There is nothing Texans love more after a hearty Southern meal than a homemade, sweet dessert, especially if it is a fresh-baked pie. While pecan pie is the official pie of Texas, everyone has their favorite. There are endless flavors, from peach, cherry, and everything in between, that will surely please all taste buds. Many recipes were passed down from one generation […]

If you have ever pondered or perhaps doubted the power of one, look no further for affirmation than a humble gardener in San Antonio. Stephen Lucke of Gardopia Gardens is clear validation that, as an American historian said, “One individual can change millions of lives.” A young man with big dreams and, indeed, a powerful plan, he is well on […]

No matter what time of year, brunch is one of the most popular weekend activities in Dallas. During the fall, patios are packed full of hungry folks on the hunt for the perfect pancake or a cup of coffee to wake them. From downtown kitchens to suburban sports bars, these Dallas-area restaurants offer something for everyone. Whether you are a sweet or savory seeker, […]

Few things turn mature, reasonable adults into giddy, wide-eyed kids faster than fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. These gooey confections elicit feelings of comfort, nostalgia, and happiness at a moment’s notice. Just ask Tiffany and Leon Chen, co-founders of Tiff’s Treats, a bakery and cookie delivery service. Their sugary labor of love couples her long-time flair for baking with his entrepreneurial spirit, which […]

Sue Williams, MD, is an experienced internist and hospitalist who actively practices medicine at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Though her day job is indeed impressive, over the past decade, she has spent much of her free time turning a hobby into a business. In early 2014, she officially opened up a chocolate shop on Main Street in Grapevine. Ever since, […]

Nothing says, “summer,” like an ice cream in hand. From cones, banana splits, and floats, check out these ice cream shops across the Lone Star State that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Yummy’s Ice Cream & Mini Donuts – McAllen The ice cream shop in the Rio Grande Valley has a new take on sweets. […]

Whiskey Hollow Distillery smells like magic, sounds like Texas, and exists on the value of paying it forward. Housed in an old bank building, once rumored to have been robbed by Bonnie and Clyde, the small, one-still craft distillery sits right off the freeway in the quaint Valley View town square. Owner Les Beasley makes everything from bourbon, rum, and even […]

If you are tired of drinking the same cocktail or mocktail, it is time to spice it up. Depending on your liquor of choice, here are a number of recipes, recommendations, and tips to try. Enjoy! Essential Barware for Hosts  A good beverage, crafted with alcohol or not, often appeals to your five senses: its […]

Lemonade has long been the quintessential beverage of summer. From the pre-mixed sugary concoctions at childhood lemonade stands to the fresh-squeezed varieties at your favorite café, lemonade is an irresistibly refreshing drink on hot summer days in Texas. But sometimes, that perfect balance of sweet and sour could use a little something extra to elevate your frosty glass to a beverage […]

It all started with a fire. It was the Bastrop, Texas fires to be exact when the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history left a swath of devastation in the fall of 2011. Like many other businesses and organizations, a new restaurant in Austin stepped up to help with relief efforts in the neighboring town. From its location […]

The idea that food is infused with the emotions of its creator is not a new one. It is on display in movies like Chocolat, and many have probably experienced it on a particularly special occasion. The memory of a holiday dish lovingly prepared by a mom, dad, or grandparent is something many hold dear long into their dotage. […]

In 1944, the flat, undeveloped land in the Rio Grande Valley offered new opportunities for those who relocated to the tip of Texas. With rich soil and warm climate, the agricultural hotspot supported a booming citrus industry, one that still proves fruitful today. Northerners, like Emidio Milano and his wife Lisetta Berardinelli, moved in pursuit […]

Brian and Amanda Light want to revive the connetion diners once felt with each other and their food. The couple set out to accomplish that mission with the opening of their 15-acre Bryan property, Ronin Farm, in 2012, and their restaurant, located just ten miles away, in 2018. Ronin Farm & Restaurant is a farm-to-table concept, with […]

Across the nation, the hard cider scene is coming into its own, and that includes in Texas. Whereas ten years ago, there was barely a local producer in sight, cideries are popping up in every major city across the state. So, if you have not yet sampled a sip from a can or tap, it […]

Few states can lay claim to the invention of an entire category of food as can Texas, with its beloved regional cuisine known as Tex-Mex. Within that delicious realm is a crowd favorite: fajitas. Although now a ubiquitous dish, especially here in the Lone Star State, fajitas have evolved from humble beginnings. For many years, […]