Popular AIA tour drafts 9 local architects for a peek inside Austin homes

explore austin homes

Photo courtesy of AIA Austin

Taking a stroll around a nice neighborhood and commenting on the architecture is an evergreen activity. But Austinites can speculate from the sidewalk any day. Clear your calendars on October 28-29, because the popular self-guided AIA Austin Homes Tour is back.

This will be its 37th annual journey to highlight local architects and innovative home design. The nationally recognized tour showcases both newly built and renovated homes that inspire everyone from homeowners, to designers, to architects.

Before the physical tour, AIA Austin will put on pre-tour webinars with each of the nine chosen architects from September 13 to October 11. Attendees will gain access to the webinars when buying a ticket, getting an introduction to each architect and the home they designed, plus a question-and-answer session. Webinars can also be purchased individually.

"This tour has something for everyone," said AIA Austin Executive Director Ingrid Spencer in a release. "From a house made mostly of plant-based materials, to a multi-generational house with lush gardens, to a renovation of a spectacular house we saw on this tour 20 years ago, this tour promises to inspire attendees and generate lots of discussion about great design."

Other homes that will be on the 2023 tour include a three-glass home on a steep 10-acre property, a 660-square-foot studio space above a pre-existing bungalow, and more.

The nine architects that will be highlighted for the 2023 annual tour are:

Early-bird tickets ($40 per person) are available until September 22. General admission will be available for $45 until the day of the tour, and $50 on October 28. VIP tickets ($125), which include access to a VIP party, are also available.

More information about the 37th annual AIA Austin Homes Tour can be found at aiaaustin.org.

Photo by Allison Cartwright Twist Tours

Here's how much Austin spends to maintain the 2nd 'best curb appeal' in the country

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Sure, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but that doesn't apply to a vast number of million-dollar homes in this city. It's probably safe to say that many locals (or tourists) have been guilty of window shopping Austin's most gorgeous houses while cruising around town.

Experts from home services website Thumbtack have confirmed Austin's incredible curb appeal and ranked the city No. 2 in a recent study that surveyed homeowners around the country.

Thumbtack partnered with Nextdoor to ask more than 1,000 homeowners to set tangible values to curb appeal: both how much they care, and what kind of exterior home improvements have the most influence. It also ranked cities on how much they spend.

The study found that Austinites will spend up to $5,524 on many "small curb appeal investments" – such as replacing the front door, installing outdoor lighting, pressure washing the driveway, or painting their fence.

But if a homeowner really wants their property to stand out, major projects like adding a solar roof or maintaining a perfectly manicured front yard are surefire ways to catch people's attention and admiration. So much so, that 82 percent of survey-takers said investing in landscaping is a substantial improvement, and 73 percent believe a well-kept lawn dramatically improves curb appeal.

"At its core, curb appeal is a homeowner’s first presentation of themself to the neighborhood," the report said. "An individual home’s curb appeal impacts the whole neighborhood — and, as a result, can build relationships or even create tensions on the block."

Costs, of course, are driven up with the scale of the projects. Cost estimates for garage door or gutter replacements can ring up at $1,310, with Austinites budgeting up to $15,627 for their "medium-sized" home improvement projects.

The study designates some projects as "large curb appeal investments": things like painting the entire exterior of a house, replacing property fencing, or installing a sprinkler system. Estimates for multiple large-scale projects can cost up to $25,000 in Austin.

Nextdoor's Head of Revenue, Heidi Andersen, said in the report that a home's curb appeal can show the owner's "deep investment" in their neighborhood, and can improve their fellow neighbors' pride within the local community.

"For many neighbors, the neighborhood is a gathering place, a central hub, and most importantly, a place they come to for genuine connections, support, and shared experiences among its residents," said Andersen. "Every day, neighbors everywhere are transforming houses into homes, and streets into welcoming avenues for their communities."

The only city to outrank Austin with the best curb appeal is Atlanta, Georgia, while Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 5.

The top 10 cities with the best curb appeal are:

No. 1 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 4 – Washington, D.C.
No. 5 – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
No. 6 – Baltimore, Maryland
No. 7 – Seattle, Washington
No. 8 – Orlando, Florida
No. 9 – Tampa, Florida
No. 10 – Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

The full report can be found on thumbtack.com.

Photo courtesy of Hive 3D Builders

Texas antiquing hotspot welcomes world’s first near zero carbon 3D-printed homes

the future of homebuilding

The future of sustainable home construction is here. Residents in the Texas town of Round Top are getting the first look at 3D printed homes created by HIVE 3D Builders and Eco Material Technologies, the largest producer of sustainable materials.

