Yes, everyone's moving to Austin – but they're not all coming from California

From the Statesman:

Yes, everyone's moving to Austin; but they're not all coming from California: According to the analysis, more than 50 percent of migration to Austin from 2012 to 2016 was from people leaving other large Texas cities, such as Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. But census data also shows that a net of thousands of people from states like California, Florida and New York came to Austin during those years.

Food: P. Terry's Expanding to Houston

Houston, you're in luck.  Apparently you're getting four new P. Terry's soon. 

I hit P. Terry's about twice per month.   The double cheeseburger (I get mine with onions, special sauce, and a wheat bun) is great, as is the chicken burger.  The latter is different from most fast-food chicken options as it is a patty of ground chicken (as opposed to a grilled/fried chicken breast).  Either option is delicious, as are the freshly cut fries  (salt and potatoes, no crazy seasonings) with a side of special sauce for dipping. 

I once described the P. Terry's burger as "what an In-and-Out burger should aspire to be."  Before you accuse me of anti-Californian burger bias:  I love Fatburger and wish someone would open a location in Austin.  And yes, I like to eat my Fatburger with chili. 

When driving around Texas, Whataburger is (of course) my preferred fast-food burger option.   I think they'd boot me out of the state if I didn't mention that. 

New downtown rail station to break ground early April - Austin Monitor

New downtown rail station to break ground early April - Austin Monitor: "After carving away the excess from Downtown Station plans in January, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority awarded a construction contract of $36,865,160 to Austin-based firm Jay-Reese Contractors Inc. at its Feb. 25 meeting.Jay-Reese was one of three firms to respond to…"

A good thing to note is that this project is being designed with potential Green Line (commuter rail to Elgin) and Blue Line (possible light rail to airport) capacity in mind.

Food: Top Notch

The #5 from Top Notch

I was at ABOR headquarters all morning for a meeting.  As I drove out of the garage I thought, hey, today is a great day for a Top Notch burger.   Thus a slight detour was made.

Everyone I know who likes Top Notch talks about the fried chicken and how amazing it is.  I wouldn't know, as I stick with the #5 chili-cheese burger.  First of all, I love a good chili-cheese burger.  Second, Top Notch's reminds me of the #4 Fiesta Burger from the former Austin institution that was Holiday House (I'm not making this up: they had a live gator at the Barton Springs location back in the 70's).  Unfortunately, the notorious "Meat Lady" non-renewed the lease for the Tarrytown location and the Holiday House chain died shortly thereafter.  Holiday House was not only only a place I frequented in high school, the #4 Fiesta Burger was the first thing I ate when I moved to Austin (30 years ago, as of next week).   I'm digressing a bit, but it was a delicious piece of flame-kissed goodness I still miss.  Accordingly, this illustrates why I enjoy any burger which approximates the Fiesta Burger.  That is what I get at Top Notch and why I have yet to advance to the fried chicken.

So yes, the detour was worthwhile.  The #5 was delicious as always.  Now,  if Top Notch would just consider getting a live gator...

Not only is the food at Top Notch great, but is it also a fun place for fans of the film Dazed and Confused to visit.  In addition to being at the location of several scenes from the film, one can enjoy an up-close viewing of two paddles from the movie.     

One final bit of Top Notch news:  they are opening another restaurant in Hutto.   No Dazed and Confused connection, but I'm sure the burgers and fried chicken will be tasty.



On the chili-cheese burger note, here are two other restaurants with good options in Austin:

• Waterloo Icehouse
• Shady Grove       

Hopdoddy once had an awesome burger called The Terlingua (topped with chili, cheese, and Fritos) but it seems to have vanished from the menu.  I'm fond of the Buffalo Bill and all, but bring the Terlingua back.  

January 2019 Austin Housing Market Statistics

Infographics courtesy of Austin Board of REALTORS®.  Visit www.abor.com/statsjan19 for more information.  And, of course, contact Floyd Real Estate if you want to buy or sell property in the Austin area.

Fusebox Festival: 2019 Schedule Announced

The Fusebox Festival (April 16-21) announced its schedule of 2019 performances on Tuesday.  All performances are free.  Sign up early if you are interested in going, as many of the performances fill up quickly.

Here's an article about the upcoming Fusebox Festival line-up:  Fusebox Festival: 6 events to check out during this free experimental arts fest

Also, check out this video from Fusebox about the upcoming 2019 festival.

Office, retail project planned at South Lamar and Oltorf

South Austin commercial real estate news:

Office, retail project planned at South Lamar and Oltorf

Austin Opera will climb Mount Everest and push more boundaries in new season

Austin Opera will climb Mount Everest and push more boundaries in new season

Update: I saw Everest in January of 2020 and loved it.  They were giving away copies of Into Thin Air in the lobby, so I took one home.  If you haven't read it, I recommend that you do.

City Council's Casar unveils ambitious affordable housing plan

City Council's Casar unveils ambitious affordable housing plan

State GOP leaders seek to limit property tax increases

State GOP leaders seek to limit property tax increases