Meat Your Maker

From city to country, fancy to down-home, the state’s 38 best steakhouses. Plus: the Japanese beef that everyone should be eating, our favorite butcher shops, and how to grill a ribeye that even your father-in-law will love.

by Patricia Sharpe

Big Red

John Cornyn won a U.S. Senate seat in 2002 by pledging allegiance to George W. Bush and riding a Republican wave to victory. But neither the president nor the wave is as strong six years later, and Cornyn’s bid for reelection may not be either.

by Paul Burka

The Last Resort

After telecommunications tycoon Steve Smith bought the Big Bend town of Lajitas on a whim for $4.25 million, he spent perhaps $100 million more developing what was going to be a five-star, world-class getaway. The desert, however, had other ideas.

by John Spong

That Championship Season

Long before the BCS, long before anyone thought to publish insider newsletters for boosters, the Aggies were the best college football team in the nation—for the first and only time. The long-gone glory days remembered.

by Stacy Hollister

Everyone’s Poop

Sewerage is the cornerstone of civilization, the sine qua non of urban life, and the best possible window into how we live, what we eat, and who we are.

by Nate Blakeslee

The Best Public Schools

A ranking of 859 elementary, middle, and high schools that really make the grade.

Letter From Houston

Reversal of Fortune

How Houston’s rich got to be the same as you and me—that is, boring.

by Mimi Swartz

Letter from San Antonio

Boom With A View

There’s no stopping the skyrocketing growth of San Antonio—until recently the Land That Time Forgot—and there’s no going back.

by S. C. Gwynne

Behind the Lines

No Niño Left Behind

What part of “demography is destiny” does Texas not get?

by Paul Burka

Sarah Bird

Craigslust

Suburban mom seeks motorcycle jacket.

Topic A

Motion to Dismiss

Sharon Keller must go!

by Michael Hall

The Horse’s Mouth

Fruitcake

Bob McNutt’s sticky truths about fruitcake.

Interview by Katharyn Rodemann

The Cheap Seats

College Try

Does it matter if college athletes graduate?

by Jason Cohen

The Working Life

Chris Klassen

Deejay

As told to David A. Herron

Faith Bases

St. James’ Episcopal Church

Austin.

by William Martin

Minister of Health

GI Woe

The esophagus explained.

by Jim Atkinson

Hollywood, TX

Crude Truth

Paul Thomas Anderson drills a dry hole.

by Christopher Kelly

Street Smarts

Victory Park, Dallas

A Quickie Guide

by Amy Prince

Texas Monthly Talks

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Interview by Evan Smith

Music Review

Atlantic Blues (1949-1970)

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Live From Austin TX

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Patty Griffin: Live From the Artists Den

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Solos, Sessions & Encores

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Pat’s Pick

Dallas Fish Market

Dallas

by Patricia Sharpe

The Filter: Dining

New and Noteworthy

by Patricia Sharpe

Jordan's Pick

Dickens on The Strand

Galveston

by Jordan Breal

The Filter: Events

Out of Sight

Houston

Contributors

Roar of the Crowd

Alpine Mystery Slights

Editor’s Letter

Meat the Press

by Evan Smith

Aaron Allston

The Round Rock author and former video game designer has just penned his ninth Star Wars serialization, Legacy of the Force: Fury.

Interview by Mike Shea

Barry Walker

The curator of The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston discusses the museum’s recent acquisitions, from Jasper Johns to Philip Guston.

Interview by Jordan Breal

Dickens on The Strand

Galveston

by Jordan Breal

Vineyard Cuisine: Meals & Memories from Messina Hof

A review of Vineyard Cuisine: Meals & Memories from Messina Hof.

Reviewed by Hannah Bloch-Wehba

Being There: Meat Market

A slide show of Texas steakhouses captures the state’s love affair with beef.

Lamberts Cookoff Video

Everyone’s Poop: Video

The Last Resort: Video

No Niño Left Behind: Podcast

Craigslust: Podcast

Pan-Seared New England Skate Wing

Recipe from Randy Morgan Executive Chef, Dallas Fish Market.

Grilled Ribeyes With Pomegranate Cream Sauce

Recipe from Canary Cafe chef-owner Mansour Gorji.

Wedge Salad With Blue Cheese Dressing

Recipe from Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Buffalo Gap.

Creamed Corn With Crispy Bread Crumb Topping

Recipe from Strip House, Houston.

Granny Smith Apple Tart

Recipe from Eddie V’s Edgewater Grille, Austin.