The 3D printed homes are part of The Casitas at The Halles, a new collection of affordable and environmentally sustainable 400- to 900-square-foot homes in the town's most popular retail and event venue. The casitas can be configured with studio, single-bedroom, or two-bedroom floor plans.

"These small homes will serve as a model for affordable and eco-friendly housing throughout the country," said Hive 3D CEO Timothy Lankau in a press release. "We plan to build them at a speed and cost point that is unprecedented in the affordable housing space."

Every home is being constructed using Hive 3D's PozzoCEM Vite cement replacement material, which creates 92 percent less emissions than traditional cement. PozzoCEM Vite also sets in a matter of minutes, rather than the typical one to two days it takes for regular cement to set.

Additionally, Hive 3D and Eco Materials collaborated to develop a new way to mix their materials with specially-modified commercial mixing equipment, thus further reducing production costs.

Eco Materials Technologies CEO Grant Quasha said in the release that Hive 3D's goal to construct 3D printed homes using their materials similarly aligns with his company's own goal to change the construction industry for the better, while improving overall carbon emissions.

"While we are known as the largest supplier of sustainable cement alternatives for large scale infrastructure projects, we are proud to be able to work with forward-thinking innovators like the team at Hive 3D to provide residential solutions as well," Quasha said. "These homes are cost efficient, beautiful and sustainable in many senses of the word."

More information about the casitas can be found on hive3dbuilders.com.

Photo courtesy of Hive 3D Builders

The homes will have studio, single-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans.

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Austin earned top 10 rank for highest number of build-to-rent homes last year

THE RISE OF THE RENTAL

With the increasing demand for housing and rising popularity of constructing homes for rent, Austin has earned a top 10 position in a new analysis of American metro areas with the highest number of single-family rentals built for all of 2022.

A total of 324 build-to-rent homes were completed in Austin in 2022, which is a 10-year high, according to the study by RentCafe. The newest findings put the Texas Capital three places higher than in 2021, when the city ranked No. 13 in the nation.

"Austin was named the second fastest growing city in the U.S. by the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise," the study's author wrote. "That came after the city recorded a 4.3 percent rise in its GDP in 2022 to $216 billion, following the Bay Area."

The study analyzed build-to-rent data from RentCafe's sister site, Yardi Matrix, for communities that had at least 50 single-family rental units.

Dallas nailed the rankings this year by earning the top spot with nearly 2,800 single-family rental units completed last year. Phoenix (which outpaced Dallas last year) ranked No. 2 with only 1,527 units completed. After Phoenix, single-family rentals in other American metro areas only went into the triple digits, with Atlanta, Georgia (No. 3) at 808, Greenville, South Carolina (No. 4) at 584, and Charlotte, North Carolina rounding out the top five with 475 units completed.

The metro areas that complete the top 10 for the most build-to-rent homes in 2022 include:

No. 6 – Detroit, Michigan
No. 7 – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
No. 8 – Panama City, Florida
No. 9 – Charleston, South Carolina
No. 10 – Austin, Texas

Austin had the seventh highest number of single-family rentals completed in the country within the last five years, totaling 1,096 units. The Texas cities that ranked higher were Dallas (No. 2) and Houston (No. 4). San Antonio ranked below Austin at No. 8. Phoenix took the No. 1 spot with over 6,000 build-to-rent homes completed in the same time period.

The study's findings support a growing demand for flexibility among renters who may not want the high cost and maintenance associated with home ownership, RentCafe says.

“More and more people are deciding they want the best of both worlds: the flexible lifestyle of the renter, with no maintenance commitments and costs, and the comfort and privacy offered by living in a house,” the study’s author wrote. “In this case, build-to-rent homes check all of the boxes, while high home prices and rising interest rates make them even more appealing.”

The number of single-family rentals is expected to continue rising dramatically in 2023. Currently, 945 units are under construction in Austin. Overall, there are 44,700 build-to-rent homes being built this year throughout the nation; three times more than the number of completed homes in all of 2022, the study says.

Photo courtesy of Engel & Völkers Austin

Austin settles into ranks of Texas cities selling homes over $10 million

MOVE OVER, MCMANSION

Austin is being redefined as a market for homes for the ultra-rich, according to a new report. The $10M+ National Luxury Report for 2022 from real estate brokerage Compass cites five local sales of homes over $10 million in 2022; that's only up one from the previous year, but there had been none in the years shown before that.

The report is for all sales in the area and based on MLS data.

Affluent areas in Austin have landed increasingly in wealth reports, like the richest cities in Texas as the benchmark for the 1 percent of highest earners in Texas rises. The Compass report acknowledges that the wealth of Austin transplants has permanently changed the real estate market.

