How Texas Restaurants Are Innovating to Survive the Pandemic
Chefs and owners have had to adapt quickly and nimbly, with takeout, meal kits, booze to go, and reconfigured dining spaces. Will it be enough to survive?
Patricia Sharpe grew up in Austin and holds a master’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin. After working as a teacher (in English and Spanish) and at the Texas Historical Commission (writing historical markers), she joined the staff of Texas Monthly, in 1974. Initially, she edited the magazine’s cultural and restaurant listings and wrote a consumer feature called Touts. Eventually she focused exclusively on food. Her humorous story “War Fare,” an account of living for 48 hours on military MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat), was included in the anthology Best Food Writing 2002. Many of her stories appear in the 2008 UT Press collection, Texas Monthly on Food. In 2006 her story about being a restaurant critic, titled “Confessions of a Skinny Bitch,” won a James Beard Foundation award for magazine food writing.
Sharpe has contributed to Gourmet, Bon Appétit, Saveur, and the New York Times. She writes a regular restaurant column, Pat’s Pick, for Texas Monthly.
Articles by Patricia Sharpe
As the Pandemic Inflames Old Fears, Texas’s ‘Bat Man’ Urges: Don’t Blame Bats
Merlin Tuttle has spent his career dispelling myths about bats. Now he’s defending them once again.
Five Chefs From Three Cities Make the Final Round for James Beard’s Best Chef: Texas
Anvil Bar & Refuge is still in the running for Outstanding Bar Program. Meanwhile, GQ recognizes two Texas restaurants.
Feeding Those Who Feed Us
Where restaurant and bar employees can get free or discounted meals in Texas cities.
How the San Antonio Restaurant Scene Is Taking Care of Its Own
Chef Jason Dady, down to two restaurants from six, helps feed laid-off hospitality workers almost daily. ”I wake up every morning at seven o’clock, check the news, and go make thirty gallons of soup.”
How to Help Texas Restaurant and Bar Employees During the Pandemic
From foundations like Southern Smoke to national and local charity efforts, here's a list of resources for an industry crippled by the coronavirus.
“Everything Got Ripped Out From Under Us”—How Texas’s Restaurant and Bar Workers Are Coping
A bartender, chef, and owner tell us their stories.
Playing With Fire at Chef Kevin Fink’s Hestia
From the team behind Emmer & Rye, this new Austin restaurant is a work of hearth.
With Its Own New Category, Texas Shines in the James Beard Semifinals
The state has a record 39 contenders in the restaurant industry's biggest awards, including 20 for the debut category of Best Chef: Texas.
Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que Named an American Classic by James Beard Foundation
The 65-year-old Brownsville restaurant specializes in traditional underground pit-smoked cows’ heads.
The Best New Restaurants in Texas for 2020
Where to eat now: At many of the state’s best new restaurants, chefs have turned away from the fusion and eclecticism of recent years to focus on one cuisine (and do it really, really well).
Kindling Texas Kitchen Brings Big-City Flavors to Cibolo
Set in a beguiling bungalow, this meat-centric restaurant makes you feel right at home.
Nixta Takes Tacos to the Next Level
After working at such restaurants as Pujol, in Mexico City, chef Edgar Rico brings his masa talents to East Austin.
At the New Salaryman, Ramen and Yakitori More Than Get the Job Done
After years of successful pop-ups in Dallas, chef Justin Holt opens a spot that's an homage to these two Japanese dishes.
Dine Out and Do Good at These Three Texas Spots
When eating here, you can do far more with your money than enjoy great food and drinks.
MAD in Houston Shoots for the Moon with Both Cuisine and Decor
Almost nothing is as it seems at the new Spanish restaurant from the team behind BCN Taste & Tradition.
The Secret Side of Janis Joplin
Holly George-Warren's biography of the Port Arthur singer covers the drugs and excess, of course. But it also uncovers the hard-working professional hidden behind all the live-hard-die-fast trappings.
Salomé on Main Brings Elevated Mexican Cuisine to McAllen
A revelatory trip four years ago inspired chef Larry Delgado to go back to his roots.
Fort Worth’s Gemelle Showcases Love, Italian Style!
Tim Love's new restaurant takes a break (sort of) from Western cuisine.
The James Beard Awards Recognize Texas Culinary Independence
In the foundation’s prestigious annual honors, the state’s chefs will now compete in a region all their own.
Dallas Is Bon Appétit’s Restaurant City of the Year
The national food magazine honored Big D for the ambition and international diversity of its culinary scene.
‘Bon Appétit’ Names Four Texas Restaurants to Its Annual Top 50 List
Blood Bros. BBQ, Carpenters Hall, Khao Noodle Shop, and Petra and the Beast are among the magazine’s nominees for the best new restaurants of 2019.
