Staff

Best Outdoor Festival

“It makes my neighborhood a hot mess, but the bands! I just can’t be a hater.” – Laura Forsyth Finalists: Pecan Street Festival, Sound on Sound

by Chronicle Staff

Best Distiller

“The grapefruit vodka is the single most defining summer drink for this town.” – Michelle Ross Finalists: Tito’s Vodka, Treaty Oak

by Chronicle Staff

Best Bartender

“One of the kindest guys you’ll meet, with the flyest style.” – Korey Conley Finalists: Cullen Blaylock (Elysium), Bill Hankey (King Bee), Jen Keyser (Holy Roller), Melissa Lorsung (Twin Creeks Hall)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Film Critic

“I share Joe’s undying enthusiasm for Hot Tub Time Machine.” – Seth Johnson Finalists: Korey Coleman (Double Toasted), Martin Thomas (Double Toasted)

by Chronicle Staff

Best State Official

“He’s been my political hero for 23 years, and he’s never once let me down. He’s held on to his position despite craven redistricting efforts, and he’s never compromised himself to do so.” – Amy Albin Finalists: Joe Straus, Kirk Watson

by Chronicle Staff

Most Zen Massage Studio

Myofascial release specialist Laura Ann Gilpin has a gorgeous new studio on the Eastside. If the airy space, hammock, and tropical plants aren’t meditative enough, her holistic approach to bodywork is sure to bring you peace. And, if it’s more convenient, Laura Ann makes house calls, too.

by Chronicle Staff

Friendliest (Ladies and) Gents in the Screenprinting Biz

We loved FSG’s “Hold It Down H-Town” tees (from which 100% of proceeds were donated to Hurricane Harvey relief), but it’s the pleasure and ease of working with the designer-run screenprinting company that puts them at the top of our list for fast and professional shirts, posters, flags, and more.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Revolutionary Stance

When the Back Room closed in 2006 after more than three decades at 2015 E. Riverside, the live music capital lost its sole stopgap against headbangers defecting en masse to our neighboring Alamo City, world famous metal destination. Last year, at 2015 E. Riverside – Bldg. 4 – a onetime Latin disco that had hosted…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Meatless Bar Style Pizza

While this hometown favorite is most often revered for delectable Detroit-style pies, Via 313’s bar style pizza – thinner, chewier, with crispy cheesy edges – is the Best in Show vehicle for a vegetarian topping combo certain to please even meat lovers. The Stooges’ baby spinach, marinated artichokes, shallots, and Parmesan crisps is, quite simply,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Candlelit Astroturf for a First Date Kiss

Down past Dirty, where West Sixth gets dark and quiet, is a plum-colored bungalow that’s just the right amount of fancy. Provocatively named cocktails pair perfectly with cheese plates and panna cotta, but their late-night vibe – complete with evergreen fake grass, candlelight, and lounge-worthy patio furniture – makes this spot ideal for making out.…

by Chronicle Staff

Best GOP Gun at Boot Hill

Thanks and farewell to a true public servant: As the national and state Republican Party has moved steadily to the far, far right, Texas House Speaker (and stout Republican) Joe Straus did what he could to keep the Lege from running completely off the rails. His reward? Continual attacks from his right flank for saving…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Field Renovation

Students spend more than 260,000 hours participating in intramural sports each year, so it wasn’t any surprise that after 30 years the University of Texas intramural fields needed a facelift. Although the construction took longer than expected, the newly renovated fields opened earlier this year and are – once again – home to all the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Playscape To Let Kids Be Gerbils

When they’re scaling the walls at home, save your brain and take the little rascals to weave through a floor-to-ceiling gerbil cage. The largest indoor playground in Central Texas boasts a playscape big enough to fill a 3,000-square-foot house, a huge arcade, a restaurant, and live reptile shows on Wednesdays. Parents can crawl around, too,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Performance Space/Theatre

“I want to win the lotto so I can buy the balcony box. I’d live in it if they’d let me. So glad that Austin continues to treasure this space.” – Roanna Flowers Finalists: The Vortex, ZACH Theatre

by Chronicle Staff

Best Cocktail Bar

“Always the best service, and blows everyone out of the water on their craft.” – JW Galloway Finalists: Garage, Roosevelt Room, Small Victory

by Chronicle Staff

Best Food Writer

“Eater, under Nadia, has become a go-to source for me to keep up on the fast-moving food scene in Austin.” – Jessica Luther Finalists: Addie Broyles (Austin American-Statesman), Veronica Meewes (freelance), Matthew Odam (Austin American-Statesman)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Yoga

“I have cried in this studio more times than I can count. They keep the traditional standards and add a unique approach to the practice. Such an amazing studio that is deserving of all the praise they get.” – Rachel Johnson Finalists: Practice Yoga, Yoga Yoga

by Chronicle Staff

Best Boots That Won’t Cost You an Arm and a Leg

Just like Austin straddles the line between cowboy-casual and urban chic, Tecovas makes elegant shitkickers for city slickers. Designed locally and handcrafted at a factory in Léon, Mexico, Tecovas’ mission is to deliver high-quality boots at a lower price point. Still on the fence? You can stop by their bustling Eastside showroom, open on Saturdays,…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Bling for Your Buck

Unleash your inner Nordic goddess with pieces from Nina Berenato’s Warrior collection. From selling her stunning jewelry out of an Airstream trailer parked on Barton Springs Road just last year, the metalsmith’s industrial-femme designs are now showcased in her airy brick-and-mortar space at the Domain.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Scream Queen Duo

When Zane Zena and Louisianna Purchase join forces, every day is Halloween. With their twice-a-month horror drag series Die Felicia, this terrifying twosome gives a whole new meaning to Scream Queens, and they’ve got what it takes to share their Final Girls title. From the movies they screen (hellloooo Monster Squad and Lost Boys) to…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Movie Theatre Popcorn

There are a lot of reasons for movie fans to love the Austin Film Society’s new facility, but we didn’t expect a totally new take on the most standard of old standards to be one of them. Head chef Peter Klein has created “a small batch specialty made with heirloom kernels … dressed in clarified…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Code-Required Cocktail Bar

Is your evening in need of a hard reboot? If you can gain access to this seeming “computer store,” you’ll find a speakeasy worthy of a bootlegger. Requiring a code that you’ll either have to steal from someone leaving or find through internet sleuthing, once you gain entrance to this bar you’ll find nary a…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Organized Labor Gadfly

Bob Nicks assumed the presidency of the Austin Firefighters Association at a difficult moment, when the city, the Fire Department, and the union were all embroiled in wrestling with the U.S. Department of Justice over an institutional history of racial discrimination. Despite occasional missteps, he has worked steadily with his members and his bosses to…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Hidden Entry to the Violet Crown Trail

The balance of Austin’s urban life and love of nature is delicate – we’re a city of Downtown dwellers by day and trail hikers by the weekend. The 30-mile Violet Crown Trail sneaks its way across town, hidden in plain sight. You’d miss it if you didn’t know what to look for, but just off…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Race to Be a Hero

There’s no better place to see superhero enthusiasts of all ages running while costumed than this annual race. With gear ranging from Hollywood-level latex to homemade capes, plus bounce houses and post-race treats from beloved local vendors, fundraising for an org that advocates for children who’ve been abused or neglected is really the best way…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Mani/Pedi

