TMBBQ Fest 2013

What makes good BBQ? Is it the burnt end? Maybe its the sauce or the rubs... or maybe its the company you have when you enjoy the Lonestar state's trademark food. If you are from Texas and enjoy BBQ as much as the rest of us then you may want to save this date: November 3rd. TMBBQ is back for another year! at this event they invite their Top 50 Joints that made the list to the TMBBQ FEST. You can't miss out! 

Daniel Vaughn AKA (The BBQ Snob) - "The Prophets of Smoked Meat"

Daniel Vaughn is known as The BBQ Snob and has traveled all across Texas in search of the best smoked meat in the state. An expert in all things barbecue, Daniel Vaughn published his first book "The Prophets of Smoked Meat," a restaurant guide to the best joints in Texas. Vaughn has also kept a BBQ review blog called Full Custom Gospel BBQ.

Check out Vaughn's top 10 Texas BBQ list here. 

  

(Click to purchase)

Barbecue Joints:

• AUSTIN’S BBQ AND CATERING
  Pitmaster: Ron Janow

  Rating: 4.25
• BLACK’S BARBECUE
  Pitmaster: Kent Black

  Rating: 4.25
• BUZZIE’S BAR-B-Q
  Pitmaster: Harold "Buzzie" Hughes

  Rating: 4.25
• CITY MEAT MARKET
  Pitmaster: Gerald Birkelbach (since 1982)

  Rating: 4.25
• COUSIN’S BAR-B-Q
  Pitmaster: Cliff Payne

  Rating: 4.25
• FRANKLIN BARBECUE
  Pitmaster: Aaron Franklin

  Rating: 5
• HATFIELD’S BBQ
  Pitmaster: Kenny Hatfield

  Rating: 4
• HAYS CO. BAR-B-QUE AND CATERING
  Pitmaster: Michael Hernandez; Aaron Hernandez (since 2009); and Omar Serna (since 2012)

  Rating: 4
• HUTCHINS BBQ
  Pitmaster: Tim Hutchins (since 1999)

  Rating: 4.25
• LA BARBECUE
  Pitmaster: John Lewis, Francisco Saucedo, and Chris McGhee

  Rating: 4.5
• LAMBERTS DOWNTOWN BARBECUE
  Pitmaster: Zach Davis

  Rating: 4.25
• LOCKHART SMOKEHOUSE
  Pitmaster: Tim McLaughlin and Will Fleischman

  Rating: 4.5
• LOUIE MUELLER BARBECUE
  Pitmaster: Wayne Mueller (since 2008)

  Rating: 4.75
• MILLER’S SMOKEHOUSE
  Pitmaster: Dirk Miller and Robert Reid

  Rating: 4.25
• OPIE’S BARBECUE
  Pitmaster: Marco Oglesby (since 2007)

  Rating: 4.5
• PECAN LODGE
  Pitmaster: Justin Fourton

  Rating: 4.75
• PODY’S BBQ
  Pitmaster: Israel Campos

  Rating: 4
• SNOW’S BBQ
  Pitmaster: Tootsie Tomanetz

  Rating: 4.75
  
  

Movies in Texas

Movies Filmed in Texas

Texans know that there is so much more to our state than meets the eye. . It isn't all about food or fashion here, although those things may be notably important to what makes Texas, Texas. As a diverse state we have grown to welcome art that can be created through canvases, instruments and even film. Throughout our history these are just a couple of movies we have discovered that were filmed right here in the home land. 

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Last Picture Show, The (1971)

Apollo 13 (1995)

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Traffic (2000)

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

10 reasons why people move to Texas

Texas is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S., but apart from the obvious like our amazing food and great music, what is responsible for this rapid growth? The BBC wrote an article about Texas growth, and these are their top ten reasons why so many people are moving to Texas.

“10 reasons why so many people are moving to Texas”

1. Jobs

2. It’s cheaper

3. Homes

4. Low tax

5. Pick your own big city

6. Austin in particular

7. Family friendly

8. Fewer rules

9. Texans are normal people

10. And they’re not going anywhere

Fried Food Capital of Texas

One of the most memorable Fall trips to take in Texas is a trip State Fair of Texas! If you made it out last year then you may know about the tragic loss of one of the most familiar icons in Texas, Big Tex who burst into flames. This year he came back to over see and greet all our fellow Texans as they inhale glorious amounts of battered foods. Lets take a gander at the 2013 Big Tex Choice Awards Winners and Finalists.

