As the Pandemic Endures, Texans Flock to Small Grocers
From Flatonia to Marathon, communities—often small and rural—band together to serve their own needs with local essentials.
Houston
Sports
January 26, 2022
Roger Clemens Deserves Better
Baseball Hall of Fame voters kept the former Astros pitcher out of Cooperstown. But there’s more to Clemens’s “character” than his alleged steroid use.
Art
January 26, 2022
An Awe-inspiring Space Odyssey Lifts Off in Houston
A new virtual reality experience launches you to the International Space Station, where you join the crew and see Earth like you’ve never seen it before.
Critters
January 26, 2022
Why Scientists Keep Discovering Strange New Wasps on the Rice University Campus
The newest species is named after the grad student pub Valhalla, on whose grounds it was found.
Recipes
January 25, 2022
Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed With Collards and Quinoa
This Southern-inspired, veggie-forward recipe by chef Chris Williams of Lucille’s in Houston is both comforting and filling.
Meanwhile in Texas
January 15, 2022
Meanwhile, in Texas: A Plumber Finds Cash in a Church’s Bathroom Wall
Plus, a homeowner sets a Christmas light show to Lil Jon and fishers get rescued from a Lake Amistad sandbar.
Sports
January 14, 2022
Very Well, I Shall Coach the Houston Texans
The most dysfunctional franchise in pro sports has a vacancy, and I have some time to kill.
Travel & Outdoors
January 14, 2022
The Walkable Wonders of Houston’s Montrose Neighborhood
With posh hotels and restaurants and free museums, this historic area of Houston makes for an easy, elegant weekend escape.
Food & Drink
January 13, 2022
How a Houston Restaurant Became the Source for Afghan Refugees’ First Meals in America
A law requires sponsors to serve refugees “culturally appropriate” meals. For Afghans landing in Houston, those come from Omer Yousafzai’s restaurant.
Politics & Policy
January 11, 2022
Greg Abbott’s GOP Challengers Debated Without Him on Monday—and Gave Him Hell
Don Huffines, Chad Prather, and Allen West had plenty to say about the governor’s failings—all in perfect unison.
Art
January 5, 2022
Fred Baldwin’s Life Was Worth 1,000 Pictures
Baldwin, who died in December, fought in Korea, met Picasso, traveled the world, and, with his wife, Wendy Watriss, made Houston a photography capital.
Art
December 31, 2021
Our Favorite Photos of 2021
From Leon Bridges’s home in Fort Worth to a vibrant coral reef near Galveston, this year took our photographers to some truly unforgettable places.
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.
Sports
December 22, 2021
Will the Astros Be Able to Re-sign Carlos Correa After the MLB Lockout?
How a flurry of free-agent signings before baseball’s work stoppage could help Houston retain its All-Star shortstop.
Art
December 21, 2021
2021 Was . . . ? These Works of Art Help Make Sense of It.
‘Texas Monthly’ contributors share which works best captured a year that seems to defy categorization—and which shows they’re looking forward to in 2022.
Sports
December 21, 2021
A Guide to All Sixteen Texas Bowl Games
From Baylor’s top-ten matchup in the Sugar Bowl to Texas Tech’s reunion with Mike Leach, here’s what college football fans need to know.
Music
December 17, 2021
The Texan Who Saved the Beatles
In Peter Jackson’s documentary ‘The Beatles: Get Back,’ Houston-born pianist Billy Preston makes a strong case for himself as the fifth Beatle.
Music
December 16, 2021
Buffalo Nichols Comes Home to the Blues
The Austin musician has made an excellent traditional blues album—but to get there, he studied punk, West African music, and Ukrainian folk.
Being Texan
December 15, 2021
All I Want for Christmas . . . Is You
When a grown-up son visits for the holiday, a mom takes what she can get.
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
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.
Food & Drink
December 13, 2021
Dining Guide: Highlights From Our January 2022 Issue
We review dozens of restaurants each month. Here’s a peek at what’s new.
Politics & Policy
December 7, 2021
Lina Hidalgo, Basking in National Praise, Faces a Potential Scandal at Home in Houston
The leader of the Harris County government seemed to have weathered a controversy over a contract for vaccine outreach, but in mid-November the district attorney issued subpoenas concerning the bidding process.
Sports
December 7, 2021
The Lone Star State College Football Report Card
Grading the season performances and outcomes for all twelve FBS programs in Texas. You already know who's getting an F.
Art
December 6, 2021
Black Southern Music and Art Merge in “The Dirty South”
This revelatory show at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston finds the beat between gospel, blues, jazz, and visual art.
Sports
December 3, 2021
Texas Monthly Recommends: A Game of Spikeball
The only limit to where it can be played is your imagination.
