Best Thing in Texas
December 11, 2023
The Best Things in Texas, 2024
For every grifter or demagogue who stunk up the state last year, a thousand Texans strove for greatness.
455 Articles
Art
May 17, 2023
Texas Monthly’s Art Department Is Recognized by Two Esteemed National Organizations
Among the honors Texas Monthly received was a nomination in the Society of Publication Designers’ prestigious Brand of the Year category.
The Stand Up Desk
February 15, 2023
Roar of the Crowd: March 2023
Reader letters published in our March 2023 issue.
Dining Guide
August 15, 2022
Smoked Sirloin, Tomato Pie, and a “Ham Plate”: What Our Restaurant Critics Ate This Month
We review dozens of restaurants each month. Here’s a peek at what’s new.
The Stand Up Desk
July 30, 2022
July 2022 Reader Quiz: What Did You Learn?
A Texas Monthly reader quiz, based on all the stories in our July 2022 issue.
Politics & Policy
May 19, 2022
2022 Primary Runoffs
Your guide to the 2022 Texas primary runoff elections.
Travel & Outdoors
April 14, 2022
Relax Already! A Guide to What’s New at Texas Spas
Salt caves! Sensory deprivation chambers! A massage in a sky loft! Far-flung destinations! Open up and say spaaahhh.
Music
April 8, 2022
TM Recommends: A Tamale-Making Class From One of the Greats
Plus: swing by an Austin jazz festival, then listen to a record dedicated to a SpongeBob SquarePants character on your way home.
The Stand Up Desk
March 26, 2022
What Did You Learn From Our March 2022 Issue? Let’s Find Out.
Latest reader quiz from Texas Monthly: Where to Eat Now, MFAH and more.
Politics & Policy
March 2, 2022
Results: Texas Primary Election 2022
Greg Abbott wins the GOP nomination outright, Ken Paxton is heading to a runoff against George P. Bush, and democratic socialists running for U.S. House have a good night.
Politics & Policy
December 29, 2021
Stories We Wish We’d Published This Year
There was a lot of great coverage of happenings in Texas this year. Our staff selected its favorite stories.
Best Thing in Texas
December 14, 2021
The Best Things in Texas, 2022
2021 may not have been the best of times, but thanks to countless kindly Texans, it didn’t always feel like the worst either.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2021
The Best Things in Texas 2022: Heroes of the Deep Freeze and Blackout
Last February’s deep freeze and the blackout that followed were brutal. But without the selfless actions of countless Texans, the situation could have been much worse.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2021
The Best Things in Texas 2022: Tom McCasland
Houston housing director Tom McCasland bravely spoke out against suspicious city hall deals—and paid the price.
Music
December 14, 2021
The Best Things in Texas 2022: Megan Thee Stallion
The rapper and freshly minted Texas Southern University graduate lassoed up trophies and brand deals and gave plenty of Houston shout-outs.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2021
The 2022 Bum Steer Awards
A year ago, in this very space, we referred to 2020 as “perhaps the craziest, stupidest, Bum Steeriest year in Texas Monthly’s history.” The unspoken assumption—or perhaps it was a desperate wish—was that 2021 would prove to be at least marginally saner than that misbegotten election year. And how
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2021
Bum Steer Awards 2022: 25 Texans Who Invaded Washington, D.C.
An A-to-Z list of 25 Lone Star State residents who disgraced themselves last January 6.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2021
2022 Bum Steer of the Year Runner-up: Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz had a very, very, very bad year. Maybe he’ll blame it on his daughters.
Politics & Policy
December 14, 2021
2022 Bum Steer of the Year: Greg Abbott
Six years after he became governor, we still don’t know what Greg Abbott wants to accomplish—except, as this year made clear, to hold on to office, no matter how many Texans get hurt.
News & Politics
November 17, 2021
What Did You Learn From Our November 2021 Issue? Let’s Find Out.
It’s that time again, subscribers! Ready to play your monthly quiz?
Books
November 9, 2021
Announcing Our New Book, ‘Being Texan’
The book for anyone who has ever felt the lure of the Lone Star State, already loves it, or simply wants to make sense of the place.
BBQ
October 18, 2021
Our 50 BBQ Honorable Mentions
Yes, there are at least 100 very good barbecue joints in Texas.
BBQ
October 18, 2021
The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition
There's a new generation of pitmasters in Texas, and many of them aren't satisfied with simply doing things the same old way. (Though fear not, staunch traditionalists: plenty of them are.)
BBQ
October 18, 2021
Tales From the BBQ Trail
A funny thing happened on the way to the barbecue joint . . .
Made in Texas
October 15, 2021
Go Into the Shop with Wimberley Woodworker Philip Morley
The craftsman known for his stereo consoles and other custom pieces takes us into his studio.
