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Southern Living names Texas Hill Country hot spot a top Southern small town

BEST OF THE SOUTH

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In a win for the Hill Country, Fredericksburg was the only Texas town to make the top 10 best small towns in Southern Living’s seventh annual South’s Best Awards. In the Alabama-headquartered magazine’s upcoming April issue, they tabulated the top 50 best Southern small towns, cities, hotels, state parks, and barbecue restaurants.

In the past, Fredericksburg has earned praise for being one of the best Texas towns for retirees. In last year's 2022 South's Best Awards, Fredericksburg ranked as the No. 4 best small town and San Antonio was named one of the best family getaways.

"In a year when more people than ever are traveling and moving to the South, we wanted to put a spotlight on small towns in this year's South's Best Awards,” declared Sid Evans, the editor in chief of Southern Living in a release. “These are the hidden gems our readers picked for their character, charm, and unmistakable southerness.”

St. Augustine, Florida was named the No. 1 best southern small town, with Beaufort, South Carolina and Gatlinburg, Tennessee coming in at No. 2 and No. 3. Other cities on the best small towns list hail from Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama.

The top 10 out of 50 Best Small Towns include:

  • No. 1 – St. Augustine, Florida
  • No. 2 – Beaufort, South Carolina
  • No. 3 – Gatlinburg, Tennessee
  • No. 4 – Dahlonega, Georgia
  • No. 5 – Blowing Rock, North Carolina
  • No. 6 – Fairhope, Alabama
  • No. 7 – Tybee Island, Georgia
  • No. 8 – Sanibel, Florida
  • No 9 – Folly Beach, South Carolina
  • No 10 – Fredericksburg

Texas' capital city also earned some impressive recognition as one of the best southern cities overall, according to Southern Living's rankings. We already know Austin is one of the best cities for entrepreneurs, filmmakers, family-friendly vacations, remote workers, and retirees.

Austin ranked No. 10 in the South’s Best Cities list, with cities in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee ranking higher than the Lone Star State. Charleston, South Carolina was ranked the South’s best city, with Savannah, Georgia and Asheville, North Carolina respectively ranked in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots.

Featured on the magazine’s first-ever celebrity cover is Hoda Kotb, an NBC Today co-anchor. The cover spotlights her connection to New Orleans, which was ranked the No. 6 best southern city.

Evans shared his excitement to have Kotb share her “longtime connection” to Louisiana’s most famous city.

“This whole issue is about the places we love, and in Hoda's case, the city clearly loves her back,” he said.

The top 10 South’s Best Cities list includes:

  • No. 1 – Charleston, South Carolina
  • No. 2 – Savannah, Georgia
  • No. 3 – Asheville, North Carolina
  • No. 4 – Atlanta
  • No. 5 – Nashville
  • No. 6 – New Orleans
  • No. 7 – Greenville, South Carolina
  • No. 8 – Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • No. 9 – Alpharetta, Georgia
  • No. 10 – Austin

In the category for the best barbecue by state, Austin’s own Franklin Barbecue was declared the best in Texas.

Southern Living’s Top Barbecue by state rankings are:

  • Alabama – Saw’s BBQ in Birmingham
  • Arkansas – Wright’s Barbecue in Fayetteville
  • Florida – Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach
  • Georgia – Fox Brother’s Bar-B-Que in Atlanta
  • Kentucky – Moonlite Bar-B-B Inn in Owensboro
  • Louisiana – The Joint in New Orleans
  • Mississippi – The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint in Ocean Springs
  • North Carolina – Lexington Barbecue in Lexington
  • Oklahoma – Leo’s BBQ in Oklahoma City
  • South Carolina – Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ in Charleston
  • Tennessee – Peg Leg Porker in Nashville
  • Texas – Franklin Barbecue in Austin
  • Virginia – Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que in Williamsburg
  • West Virginia – Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill in Charleston

Southern Living’s April issue goes on sale March 17.

The full list of Southern Living’s survey and its methodology can be found on SouthernLiving.com.

Photo courtesy of Live Nation.

San Antonio-born Mexican music icon Pepe Aguilar to make 2 Texas stops on new tour

DIRECTO AL CORAZÓN

One of the best singers in the Spanish-speaking world has announced dates for their latest U.S. tour. Pepe Aguilar will be performing across the country beginning in July, with two stops in Texas in October.

Pepe has sold over 12 million albums worldwide and has won four Grammys and four Latin Grammy Awards. He was born in San Antonio and was raised in Zacatecas, Mexico as the son of Mexican singer-actors Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre, both Mexican cultural icons in their own rights.

