Plus, meet the Barton Springs Salamander.
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🍜 Certified snacks

A scalloped plate of seared scallops with mole and huitlacoche.
Verdad makes a great date spot because its upscale Mexican fare is sure to impress. | Photo by ATXtoday
Warning: You will be hungry after reading this, because we’re spilling the beans on iconic dishes (at least to the ATXtoday team) in Austin.

These are just a few of the dishes that we keep coming back for, so we want our dear readers to have a taste too.

Pulled duck sandwich from Parish Barbecue | You’ll be well-fed no matter what you order at this truck — ahem, don’t skip the crawfish cornbread dressing or pimento mac and cheese — but we’re still dreaming about this succulent pulled duck take on a classic sandwich.

Scallops with huitlacoche “caviar” from Verdad True Modern Mexican | These elegant (and sizable) scallops with shrimp and corn blinis are topped with huitlacoche — a rare and coveted fungus that grows on corn.
An overhead look at dipping ramen noodles, fried chicken, and mole.

You’ll get a no-frills dining experience at Ramen del Barrio, but the food is so good, you won’t even notice.

Photo by ATXtoday

Mole tsukemen from Ramen del Barrio | Arrive early to try the noodles at this nondescript, 2024 James Beard-nominated spot. The mole tsukemen is big enough to share, can be made vegan, and will delight your taste buds.
Let's dish

Asked

How many of our favorite restaurants have you tried?


Plus, we want to get some of your suggestions.
A. Bar Toti
B. Parish Barbecue
C. KGBBQ
D. Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
Stay hungry
Omni Hotels & Resorts - Barton Creek

Events

Monday, April 21

Austin Pond Society Meeting & Plant Swap | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden | Free with admission | Water lilies, lotus, bog plants, landscape plants, herbs, and more are up for grabs at this swap.

“The Chefs Who Shaped Us” Chef Series | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Foreign & Domestic | $75+ | Settle in for a special three-course dinner + cocktail with guest chefs.

Tuesday, April 22

Khruangbin | Tuesday, April 22-Wednesday, April 23 | 7 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater | $65+ | The alternative band from Houston will perform its “A La Sala” tour in the Capital City.

Charli xcx | Tuesday, April 22-Wednesday, April 23 | 8-11 p.m. | The Moody Center | $40+ | Vibe out to all the “Club classics” at the English singer’s smash-hit album tour.

Wednesday, April 23

East Side Beer Runners | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Central Machine Works | Cost of purchase | Lace up your running shoes and grab a drink at the end.

Thursday, April 24

Caroline Rose | Thursday, April 24-Saturday, April 26 | Times vary | C-Boy’s Heart & Soul | $28+ | The “Jeannie Becomes A Mom” singer will play an intimate solo show to highlight her pop, folk, and indie music.

Friday, April 25

Austin Psych Fest | Friday, April 25-Sunday, April 27 | Times vary | The Far Out Lounge & Stage | $75+ | Don’t miss the 17th edition of this outdoor music festival with live performances on two stages.
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News Notes

Festival

Keep Arlen Weird. The cast and creators of “King of the Hill” will meet up at ATX TV Festival to debut a sneak peek at the show’s upcoming spin-off series. The new show will premiere on Hulu later this year — grab tickets to the festival.

Announced

Local mini grocery chain Wheatsville Co-op is seeking community investors to help fund new locations in north Austin as its flagship store on Guadalupe Street will close in 2026 to make way for Project Connect. Shares will cost $100 each, with a $2,000 minimum buy-in, with a goal to raise $5 million by the end of summer. (KUT)

Sports

Austin FC toppled LA Galaxy 1-0 in a home game on Saturday, April 19 at Q2 Stadium. Brandon Vazquez scored the goal in minute No. 81 with 20,738 folks in the stands.

Traffic

Southbound entrance and exit ramps for Steck Avenue on MoPac are anticipated to be closed through the end of the year. Back in February, The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority said ramps would only be closed for three months as it works to add toll lanes on either side. (Community Impact)

Mansion Monday

If you’ve ever dreamed of living on a compound with your closest friends, this unique property is for you. Located in Bouldin, this property features 15 bedrooms across four custom residences surrounding a pool. The residences feature resort-style amenities like a rooftop deck and outdoor kitchen.

Listen

Star player Victor Wembanyama shared some thoughts on how he thinks the Spurs are performing during his injury leave. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Texas Cannabis Clinic is offering $40 off your appointment with code 6AM40 now through Thursday, May 1. A TCUP card provides legal protection and doctor-supervised medical cannabis via telemedicine, and Texas Cannabis Clinic makes the process easy. Take their quick eligibility quiz + book a consultation.*

    Outdoors

    🦎 Meet the Barton Springs Salamander

    The Barton Springs Salamander, a small aquatic amphibian with a speckled brown body and pale spots. It has feathery, pink external gills near its head and tiny limbs. The salamander is resting on a rocky surface underwater, blending with its surroundings.
    The tiny amphibians reach 2.5 to 3 inches in length by adulthood. | Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS
    Austin may be known for its local bat colony, but lesser-known (and equally beloved) Austin locals slither below the surface: Barton Springs Salamanders.

    If you want to know more about the endangered amphibian, consider this your crash course on the critter.
    • The Barton Springs Salamander — aptly named for the environment it depends on — was discovered in 1946, but it wasn’t formally described until 1993.
    • Its scientific name, Eurycea sosorum, is an ode to the Austinites who spearheaded the Save Our Springs (SOS) Ordinance in 1992.
    • They’re usually found in shallow areas near spring openings, but also nest deep underground in caves and between rocks to avoid predators and find food.
    • Barton Springs Salamanders are colorful creatures, with various salt-and-pepper color patterns of hues like brown, purple, yellow, and orange.
    • You’ve probably passed a mural of the Barton Springs Salamander by Luis Angulo on Barton Springs Road.

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    The Wrap

    On the left, an orange bubble with City Editor Figi and a goat inside. On the right, the name "Figi."
    I’m a huge “King of the Hill” fan, and not just because the show’s archives are housed in the Wittliff Collections at my alma mater, Texas State University. My favorite episode is “A Beer Can Named Desire,” in which Bobby becomes the most hilarious version of himself.
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