Sports
December 3, 2021
The Hidden All-Texas Flavor in Tonight’s Conference USA Championship Game
Officially, UTSA faces Western Kentucky in Friday's title matchup. But the Hilltoppers' high-octane offense is fueled by transfers from Houston Baptist.
Politics & Policy
November 24, 2021
Who’s To Blame for Astroworld? Anybody but Us, Say Houston Officials.
In the wake of the deadly Travis Scott concert, Bayou City and Harris County politicians have formed a circular firing squad.
Style & Design
November 23, 2021
Houston’s Lush, Welcoming Ismaili Center Will Be a Spiritual Retreat for All
Offering respite to seekers of any faith, the cultural center on Allen Parkway will also have a cafe, black box theater, and social halls.
BBQ
November 23, 2021
Where to Eat Barbecue in Houston
Here are 23 barbecue joints worth visiting in and around America's fourth-largest city.
Arts & Entertainment
November 22, 2021
Houston Grand Opera’s ‘The Snowy Day’ Celebrates Black Joy
An evocative adaption of the beloved 1962 children’s book casts aside stereotypes and focuses on wonder more than trauma.
Libations
November 19, 2021
Escape to the Tropics at Austin’s Tiki Tatsu-Ya
Indulge in over-the-top cocktails like the Skeleton Cruise, which comes in a boat with dry ice and activates bar-wide light and sound effects.
Sports
November 17, 2021
Get Ready for the Best College Hoops Season in Texas History
With six top-25 teams among the state's men's and women's programs, there's never been a better time to be a basketball fan in Texas.
Tacos
November 17, 2021
Houston’s Henderson & Kane Offers Stellar Brisket Tacos, Tamales, and Sundry Other Treats
Don’t miss the horchata cold brew.
True Crime
November 17, 2021
The Notorious Mrs. Mossler
In “the trial of the century,” a Houston socialite was accused of plotting her husband's murder—and of having an affair with her nephew. But Candace Mossler was only getting started.
Pat's Pick
November 16, 2021
Superstar Chef Hugo Ortega’s New Restaurant Is His Most Personal Venture Yet
At his latest restaurant, Texas’s most celebrated Mexican chef teams up with close relations to revisit the street food of his youth.
Business
November 16, 2021
In Praise of . . . Enron?
Twenty years have passed since the notoriously corrupt energy-trading company collapsed. Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that it wasn’t all bad for Texas.
News & Politics
November 15, 2021
The Newest Texans Are Not Who You Think They Are
The record influx of recent arrivals from all over might be exactly what the state needs. That includes Californians. (And no, they’re not turning Texas blue.)
Dining Guide
November 12, 2021
Dining Guide: Highlights From Our December 2021 Issue
We review more than sixty restaurants each month. Here’s a peek at what’s new.
Music
November 10, 2021
Bushwick Bill Was One of Houston’s Most Provocative Rappers. A New Documentary Reveals the Man Behind the Outrage.
As one third of the Geto Boys, he pushed the boundaries of hip-hop. But the group’s lyrics often clashed with his own values.
Sports
November 8, 2021
How Did All Three Texas MLS Teams End Up Stinking This Season?
It was a rough campaign for FC Dallas, Austin FC, and Houston Dynamo FC, but there's good reason to hope that next year will be better.
Music
November 8, 2021
After the Astroworld Disaster, a Reckoning for Music Festivals
International crowd-safety experts say better planning could have prevented the eight deaths and dozens of injuries at last week’s Travis Scott concert.
Sports
November 3, 2021
After World Series Loss, Houston Faces the Possible End of an Era
Five straight winning seasons, three trips to the World Series, one title—but can the Astros keep it up if Carlos Correa leaves town?
Texas History
October 29, 2021
Houston’s First Black Cemetery Was Neglected For Decades. One Group Is Leading Its Rejuvenation.
Olivewood Cemetery is the resting ground of many Houston trailblazers and an important piece of the history of the African diaspora.
Sports
October 28, 2021
Meet the Media Upstarts Behind Those “H-Town vs. Everyone” Shirts
How Apollo Media won over Astros fans by embracing hometown pride and telling Houstonians there's no shame in supporting this team.
Libations
October 27, 2021
Free-spirited: Why More Bartenders Are Mixing Cocktails Minus the Booze
Tucked somewhere between the wine list and the dessert menu, Texans are more likely than ever to find—and order—no-gronis, no-jitos, and other alcohol-free drinks.
Sports
October 27, 2021
How Mattress Mack Pays For His Sports-Related Mega Giveaways
If the Astros win the World Series, buyers win free mattresses—and Mattress Mack cashes the biggest winning ticket in sports-betting history.
Tacos
October 26, 2021
Urban South’s “Combo Plate” Beers Are a Drinkable Ode to Houston Tex-Mex
Don’t worry: there’s not actually taco meat brewed in.