DFW holds the top spot in Texas for the $10 million-plus category of home sales, with $145.79 million in sales volume (counting 11 houses over the $10 million mark). Austin totaled $55.95 million, and in Houston, just one home in this category sold last year.

So, how much did those uber-expensive homes go for? In Austin, it was just $11.99 million for buyer-represented sales, and $7.75 million for listing-represented sales. In Dallas-Fort Worth, the top market, it was $20 million and $14.65 million, respectively. The average price of a sale in this category was $11.19 million in Austin and $13.25 million in Dallas-Fort Worth.

"2022 continued to be a banner year for the high-end luxury market inAustin with most transactions occurring off-market," quoted the report of local real estate agent Dara Allen. "Austin remains a high-demand destination for those who seek both more space and more favorable tax situations, with buyers coming from California, NY, Canada, Chicago, Boston, Georgia and even Europe. ... I believe that Austin will continue to be a destination of choice for many luxury buyers in the years to come.”

For a nationwide comparison, the top selling price was $56 million in Manhattan, $44.5 million in Greater Los Angeles, and $48.5 million in Palm Beach County, Florida.

The over-$10-million-homes number looks poised to rise in Austin as one community in Westlake plans for a development with homes starting at $12.5 million to be completed in 2024.

Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin were the only areas included from Texas, and DFW easily bests its neighbors down south. This is one contest Austinites may want to keep losing.

Photo courtesy of Harpeth Realty

The best ZIP codes for first time homeowners, according to an Austin realtor

a first for everything

Austinites are getting a lot of mixed signals from the housing market, and those can be especially difficult to sift through as a first-time homebuyer. Between all the trends, jargon, and potentially dramatic shifts in data from month to month, it can feel overwhelming just to decide to start the process, let alone go through the motions.

Barrett Raven, owner and realtor at Harpeth Realty, echoes many peers when he says it’s both a good time, and not a good time, to buy a house. His one stipulation: only do it if you plan to stay at least three years, given capital gains tax and appreciation. Beyond that, “I'm sure most people would expect every realtor to say [this], but I always think it's a great time to buy a home long-term.”

The most recent monthly Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) report found that with more Austin homes in supply, buyers were more in control of prices, resulting in a more stable market. The thorn in a homebuyer’s side right now is high interest rates, but Raven offers a solution: “Marry the house, date the rate.”

Raven’s plan breaks down into three available paths. The first — his favorite — is a simple refinancing. Buy at a high interest rate and wait for rates to drop, hoping it’ll happen in an affordable time frame.

The second option is to permanently buy down the rate through a seller credit. In negotiations, buyers may ask for a credit from the seller, (say, offering $600,000 to get $20,000 back) effectively making the down payment larger without actively spending more. Then, that credit goes to the lender to lower the permanent rate. Raven would avoid this option, since that money may be wasted if the buyer does decide to refinance relatively quickly.

Third, an obscure option that falls somewhere in the middle, is what Raven calls a “3-2-1 buydown.” (There are other versions with different tiers, as well.) In this case, a 3 percent discount is applied the first year, the rate goes up slightly to a 2 percent discount the second year, and then 1 percent the third year. This also necessitates a credit from the seller, but the credit is not wasted if the buyer decides to refinance — the unused portion of the credit transfers to the principal of the loan.

“There are so many advantages right now about buying a home, and I don't want to seem out of touch or anything,” says Raven. “I get [that] the prices in Austin are still very high … and inflation is high, and things just cost more. But this … is what we have to work with. When I look at all the benefits right now, which are vast … the only real downside is high interest rates. We can take care of that for you.”

Raven lists five areas by ZIP Code that offer the most promise for first-time homebuyers ready to take the plunge:

78753 — Eubank Acres and North Oaks/Windsor Hills
This long corridor along I-35 is changing all the time, especially with new residential developments. West of the highway, Eubank Acres has great access to Walnut Creek Park, and has well-cared for houses, often still with their original owners. “I hesitated to even put it on this list because I didn't want more people to know about it,” Raven says. North Oaks and Windsor Hills, on the east side of the highway, are also both well-established and reasonably priced, but with generally younger families.

78704 — The Galindo area
This huge ZIP Code encompasses almost the entirety of South Austin as most Austinites will experience it. The Galindo area is at the southern edge, just north of West Ben White Boulevard. The area is walkable and close to lots of South Austin favorites, including a few outdoorsy breweries. This area, Raven says, is similar to the Zilker Area but more affordable — closer to the $600-900,000 range.

