Fast facts

• Torchy’s serves a limited-edition “Taco of the Month,” which changes (you guessed it) once a month.
• You can order your taco “trashy,” which means adding queso, or “classy,” which means adding lettuce.
• Torchy’s now operates 100+ restaurants in 14 states around the country, including 15 in Austin.
• The Former Torchy’s CEO listed his Torchy’s-themed mansion for $7.5 million in 2021.

Humble beginnings

The future of Torchy’s

• The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar | Now-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | $12-$60 | Austin’s holiday shopping, live music, and local arts bazaar returns with a few new tricks.
• “Beto, Beto el Abeto” | Now-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free | The garden and Teatro de la Tierra present this holiday-themed play that blends languages, cultures, and kingdoms.
• “A Christmas Carol” | Now-Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $68-150 | Austin’s hottest holiday tradition is back, with new music + surprises to ring in the season.*

• Una Noche Buena | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Topfer at ZACH, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $14-$31 | Follow the story of a 10-year-old boy on the night of Las Posadas at this family-friendly sing-a-long show.
• Blue October | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 8 p.m. | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $25 | Don’t miss the musicians behind “Into the Ocean” and “Hate Me.”

• Make & Take: Fill & Decorate a Buche de Noel | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 2-4 p.m. | Central Market North Lamar, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $75 | Learn the techniques of a Buche de Noel — otherwise known as a Yule Log — at this weekend class.
• Rio Grande Valley Vipers vs. Austin Spurs | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 3 p.m. | H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Ave. of the Stars, Cedar Park | $10-$135 | End your week with this action-packed basketball game from Austin’s G League team.
• Michael Martin Murphey | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $20-$75 | This “Cowboy Christmas” is a multi-media production featuring the Rio Grande Band.

• Austin City Council approved $4.5 million for the Austin Playhouse to construct a new live theater center. The project — which consists of two theaters, rehearsal space, classroom space, and an open-to-the-public facility — is expected to cost $7.5 million. (KXAN)

• Austin City Council gave the go-ahead for design work to replace the Barton Springs Road Bridge. The bridge, which was built in 1926, has issues with spalling concrete, cracking, and noncompliance with ADA standards. (KXAN)

• CapMetro will expand Pickup, an on-demand transit service, to Dove Springs starting early next year. Pickup works similarly to rideshare apps, allowing users to request a ride within a designated zone, and will begin on Sunday, Jan. 14.

• Nearly 200,000 Central Texans living just outside of Austin will soon have access to an Austin Public Library card free of charge. An Austin City Council resolution will waive fees on library cards, which are free for residents and $120 annually for non-residents, sometime in March. (Austin Community Impact)

• Austin-based Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group is heading south. The company plans to open a 40,000-sqft food collective, called Pullman Market, with four restaurants in San Antonio sometime in the spring. (Eater Austin)

• Austin FC acquired winger Jáder Obrian during stage one of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. Obrian, who is originally from Colombia, spent the last three seasons with FC Dallas and has 17 goals and 13 assists in 94 appearances.

• The holiday lights on 37th Street are some of the most dazzling displays in America, according to a report from Thrillist. The lights were called one of the most impressive displays “in all of Texas,” and this year, they feature a Taylor Swift shrine.

• This no-annual-fee balance transfer offer now lasts until 2025. Transferring your existing balance to a no-interest card could be the simple solution you’re looking for to finally get ahead of your payments. (Oh, and it offers cash back rewards on everyday purchases.)*

• Planning for personal growth and emotional well-being in 2024? Connect with a licensed therapist on BetterHelp in just 48 hours + get 25% off your first month.*