Sports
October 14, 2021
The Best Public Golf Courses in Texas
These courses are beautiful, fun for all skill levels, and are available to play at a great value. Fairways and greens!
News & Politics
October 13, 2021
What Did You Learn From Our October 2021 Issue? Let’s Find Out.
Test your knowledge of Texas Monthly's October 2021 issue. El Paso travel guide, Texas State fair & more.
Music
October 11, 2021
Tales From ACL Fest: Miley Cyrus’s Janis Joplin Cover and Charley Crockett’s Insane Whataburger Order
The first full-fledged ACL Fest since the start of the pandemic is a wrap. ‘Texas Monthly’ recalls Megan Thee Stallion’s twerk-team auditions and other highlights.
Music
September 27, 2021
TM Recommends: 2021 Austin City Limits Music Festival Edition
Two-step with Strait, twerk with Megan, and don’t miss these six other acts during the first two weekends in October.
State of Mind
August 4, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 8: Useful Wild Plants
Two Austinites have made it their life’s work to document uses for every wild plant in Texas—a project they say could save humanity.
State of Mind
July 28, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 7: Finding Home in El Paso
Katie Nodjimbadem on how she was shaped by her family's unlikely choice to make a home in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Sports
July 23, 2021
Eleven Texans to Watch in Tokyo
These Olympians are worth the midnight coffee.
State of Mind
July 21, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 6: Planting Wildflowers in a Pandemic
The poet and performer Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton on risking new connections with nature during a year of tragedy.
State of Mind
July 14, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 5: G-L-O-R-I-A
Mike Hall tells the story of closing down the legendary Austin club Liberty Lunch in 1999 with a 24-hour performance of Van Morrison’s “Gloria.”
State of Mind
July 7, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 4: Life, in Dog Years
Mimi Swartz remembers her days caring for her father, and the dogs who took care of them both.
State of Mind
June 30, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 3: A Life Surrounded by Vinyl
DJ El Dusty traces the origins of the record collection that gave him his signature sound and is helping to shape the music of his hometown of Corpus Christi.
State of Mind
June 23, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 2: O Sister, Where Art Thou?
Skip Hollandsworth tells the story of tracking down the Goree All Girl String Band, who became national radio sensations in the 1940s before suddenly disappearing.
The Stand Up Desk
June 23, 2021
Roar of the Crowd: July 2021
Reader letters published in our July 2021 issue.
State of Mind
June 17, 2021
State of Mind, Episode 1: The Lion Tamer
On the debut episode of ‘State of Mind,’ associate editor Cat Cardenas tells the sometimes-magical story of her grandfather and how he built a life in Texas.
Dining Guide
June 10, 2021
Dining Guide: Highlights From Our June 2021 Issue
What to order for takeout at restaurants around the state, plus some pro tips.
State of Mind
June 7, 2021
Announcing Our New Podcast, ‘State of Mind’
Executive editor Katy Vine presents stories about life in the Lone Star State, from new voices and ones you might recognize.
Books
June 3, 2021
How Poet and Guggenheim Fellow Roberto Tejada Experiences the World
The University of Houston professor walks us through his process and his award-winning poem ‘Carbonate of Copper.’
Where to Stay Now
May 21, 2021
Texas Monthly Recommends: A Rustic Retreat in Wimberley
Plus, a psych-rock album and the pleasures of homegrown tomatoes.
The Stand Up Desk
May 7, 2021
Texas Monthly Celebrates Latest Awards and Nominations
This week the magazine earned five National Magazine Award nominations and won nine City and Regional Magazine Awards.
Art
May 7, 2021
TM Recommends: See Modern Art (and Eat Delicious Food) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Plus: a nine-year-old Texan steals the show in ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ and a podcast revisits the 2003 backlash against the Chicks.
Film & TV
May 3, 2021
HBO Max Orders ‘Love & Death’ TV Series Inspired by Texas Monthly Articles
The limited series, from Lionsgate Television, will star Elizabeth Olsen and be written by David E. Kelley.
Travel & Outdoors
April 15, 2021
On the Road Again!
Call it a collective case of cabin fever. Over a year into the coronavirus pandemic, with more and more of us vaccinated, we Texans are ready to get out—out of our homes and, yes, even out of our beloved state. The open highway beckons with the promise of socially distant
The Stand Up Desk
March 29, 2021
Community Guidelines
We welcome your respectful thoughts, concerns, questions, and anecdotes, but ask that you keep conversations civil and productive on our site.
Arts & Entertainment
March 19, 2021
Texas Monthly Recommends: Volunteering at a COVID-19 Vaccination Site
It's an uplifting experience. Plus: a new book by photographer Rahim Fortune and performances by two top Texas drag queens.
Books
March 5, 2021
Texas Monthly Recommends: An Old-fashioned General Store in Houston
Plus: a coming-of-age novel set in El Paso and new music from Post Malone and Black Pumas.