“After a pedicure at Viva, my polish didn’t chip for MONTHS; not even through the 30-mile backpacking trip I took a few days later.” – Juliana Haynes Finalists: Garbo A Salon, Plum Natural Nail & Skin Spa

by Chronicle Staff

Best Stand-up Comic

“Vanessa is next-level funny and one of the nicest, most genuine human beings on the planet. I fully expect to see her on SNL or with her own Netflix special in the near future. She is destined for greatness.” – Kana LiVolsi Finalists: Matt Bearden, Chris Cubas, Eric Nimmer

by Chronicle Staff

Best Established Restaurant

“I would sacrifice my right arm for their vegan cornbread and butter … and I’m right-handed.” – Taylor Nutterfield Finalists: Odd Duck, Uchi, Uchiko, Waterloo Ice House

by Chronicle Staff

Best Dance Club

“‘… and then somehow we ended up at Barbs and danced our butts off.’ – lots of Austinites, lots of times” – Teresa Ronquillo Finalists: Elysium, Highland Lounge, Kingdom, Rain on 4th

by Chronicle Staff

Best Journalist

“Michael is not only awesome with his coverage of Austin society, but showcasing the important historical fabric of Austin that we are losing.” – Charles Peveto Finalists: Ken Herman (Austin American-Statesman), Caleb Pritchard (Austin Monitor)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Weatherperson

“Jim has been keeping my head dry for over 20 years now. I trust no other weatherman before him. On top of that, his charity work for the community is unrivaled.” – Jeff DeBerry Finalists: Albert Ramon (KVUE), David Yeomans (KXAN)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Breakthrough

Until surpassed by Michael Jackson’s Thriller after his death, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) by the Eagles was the bestselling album of all time. At Breakaway, its used wax runs you $6. Most other places, $10-15. “Those albums sold millions of copies,” snorted one of the owners when lauded on the North Loop buzz mill’s levelheadedness…

by Chronicle Staff

Best “It’s Not an Art House, It’s an Art Home”

When AFS Cinema permanently took over the Marchesa Hall & Theatre space earlier this year, we knew it was going to be a struggle to schedule our lives around the influx of repertory films, special guests, new releases, and 4K restorations. But holy hell, guys! Some of us have jobs and family commitments, not to…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Stairways to Heaven

There’s much to treasure in the city’s new Central Library, but the thing that gives us the most joy, that taps our childhood love of libraries, is the immense six-story atrium crisscrossed with bridges and staircases. The manner in which the Lake|Flato firm designed these walkways to cut through this vast expanse of space, awash…

by Chronicle Staff

Best New Salsa Sampler

Despite having just opened their doors this year, these upstarts placed twice in The Austin Chronicle’s annual Hot Sauce Festival competition. The spicy El Scorpio took first in the Special Variety category and the mild Fresca garnered third in Red. The Eldorado Salsa Sampler lets you sample all five house specialties. Pro tip: Order the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Five Spot

Pere Ubu for five bucks at Beerland??!! Yep, that happened – and allll thanks to the programmers of Austin Jukebox, who curate these quarterly lineups featuring artists of different genres (including at least one out-of-towner) that they want to see, and you should too.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Policy Slog

Do you know the current zoning of your home? Do you even care? You should! How the property you own gets zoned affects what you can do with your home – more than money, stodgy neighbors, or your own creative devices. What’s more, how your house is zoned is part of a larger land use…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Long-Time-Coming National Champs

For those unfamiliar, the Austin Huns are a men’s Division 1 rugby squad. In their 45-year existence, they had yet to win a national championship – that is, until this year, when they defeated the five-time champion New York Athletic Club to become the first Texas team to win the title this century, and only…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Team to Go Make Family Musicals

Wondering what Buford Biscuit and Tiny Scarecrow have been up to since the Emmy-winning series The Biscuit Brothers stopped production? They’ve turned to the stage and become the Rodgers & Hammerstein for the family theatre set. Allen Robertson (aka Buford) and Damon Brown (Tiny’s “executive assistant”) have been collaborating on musical adaptations of classic tales…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Movers

“They should give lessons on customer service because they got it LOCKED down!” – Shea Bryant Finalists: Blue Whale Moving & Storage, Heavenly Care Moving

by Chronicle Staff

Best Farmers’ Market

“Best way to spend a Sunday morning by far.” – Tracy Hawk Finalists: Barton Creek Farmers Market, HOPE Farmers Market, SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley, SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown

by Chronicle Staff

Best Classical Musician

“Graham is indicative of what is Weird about Austin. He is talented, unique, clever, and a wildly gifted composer, musician, and performer.” – Vee Cline Finalists: Anton Nel, Rooney Pitchford, Michelle Schumann

by Chronicle Staff

Best Fine Dining

“Fine dining plus a great, affordable happy hour for us poor folks.” – Courtney Mlinar Finalists: Barley Swine, Jeffrey’s, Uchiko

by Chronicle Staff

Best Local Blog

“So helpful in finding out what’s going on in Austin. From concerts to happy hours, it’s all there.” – Lydia Thompson Finalists: Austin Towers, Camille Styles, A Taste of Koko

by Chronicle Staff

Best Bowling Alley

“Straight out of the Seventies. I love the celebrity signatures in the cafe. And the world’s best enchiladas. And the dirt-cheap drinks.” – Ryan Walters Finalists: Highland Lanes, Westgate Lanes

by Chronicle Staff

Best Available Office Space for Musicians on a Budget

By taking over an old convalescent home on the Eastside and turning it into a music compound, scene supporters Dan Redman and Curse Mackey look to solve the affordability and fragmentation issues facing Austin’s music industry by putting everything under one roof. The 25,000-square-foot facility is already filling up with studios, gear rental, practice spaces,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Early-Nineties Shopping Experience

The name evokes a grand and soul-crushing shopping experience, but the reality is far from the Gap and Hot Topic. This trailer parked outside the Museum of Human Achievement packs a lot of Day-Glo aesthetic in its 200 square feet. Shoppers looking to make a statement will find no shortage of art, accessories, decor, and…

by Chronicle Staff

Best 1-2 Fuck You

Sure, Gerard Cosloy may best be known nationally for his work with Matador and Homestead Records, putting out seminal releases from Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Spoon. But in Austin you’ll likely catch him at venues like Beerland scoping out local talent for his 12XU imprint (named after the Wire classic) like the Xetas, Golden…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Transylvania-Born Artistic Visionary

Born in Nagyvarad, Transylvania, in 1980, Austin-based artist Josef Kristofoletti might well be pardoned for a dreary disposition. Yet Kristofoletti is a vocal, engaged presence, willing to work heedlessly across multiple media and platforms. As the artist-in-residence at CERN, for instance, he designed the magnificent Higgs Boson mural, a process documented in The Atlas Detector.…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Pizza by a Rapper

Just last year, Subkulture Patriots rapper Dostra Nostra, also known as D.O.S., was releasing rap singles. Going forward, Byron Mitchell wants to be known as “Chef D.O.S.,” a nod to his nascent pizza enterprise, Da Slice. Each delicious and hearty pie is made from scratch and arrives in one size (a hefty 16″) absolutely packed…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Mocktail Menu

