Cheers to the Tastemakers

Tastemaker Awards toasts the best Texas restaurants and bars right now

The mission of our annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards is to shine a spotlight on the top restaurant and bar talent in Texas. This summer, we honored the best of the industry and celebrated their resilience with our first-ever virtual Tastemakers.

In true 2020 fashion, the Tastemakers transformed from an in-person party to an in-home tasting experience. We kicked things off with the Austin and San Antonio awards, sponsored by Dripping Springs Vodka, Oskar Blues Brewery, Grandes Vinos, and Topo Chico, on July 23. Dallas-Fort Worth followed on July 30, and we wrapped up in Houston on August 6.

Each event featured a streamed awards show hosted by the legendary Bun B, who first guided guests through the makings of the at-home party. Then, with the help of some special guests, he announced the local 2020 Tastemaker Awards winners. (If you missed the Austin/San Antonio show, you can watch it here.)

Nominees for each city were selected earlier this year by CultureMap editors and local panels of industry experts, including past winners. The panels then selected the winner in each category, except for Best New Restaurant, which was chosen by readers in our bracket-style tournament. This year, we also added a special Hero Award to honor individuals in the industry who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.

Below, meet all of our 2020 Tastemaker winners, and join us in toasting them once again.

Austin

Restaurant of the Year: Comedor
Chef of the Year: Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley, Foreign & Domestic
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Edgar Ulysses Rico, Nixta Taqueria
Pastry Chef of the Year: Jules Stoddart, Olamaie
Best New Restaurant: Rebel Cheese
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Foreign & Domestic
Best Queso: Eldorado Cafe
Bar of the Year: Kinda Tropical
Bartender of the Year: Laura Maddox, Small Victory
Wine Program of the Year: Bufalina
Brewery of the Year: Jester King
Hero Award: Derrick Chubbs, Central Texas Food Bank

San Antonio

Restaurant of the Year: Meadow
Chef of the Year: Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse
Best New Restaurant: 225 Urban Smoke
Best Queso: Tlahco Mexican Kitchen
Bar of the Year: Little Death
Hero Award: Jason Dady, Jason Dady Restaurants

Dallas

Restaurant of the Year: The Charles Dallas
Chef of the Year: Justin Holt, Salaryman
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Toby Archibald, Georgie by Curtis Stone
Pastry Chef of the Year: Diana Zamora, Lockwood Distilling
Best New Restaurant: Georgie by Curtis Stone
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Parigi Restaurant
Best Queso: E-Bar Tex Mex
Bar of the Year: Black Swan Saloon
Bartender of the Year: Josh Hendrix, Las Almas Rotas
Wine Program of the Year: Macellaio
Brewery of the Year: 3 Nations Brewing
Hero Award: Jacob Tindall, 5G Studio Collaborative

Fort Worth

Restaurant of the Year: Ellerbe Fine Foods
Chef of the Year: Tim Love, Lonesome Dove, Love Shack, Gemelle
Best New Restaurant: Hot Box Biscuit Club
Bar of the Year: Blackland Distillery
Hero Award: Mike Hoque, Hoque Global

Houston

Restaurant of the Year: Himalaya
Chef of the Year: Jason Vaughan, Nancy’s Hustle
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Felipe Riccio, Rosie Cannonball
Pastry Chef of the Year: Julia Doran, Nancy’s Hustle
Best New Restaurant: MAD
Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Les Ba’get
Best Pizza: Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana
Bar of the Year: Monkey’s Tail
Bartender of the Year: Lindsay Rae, Two Headed Dog
Wine Program of the Year: Public Services Wine & Whisky
Brewery of the Year: Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company
Hero Award: Chris Shepherd, Southern Smoke Foundation

The Charles Dallas, Dallas Restaurant of the Year.

The Charles

The Charles Dallas, Dallas Restaurant of the Year.

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And the winner is...

San Antonio's best restaurant and chef unveiled during Tastemaker Awards 2020

Meadow/Facebook

Meadow, Restaurant of the Year.

In early March, we began rolling out the nominees for the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards 2020. Days later, the world changed. The festive ceremony, originally scheduled for April, was canceled as COVID-19 swept across the country, and our team's focus pivoted to covering the community in the midst of a global pandemic and social justice uprising.

We have since returned to our Tastemakers coverage, revealing the nominees selected by our panel of expert judges back in January. Like everything else, the stories themselves are a bit different — bars are closed, some hospitality pros have been furloughed, and we've included ways to support the restaurants with carryout or delivery options. But the spirit of the Tastemakers remains the same as it always has: a celebration of San Antonio's hospitality community.

On Thursday, July 23, we revealed the winners of this year's Tastemaker Awards with a special virtual event hosted by Bun B. For those of you who purchased a Tasting Tote, we hope you enjoyed the delicious bites and specialty sips. And now, let's raise a glass to this year's winners.

Restaurant of the Year: Meadow
There is plenty of high-end techniques to go around in chef PJ Edwards’ menu of comforting Southern fare, but don’t mistake the soignée presentation of his blackened Gulf Cobia or the decadent addition of chicken skin and pepper jelly to his buttermilk biscuits as a sign of pretension. At its core, the food at Meadow makes you feel like you’ve just been welcomed home again, to a place where you can relax and enjoy some familiar flavors prepared exceptionally well.
Currently: Open every day but Monday for dine-in and contactless curbside pickup.

Chef of the Year: Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse
Chef Esaul Ramos is a hometown hero and the pitmaster San Antonio deserves. Though his early career led him to rotating briskets in the Capital City, Ramos eventually returned to his native San Antonio with 2M Smokehouse. Ramos is always sure to shred his pork shoulder with just the right balance of fat, lean, and bark. Even without his delicious sides of buttermilk potato salad or Borracho beans, Ramos’ cuts are heavenly, and only add to his growing reputation.

Bar of the Year: Little Death
Little Death: Hey, now. We see what you did there. Brought to you by Chad Carey, owner of Paper Tiger, Barbero, Hot Joy, Rumble, and Midnight Swim, this unique wine bar offers vinos you won’t find at H-E-B. Like its drinks, Little Death is in a class by itself.
Currently: Little Death is currently closed due to a statewide order.

Best Queso: Tlahco Mexican Kitchen
Tlahco Mexican Kitchen — also nominated for San Antonio's Best New Restaurant — has been open less than a year, but it's already attracting buzz thanks to its near-encyclopedic menu, which offers both breakfast and lunch. Like Tito's, Tlahco offers a version of queso flameado, which is topped with either chorizo or rajas, and served with a side of homemade tortillas.
Currently: Tlahco is open for in-house dining with limited capacity.

Best New Restaurant: 225 Urban Smoke
This barbecue spot, located just east of Alamo Heights, walks the line between Texas traditions and innovative Southern smoke, offering dishes for purists and adventurous eaters alike. Co-owners Daniel Jimenez and chef Samuel Ransom Jr. pride themselves on using the highest quality meats to craft their edgy spins on all things barbecue.
Currently: 225 Urban Smoke is open for in-house dining and delivery.

Meadow, Restaurant of the Year.

Meadow/Facebook

Meadow, Restaurant of the Year.

tastemakers