Austin, TX

Justin Timberlake Is a Fan of Terry Black’s BBQ’s Burnt Ends

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2024

Justin Timberlake Is a Fan of Terry Black’s BBQ’s Burnt Ends

Pop star Justin Timberlake shared that he had Austin barbecue during a recent concert in the city. While on stage at the Moody Center on May 31 and June 1, he talked about his meal at Terry Black’s BBQ. “If you see me moving kind of slow tonight, you have to blame that Terry Black’s,” he said. “Now, listen, you’re talking to a Memphis boy. Those burnt ends.” The Texas barbecue restaurant (with an Austin location on Barton Springs) shared a video of the banter on its Instagram.

One of the last times Timberlake performed in town — 2017 for F1 — he dined at Southern restaurant Olamaie.

Mochi doughnut coming attractions

Austin mochi doughnut bakery Mochinut ATX is opening a second location in the city. It’ll be found in the St. Johns neighborhood in the Linc development at 6406 North I-35, with an opening date not announced yet, but it should be “soon,” per its Instagram. The original Austin shop opened inside of Scofield Farms’ Asian supermarket Hana World Market in 2022.

Tracking Austin openings

A new cafe opened in East Austin this month. Prana Cafe debuted at 1623 East Seventh Street in the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood as of June 1. The menu is centered on what it describes as “holistic” dining, with smoothies, juices, toasts, panini, coffee, teas, and more. It took over the former El Chilito location, which had closed in early 2021.

Growing Japanese noodle soup chain Ramen Tatsu-ya opened its next new location in Round Rock this month. It debuted at the Rock Creek Plaza on 2132 North Mays Street, Suite 960 as of June 2.

North Austin cupcake bakery Cupprimo opened a second location in South Austin in May, as reported by Community Impact. The new East Oak Hill bakery is found at 4404 West William Cannon Drive, Suite N as of May 18, serving up cupcakes, coffee, and espresso-based drinks. The original bakery opened in 2008.

Reservations-only tiki bar opens walk-in bar

Also in Tatsu-ya news, the hospitality group turned the second floor of its South Austin tiki bar Tiki Tatsu-ya into a comparatively more casual walk-up bar on select days. The Retreat at the Nest opened at 1300 South Lamar Boulevard in the Zilker neighborhood as of June 3. On deck’s bar service and walk-in seating, its own cocktails such as a choose-your-own-rum-base daiquiri and the MARGHHH, a tiki take on margaritas with rum and a Sichuan pepper foam twist; as well as highballs, beers, and ciders. Food-wise, the menu focuses on snacks like the mochiko chicken wings, taro tots, and Spam sandwich. It’s open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to midnight. Tiki Tatsu-ya opened in 2021.

Texas farmers market changes

The Texas Farmers Market at Lakeline underwent a change in name and location. It’ll be known as the Texas Farmers’ Market at Bell, found within the same-named mixed-use development in Cedar Park. The new market made its debut on May 25. Its hours are Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Farmers market bagel stand hiatus

In related farmers market news, bagel shop David’s Doughie’s is temporarily closing up its stand at the new Texas Farmers Market at the Bell. This will be until they “can get properly staffed,” per the newsletter. The bagel bakery is still selling out of the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller on Sundays, as well as its East Austin food truck.

Culinary scholarship awardees

Women-in-food-and-drink-focused organization Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Austin chapter announced the winners of its annual scholarship and grants programs. This year’s awardees include gluten-free bakery Zucchini Kill founder and co-owner Cecelia Loessin, who will use the funds to get its Brutal Brownie and chocolate chip cookie mixes into stores; Evangeline Bundi, who wants to cook Kenyan foods professionally and will be mentored by the Coconut Cup; and many others.

Culinary business grant applications

Austin-based Mexican American food company Siete Family Foods opened up its Junto Fund for applications. It’s aimed at Latinx-owned food and drink businesses that have been around for at least two years and are based in America. The deadline is on Monday, July 1, and recipients will be announced starting on Sunday, September 15. The goal is to give away $300,000 in total.