Leave it to the incomparable Callie Speer and her team at this Downtown punk rock diner to create a drink list so inclusive you might choose a defiantly booze-free frozen lemonade over your go-to bev. Bar manager Jen Keyser’s menu also includes four mocktail choices – Spicy, Sweet, Citrus, and Energy – plus delicious herbal…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Protest With a BPM

Queers: They know how to party, and they know how to protest. In the face of bathroom bills and religious liberty laws proposed by the state’s most hateful lawmakers, this qmmunity didn’t settle for picket signs and speeches, instead opting in February for magic and glitter and dance party protest in front of the Governor’s…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Metal Mettle

Bart Butler, black-belted drummer for the excellent metal band Eagle Claw, considers regular gym workouts boring and believes that exercise should challenge your brain. Last year he took over the Void – a kung fu compound he’d been training at for a dozen years – and expanded its disciplines to include jiujitsu, kickboxing, yoga, and…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Upsizing

Our 3-year-old rode tall in his mother’s arms at the swag stock exchange and ordered decisively: Scooby-Doo. He choked, knew it within days, not exactly preferring daddy’s plush Grave Digger pillow, however. A birthday Zombie proved corrective, and the Randall’s on 38th stocks minis. Because even though his ’rents have taken in Sade, the Gorillaz,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Theatre Director

“Rudy’s contributions to the local theatre community are innumerable but with every project you see his drive, ingenuity, and love for the script and the cast.” – Tynisha Scott Finalists: Don Toner, Dave Steakley

by Chronicle Staff

Best Food Truck

“As much as it pains this ex-Chicagoan to say it, Via 313 is the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. Anywhere.” – Hank Legan Finalists: Arlo’s, Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster, Soursop, Veracruz All Natural

by Chronicle Staff

Best DJ

“DJ GirlFriend is a breath of fresh air and the DJ we Austin queers dreamed of as youngsters.” – Ash Hall Finalists: Will Castle, DJ AR / Abel Ortega, DJ Hella Yella, DJ Mel

by Chronicle Staff

Best City Trail

“Pronounced ‘Town Lake.’” – Wayne Decker Finalists: The Veloway at Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park, Walnut Creek Trail

by Chronicle Staff

Best Camp

“Creative Action is not only helping kids become leaders, artists, allies, and thinkers. It’s the secret day job headquarters for some of the most talented artists and activists in Austin.” – Indigo Rael Finalists: kidsActing, Spilled Milk Social Club

by Chronicle Staff

Best Batting of the Eyelashes

If eyes are the windows to the soul, are eyelashes considered the curtains? Who knows – but that’s a question you can pose to the cutie at the bar after your lash extension appointment. If your lashes need a break from overuse of mascara or you’re looking to shave some minutes off of your morning…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Kawaii Storage Solutions

Piggy banks are cute. See-through teddy bear piggy banks are just cuter than dimples. That’s kawaii, the Japanese term for cute. But there’s also chibi, meaning tiny in the most adorable way, and that’s what Fit provides. The Japanese import store specializes in household and office goods, plus super-rare Studio Ghibli and Gundam merch, but…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Classic Leading Man

Othello. Macbeth. Cyrano. Vershinin. Petruchio. Death of a Salesman’s Willy Loman, Present Laughter’s Garry Essendine. The Mountaintop’s MLK. Many actors would kill to play one of these plum leading roles. Marc Pouhé has played them all – and killed in every one. The actor’s commanding presence, emotional complexity, and voice that could tame thunder have…

by Chronicle Staff

Highest Concentration of Hilarious Women

The history of Austin comedy is flush with funny femmes – Shannon Sedwick, Margaret Wiley, Laura House, Girls Girls Girls, Lashonda Lester, to name a few – but it’s still rare to see that side-splitting sisterhood celebrated. That’s why we’re grateful for BettyFest, the annual assemblage of improv troupes where all the humor is XX.…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Carb Load

If you’re looking to get a little softer around the edges, East Austin’s Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches has solved the mathematical equation for a happier diet plan. Featuring pillowy klobasniky stuffed with meaty detonations from Micklethwait and kolaches sourced with the delicious innards of local fruit, this exceptionally curated, counter service craft beer bar…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Neighborhood Bar Marquee

Come to East Austin’s newest watering hole for the daily dose of humor. Stay for the impressive beer-and-a-shot specials. Or the frozen Irish coffees. Or the rye whiskey flights. Or the coney dogs …. Once we’re perched at Nickel City’s historic oak bar, it’s pretty hard to find a reason to leave.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Re-Contextualization of History

The University of Texas at Austin took a step forward in making sure their Confederate statues were showcased in the appropriate place – a history museum. UT President Greg Fenves made the controversial decision to remove the remaining four statues, recognizing their historic value but acknowledging the contradiction their continued presence as campus monuments made…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Nature-Lovin’ Conservation Warrior

Chances are you can find Madeline Enos riding around on her bike or wearing a T-shirt promoting her love for the environment. As a part of EPIC (Emerging Professionals in Conservation), she’s volunteered countless hours to help fundraise and educate others on conserving the beautiful Texas Hill Country. As a Texas Conservation Corps alumna, Enos…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Way to Get Kids to Say “Cheese”

More than just teaching kids the basics of using a camera, Shutter Bugs helps the budding photographer develop their own vision. Pro picture-taker and father of two Jon Chamberlain teaches three age groups (5-8, 9-12, and 13 & up) in his South Austin studio.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Escape Room

“Great staff, fun and challenging rooms, good times all around.” – Barry Schneider Finalists: Maze Rooms Austin, Mind Spark

by Chronicle Staff

Best Exercise Class

“I’ve personally seen this change people’s lives. Not mine. But other people I know personally. Who hassle me to change my life. Fine, I’m joining.” – Adam Creighton Finalists: Fuerte Fitness Express Class, Love Cycling Studio Spin, Workout! With Erica Nix

by Chronicle Staff

Best Giving Back to the Earth Burial

Eloise Woods Burial Park provides a serene woodland landscape just outside of Austin for death, remembrance, and the rituals that accompany both. They offer low-cost, eco-friendly burial services to all loved ones, be they person or pet. By insisting on biodegradable and chemical-free processes, the park allows the deceased to join the natural rhythms of…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Kill-You-With-Cuteness Clothing

There’s something about Luella’s that screams “Nacho Babe.” It’s one of their T-shirts. This woman-owned small business is the epitome of clever, nailing that perfect combination of feminine, feminist, and fashionable. From their love of queso to their celebratory sisterhood shirts and sassy comebacks (to be whipped out after a poor pickup line or catcall),…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Clay Wrangler

The “Doctor” of Texas Medicine Pottery in Buda has been mixing mud and mentoring students at the Laguna Gloria (now the Art School at the Contemporary) ceramic studio for nearly 15 years. He’s been wielding his expertise at specialized firings – reduction, soda, raku, lustre – and just as importantly, sharing his gift for being…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Amazon Prime

Look, it’s not like we didn’t already know Ann Wolfe is a badass. At the height of her boxing career, she held world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously; at her (sadly, now closed) gym she trained professional fighters like James Kirkland and regular schlubs alike; and she also mentored countless Austin youth. For…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Restaurant Revamp

Juliet Ristorante takes hypnotic to an entirely new level. We’re not talking about pendulums swinging back and forth or the sudden snap-back-to-reality after hearing the word “kumquat” – but rather hypnotic walls covered in vintage artwork complemented by dazzling light fixtures. This summer the restaurant underwent major changes to transform into a family-friendly spot with…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Sing “Delta Dawn” ’til Dawn

