San Antonio

BBQ Joint Reviews |
April 29, 2016

King’s Hwy Brew & Q

Emilio Soliz began his barbecue career in a good spot. As a young man, he was the pitmaster at Two Bros. BBQ Market when they were named to the Texas Monthly Top 50 joints. Soon after, Anthony Bourdain visited and snapped a photo with Soliz—his reputation was on the rise.

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ |
April 26, 2016

Smoked in Texas: Pollos Asados Los Norteños

It was the smoke that stopped me. The juice and fat from fifty-some-odd chickens mixed with mesquite charcoal to form a steady stream of smoke high above the roof line of Pollos Asados Los Norteños in San Antonio. I was scouting another barbecue joint and had stumbled upon the popular spot

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ |
April 25, 2016

Interview: Laura Loomis of Two Bros. BBQ

Pitmaster: Two Bros. BBQ; Opened 2009Age: 28Smoker: Indirect Heat Wood-Fired PitWood: OakA few years ago, Laura Loomis didn’t think much of Texas barbecue. Neither cooking nor eating it was a big deal in her family, and she admits to never really having a favorite joint growing up. She doesn’t remember eating

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ |
January 11, 2016

Smoked in Texas: Smoked Pork Taco at Garcia’s

Despite the blasphemous ways they treat their smoked meats, Garcia’s in San Antonio makes a mean barbecue taco. I knew all about their now-famous smoked brisket taco because of its rapid rise in popularity: CNN named it one of the ten best tacos in America; Eater called Garcia’s one of

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ Joint Reviews |
December 18, 2015

The Big Bib BBQ

There’s no sign over the door—at least not for now—but somehow that doesn’t seem to matter. The Big Bib BBQ and its new attached event space anchor the corner of an aging strip center along Austin Highway in northeast San Antonio. It’s under construction, and the awnings are being replaced, but

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ Joint Reviews |
October 2, 2015

B-Daddy’s BBQ

The challenges of running a barbecue food truck weren’t lost on B.R. Anderson when he opened B-Daddy’s BBQ, in San Antonio, in 2012. After all, he was the third owner of the trailer he bought, stepping in after the other two gave up on their ventures. But in restaurants, it’s often innovate

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ Joint Reviews |
September 18, 2015

B & D Ice House

When Jason and Jake Dady opened Two Bros. BBQ Market, the barbecue joint on San Antonio’s north side of town was met with critical acclaim (including from Texas Monthly, which named it one of the Top 50 in 2013). Pivoting off of this success, the brothers decided to turn their sights

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ Joint Reviews |
April 27, 2015

El Machito

Restaurateurs dismissing the use of all wood cookers saying “the city won’t let us cook with wood” no longer have an excuse, at least not in San Antonio. Just beyond a low counter that they call the altar at El Machete, there’s a crackling mesquite fire, the flickers of which you

By Daniel Vaughn

BBQ Joint Reviews |
April 17, 2015

Smoke Shack BBQ

Three years ago I ate some promising barbecue from a food truck in the shadow of I-410 in San Antonio. Chris Conger was doing it all that day inside what was called Conger’s Smoke Shack, cooking, slicing, and making change. Last year he had stowed away enough change to make the

By Daniel Vaughn

The Culture |
March 25, 2015

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

By Texas Monthly and Brian D. Sweany

Sports |
March 23, 2015

Celebrate the Spurs (in Haiku)

Having grown up on the South Side of San Antonio, I know that the Spurs aren’t just a team, they’re a way of life. To show my support, I did what any fan would do: make like Bashō and pen five haikus, one for every NBA title. 

By Texas Monthly and Nicki Longoria

Film & TV |
February 27, 2015

Who Owns Texas City Names on Twitter

If you want to reach out to the city of @Austin, you’d better look at @AustinTexasGov. If you’re looking for @Dallas, check out @1500Marilla. So who owns the more logical Twitter usernames for Texas cities? 

By Dan Solomon

BBQ Joint Reviews |
December 19, 2014

Specht’s Store

In 1908, German immigrant William Specht bought some property outside Bulverde, Texas, about twenty miles north of San Antonio. He took over the operation of an existing store, and by the early twenties erected a building that, according to the Bulverde Standard, was originally a dance hall. Being

By Daniel Vaughn