Outside of a few dates, Pepe has not had a proper U.S. tour since 2017. His first stop will be in Indio, California on July 21 with another show the following day in Fresno, before he makes his way to New York, then his two Texas shows in the fall. After his October 20 Austin show at the Moody Amphitheater, he will visit the Rio Grande Valley on October 29 for a show at the Payne Arena in Hidalgo.

Pepe Aguilar’s solo tour dates include:

  • July 21 – Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California
  • July 22 – Save Mart Center in Fresno, California
  • July 29 – NY-Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City
  • October 20 – Moody Amphitheater in Austin
  • October 29 – Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas
  • November 24 – Theater of the Clouds at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon
  • November 25 – Accesso Showare Center in Kent, Washington
Austin's Moody Amphitheater will be giving away 100 tickets to Pepe's show as part of the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy's commitment to making the space available for all guests. Winners are selected at random and will be notified a week before the show.

In between his solo tour dates, Pepe will also be headlining his immensely popular Jaripeo Sin Fronteras tour with his brother Antonio Aguilar, Hijo and two of his own children: Ángela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar. The tour has sold out some of Mexico and the United States’ biggest venues over the past five years.

Jaripeo Sin Fronteras tour dates include:

  • August 4 – FLA Live Arena in Fort Lauderdale
  • August 5 – Amway Center in Orlando
  • August 18 & 19 – Allstate Arena in Chicago
  • August 25 – Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
  • August 27 – PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina
  • September 2 & 3 – Honda Center in Anaheim, California
  • November 3 & 4 – Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles
  • November 10 – Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona
  • November 11 – MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
  • November 18 – Mechanics Arena in Bakersfield, California
  • November 19 – Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California

Presale tickets for both tours begin March 3, with general public sales to begin March 4. Tickets will be available at ticketmaster.com. VIP packages for both tours can be found at vipnation.com.

More information about the giveaway for Pepe Aguilar's Austin show can be found at waterloogreenway.org.

Photo by Christian Bowen on Unsplash

San Antonio retires into 6th best spot in the country to put away your work boots

CITY LIVIN' IN RETIREMENT

If 2023 is your year to relocate for a new life in retirement, or you’re a future retiree looking for that next move, Texas should be on your search list. Rental marketplace Zumper analyzed data from 100 cities nationwide to find the best American cities to retire, ranking San Antonio at No. 6.

In their latest report, Zumper looked at housing affordability, transportation, satisfaction of renters aged 45 and older, and other metrics to determine the cities in which current and prospective retirees would find the best benefits.

Texas was great overall for retirees based on the lack of state income tax and state-level taxes on Social Security. Good news for those who'd like to stay in Central Texas: San Antonio ranked No. 6 on the list, making it the best Texas city, thanks especially to its high healthcare rating due to its numerous healthcare providers. Another study in 2022 placed emphasis on suburbs and smaller cities like Boerne, which also scored high on healthcare.

Austin, No. 19, also received high rankings in the healthcare category and favorable marks for its good weather. It also ranked No. 1 for having the most satisfaction for outdoor recreation.

Also on the list is El Paso at No. 8, after ranking high in overall satisfaction and median rent. Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston are just past the halfway mark on Zumper’s list at No. 54, No. 56, and No. 57, respectively. Other Texas cities further down the list are Arlington (No. 77), Plano (No. 85), and Irving near the bottom (No. 96).

Zumper’s best overall city to retire, thanks to its housing and healthcare availability, is Columbus, Ohio. The second best city to retire is Louisville, Kentucky – most notably known for its bourbon distilleries, affordable rent, and access to outdoor spaces.

Spokane, Washington takes the No. 3 spot for its favorable weather, an abundance of outdoor recreational activities, and high satisfaction for residents aged 45 and older. Detroit, Michigan (No. 4), and Albuquerque, New Mexico (No. 5), both beat San Antonio, and were notable for their affordable median rent.

The top 10 best US cities to retire in, according to Zumper, are:

  • 1. Columbus, Ohio
  • 2. Louisville, Kentucky
  • 3. Spokane, Washington
  • 4. Detroit, Michigan
  • 5. Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • 6. San Antonio, Texas
  • 7. Raleigh, North Carolina
  • 8. El Paso, Texas
  • 9. Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • 10. Tallahassee, Florida

The full report can be found at zumper.com.