We’ve all been there: It’s 2am, and suddenly, in the heat of the moment, your crew feels the need to belt out some Beyoncé. But the bars are all closed! Well, don’t stop believin’: Hi Tunes is open ’til 5am all weekend. BYOB to clean, cool rooms with proper lighting and sound. Tambourines and sanitary…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Response to Conspiracy Crackpots

“You argue with a fool, you’re the fool yourself,” East Side Pies co-owner Noah Polk told the Statesman in late 2016, after online trolls attempted to drag the local pizza chain into the manufactured “pizzagate” conspiracy, maliciously hallucinating an international pedophile ring connected to the Hillary Clinton campaign. The nutjobs provoked threats, spurious “exposé” videos,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Prospect

After a down season, UT basketball coach Shaka Smart has been assembling the talent to bring the program back to prominence, and superstar recruit Mo Bamba is the most prized addition to the 2017-18 Longhorns squad. Fingers are crossed for a stellar season, since hoops prognosticators are already betting the 7-foot power forward from Harlem…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Way to Jump-Start Your Kid’s Stuntperson Career

If your kids are of the variety that, since birth, rolled, ran, and rode harder and faster than their tiny peers, training the little ninjas to do it safely isn’t a terrible idea. Then again, parkour teaches efficient body movement, and that’s great for all ages. And what’s more fun than watching adults fling themselves…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Realtor

“Jody did an incredible job of getting us into our first home, and we could not be happier with her work and her follow through.” – Darren Scott Finalists: Carol Dochen Realtors, Eanes Properties

by Chronicle Staff

Best Fiction Writer/Poet

“Her sense of humor is only exceeded by her sense of right and wrong. Thank goodness she is always willing to speak her mind.” – Alice London Finalists: Chandler Baker, Katherine Catmull, Ernie Cline, Owen Egerton

by Chronicle Staff

Best Visual Artist

“Beautiful artist, and even more beautiful of a human being.” – Jessica Hovind Finalists: Tim Doyle, Drew Riley, Flip Solomon

by Chronicle Staff

Best Late-Night Dining

“The servers are outstanding, wait times are tolerable, and the food is on point whether you need a late-night wind-down or early morning wind-up spot.” – Elizabeth Hardy Finalists: Magnolia Cafe, 24 Diner

by Chronicle Staff

Best Happy Hour

“There is no greater happy hour in the world. I swoon for those duck fat fries.” – Cara Rose Finalists: Odd Duck, Uchi

by Chronicle Staff

Best Local News

“They have award-winning journalists and care about Austin’s cultural and political landscape, and viewers can see that.” – Zac DeLane Finalists: KUT, KVUE

by Chronicle Staff

Best Golf

“If it doesn’t involve humping a dinosaur, it ain’t really golf.” – Jose Alba Finalists: Lions Municipal Golf Course, Topgolf

by Chronicle Staff

Best Family Restaurant

“It’s our go-to spot to celebrate soccer game wins and good report cards.” – Leticia Mendoza Finalists: Phil’s Icehouse, Waterloo Ice House

by Chronicle Staff

Best In-the-Rough Auto Inspection Center

You pull up and some kid in cutoffs and a ratty T-shirt asks for your keys and paperwork, then points you to your seat at a tattooed picnic table near the bushes. It looks like the electricity isn’t working inside; there’s a shelf of tools and an old microwave that you imagine is caked inside…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Nifty Thrifty

Next to finding cash money, there’s little that’s more economically thrilling than a bargain. Make it a bargain on spendy, trendy attire and it’s like hitting pay dirt. Which can happen more often than not at the Goodwill store off Lake Austin Boulevard, aka Gucci Goodwill. The quality of the finds at any thrift store…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Comedic Argument Against Gentrification

The Latino Comedy Project, lying doggo since 2005’s superhero-skewering Los Abengers show, recently returned to the live comedy stage with Gentrifucked, shining a much-needed brown comic light on what rampant development and clueless Anglo hipsterism have wrought in Austin’s historically Hispanic neighborhoods. Cat cafes, mondo condominiums, relentless cultural bleaching and all its ramifications – all…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Ubiquitous Brow

Mexic-Arte’s make-your-own felt eyebrow table urges visitors with a sign, “Don’t forget about Frida’s iconic unibrow!” But, how could they? Lately Frida Kahlo’s face and by extension her art have had a pervasive presence around Austin: at Mexic-Arte’s “Diego y Frida” exhibition, featuring the previously mentioned unibrow station, photographs of the couple, and more than…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Tart Art

Not since the Ecto Cooler hysteria of 1989 has a drink lacked this much chill for your digestive organs like sour beer has, yet playfully tussles with your flavor receptors like a basket of otters. It’s a marketing battle won daily by Austin’s best sour artists, Blue Owl Brewing, whose mainstay beers, Little Boss sour…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Second Downtown

Remember when the Domain promised it would be a second Downtown? Well, Rock Rose at Domain NORTHSIDE fulfills that promise as North Austin’s nightlife hub, boasting two dozen restaurants and bars. Upmarket shopping in the day sets you up for informal fine dining at Bazille, fun and games at the bubbling Yard House, and heavy…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Safe Haven From the Storm

When disaster strikes in Texas, Austin residents have always been there with open arms, but it’s Austin ISD that is the first to open its doors. When Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf, AISD took in hundreds of evacuees – or as staff called them, guests – at campuses and facilities around the district, even finding…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Secret Bowling Alley

Behind the Scholz Garten patio, up the ramp, and behind a nondescript door lives one of the oldest bowling centers in the country. With six lanes and handwritten scorecards – plus antique bowling shoes to borrow if you don’t want to roll in socks – this is a no-frills vintage venue ideal for (beer) league…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Salon

“Everyone here is beyond cool, while making everyone feel like they belong. Plus, they do fantastic hair, even when you bring in action figures for references.” – Tracy Cannon Finalists: Garbo A Salon, Ruiz Salon

by Chronicle Staff

Best Jewelry

“Beautiful jewelry, and I like that she does benefits for different charities and causes.” – Kay Wolking Bratton Finalists: Nina Berenato, Eliza Page

by Chronicle Staff

Best Artisan Food Maker

“There are two kinds of people in this world: those who eat their salted whipped butter with a spoon, and liars.” – Madeline Fening Finalists: Confituras, Salt & Time

by Chronicle Staff

Best New Restaurant

“Every bowl is like a warm hug from your mama telling you life is going to go your way.” – Kelsie Laing Finalists: Bonhomie, Eldorado Cafe, Holy Roller

by Chronicle Staff

Best Local Podcast

“The best way to get all the latest news on cinema and current events, presented in such a refreshingly irreverent manner.” – Jonathan Youse Finalists: CobraCast With Bobby Sherman, Those Damn Comic Book Guys

by Chronicle Staff

Best Gym

“Hands down the best deal in Austin – you get a membership to their awesome bouldering gym and access to yoga/fitness classes, PLUS an insanely stacked CrossFit style workout facility.” – Courtney Rhodes Finalists: Dane’s Body Shop, Onnit Gym, Transform Fitness

by Chronicle Staff

Best Kid’s Clothing

“This place has provided so many great deals as we watch our little one grow out of clothing.” – Byron French Finalists: Kid to Kid, SparkleKids Upscale Resale

by Chronicle Staff

Best Peeper Keeper

You know who you are, those of you who cobble your eyeglasses together with tape and chewing gum whenever they break. For a whole lot less money than the cost of a new pair of frames, a little solder in the right place might just do the trick. Christino is a wizard with these tiny…

by Chronicle Staff

Best One-Stop Bike/Coffee/Clothing Shop

Sometimes you need to fix your fixed gear, but you need your caffeine fix first. Kill two birds at Fast Folks’ cool Eastside shop. And while you’re there, might as well flip through owner Natalie Goforth’s rack of hand-picked vintage clothing for sale and cross one more thing off your to-do list.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Creator of a New Language