Houston’s Indigo Restaurant Is Named One of the World’s Greatest Places
Time magazine adds to the accolades for chef Jonny Rhodes’s celebrated dining experience.
Houston Dream Team Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel Score Again with Squable
Another weird name, another wonderful and inventive menu.
Matt McCallister Comes Back Strong With Homewood in Dallas
The celebrated chef behind FT33 returns with a restaurant that is less about flash and more about flavor.
First Look: Vixen’s Wedding, Which is Unlike Any Restaurant in Austin
Chefs Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher bring their Texas interpretation of Goan cuisine to the new Arrive East Austin Hotel.
The Best of Our Favorite New Texas Restaurants
We've compiled our favorites from the past three years into one handy article.
The World’s Best Chef is a Texan, Proclaims the High-End ‘Robb Report’
Houston's Chris Shepherd didn’t even know he was in the running.
First Look: Tim Love Opens His First Italian Restaurant, Gemelle
The Fort Worth eatery, named in honor of his twin daughters, includes bocce courts and vegetable gardens. You'll also find a Texas twist on Italian classics.
Austin’s Comedor Serves Up Visionary Mexican Cuisine
Chefs Philip Speer, Gabe Erales, and Alan Delgado honor their border roots with a decidedly modern menu at Comedor in Downtown Austin.
Two New Texas Restaurants Honored by ‘Food & Wine’
Austin's Suerte and Houston's Indigo claim two of the ten spots on the national magazine's prestigious list.
Despite the Texas Shutout, There Was Much to Celebrate at the James Beard Awards
Our four chefs walked away empty-handed, yes, but this week's glamorous ceremony continued the trend of honoring more diverse and female finalists.
Pat’s Pick: Everything Translates at Mastrantos in Houston
The risk-taking, globally inspired menu is short, sweet, and a lot of fun.
Houston’s Georgia James and Indigo Make GQ’s List of America’s Best New Restaurants
The Brewer’s Table in Austin also earns an honorable mention in the magazine’s selection of the top spots to open during the last year.
Dallas’s Misti Norris Makes the ‘Food & Wine’ Best New Chef List
The Petra and the Beast chef represents Texas on the prestigious lineup of ten national rising stars.
Well Done! Aaron Franklin Takes on Steak in His New Book
Along with Jordan Mackay, the acclaimed pitmaster writes the definitive guide to steaks, which is out now.
Four of the Five James Beard Finalists for the Best Southwest Chef Are Texans
And yet, after the state’s even more stellar showing in the semifinals, the announcement feels disappointing.
Pat’s Pick: Emma + Ollie, in Fredericksburg, Brings Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
At her newest restaurant, Rebecca Rather turns daytime meals into something special.
Texas Chefs and Restaurants Get Record Number of James Beard Semifinalist Nods
Among the surprises: The Original Ninfa's in Houston makes its first appearance as a contender for Outstanding Restaurant.
Pat’s Pick: San Antonio’s Savor Passes Every Test
Staffed by students at the Culinary Institute of America, this new restaurant impresses our critic—even on opening night.
The James Beard Awards chooses the Texas culinary hotspot for the revealing of its short list of nominees in March.
The Best New Restaurants in Texas for 2019
Where to eat now: The state’s best chefs take eclectic to a whole new level.
French Classic Saint-Emilion Returns to Its Roots
Founded in 1985, this Fort Worth institution goes back to perfecting the bistro basics. Mais oui.
Texas Nabs Three Places on Esquire’s Best New Restaurants List
Who made the cut? Petra and the Beast in Dallas, Nancy’s Hustle in Houston, and Carnitas Lonja in San Antonio.
Ford Fry Doubles Down in Houston With La Lucha and Superica
With his two new restaurants, both in the same building, the acclaimed Atlanta chef continues what he started with State of Grace.
Culinary Risks Pay Off at Rosewood in East Austin
Chef Jesse DeLeon has created a decidedly modern menu in an 1890 Victorian house.
Feast Around the World: Ingredient Spotlight
Learn more about five of the not-so-traditional ingredients used in our chefs' globally inspired recipes.
Feast Around the World: Hunting and Gathering
Chef Steve McHugh, of San Antonio’s Cured, creates a through line from Wisconsin to Louisiana to Texas with a meal built around roast duck, grapefruit, and chile pequins.
Feast Around the World: Peruvian Party
Austin chef Maribel Rivero, of Yuyo, creates a celebratory feast inspired by the highly acclaimed cuisine of Peru.
Feast Around the World: Tandoori and Beyond
Chef Kiran Verma, of Kiran's, started a Houston Thanksgiving tradition years ago for many customers with her tandoori turkey and Indian trimmings.