Courtesy Texas Food & Wine Alliance

4 San Antonio culinary pioneers win $21K from the Texas Food & Wine Alliance

CULINARY INNOVATION

Texas’ skyrocketing culinary scene is about to get a huge boost. The Texas Food & Wine Alliance’s grant program has awarded $107,500 to 19 culinary innovators around the state. This marks the Alliance’s 11th year providing funding to support culinary projects contributing to local communities.

The award winners were announced in a ceremony at Austin's Holdsworth Center on January 21. A private panel of distinguished culinary experts chose the winners out of 40 grant applications this year. Nine winners hail from Austin, three from Dallas-Fort Worth, three from Houston, and four from San Antonio. The awards range from $1,500 to $10,000, with a special $25,000 grant investment from Austin favorite Tito’s Handmade Vodka in honor of the company’s 25th anniversary. Grant funding will support chefs, farms, and culinary education groups, among others.

Out of the four San Antonio area winners, Talking Tree Farm received the most from the grant program, $6,250 to purchase shipping containers for storage and to buy a solar-powered cold room for their harvests. John Marshall High School’s culinary arts program will use their $5,000 grant to establish a morning café. Agricultural project Habitable Spaces and pasture-raised chicken farm Cielito Lindo Farm also won $5,000 each to purchase equipment or build infrastructure to further their endeavors in the culinary space.

Austin-area winners received the most funding from the grant program, totalling $53,750, while San Antonio winners received $21,250 in total. Dallas/Fort Worth winners were awarded $19,750, and the three Houston recipients won $12,750. All of the 2022 winners reflect just how diverse the state's trailblazing culinary scene continues to expand.

“All of this year’s funded projects will further enrich the state through innovation and giveback,” said Erika White, executive director of the Alliance. “We’re extremely grateful to each of the Texas communities, our sponsors and their support in allowing us to reward these mold-breaking projects.”

In Austin, organic farm Trosi Farms was awarded the most funding ($10,000), which will help construct a germination shed for more stable plant start production. Locavore pioneer Boggy Creek Farm won $7,500 in grants to provide ADA-compliant accessibility to their new climate-controlled Tomato House, while Texas’ first organic feed mill, Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill & Farm, received $6,250 to help purchase a building to be used as a store for the local community.

The six other Austin area grant recipients, each winning $5,000, include Vista Farms at Vista Brewing, Jamaican family business Tierra Todun ATX, coffee roasters Rising Tide Roast Collaborative, culinary educator Chef Pascal Simon from Bake Austin, East Austin food truck Community Vegan, and Latinx pastry project Comadre Panaderia (who also just earned a James Beard nomination). All winners will be able to use their grants to improve efficiency and expand their businesses, or in Chef Pascal's case, further research and development for her upcoming cookbook for Gen-Z young adults.

After starting the program in Austin, grant co-chair and TFWA past president Cathy Cochran-Lewis says it was the Alliance’s dream to expand the grant statewide.

“We’re so humbled and thrilled to now not only support worthwhile projects across Texas but also to give more than a half million dollars in funding over the last decade to help dreams come true,” she says. “This is a tribute to the culinary talent and the community mindset we are lucky to have in our state.”

The winners in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas include:

For this year's Honorable Mention, the Alliance chose San Antonio eatery Tacos Cucuy, who will soon open a brick-and-mortar space with an expanded menu. Tacos Cucuy are currently looking for support to develop a Tex-Mex charcuterie program called La Cura Carnes Especiales.

More information about the 2022 grants and its recipients can be found on texasfoodandwinealliance.org.

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Property Showcase

San Antonio home sales continue to decline in February, latest report shows

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Home prices went up and sales went down in February, an inauspicious prediction for both homebuyers and sellers in San Antonio’s real estate market. That’s according to the latest market report from the San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR).

The latest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data shows steady price increases in the San Antonio area. The average home price is now at $365,679, an $8,700-plus increase from 2022. Median home prices have hit $310,000, which is a smaller increase from last year, but $50,000 more than 2021.

Despite new home construction skyrocketing at the same rate, existing home sales have dropped by 28 percent. Homes are also staying on the market much longer than they did in February 2022, at around 70 days.

SABOR’s 2023 board chair Sara Briseño Gerrish shared her insights on the current market.

“The months of inventory is being reported at 3.3 and 93.5% of homes closed of their original listing price,” she said. “To close February, there were 3,531 new listings, 2,407 pending listings and 9,712 active listings.”

To add to February’s home sale woes, Bexar County saw a 16.4 percent decline with only 1,612 closed listings, while average prices increased 4.4 percent to $341,204.