Austin fantasy author Robert Stikmanz’s mind is pure art. He was already a noted poet and illustrator when he began conceiving his Hidden Lands of Nod book series in the early Eighties. The world he created became an obsession that led to the creation of Dvarsh. The language and elegant writing system, which visually looks…

by Chronicle Staff

Best ASL Conversation Practice While Eating Crepes

Transcending communication barriers is Crepe Crazy’s bread and butter (aside from their actual bread and butter). The all-deaf staff embodies the inclusive nature of the Deaf community and encourages communication outside of spoken word – no matter your ASL fluency level – evident in the “Point and Ye Shall Receive” sign when you order your…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Tex-Mex With an Attitude

Woe betide the naive customer who falls on the wrong side of Lily, El Caribe’s proprietor and constant presence. Her often brusque demeanor belies a heart of gold, and the care that goes into the delicious food and award-winning salsa is superb. We once witnessed her turn away a party of 25 because they wanted…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Sh!tfaced Skate Night

Whether it’s the BYOB policy, or the DJs’ bumping playlists, the twice-weekly Adult Night at Austin Roller Rink makes those awkward adolescent memories of your birthday skate parties seem a little less cringeworthy. Now that you’re of legal age and an adult with stressful responsibilities/unresolved teen angst/etc., celebrate making it through hump day or sweat…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Sitting Down to Stand Up for Immigrants’ Rights

Until May, many of us had only read about sit-ins in our history books in the chapter on the Civil Rights movement. But this summer local advocates – including District 4 Council Member Greg Casar, Rev. Jim Rigby, NARAL’s Heather Busby, and ACC Trustee Julie Ann Nitsch, among many others – plopped down defiantly in…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Soccer Team

Pflugerville’s Hendrickson Hawks won the 6A high school state championship in May – the first state title ever for their school in any sport. And while six of the eight seniors on last season’s roster graduated to college programs, the cupboard is hardly bare. The Hawks return eight all-district picks, including Centex player of the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Auto Repair/Service

“Groovy always shoots me straight and saves me money. They have had many opportunities to sell me a service that I thought I needed and was prepared to pay for only to find out I really didn’t need it. Who does that? Honest mechanics.” – Steve Smith Finalists: Juke Auto, Yost Automotive

by Chronicle Staff

Best Spa

“I always leave feeling like I’m walking on a cloud.” – Marisa Jaffee Finalists: Garbo A Salon, Viva Day Spa

by Chronicle Staff

Best Men’s Clothing

“I like Stag. Someday I’ll be able to afford to shop there, and I won’t have to pull the ol’ ‘Oh my god, that man just set himself on fire!’ routine. I’m not nearly as fleet of foot as I used to be.” – Noah Stray Finalists: Capra & Cavelli, Service Menswear

by Chronicle Staff

Best Graphic Artist

“Tim’s visuals are a deeply saturated dive into the fantastical otherworld I wish I inhabited.” – Abriel Young Finalists: Billie Buck, Lauren Dickens, Gary Dorsey, Chris Rogge

by Chronicle Staff

Best Barbecue

“In our house, we call a trip to Franklin ‘tailgating for meat.’” – Lauren Cunningham Finalists: La Barbecue, Salt Lick, Stiles Switch

by Chronicle Staff

Best Noodles/Ramen

“My child was conceived after ramen at Ramen Tatsu-Ya, then sustained on tonkotsu for nine months. Now he is 4 and won’t eat his ramen at any other establishment. He loves his tsukemen!” – Sara Quirk Finalists: Michi Ramen, Daruma Ramen

by Chronicle Staff

Best Jukebox

“Amazing quality, variety, and rotation. Obviously curated well by a voracious music lover.” – LuCretia Sisk Finalists: Deep Eddy Cabaret, Lala’s Little Nugget, The Parlor

by Chronicle Staff

Best Local YouTuber

“Adriene is the bomb! Hangover Yoga has saved my ass more than once. Namaste, lovely lady.” – Clint McCreery Finalists: Double Toasted, See the Stars Ablaze

by Chronicle Staff

Best Personal Trainer

“Erica will work your bod hard and give you a big ol’ dose of body positivity! Erica genuinely loves all bodies and will get you loving yours too!” – Lauren Laing Finalists: Joshua Balok, Jeremy Robinson

by Chronicle Staff

Best Kids’ Rec Program

“Rock & roll parties to mystery dinner theatres to the Olympics – young people are being engaged in unique, intentional, and inclusive ways at Spilled Milk Social Club.” – Jackie Buchan Finalists: Life Ki-do Martial Arts, Soccer Shots

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Become a Unicorn

In a world where hair every shade of the rainbow is becoming more common, salons with true talent for color are more vital than ever. If you want your hair silver, green, purple, blue, or any hue in between, go to Benjamin Beau Salon. After a friendly consultation, they will go about making all your…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place for Your Keyhole

Your front door. It’s the first part of your house you face when you’re coming home, and the last thing you touch when you’re leaving. Your door defines your house, and you’ll always want something a little unique. Luckily, Door Outlet’s massive warehouse of new, custom, and surplus doors has every design imaginable, from French…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Cult Compound

Members of the psychedelic rock outfit Sun Machine and visual artist Fez Moreno took over an abandoned house of worship last February and it quickly became one of Austin’s most intriguing underground venues. The Electric Church, where bands play drenched in liquid light show projections, stacks local and regional talent several nights a week as…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Bach on Tap

Lately, more classical music is being heard in Austin the way it was meant to be: with beer! Beerthoven, Revel, and LOLA (Local Opera, Local Artists) have all launched Bach-to-bock concert series in taprooms and beer halls, and thanks to the support of 4th Tap Brewing Co-op’s John and Erin Stecker and Lazarus Brewing Company’s…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Way to Start Your Cheat Day

After a long week of no carbs, or all carbs, or only bacon, or whatever sadistic regimen you put yourself through to “stay healthy,” S-H is the place to go and start actually enjoying your life. Not only do they have fluffy, perfectly sweetened donuts in every variety, but top-notch kolaches, croissants (we recommend the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Song Jackpot

When the White Horse opened in 2011, the Eastside dance hall swiftly evolved into a central clubhouse for Austin’s singer-songwriter, country, folk, and honky-tonk communities. Word gets around fast, and once the White Horse vaulted onto every when-in-Austin bucket list for tourists, the best songwriters in town moved their hang to sister business the Hard…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Twitter Account Run by a Public Official

@Sometimes it #doesn’t #matter what you say, but #howyou say it. Austin Fire Chief #RhodaMaeKerr (known on Twitter as @ChiefKerr) may not be an expert in manufacturing meme-orabilia, and doesn’t tweet often enough to satisfy our cravings. But her @devil-may-care disregard for the medium’s norms always gives us a tickle. Being a fire chief demands…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Stairway to Heaveny Breathing