2013 Big Tex Choice Awards Winners

Best Tasting: Deep-Fried Cuban Roll

Most Creative: Fried Thanksgiving Dinner

2013 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists

Awesome Deep Fried Nutella® 

Fernie’s Deep Fried King Ranch Casserole 

Golden Fried Millionaire Pie

Spinach Dip Bites 

Southern Style Chicken-Fried Meatloaf 

Texas Fried Fireball 

DISCLAIMER: YOUR CHOLESTEROL MIGHT RISE WHILE READING THIS POST

TopGolf

Friday night. School’s out, you get to leave the office, and you have the whole weekend ahead of you. The biggest question on your mind at this point is “what is there to do?” Well if you want a break from the ordinary, you should check out TopGolf. 

TopGolf is a Texas based company that offers a unique entertainment experience through golf. This isn’t your grandfather’s  golf course though. The layout consists of golfing stations set up in rows facing the target field. There are multiple stories of rows, and they all face the field that has several targets scattered around the field. 

The thing that sets TopGolf apart from traditional golf is that the golf balls used in TopGolf have microchips in them that allow you to see exactly where your ball ended up. With this high tech gadgetry, you are able to play several games such as distance and accuracy games. And the best part is that you never have to go search for your ball. You can stay put, hit a few balls, and enjoy some food and drinks with friends. There are multiple locations throughout Texas, with a new location in The Colony opening up this fall. So if you want to try something new this weekend, be sure to go check out TopGolf. It’s a blast, and with prices starting at $20 an hour for a row that can accommodate up to 5 people, it won’t break the bank either. 

Royers Pie Haven

THE PIE HAVEN

Round Top, not to be confused with Round Rock is home to a modest number of 91 people. Something sets this small town apart from the rest, is it that natural southern-hospitality flare, that eclectic antique essence you can feel from every mom and pop business that inherit the land... Or is it something sweeter? Round Top is home to Royers Pie Haven. Lines and lines of people crowd into the welcoming shop just to get a lick of the best pies around.


Yes, Royers Pie Haven is without a doubt most well know for their pies but with perfect pies come a great responsibility to provide a perfect cup of coffee to wash it all down. We don't like to pick favorites but the classic Cinnamon coffee compliments any of their pies perfectly. Royers Pie Haven is a place dripping with creative spirit from the food to the aesthetics of the shop.

THE PIE QUEEN

Everything has a beginning and the founder and mastermind behind the Pie Haven is no other than Tara Royer Steele aka The Pie Queen and the daughter of Bud Royer. In September of 2011 the Haven that served as a home away from home for her customers and an outlet for creativity was up and running!

Pie Queen's Social Medias:
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
Blog

THE PIES

The Pie Haven is now coming to Austin and will be right on the corner of 29th and Guadalupe. It is scheduled to open November 5th this year so whenever you come in to Austin stop by and get some pie!

Just a few of our favorite pies straight from the menu to get your mouth watering:

TEXAS TRASH PIE ~ OMP!!

Pecans, coconut, chocolate chips, graham crackers, pretzels and caramel…this is a toooo die for pie!!!

JUNK BERRY PIE aka CRACK BERRY PIE

Yep, named after our dear friends “THE JUNK GYPSIES” who have set up camp just down the road! A mix of a whole bunch of junk…apples, peaches, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches with a sour cream topping! To die for!

BUD’s CHOCOLATE CHIP PIE ~ OMP!

The Claim to Fame! It’s like a big Chocolate Chip Cookie with tiny bits of pecans—only better!die for!

NOT MY MOM’s APPLE PIE ~ OMP!

Six whole Granny Smith apples, in a sinful filling of brown sugar and whipping cream AND topped with a pecan and brown sugar strudel…Holy Cow!

THE SHIRTS

If you get a chance to stop by the Pie Haven in Round Top, Texas or go by the Haven located in Austin, Texas in November and be sure to pick up a tshirt with the hand-drawn design of every pie available at the shop! You know it's quality if the Tumbleweed Texstyles team is behind it!