Statewide, only 21,838 homes were sold in February, a 14 percent decrease year-over-year.

The full report can be found on sabor.com.

11 reasons to escape the San Antonio bustle with a day trip to Dripping Springs

JUST WEST OF WEIRD

As a Dripping Springs native, I like to think I know it pretty well. The town has come a long way from being known as the place “just west of weird," exploding in recent years into a suburb of Austin (though many would frown upon that designation). If you’re driving on Highway 290, viewing the Dripping Springs water tower with its “Gateway to the Hill Country” motto in bold letters serves as a personal welcome for residents and newcomers alike.

Despite the rapid recent growth in the Austin area, Dripping Springs still has many of the small-town features that its local residents — and transplants — all love. Many of the culinary staples I enjoyed as a teenager are still thriving, years after the COVID-19 pandemic threatened local businesses statewide. The annual April Founders Day Festival has been a must-see for families for decades.

Those in search of a new day trip spot should consider these 11 places to visit in Dripping Springs.

Where to Eat

Homespun Kitchen & Bar
Homespun is a farm-to-table American restaurant with European influences that serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with live music and kid-friendly spaces. Chef Michael St. Germain is behind all menu choices, applying his experience from San Francisco restaurants and bringing critical acclaim for his burgers, according to the restaurant's website. With weekday specials, fresh-made desserts and over 300 whiskeys to choose from, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. Reserve at homespunkitchenandbar.com.

Oak Creek Cafe
Who can say no to some good Southern comfort food? Oak Creek Cafe has been operating at the corner of Sportplex Drive and Highway 290 for several years. Must-try menu items include the chicken fried steaks, biscuits and gravy, and mushroom Swiss burger. The cafe regularly posts photos of its large plates of comfort food on Facebook, and Google reviewers love it as a breakfast spot above all.

Rolling in Thyme & Dough
A personal favorite: Rolling in Thyme & Dough’s original Highway 290 location is in the center of Dripping Springs, offering delicious pastries, breakfast, and lunch options. Fan favorites include the smoky chipotle breakfast sandwich, the TX two-step sandwich for lunch, and any of the freshly-baked pastries. They also have weekly BYOB bistro nights on Wednesdays in the spring, utilizing fresh ingredients from the Dripping Springs Farmers Market.

Mazama Coffee Co
Since its founding in 2012, Dripping Springs’ first independent coffee shop has been caffeinating the town for over a decade. They micro-roast their own beans from Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Brazil. They also have a bakery to provide customers with well-loved baked goods and lunch. Mazama’s was named the Best Coffee Shop of Dripping Springs from 2018-2021, according to their site.

The Great British Baking Company
This cozy food spot is a newer addition to Mercer Street. The Great British Baking Company adds to the growing food culture in town with their homemade sticky toffee pudding, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and rotating soups. All of their menu items are made right behind the checkout counter in their open kitchen. Don’t forget to browse their selection of imported British goods, and make sure to take home a parfait or chocolate mousse in a jar.

What to Do

Dripping Springs Chocolate Company
The Wilson family created their chocolate business as a way to support local economies in Nicaragua after a family mission trip. In their mission statement, they aim to create the best chocolate while “improv[ing] the lives of the farmers and communities that grow the cacao.” They’ve since expanded their initial chocolate offerings to spice rubs, dessert and hot cocoa mixes, and chocolate-covered snacks.

The Sated Sheep
As a self-described “psychologist-turned-fiber-junkie,” this yarn shop owner has created her own community surrounding fiber crafts and a love of knitting. Allison’s shop has been a must-see for any visitors looking to pick up a new hobby, or wanting to grab a glass of wine and watch other knitters or crocheters create works of art. The shop offers affordable classes for any skill level, private lessons, and workshops for special events.

Vintage Soul
If you’ve never met Julie Crawford, you’re missing out on one of the most bubbly and welcoming personalities in Dripping Springs. Whether you’re in her Mercer Street shop or watching her weekly “Try-on Tuesday” Instagram stories, Julie makes everyone feel confident in her clothes and accessories. And let’s be honest, everyone loves information about true garment sizing before you try it on or buy online.

Starrs on Mercer
Two sisters with zero retail experience collaborated in 2015 to build a bustling “modern day department store” on Mercer Street. Born out of a love for shopping and convenience, Starrs on Mercer is a one-stop shop for women’s, men’s, and baby clothing, plus accessories, and gifts. The Starr sisters have since opened a travel agency, Starrs On The Go, to expand their endeavors.

