The TEXAS MONTHLY Dining Guide is a selective editorial guide to eating establishments in Texas. The Guide covers twelve major cities and a changing number of small cities and towns. Its purpose is to help readers decide whether they would like to eat at a given restaurant.
TYPE OF INFORMATION INCLUDED: A review may discuss and critique any aspect of the overall dining experience, including but not limited to the type of food and the reviewer's opinion of specific dishes; the style and quality of service; the atmosphere and decor (including appearance, whether the restaurant is quiet or noisy, and if it is busy or not); the restaurant's location (including neighborhood or part of town); the quality and style of service; the type of patrons who might be encountered there; typical or appropriate dress; and the cost of eating there.
FREQUENCY OF VISITS: Restaurants are visited at least once every three months. After three months, a restaurant is revisited or rotated out (either temporarily or permanently). New write-ups are designated as Updates. Restaurants that appear under the heading "Small, new, or offbeat" may or may not be put into the regular listings, at the discretion of the reviewer.
PAYMENT FOR VISITS: TEXAS MONTHLY pays for all meals that are consumed for the purpose of reviewing a restaurant. We accept no free food or other gratuities in exchange for a listing.
ADVERTISING: Restaurants are listed at the discretion of the editorial department of TEXAS MONTHLY. We do not list a restaurant in exchange for advertising--past, present, or future. A restaurant review may not be purchased.
WHICH PLACES ARE INCLUDED: In the larger cities, a core group of restaurants is listed in every issue—these are places that the reviewers have visited and determined to be of continuing interest because of their quality, uniqueness, interest to the dining public, and/or value. (The core group differs in size and proportion from city to city and it will inevitably change over time as restaurants change.) Restaurants not in the core group are rotated in and out of the listings, for the purpose of providing readers with a variety of choices. There is not a set schedule for rotation, and restaurants may be in or out for different lengths of time. Chain restaurants are typically not included, but may be from time to time.
FACT CHECKING: Each listed restaurant is called every month to ensure that the magazine has current information on its name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and credit cards accepted.
REVIEWERS: Reviews are written by resident critics in the cities that we list and by members of the TEXAS MONTHLY editorial staff. The identity of the local reviewer or reviewers is kept anonymous to ensure that they receive no special treatment.
SUGGESTIONS FROM READERS: The magazine welcomes tips and suggestions from readers, including advertisers. We cannot guarantee, however, that every restaurant visited will be reviewed. Use our feedback form to send suggestions.