The Checklist
A look at what to read, hear, and watch this month in order to achieve maximum Texas cultural literacy.
Articles by Texas Monthly
Best Tacos: El Paso
Potato and Egg, H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop Type: Breakfast Rating: 5 Price: $4.99/plate Put aside the fact that H&H is…
Best Tacos: Bryan–College Station
Barbacoa, Garpez Authentic Mexican Food Type: Classic Mexican Rating: 4 Price: $2.50 At first glance, you’d think the main attraction of this Shell…
Best Tacos: Austin
Lengua, La Posada Type: Classic Mexican Rating: 4.75 Price: $2.80 La Posada is hidden between a liquor store and an insurance agency—blink and…
Best Tacos: Lubbock
Carne Asada, Cancún Type: Classic Mexican Rating: 4 Price: $8.59/plate Somehow mini-tacos make you feel as if you haven’t blown your diet. Cradled…
Best Tacos: Rio Grande Valley
Chilaquiles, Anita’s Cafe Type: Breakfast Rating: 4.25 Price: $1.79 Watching the tortilla lady at work in this little place, with its cheery rooster-themed decor, you feel like a guest in someone’s home. Best…
Best Tacos: Fort Worth
Brisket, Mi Cocula Mexican Grill Type: Modern American Rating: 4.5 Price: $12/plate At this hidden shopping-center gem, tender shreds of smoked beef…
Best Tacos: Galveston
Pork, Mercadito y Taqueria Type: Classic Mexican Rating: 4.5 Price: $2.29 The cheery, bare-bones joint won’t win awards for decor—it’s a grocery…
Best Tacos: San Antonio and Surroundings
Avocado Puffy Taco, Ray’s Drive Inn Type: Puffy Rating: 5 Price: $2.15 Flour or corn? Red or green salsa? Ray’s or Henry’s?…
Best Tacos: Midland-Odessa
Al Pastor, Taqueria Guadalajara Type: Classic Mexican Rating: 4.25 Price: $2 At this American Graffiti–meets–Mexico joint, the baskets of cinnamon-and-achiote-spiked tacos al pastor are even better with a dash of chile de árbol salsa. (Your…
Best Tacos: Amarillo
Al Pastor, El Tejavan Type: Classic Mexican Rating: 4.75 Price: $8.99/platter Here in cattle country, it’s beef—not pork—that’s cooked al pastor. The well-marinated steak is elevated by simple cilantro, onions, and freshly made corn…
Best Tacos: Laredo
Papas con Huevo, Fonda Don Martin Type: Breakfast Rating: 4 Price: $2.49…
The Checklist
A look at what to hear, read, watch, and see this month in order to achieve maximum Texas cultural literacy.
Drink Like a Texan
Texans are a thirsty bunch, and our drinks package has everything you need to imbibe like Sam Houston's watching.
Six Must-Attend Events: July 10-16
The state’s top offerings, from Dirk Nowitzki’s big-screen debut in Dallas to an irresistible explosion of musical genres in Austin.
Six Must-Attend Events: July 3-9
The state’s top offerings for the July 4th weekend, from Willie’s picnic in Austin to Billy Bob’s own version in Fort Worth.
Six Must-Attend Events: June 26-July 3
The state’s top offerings, from the fortieth anniversary of Jaws in New Braunfels to thirty years of Shakespeare in Kilgore.
Six Must-Attend Events: June 19-25
The state’s top offerings, from the most famous Wild West bull-dogger in Taylor to all things tequila in Galveston.
Six Must-Attend Events: June 12-18
The state’s top offerings, from hip-hop activism in Austin and Dallas to ice cream dreams in McKinney.
Six Must-Attend Events: June 5-11
The state’s top offerings, from a showcase of extreme sports in Austin to a whole bunch of hell-raising in El Paso.
Six Must-Attend Events: May 29-June 4
The state’s top offerings, from underwater Nirvana outtakes in Austin to thundering herds of buffalo in Canyon.
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Six Must-Attend Events: May 22-28
The state’s top offerings, from the finest beard known to man in Houston to wall-to-wall kolaches in Ennis.
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Six Must-Attend Events: May 15-21
The state’s top offerings, from pastoral spaceships in Fort Worth to gone-too-soon musical tributes in Austin.
Six Must-Attend Events: May 8-14
The state’s top offerings, from a higher plane at the Levitation music fest in Austin to accordion wizardry in San Antonio.
Six Must-Attend Events: May 1-7
The state’s top offerings, from full-contact football choreography in Dallas to farm-to-table fun in Niederwald.
Six Must-Attend Events: April 24-May 1
The state’s top offerings, from the king of barbecue in Austin to the kings and queens of opera in Fort Worth.
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Six Must-Attend Events: April 17-23
The state’s top offerings, from 277 craft beers on the wall to country music’s big night.
Six Must-Attend Events: April 10-16
The state's top offerings, from the most artful of autos in Houston to every reader's paradise in San Antonio.
Six Must-Attend Events: April 3-9
The state’s top offerings, from celebrating small towns through film to celebrating spring with a good old-fashioned hoedown.
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Six Must-Attend Events: March 27-April 2
The state’s top offerings, from Willie and Merle in New Braunfels to the wild, wild West in San Antonio
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Welcome to Texas!
Every day more than a thousand people move to the Lone Star State. Lucky enough to be a new arrival? This crash course will get you thinking, eating, and talking like a native in no time. (Lucky enough to already be a native? You’ll be reminded of all the reasons to gloat.)
Where to Go First
Few things make Texans happier than a full tank of gas and an open highway. You’ve got a lot of ground to cover, but I propose you start with these four trips, each originating at Brady, the geographic center of Texas. You’ll be saying “y’all” and offering the hi sign in no time.
How to Talk Like a Texan
You can spend your whole life trying, but this will do in a pinch.
They Weren’t Born Here
But they did get to Texas as fast as they could (which is to say, within the past five years). Meet eighteen recent transplants to the state’s three fastest-growing cities.
Cover to Cover
If you’re new to the state, there’s a good chance that you snickeringly regard the phrase “Texas literature” as a contradiction in terms. Well, wise up, wise guy: Texans have been writing memorable books about their state for a long time. So if you have some questions about the city you’ve settled in, you’ve got a lot of options.
The Playlist
Oh, the endless arguments about Texas music. But don’t feel the need to master it—no one really can. Instead, here are ten songs to help you hold your own at almost any party.
Eat Well Wherever You Are
One thing is for sure—a Texan knows what’s for dinner and where to get it. But if you’re new to the state, check out these iconic restaurants.
Where to Be a Tourist
A word about these four destinations: most native Texans visited them on their elementary school field trips. They are essential, so if you haven’t seen them yet, you’d better get cracking. Just remember, this is only the start.
The Media Guide
To gain pop culture literacy, you could spend a long weekend taking in works produced for the big screen (Giant, Dazed and Confused) and the small box (Lonesome Dove, Friday Night Lights). But the quicker route would be an afternoon surfing YouTube. Search for the terms below, but don’t blame us if you end up falling down a Van Cliburn rabbit hole.