And then the Wine & Food Foundation opened up its hospitality scholarships program for the summer. There are two applications: one for Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Art students for people in the Associate of Applied Science Degree Programs for Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts, with $2,500 scholarships. The second is for funds for any sort of hospitality education program. The deadline is Monday, July 15 with the recipients announced on Friday, August 30. The foundation is looking to give out $35,000 in total.

Austin food company gets national recognition

And speaking of Siete, the company was named as one of Food & Wine’s Game Changers this week. The write-up highlights the business’s family-grown roots led by siblings Veronica and Miguel Garza. who created gluten- and grain-free tortillas in 2011 and started the company in 2014.

National coverage of Texas barbecue

Also in Food & Wine-slash-Texas coverage, the magazine published a guide to barbecue in the state in late May. The features delves into the history and variety of Texas barbecue and its styles, as well as a ranked list of the best restaurants in the state. Number one is Austin’s La Barbecue; number two LeRoy & Lewis; and fourth is Southside Market & Barbeque (a mini-chain with an Austin location).

Chef shuffle

Hill Country New American restaurant Tillie’s has a new executive chef on the team. Meredith Shaffer, who was and will remain the resort’s executive banquets chef, started overseeing the kitchen as of late May.

Tracking Austin food events

Nonprofit Good Work Austin is celebrating its five-year anniversary with a bunch of food and drink fundraisers at its members this month. This includes pizzeria Bambino and Italian restaurant L’Oca d’Oro donating one dollar from every sale of a cocktail made with Tito’s Vodka (with the spirits company matching those funds); casual Texas restaurant Redbud Ice House doing the same with one dollar of every sale of its margarita made with Lalo tequila (where the company will also match); New Texan restaurant Dai Due with one dollar of its burger; casual New American restaurant Hillside Farmacy with two dollars from every wine bottle sale; brewery and American restaurant Central Machine Works with one dollar from every nonalcoholic cocktail; and finally frozen sweets spot Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs’ collaboration with coffee shop Epoch — tea snowballs — at the cafe sold on Saturday, June 22.

The East Cesar Chavez location of pizzeria and wine restaurant Bufalina is offering an oyster and riesling evening on Thursday, June 6. On deck will be oysters from seafood pop-up Austin Oyster Co., along with bottles and glasses of various rieslings, as well as special dishes.

Whiskey brand Monkey Shoulder and art gallery Secret Walls are co-hosting the Battle of the Bars between two Austin bars — Dumont’s Down Low and Murray’s Tavern — this week. It takes place on Thursday, June 6 from 7 to 10 p.m. at downtown venue the Riley. It’s free to RSVP.

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Austin, TX

Austin woman honored for decades of kindness and service

Published

10 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Press Room

Austin woman honored for decades of kindness and service

Austin, TX — For 39 years, Gabriela Olivares has been showing up for others, in her classroom, her church, and her community.

Now, her friends are returning the favor with a Cash for Kindness surprise. Nominated by her friend Patricia González-Villaseñor, Gabriela is known as the person who always puts others first. She’s the one organizing birthday get-togethers, checking in after a loss, and driving hours to support a friend, all without expecting anything in return. In her nomination letter, Patricia wrote in part, “Gabriela is a great friend and human. There are not enough words to describe how incredibly kind and selfless she is. She is the kind of friend everyone wishes they had, always thinking of others, always showing up without expecting anything in return.”

She added, “Her generosity knows no limits, and she lead with such humility that it’s easy to overlook just how much effort and love she puts into everything she does. She makes this world brighter simply by being in it, and everyone who knows her is lucky to call her a friend. She is a beautiful soul and a great individual.”

Her kindness extends beyond her circle of friends. Gabriela recently planned a recognition dinner for nearly 100 church volunteers, coordinating, decorating, and even funding the event herself.