We’d like to think we’re above a good rock pun, but it’s hard to resist when the setup is this solid. Although a classic rock song can also get your blood pumping, there isn’t anything quite like climbing rocky stairs at the River Place Nature Trail. The 1,040-foot elevation gain is shaded by trees for…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Barber Shop

“Beer in hand. Hair on fleek. Thanks, Birds!” – Colin Recko Finalists: Finley’s Barber Shop, SHED Barber and Supply

by Chronicle Staff

Best Improv Troupe

“Master Pancake ruins movies I thought I liked and makes bad movies enjoyable. It’s a gift, really.” – Morgan Hancock Finalists: Knuckleball Now, Loverboy, Parallelogramophonograph

by Chronicle Staff

Best Breakfast

“Two-dollar mimosas and vegan scramble with pancakes and corn tortillas, and maybe chocolate cake too! All plants!” – Kaitlin Livingston Finalists: Bouldin Creek Cafe, Magnolia Cafe, Snooze, Tacodeli

by Chronicle Staff

Best Pastry Chef

“I cried when I ate the white chocolate semifreddo special. Actual tears.” – Carrie Fussell Finalists: Abby Love (Dai Due), Sarah Prieto (Barley Swine), Callie Speer (Holy Roller)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Karaoke

“You can rent a private room with your buds so you don’t publicly embarrass yourself.” – Sarah Ly Finalists: Common Interest, Ego’s

by Chronicle Staff

Best Nonprofit/Grassroots Organization

“Incredible people sheltering incredible pets. Their response to Hurricane Harvey was so heroic. They never cease to amaze me with their commitment to animals in need.” – Elizabeth Hardy Finalists: Foundation Communities, Urban Roots

by Chronicle Staff

Best Park

“The dog loves it, and that’s what matters most.” – Zak Sobieralski Finalists: Mueller Lake Park, Pease Park

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Say Goodbye to Your Furry Friends

There’s no hole in your heart quite like that left when losing a pet. Austin Pet Memorial Center’s dedicated crematorium staff treats you and your four-legged friend with compassion and care for when these times call. Available 24/7 (because death does not keep business hours), they can bear your furry pal away for you, or…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Get All Oiled Up

It’s like walking into a well-stocked library of oils and vinegars there in three different locations around town, and the helpful staff at any one of the tastefully appointed venues owned by Organizzazione Nazionale Assaggiatori Olio di Oliva-certified Jeff and Tabatha Conarko will provide you with inspiration – and the requisite fluids, whether herbally enhanced,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Face in the Crowd

Somewhere on his hard drive Sandy Carson has a picture of you. The Scotland-raised, Austin-based photographer spent the last decade turning his lens toward the audience at concerts. His debut hardcover, We Were There, captures front-row fiends, mosh pit daredevils, screaming sing-alongers, transfixed fans, human scaffolding for crowd-surfers, and confused parents in moments loaded with…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Biscuit Bliss

The new standard-bearer for the historic Green Pastures space, Mattie’s dishes out a buttermilk biscuit that satisfies every quadrant: crunchy and flaky on the outside, fluffy and warm on the inside, and dancing the line between salty and sweet. Take a bite and squint. It’s easy to imagine the original owner of the property, Martha…

by Chronicle Staff

Coziest Little Ramen Spot

On a mischievous night on Sixth Street, you may pass Daruma, an intimate, unadorned ramen haven sandwiched between Sabine and Red River. Go inside. Offering respite from the exhausting pace of the outside world as well as a blissful assault on the nostrils, this restaurant puts the nearby pizzerias and overpriced Tex-Mex to shame. A…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Style Inspo for a No-FOMO Night Out

Kaidon Ho styles herself and others in outfits that will have you looking at the clothes you already own in a brand-new way and considering purchases you never knew you needed. Her creative, built-up silhouettes can be re-created by mixing pieces found in most wardrobes, and, wow, you’ve underestimated the versatility of a cowboy hat…

by Chronicle Staff

Better Late Than Nevers

It took 25 years and two new district attorneys, but Fran and Dan Keller – the Oak Hill daycare providers swept up in the satanic ritual abuse craze of the late Eighties and early Nineties and sentenced to 48 years in prison for a sexual assault that never happened – have finally been exonerated. D.A.…

by Chronicle Staff

Most “Accio Awesome” Cupholder

Though Austin boasts many Quidditch teams, Texas Cavalry rose as the city’s pride and joy when it won the U.S. Quidditch Cup 10 this past April. While you don’t necessarily need to know anything about this Harry Potter-inspired sport – just imagine a mixture of rugby and basketball, with broomsticks – to appreciate a Texas…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Bike Shop/Repair

“Unsurpassed Austin friendliness and service, great selection, consistent quality.” – Stephen Torrence Finalists: Clown Dog Bikes, The Peddler

by Chronicle Staff

Best Tattoo

“Great artists, good atmosphere, wonderful professionalism.” – Joey Edwards Finalists: Southside Tattoos, True Blue Tattoo

by Chronicle Staff

Best Pet Store

“Best place for pets in town!! Get ’em clean, get ’em fed the best food, get ’em toys, get ’em treats – and all with superb service and a smile.” – Selena Caldera Finalists: Bark ‘n Purr, Healthy Pet

by Chronicle Staff

Best Local App

“First place I check when I’m planning my anything from ‘where kids eat free’ to my next weekend adventure.” – Danette Castaneda Finalists: Favor, RideAustin

by Chronicle Staff

Best Brewery

“Beautiful space, amazing owners, and killer beer!” – Jenn Hatch Finalists: ABGB, Hops & Grain, Jester King

by Chronicle Staff

Best Patio

“Like three generations in my family have chosen Spider House as the favorite place to get coffee and sit around like a lazy bum.” – Courtland Jones Finalists: Contigo, El Alma, Perla’s

by Chronicle Staff

Best Party Place

“Fun for the whole family of all ages.” – Enrique Escalante Finalists: Catch Air, Playland Skate Center, Quiet Events, The Thinkery

by Chronicle Staff

Best Scrub for Your Motor Tub

Surely, your car hasn’t looked this spiffy since it first drove off the dealer’s lot. Nice-N-Clean hand-washes and buffs your auto so that nary a smudge remains, and the team there would not have it any other way. It’s a compact place that utilizes every inch of its smallish corner lot, which includes a sweet…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Get Your Stitch Fix

This ain’t your grandma’s chain stitch. Known as the nomads of stitching, Fort Lonesome travels the continent preaching the art of embroidery and offering one-of-a-kind (and one-at-a-time) pieces of art tattooed directly to your clothing item of choice (they also have patches, shirts, and a trucker hat to round out their offerings). The Austin-based brand…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Friend of Austin Musicians

How do you get more than 200 music acts to perform for free? Tell them it benefits HAAM, therefore Austin musicians. The massive annual HAAM Benefit Day is more proof that our city values the arts. With the future of health care coverage ever in a political flux nationally, it’s nice to know the nonprofit…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Bourbon Cocktail Named After a Patron

