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Our favorite April Fools’ jokes from Austin businesses

In case you missed it, local businesses trolled Austinites with some silly jokes in honor of the prankster holiday.

A fake press release that reads "CatMetro, for immediate release, April 1, 2025. Breaking meows: the CapMetro Cats are Taking Over. Transit Authority Unexpectedly Transfers Control." followed by gibberish and "treatz please."

Austin’s public transportation service also changed its Instagram profile picture to read “CatMetro.”

Graphic via @capmetroatx

The joke’s on you, because Austinites know how to celebrate April Fools’ Day.

We found some of the silliest pranks local businesses and organizations played on the community.

South Congress murals

South Congress teased “big changes” coming to its famous murals, including swapping the famous “Willie for President” mural for “Matthew (as in McConaughey) for President.” While “I tolerate you so much” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as the original, it’s equally as photo-worthy.

CatMetro

Transportation service CapMetro gave us a peek into what it would look like if Austin’s cats got behind the wheel. For starters, there would be no yarn allowed, tolls would be paid in treats, and passengers would have to give the conductor a gentle head pet before boarding. CapMetro also partnered up with Austin Pets Alive! to feature some adoptable felines.

Hot dog water cider

Don’t be salty about this Austin Eastciders prank. The local cider purveyor joked that it would create a hot dog water-flavored can of its famous drink — perfect for baseball games — containing “real hot dogs” and “real water.”

Chili’s on 45th and Lamar

Austin’s airport is known for its commitment to providing as many local eats as possible and joked that the often-memed location of Chili’s would be next. With the airport’s major expansion ongoing, they teased that a full-scale model of Chili’s on 45th and Lamar was in the works.

Brisket-flavored ice cream

Need your dessert to be a little bit smokier? Local creamery Lick Honest Ice Creams drafted up a mock plan to create a brisket-flavored pint. Don’t knock it until you try it.

Tres leches donut-flavored SPF

If you love The Salty’s tres leches donut so much you wish you could rub it all over your body, this (fake) meringue sunscreen is for you. Honestly, why isn’t all ice cream SPF flavored?

Floating farmers market

The Sustainable Food Center invited us to imagine what a farmers market in the middle of Lady Bird Lake would look like — just make sure to bring an extra boat for all those groceries.

Did any of these get you?

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