After decades of giving, her friends decided it was her turn to be celebrated. During a birthday celebration at El Mercado Restaurant on Burnet Road, CBS Austin’s Allison Miller surprised Gabriela with $500 from Air & Plumbing Today, to thank her for the countless ways she’s made life brighter for others.

“I just love helping people, that’s what makes me happy,” Gabriela said.

Through Cash for Kindness, CBS Austin honors Central Texans who go above and beyond to make a difference.

If you know someone trying to make our world a little brighter in our Central Texas community, you can nominate them for our Cash For Kindness spotlight. Each winner will receive a $500 Amex Gift Card provided by Air & Plumbing Today and will be featured in an upcoming ‘Cash For Kindness’ segment. Click HERE for the form.

Austin, TX

Texas’ Fastest-Growing City Is An Austin Suburb With Shops, Classic Barbecue, And Ample Outdoor Adventure – Islands

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2025

Press Room

Texas’ Fastest-Growing City Is An Austin Suburb With Shops, Classic Barbecue, And Ample Outdoor Adventure – Islands

Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock

If it seems to Austinites like their city keeps growing year by year, they’re not wrong. Barring a minor dip from 2019 to 2020, the Texas capital not only continues to keep it weird, but also attracts more people day by day — especially from California. New residents join the nearly 2.5 million Texans within the Austin metro area (as of 2023) in enjoying Austin staple Torchy’s Tacos, pronouncing the neighborhood of Manchaca as MAN-shack, and taking a dip in Barton Springs in Zilker Park. And while the Austin metro area now spans past Round Rock in the north and the food-and-booze-infused San Marcos to the south, another Austin suburb is growing even faster than its parent city: Leander, along Route 183 about half an hour from downtown Austin.

A mere 7,600 people called little Leander home in 2000. In 2025, that number has exploded to nearly 93,000. Much of this completely bananas population growth can be attributed to the obvious, namely, Leander’s proximity to Austin. Owning a home in Austin is more expensive, making Leander an attractive alternative.

But Leander’s got a lot going for it, aside from cheaper prices. Though definitely a spread-out, decentralized suburb, Leander still has some of the same top-notch Texas barbecue places that folks can expect from Austin or anywhere else in the Lone Star State, some of which live along the gloriously-named Hero Way. Leander’s also got its fair share of independent boutiques that have absorbed some of Austin’s nearby quirk, like Wildfire Artisans, which operates out of an old train car. Then there’s Leander’s natural spaces, which are possibly its standout attraction. From the sprawling Garey Park to the picnic-perfect Devine Lake Park, Leander’s got no shortage of outdoor activities at the ready.

Dig into Leander’s extensive barbecue and shopping options

RFondren Photography/Shutterstock

Any Texan or would-be Texan worth their salt — or sauce — will die on the hill of Texas barbecue being the greatest of barbecues. Super slow-cooked and juicy brisket stands at the forefront of Texas barbecue offerings, and a Leander barbecue joint like Stubblefield’s is no exception. Located right off Route 183, which runs all the way down the length of Leander, Stubblefield’s has a near-5.0 rating on Google. In a place like Texas, this is quite the high bar. And because we’re living near food truck heaven in Austin — a city with over 2,000 food trucks (although Hawaii takes the food truck crown) — Stubblefield’s is, naturally, a truck.

Stubblefield is also just five minutes away from two more barbecue places, Smoky Mo’s BBQ and Blue Corn Harvest Bar and Grill, on the aforementioned Hero Way. This is all on the north side of Leander, by the way. The south side has a similar barbecue strip along Whitestone Boulevard with four more barbecue places right in a row. One of them is even another Smoky Mo’s.

After swelling up with so much meat, why not poke around some of Leander’s quirky, cool, rustic, and sometimes twee shops? Leander Marketplace sits at the top of the list, an antiques-meets-oddball-goods flea market only open on the first Saturday of the month. It makes a perfect pair with the Hill Country Community Ministries Thrift Store, a short six-minute drive away. The women-focused boutique Turquoise Peacock Boutique, meanwhile, offers some beautiful, curated goods for customers, while The Hobby Shop is basically a brain-melting dream for any fan of high-quality model cars.

