A pancake with brown butter and sea salt, a chicken biscuit with jalapeno honey butter, and a lawn full of peacocks. Austin's brunch argument, settled for 2026.
A blue corn pancake with cajeta, a caviar-topped latke, and a soufflé that takes twenty minutes because it should. The Dallas brunch argument, settled for 2026.
Texas has close to 7,000 lakes and almost every one of them was poured on purpose. These are the ten worth packing a bag for, checked against July 2026 water levels, park fees and ramp closures.
Detroit squares, New Haven apizza, Neapolitan rounds and a $3.85 deli slice. Ten pizzerias, from a wine-soaked dining room to a trailer that sells out most nights, put in order.
Wood-fired pies in Midtown, Detroit squares in the Heights, and a deep-dish institution that has not changed much in fifty years. Ten pizzerias, argued into order.
Texas added 391,243 people last year, more than any other state, and every one of them had to pick a town. We ran the numbers on housing, schools, safety and jobs to settle where the moving trucks should actually stop.
Every place on this site was visited at least twice, unannounced, on our own dime. Rankings are never sold, sponsored, or swayed. If it’s here, it earned its spot.
1,900+
Places visited
254
Counties covered
0
Sponsored rankings
48 hr
Fact-check window
Rabbit holes
Popular Topics
The Weekly Roundup
Get the best of Texas, every Friday
One email. The finest new guides across the state — no filler, no pay-for-play.