A regular at the bar at the beloved SoCo Italian restaurant Vespaio, renowned guitarist David Pulkingham, off the road from touring, would often order a Boulevardier. But as his tastes changed, the guitarist put on the mixologist’s hat and requested modifications, subbing in Cappelletti, Knob Creek, Carpano Antica Formula, and why not a splash of…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Scenic Setting for Meat Sweats and Whiskey

This Dripping Springs-based locale is a prime place to breathe in Hill Country fresh air while strong notes of apple cider vinegar-basted briskets waft from the smoker. Kick back under the lovely old oak trees and sip Red-Handed Bourbon cocktails before indulging in brisket rillette from the on-site Ghost Hill restaurant. It’s worth the drive,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Substitute for an Actual Lesbian Bar

Ask the nearest queer person where the best lesbian bar is in Austin, and you’ll get a seemingly endless stream of “R.I.P.” statements about days gone by. Enter Where the Girls Go, a collective of queer promoters and DJs who, two years ago, started the roving Guerrilla Queer Bar, a “trans-positive, all-gender-inclusive, anti-isms/ists, pro-makeout affair”…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Creative Acts of Resistance

In the age of Trump, the resistance is not just strong but damn creative. In July, more than a dozen teenage girls celebrating their Quinceañera showed up to the Capitol in colorful ball gowns and dancing shoes, but they didn’t come to party – they came to protest. Organized by Latino-powered activist group Jolt, the…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Namas-whaaaa??

They didn’t invent goat yoga – it started in Oregon (nope, not Brooklyn!) – but GOGA Goat Yoga debuted the concept in Central Texas this fall, partnering with 2 Crazy Goat Ladies of Hamilton, Texas, to enliven Beginners Vinyasa with baby Nigerian Pygmy Dwarf goats that play one-part motivational coach, one-part cuddle buddy. The pop-up…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Veterinarian

“Dr. Holmes is a rock star. She takes such good care of our furry babies!” – Juan Cabrera Finalists: Paz Veterinary, Thrive Affordable Vet Care

by Chronicle Staff

Best Record Store

“The free concerts alone set them apart from their competitors. But the knowledgeable, helpful staff take it to another level.” – Jack Langworthy Finalists: Breakaway Records, End of an Ear

by Chronicle Staff

Best Burger

“Best burger in the world. There’s a reason people wait in line for this food.” – Marty Hand Finalists: Arlo’s, Casino el Camino, P. Terry’s

by Chronicle Staff

Best Pizza

“My family and I have been going to Home Slice for 10 years now and we fall more in love with it each time. From the atmosphere to the waitstaff to the most epic pizza on the planet, Home Slice wins the gold every single time.” – Ruby Ruiz Finalists: Pinthouse Pizza, Via 313

by Chronicle Staff

Best LGBTQ Club

“Tamara and Maggie are truly invested in the community. They have cultivated and sustained a critical refuge for and with us queermos!” – Cowboi Dukes Finalists: Oilcan Harry’s, Rain on 4th

by Chronicle Staff

Best Publication

“‘The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate.’ Delete your goddamn Facebook account now.” – Seth Johnson Finalists: Austin Monitor, Peach Fuzz, Texas Tribune

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Tube

“Nothing beats a Saturday spent riding down the Comal with a beer tube.” – Brian Ontiveros-Kersch Finalists: Don’s Fish Camp, San Marcos Lions Club Tube Rental

by Chronicle Staff

Best Toy Store

“Terra Toys has the most knowledgeable staff on all things bubbles and fun.” – Melissa Green Finalists: Anna’s Toy Depot, Over the Rainbow, Toy Joy

by Chronicle Staff

Una

A woman confronts an older ex-lover with devastating results

by Marc Savlov

Best Space Is the Place

They say it ’cause it’s true: Practice makes perfect. Whether you’re looking to rehearse, record, or mix your soon-to-be smash hit, the Space is the place. Clean rooms, cool staff, and reasonable rates attract all the South Austin shredders. Endorsed by the Black Angels; what else do you need?

by Chronicle Staff

Best Place to Pick up a Philodendron for Your Favorite Person

On the hunt for something small to make the day of someone special? Candice Bertalan’s snug Chicon shop specializes in potted succulents and other petite treats ideal for gifting – soy candles, dangly earrings, a feminist tote or two. More of a window shopper? The store’s Instagram (@the.fox.den) will have you dreaming of a cactus to…

by Chronicle Staff

Best High-dea

“I’d taken a break from the herb, and when I went back to it, I would get so high that I didn’t want to do anything else,” explained Sword axe-grinder Kyle Shutt this summer. “It was during one of those moments that somebody went, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be great to do a heavy version of…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Cocktail for Maximum Summer Chill in All Seasons

Sure, in less cruel climes, the temperature is dropping, but in Austin, it’s still hot AF in the fall. To keep us cool and carefree, we look no further than the sweet, pink, slushy frosé concocted by Hotel San José bar manager Breezy Mayo. Enjoy it poolside or in the ultra-hip lounge: This frozen cocktail’s…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Ubiquitous, Umamiest Instagram Shot

Nowadays, with ATX restaurants making national best-of lists on the regular, we’re not behind the curve, we are the curve. And that’s great. But every once in a while we put aside all pretense of cool and go collectively apeshit about some California import (lookin’ at you, In-N-Out), and that was the case when sushi…

by Chronicle Staff

Smallest Square Footage for a Night on the Town

The best date nights unfurl in three acts: Dinner. Entertainment. Drinks. At the Vortex compound, you can knock out all three without ever moving your car. Beloved on-site food trailer Patrizi’s will have you stealing bites from your sweetheart’s plate of cacio e pepe. Mere steps away, settle in at the tiny but potent Vortex…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Devoted Pen Pal

You know you live in a progressive city when your mayor epically shuts down a sexist jerk with some witty and acerbic wordsmithing. In May, Mayor Steve Adler received a misogynistic letter criticizing Alamo Drafthouse’s all-women screening of superhero flick Wonder Woman. But he didn’t just file it under the Asshole Folder and forget about…

by Chronicle Staff

Best “My Other Baby Is a Bunny” Resource

In addition to being endearing and affectionate companions, house rabbits also make exceptional pets to teach your kids how to become responsible caretakers. This nonprofit, run completely by volunteers, has at any given time more than 100 furry friends that need loving homes. With names like Jasper, Wozzy, and Bun-oncé, you’re sure to find the…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Dog Trainer

“Rachel is a loving and caring individual and takes the art of training seriously. She also makes it look incredibly fun.” – Zahmar Rounds Finalists: Best Dating Service: OnSpeedDating.com, Best Skating Club: Hill Country Inline Club, Best Travel Agency: Excellent Escapes Travel

by Chronicle Staff

Best Smoke Shop

“Planet K has probably the coolest selection of water pipes that I have ever seen. Staff is friendly and also educational. Great place for first-time buyers.” – Celia Massey Finalists: Happy Clouds, Oat Willie’s, Smoke ATX

by Chronicle Staff

Best Movie Theatre

“There is no competition. If you pick anything besides the Drafthouse, you’re probably from Dallas.” – Ashley Steele Finalists: AFS Cinema, Moviehouse & Eatery, Violet Crown Cinema

by Chronicle Staff

Best Cheap Date

“I get laid 100% of the time when I take guys on dates here.” – Matt Holder Finalists: The Hideout Theatre & Coffeehouse, P. Terry’s

by Chronicle Staff

Best Service

“Truly the gold standard for warm, welcoming hospitality in Austin.” – Skyler Ring Finalists: Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, Uchi, Uchiko, Waterloo Ice House

by Chronicle Staff

Best Radio Show

“Texas Standard just might be the last bit of sanity in the world of journalism.” – Daniel Conejo Finalists: The Breaks (KUTX), Dudley and Bob with Matt (KLBJ), The Morning X with Jason and Deb (101X)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Zine/Chapbook