Explore Leander’s copious natural spaces

Balcones Wildlife Refuge pavilion and trail

Steve Heap/Shutterstock

Leander is so festooned with natural spaces of all sizes and types that it’s almost more accurate to think of the city as Texan countryside with human habitation sprinkling within it. This is where we see the additional benefit of choosing to live in Leander rather than Austin, one enjoyed by its massive influx of residents. For potential residents who don’t mind the daily trade-off of city culture for nature (but keeping the barbecue and some of the shops, mind you), Leander is for you. And for travelers wanting a break from cities, but wanting to stay close enough to the city not to get lost in the wilderness, Leander is also for you.

Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prominent outdoor offerings around Leander, about 30 minutes west of the city. Around 1,000 acres of the 27,000-acre preserve are open to the public, acres that illustrate that Texas’ natural environment is way more complex than mere sand in the desert. Hiking and wildlife watching are the most obvious draws for visitors, as the park is home to 245 bird species (and brought the black-capped vireo back from being endangered). Ranger-led activities are also an option, as is limited hunting with a permit and via lottery.

Folks sticking directly within and around Leander will have no problem finding natural spaces, either. A small spot like Quest Village Park is basically a neighborhood park with a playground suitable for family ventures, dog walking, and so forth. Brushy Creek Lake Park, on the other hand, is a 90-acre, trail-focused, waterside park with a boat launch, exercise area, pavilions with grills, and more. Such options make it clear why Leander continues to grow so rapidly.

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Austin, TX

Federal investigators call for stricter enforcement of seatbelt regulations

Published

2 days ago

October 29, 2025

Press Room

Federal investigators call for stricter enforcement of seatbelt regulations

AUSTIN, Texas — Federal investigators are urging Leander school officials to ensure the proper use of seat belts on school buses following a review of an Aug. 13 school bus crash.

In an “urgent report” issued Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board found few students were wearing seatbelts despite the bus being equipped with passenger lap and shoulder belts. Investigators concluded the Leander school district “did not take sufficient action to ensure passengers were properly belted.”

The rollover crash occurred when a Leander school district bus veered off the road along Nameless Road near Palomino Drive. 46 elementary and middle school students and one adult were aboard the bus. Following the accident, seventeen people were taken to the hospital, but all were released the next day.

Texas code requires passengers on school buses equipped with seat belts to wear them; however, video footage showed that of 42 visible students, only six were wearing their seat belts, according to investigators.

The section of Nameless Road where the bus crashed is curved, and weather conditions at the time were rainy; however, investigators said the bus left the road “for an unknown reason,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Students who were unbelted or wore only the lap portion of a seat belt were more susceptible to injuries than those who wore a seat belt across their lap, the report said.

Investigators urged Leander schools to implement enforceable policies and procedures to ensure proper seat belt usage by every student and driver on a school bus equipped with seat belts. The report recommended mandatory driver instructions and routine audits to ensure passengers are properly wearing seat belts.

In a statement to families, Tracie Franco, the district’s senior director of transportation services said Leander “appreciate(s) the NTSB’s thorough review, which offers important lessons for school districts nationwide about ensuring consistent seat belt use on school buses,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The recommendations follow statewide initiatives to improve student transportation safety.

All Texas buses must carry seat belts, but currently many older buses don’t.

A new law enacted this year, Senate Bill 546, eliminated an exception for buses built before 2018 and required districts to report by the end of the year how many buses they operate or contract lack seat belts, have only two-point seat belts or have three-point seat belts. Districts must also report the cost of transitioning their bus fleets to three-point safety belts, seat belts that cover a rider’s lap and chest.

By Jan. 1, 2027, the Texas Education Agency must outline a report for the cost to equip all state school buses with seat belts.

This conversation follows a deadly bus crash in Bastrop County on March 22, 2024, that left a prekindergarten student and a 33-year-old man dead. The school bus did not have any safety belts.

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