The downtown Austin ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot draws in an estimated 20,000 participants each year. | Photo by Mike Haggerty, courtesy ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
Thought busy season was behind us just because October is through? Think again.
Festivals + fairs
Texas Monthly BBQ Fest | Saturday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 2 | Times vary | Lockhart City Park, Lockhart | $135 | There’s no better way to enjoy smoked meats than with some of the foremost experts + pit masters in the Lone Star State.
Concerts
Billie Eilish | Thursday, Nov. 13-Friday, Nov. 14 | 7-10:30 p.m. | The Moody Center | $494+ | Don’t be “BLUE,” because the pop sensation’s “Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour” show has two nights in Austin.
Comedy
Lucy Darling: “You’re Welcome” | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $45+ | The vintage-inspired comedian will share her charm with the audience all night long.
Active
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 8:30 a.m. | Auditorium Shores | $25+ | The 35th annual tradition will benefit Caritas of Austin.
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It’s beginning to look a lot like autumn in Austin. Temperature highs aren’t expected to surpass 73º until next week, and leaves are beginning to drop, but don’t expect fall foliage to peak until late November. (KXAN)
Biz
Comedian Kevin Hart’s venture capital firm, HartBeat Ventures, is putting cash toward an Austin-based company. Fitness platform Sweatpals said it raised $12 million in its latest funding round, with which it plans to open studios in 12 new markets. (Austin Business Journal)
Ranked
Longhorns football coach Steve Sarkisian is the No. 5 highest-paid coach in college football, according to rankings from USA Today. With total compensation listed at $10.8 million, the Texas coach makes ~$2.4 million less than Georgia coach Kirby Smart, who ranks at the top.
Trending
HGTV’s Property Brothers recently stopped by the construction site of a Habitat for Humanity build near Manor. “That’s what I love, is you don’t have to have a background in construction to be able to help,” brother Jonathan Scott said of the project. Find a local Habitat volunteer opportunity. (KVUE)
Try This
Wine and plants for sale — what more could you want? Flourish Plant Shop & Wine Bar is now open in North Austin at 5003 Airport Blvd. Stop by for wines by the glass and bottle + meat and cheese boards, preserved seafood, and a plant shop. (Community Impact)
Opening
A new Barnes & Noble book store is set to hold its grand opening in Southpark Meadows this Wednesday, Nov. 5. Despite years of stores closing, the new location is part of the book chain’s new strategy to have localized inventory.(CultureMap)
Listen
As the Longhorns look to face the ninth-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores, Texas needs to work on its offense. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Try This
Shake things up with a trip to the Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room. Book a tasting or experience, and stick around to try their amazing cocktails. We’ve got our eyes on the Craft Your Own Fun Mini Cocktail Class.*
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Category
Food
⭐️ The awards are rolling in
Nixta Taqueria’s menu is influenced by what’s growing at Texas farms. | Photo by Edgar Rico
Ok, sure, Austin didn’t receive any new MICHELIN Stars in the Guide’s newest selection, but our food scene is still shining.
Only three new stars were awarded — two in San Antonio and one in Dallas — at the ceremony in Houston on Tuesday, Oct. 28. However, Austin did secure some accolades.
Green Star
Nixta Taqueria | The food at this restaurant, helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Edgar Rico, is partially grown in a garden adjacent to the restaurant and usually sourced hyperlocally.
Bib Gourmands
This award “recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.”
Mercado Sin Nombre
Parish Barbecue
MICHELIN-recommended
While not quite at a Star or Bib Gourmand level, these Austin restaurants were recognized by MICHELIN Inspectors as “above average.”
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I didn’t get to visit too many Houston haunts while I was in town for my friend’s wedding over the weekend, but I did get to visit Anvil Bar. They did table service, which is rare at bars I’ve been to, but very appreciated when the whole group is wearing high heels.
