Experience Texas football player Kelvin Banks Jr. as he dives into the culinary delights of Austin’s premier BBQ joints.
In an exclusive Statesman interview, food critic Matthew Odam sits down with Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr., exploring the intersection of sports and culinary passion while uncovering what makes Austin’s BBQ scene truly exceptional.
In a momentous celebration of Texas gastronomy, the Michelin Guide made its highly awaited debut in the Lone Star State with a grand ceremony and cocktail reception held at 713 Music Hall in the heart of downtown Houston on Monday night.
This internationally renowned dining and travel guide, originally created by the French tire company, recognized an impressive 117 Texas restaurants with various accolades, marking a significant milestone for the state’s culinary landscape.
Austin emerged as the standout city during this momentous event, proudly claiming 7 out of the 15 prestigious Michelin Stars awarded to restaurants across five major Texas cities.
The Michelin star system comprises three levels: a single star indicates a restaurant with “high-quality cooking” that’s “worth a stop,” as per the guide’s original intent to assist French motorists in finding exceptional dining experiences.
Among the one-star honorees were two of the American-Statesman’s previous top-rated culinary spots in Austin: Barley Swine, an exquisite tasting menu restaurant owned by native Austinite Bryce Gilmore, and Olamaie, an elegant Southern dining establishment led by chef Michael Fojtasek.
Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group’s remarkable Hestia, a live-fire fine dining restaurant that earned rave reviews from the Statesman shortly after its 2020 opening, alongside Craft Omakase, a sushi restaurant that received glowing praise from our earlier review this year, also earned the coveted one-star recognition.
Three of the seven Michelin Stars awarded went to a trio of celebrated barbecue establishments, including chef John Bates’ innovative Interstellar BBQ; LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, known for its modern take on barbecue, which just opened in 2024; and La Barbecue, a beloved East Austin BBQ spot run by Ali Clem, who is the widow of the late LeAnn Mueller.
The distinct selection of Austin’s restaurants not only demonstrates Michelin’s appreciation for formal service and exquisite plating but also highlights a celebration of local food culture and styles, reflecting the evolving dining preferences within the area.
Houston trails just behind Austin, boasting six one-star restaurants, while Dallas and San Antonio each celebrated one establishment receiving a star. Notably, no Texas restaurants were awarded two or three stars, with the U.S. currently housing only 13 restaurants boasting three stars and 33 with two stars. Approximately 200 establishments across the U.S. proudly possess one star, and Michelin’s team of inspectors annually reviews star designations, continuously assigning new stars, while restaurants strive to maintain or enhance their prestigious ratings.
In addition to its traditional star ratings, Michelin also acknowledged 45 Texas establishments with its Bib Gourmand distinction, bestowed upon restaurants that offer “great meals at good value,” securing a spot within the state’s culinary hierarchy.
Austin is proud to host 15 of the 45 Texas restaurants recognized with the Bib Gourmand, predominantly in the vibrant Mexican and barbecue sectors. Notably, six of these 15 selections are food trailers or trucks, signaling Michelin’s shifting perspective on the dining scene after decades primarily focusing on fine dining venues.
The 15 Bib Gourmand featured eateries in Austin include notable spots such as Briscuits at Radio Coffee and Bar, food trucks like Cuantos Tacos and Distant Relatives at Meanwhile Brewing Co., as well as renowned establishments like Franklin Barbecue, Kemuri Tatsu-ya, and superb options like Odd Duck and Ramen del Barrio.
When assessing restaurants for distinctions, Michelin inspectors utilize five essential criteria: 1) Quality products; 2) the harmony of flavors; 3) the mastery of cooking techniques; 4) the chef’s unique voice and personality reflected in the cuisine; 5) consistency experienced on each visit, with restaurants evaluated multiple times yearly.
Aside from traditional star ratings, Michelin also introduced the Green Star in 2020 to honor “restaurants committed to a more sustainable gastronomy.” Chef Jesse Griffith’s locally focused Dai Due and the environmentally conscious Emmer & Rye both received Green Stars at the inaugural Michelin Guide Texas event, joining an elite group of only 30 other U.S. restaurants committed to sustainability.
In a brilliant highlight of the evening, Austin’s Edgar Rico, chef-owner of Nixta Taqueria, was celebrated with the Michelin Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award, recognizing his extraordinary skill and dedication as he melds culinary mastery with a representation of Mexican culture.
Rico expressed pride in his mission, stating, “Making delicious food and representing Mexican culture every single day. Immigrants are what make this country and this state an amazing place to be.”
The Michelin Guide, established in the early 1900s as a travel companion for European motorists and a marketing gimmick to boost tire sales, has evolved into the world’s most authoritative dining guide, now covering a vast array of restaurants from Los Angeles to Tokyo.
Accessible via both the website and the Michelin Guide mobile application, users can easily explore restaurants distinguished by various accolades, including a list of “recommended” spots. In Austin, 23 restaurants and food trucks received the “recommended” designation, joining an extensive roster from throughout the state.
Using comparable metropolitan areas for perspective, Austin enjoyed great success on its initial Michelin venture. In its inaugural year, Atlanta celebrated five one-star restaurants, subsequently increasing that number by four in the following year, while Denver launched with three in its debut, currently sitting at five.
Michelin’s entry into the Texas market, announced in July, represents a collaboration with Travel Texas within the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development, encompassing five major cities for consideration.
These agencies from Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth are each committing $90,000 annually over three years, with the state matching those funds, resulting in a total investment of $2.7 million. After three years, the city and state agencies can reevaluate the relationship, though Michelin Guide executive director Gwendall Poullennec indicated that cities and states typically opt to continue this partnership.
This prestigious guide, which encompasses regions including Chicago, Washington D.C., California, parts of Florida, Toronto, Vancouver, Atlanta, Denver, and Mexico City, is set to shine a spotlight on the thriving Texas culinary scene, potentially driving local and tourism revenue while encouraging innovation and elevated service in Texas eateries.