“An artsy nudie mag with fun articles produced by some truly talented young ladies.” – Christine Kirk Finalists: Beth Comics, Free Rent ATX

by Chronicle Staff

Best Way to Keep That Timepiece Ticking

All those cunning devices we use to chart the illusion of sequence in our brief human existence? Those machines are as susceptible to damage and decay as we who own them. Luckily, there’s nary a thwarted chronograph on Earth that can’t be fixed or improved by Raymond Garza, relentlessly tinkering in his second-floor repair shop…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Retail Therapy for Animal Lovers

Not only does Austin’s newest thrift store have a great selection of super-affordable vintage furniture, designer fashions, and pet supplies, but 100% of proceeds go toward APA!’s mission of saving animals’ lives, including recent hurricane survivors. The shop dog, Sweets, told us a south location is coming soon – another reason to wag our tails.

by Chronicle Staff

Best Local Creative Couple With a Discerning Eye

We’ve been enamored of photographers/filmmakers/badass collaborators Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan for quite some time. But with their 2016 short doc “The Send-Off” followed by the brilliant (and globally award-winning) “The Rabbit Hunt,” this duo is creating a body of work that is beautifully devastating in its documenting of rural lives with a careful and…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Comebock Brewery

Twenty-five years after Pierre Celis opened Celis Brewery – and 16 years after its subsequent closure – Austin’s first craft beermaker is back, better and witbier-er than ever. Now under the direction of Pierre’s daughter, Christine Celis, the brewery is not only reviving their legendary Belgian-style Celis White and Celis Pale Bock, but also introducing…

by Chronicle Staff

Tastiest Pickles From a Drummer

You’d think one-third of Golden Arm Trio, so busy whacking brilliant patterns of beat into his drum kit when he’s not already editing videos for fun and profit – you’d think he wouldn’t have time to indulge in fermenting things, too, right? You’d be wrong. Jeremy Bruch’s array of pickled cukes and carrots and okra…

by Chronicle Staff

Best “I Listen to Alex Jones So You Don’t Have to”

The Statesman’s chief political writer has a broad reporting range, and he needed it this year when he became the default InfoWars Correspondent, and the Village Explainer to the nation of Austin’s Braying Demagogue. Faced with a surreal Jones child custody case in which it was impossible to discern the best outcome for the offspring,…

by Chronicle Staff

Most Hostile Takeover by a Highly Invasive Underwater Species

Like the rise of fascism, it’s often tough to spot a zebra mussel colony before it’s too late. The stripe-shelled, filter-feeding organisms have spent the better part of this past decade infiltrating Texas’ lakes, and in June made landfall in Lake Travis. Call in the National Guard! Zebra mussels are known for colonizing quickly and…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Brunch Kids’ Show

Already kid-friendly all week long – dog- and yogi-friendly, too! – the ample outdoor seating at Cherrywood Coffeehouse allows for plenty of space for kids to run around, and the menu offers plenty of all-ages enticing food. But it’s on the weekend that the real childhood spirit emerges. At brunch time every Saturday and Sunday,…

by Chronicle Staff

Best Doggie Day Care

“Our baby girl Harley drags me in, won’t kiss me goodbye, and doesn’t look back because she LOVES the staff and her buddies at Mud Puppies!” – Anna King Finalists: SkyBlue Kennels, Taurus Academy

by Chronicle Staff

Best Adult Store

“It doesn’t matter if I need a fishnet body suit or a slip so my dress isn’t see through, the staff are always soooooooo so helpful and sweet.” – Alexis Alexander Finalists: Dreamers, Q Toys

by Chronicle Staff

Best Muralist

“#TRUTH is an elementary art teacher turned muralist, and the source of hundreds of friendly pink monsters, gigantic sneakers, mustaches, and larger-than-life portraits of people we know and love in Austin, from MLK Jr. to Gary Clark Jr.” – Cabe Lindsay Finalists: Tim Kerr, Wiley Ross

by Chronicle Staff

Best Chef

“He’s Austin’s chef.” – Sarah Duffy Finalists: Bryce Gilmore (Barley Swine, Odd Duck), Philip Speer (Bonhomie, My Name Is Joe Coffee Co.)

by Chronicle Staff

Best Pool Hall

“Bartenders remember you, always friendly, plenty of tables even when league is going on!” – Linda Barr Finalists: The Grand, Warehouse

by Chronicle Staff

Best of Austin 2017

Our ever-evolving language hasn’t yet invented a superlative that betters “best.” Still, every year, putting together our “Best of Austin” issue, we tussle with the word anew. Best to whom? The born-and-bred local, or the brand-new resident? And best when? Best right now, or best always? So we strive to strike a balance: to celebrate…

by Chronicle Staff

Mr. Smarty Pants Knows

When visiting others, Queen Victoria preferred to sleep on the ground floor of a manor in case of fire. Cobra and coral snake venom attacks the nervous system, causing respiratory failure and paralysis. Rattlesnake and cottonmouth venom destroys cell tissue and the cardiovascular system. As a boy, William Shatner used to go onto rooftops to…

by Mr. Smarty Pants

Headlines

Today’s City Council meeting (Nov. 2), convening at 2pm, should be brief – a short agenda, and most contentious questions postponed, because council members have been interviewing candidates to become the next city manager. “Council: Hush, Please … We’re Hiring a City Manager,” Nov. 2. Who’s Voting Early? Through Tuesday a whopping 3.09% of registered…

by Chronicle Staff

Soccer Watch

The Texas Longhorns lost to Baylor, 2-1 in overtime, in the first round of the Big 12 Champ­ion­ships in Kansas City on Wednesday. They ended the regular season at 13-2-2 (5-2-2 Big 12), ranked 14th in the nation, and seemingly a lock for their second NCAA bid under Angela Kelly… Sophomore forward Cyera Hintzen and…

by Nick Barbaro

Blood Brothers

This book does a superb job of capturing the essence of these two great Americans and their shared love of the American West

by Bobby Bridger

What’cha Watchin’?

If you ever dreamed of being Jane Goodall, Chronicle Controller Liz Franklin invites you to take a stroll through PBS’ uncanny valley of robotic animal spies

by Chronicle Staff

Halloween Shooter in Custody

Thirty-eight-year-old Michael McCloskey died of gunshot wounds sustained at a costume party on Sunday. He was the 27th murder victim in Austin this year, one of four people shot at a house on Avenue F around 6am that morning. Police were dispatched to investigate reported gunshots and promptly located the suspect, Randall Gaston Jones, 32,…

by Nina Hernandez

CodeNEXT: Slogging Toward Draft Three

The city’s Zoning and Platting Commission has finalized its official recommendations for draft two of the land development code rewrite. After combing through 71 pages of notes through the course of a six-hour meeting on Monday night, commissioners unanimously passed a 10-page resolution for city staff and code consultants to reference while crafting the third…

by Sarah Marloff

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