Treaty Oak Distilling
You can’t write about Dripping Springs without including some popular distilleries. When it was founded in 2006, Treaty Oak says it was only the fourth distillery operating in the state. The distillery sits on a 28-acre property on Fitzhugh Road with plenty of space for children to explore while you sit back and enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail. Tours of the distillery are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and classes are available on select Saturdays every month.

Desert Door Distillery
What was once a barren plot of land on Darden Hill Road has now developed into the only sotol distillery in the United States. Desert Door hosts a range of live music weekly, offers tours on weekends, and also has a rental space for private events. With a variety of cocktails and tacos made by James Beard award winner Jesse Griffiths and Spoke Hollow Steward, it’s definitely a go-to for any day trip itinerary.

San Antonio meat palace Fogo de Chao expands its menu with new plant-based options

Vegan News

Well, here's a twist: Fogo de Chão, the churrascuria-style restaurant concept from Brazil known for its dedication to meat, is expanding its menu in an unprecedented new direction: They're adding tofu.

Effective immediately, the restaurant will offer new plant-based and nutrient-dense dishes, alongside an enhanced Bar Fogo beverage list that has new non-alcoholic craft cocktails made with low-proof spirits (less than 0.5 percent alcohol).

Fogo CEO Barry McGowan says in a release that they're responding to demand from their younger, more health-conscious customers.

"Our young and dynamic guests consider themselves food explorers who seek new culinary discoveries with each visit,” McGowan says. “For nearly 45 years we’ve had nutrient-dense and plant-forward dining options for every occasion and dietary tribe throughour Market Table. With the rollout of our new dining choices and clean cocktails, we continue to offer our guests the variety and discoveries they crave while doing it in a wholesome and flavorful way.”

The Market Table is their famed salad bar, which has sated many a vegetarian diner or else those just not up for the whole skewered meat thing that is a trademark of Fogo and other churrascuria-style places.

Entrees
Two new plant-based innovations will join Fogo's existing Vegetarian and Pescatarian dishes such as the Cauliflower Steak, and will be available on the main dining menu available for lunch, brunch, and dinner as an alternative to the Full Churrasco Experience, as follows:

  • Seared Tofu with Miso Black Bean Pasta - Chimichurri-marinated tofu served atop black bean pasta sautéed with green onion, Napa cabbage, pickled onions and carrot ginger-miso dressing. Vegan and gluten-free.
  • Roasted Power Vegetable Bowl - Roasted eggplant, marinated mushrooms, roasted zucchini, asparagus, and baby peppers served with chimichurri spinach rice. Vegan and gluten-free.

togo power bowlRoasted Power Vegetable Bowl at Fogo de Chao.Photo courtesy of Fogo de Chao

They're also rolling out new dishes on the Market Table which for the past 45 years has showcased nutrient-dense and flavorful choices including seasonal salads, micro greens, natural and plant-based proteins, imported charcuterie, and more.

New items on the Market Table are as follows:

  • Spring Hummus - Fresh hummus blended with herbs, roasted garlic and citrus, topped with radish, fresh mint, edamame, and olive oil.
  • Baby Kale & Mango Salad - Fresh baby kale, Napa cabbage, red radish and mango, tossed in a lime honey dressing.
  • Miso Black Bean Pasta - Gluten-free black bean pasta tossed with green onion, Napa cabbage, pickled onions and carrot ginger-miso dressing.
  • Apple Manchego Salad - Granny Smith apples and Manchego cheese tossed with honey, cracked pepper and black mission figs.
  • Power Greens - A seasonal mix of vitamin-rich greens, fresh herbs and micro-shoots

The Bar
The Bar Fogo menu now features five new cocktails, including three made with Clean Co’s non-alcoholic spirits with less than 0.5% alcohol, as follows:

  • Yellowbird - Desolas Mezcal, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Cointreau, La Marca Prosecco
  • Espresso Martini - Diplomatico Reserva Rum, Caffe Borghetti and Licor 43
  • Clean Cosmo - CleanCo V (Vodka) Apple, Cranberry, Fresh Lemon
  • CleanR Sour - CleanCo R (Rum), Passionfruit, Pineapple, Aquafaba, Bitters
  • Clean Cucumber Martini - CleanCo V (Vodka) Apple, Cucumber, Basil, Lemon Twist

Founded in southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo has seven other locations across Texas: Addison, Uptown Dallas, Plano, Friendswood, Houston, Austin, and The Woodlands.

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