78744 — The Franklin Park area
Bounded by the Williamson Creek Greenbelt and McKinney Falls State Park, this neighborhood is almost country living, but still close to downtown. “This is a controversial area here,” says Raven. “People have been saying that this neighborhood is going to explode in value for the last, like, 30 years.” The draw is fantastic prices for houses in decently good shape, but buyers should do their research, since he calls the blocks “hit or miss.” There will be lots of flipped houses around.

78744 (again) — Easton Park
In the Southeast corner of Austin, on the other side of McKinney Falls, there’s a small neighborhood only a few years old that looks like it was plucked from Pflugerville. “It's kind of like this little oasis of new construction … in the middle of nowhere,” Raven says. This area entails a slightly higher budget, but buyers are less likely to spend time and money renovating, making this less intimidating for many. There is a lot of diversity of home types to choose from, and a little budget goes a long way on square footage.

78728 — Wells Branch
Raven “begrudgingly” chose this obvious contender, because although it’s the starting point of many first-home conversations, it can’t be overlooked. The far-North Austin locale takes on a suburban feel, but isn’t far from The Domain or Central Austin in general. This is a good place to find houses built in the '80s and '90s for a friendly option for first-time homebuyers who don’t want to tackle huge renovations, and at an affordable price. “I would call it the final frontier of being in true Austin,” he says.

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3 Lubbock luminaries on what ignites the Hub City

Faces and Places

In Lubbock, Texas, where locals have been pouring their livelihood into both the city and their craft, the community has created a Texas experience like no other. What sets apart a destination from others is the welcoming faces who meet travelers with open doors and a willingness to share the West Texas way of life with all who wander through.

CultureMap recently checked in with three Lubbock luminaries to learn what drew them to the city, what dreams they're making come true, and how visitors can take part in the magic.

Matt Bostick, sommelier and hospitality director of Llano Estacado Winery
Though his roots are in Texas, Matt Bostick found his passion for wine in Italy. While studying hospitality in Florence in 2011, he met Parisian sommelier Quinton Paillard, who encouraged his budding love of vino and set Bostick on the path toward becoming a sommelier himself.

After earning his degree in restaurant, hotel, and institutional management from Texas Tech University in 2012, Bostick joined Jackson Family Estates in Los Angeles. From there, he further honed his expertise as the lead sommelier for Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza, under the mentorship of Sarah Clarke A few years later, Bostick co-founded a restaurant called Baldoria and even developed a line of ready-to-drink cocktails with his business partner, David King.

"When David and I decided to create B&K Cocktail Company, our business venture brought us back to Texas," Bostick says. "With my family residing in Lubbock, it was a natural choice to settle here. Lubbock holds significant personal and professional values for me. It's my hometown, where I was born and raised, and where most of my family continues to live and contribute to this community."

Today, Bostick is the events director and sommelier at Llano Estacado Winery, Texas’ second oldest winery. Bostick guides visitors through a sensory journey, introducing them to the complexities of different wines, regions, and vintages while offering insights into history, production techniques, and the unique characteristics of each varietal.

"I help individuals identify tasting notes, appreciate nuances, and even recommend food pairings that enhance the overall culinary experience," he says.

Grape Day on October 21 is an ideal time to visit the winery to see Bostick in action. To celebrate the end of the harvest, which spans late July to early October, Llano features captivating self-guided tours, diverse art booths, delicious offerings from the finest local vendors, exciting games for kids, and a mesmerizing lineup of live music on the Lubbock Listening Room stage.

Admission is free, but for $35 attendees will receive a commemorative Grape Day wine glass along with two tickets redeemable for a glass of wine. Pre-sale drink tickets will also be available for purchase in a bundle of three tickets for $15 (otherwise each ticket is $8 at the event).

"Grape Day holds immense significance to me. It's a celebration that represents the culmination of hard work and a sense of community," Bostick says. "Llano Estacado Winery has not only been a pioneer in the Texas wine industry but has also contributed to our local community's growth. Events like this shine a light on the rich heritage and traditions of winemaking, connecting our community to a broader narrative of craftsmanship and appreciation for the finer things in life."

Ian Timmons, pitmaster and third-generation owner of Tom & Bingo’s BBQ
It's been called a West Texas legend since 1952, and as soon as you step inside Tom & Bingo's BBQ, you'll understand why. This old-school barbecue joint — and Lubbock’s oldest restaurant — is packed with nostalgia and dishes out authentic barbecue that would make original owners Tom and Bettye Clanton proud, and current owner Ian Timmons intends to keep it that way.

While studying at Texas Tech, Timmons worked under Dwayne Clanton (Tom and Bettye's son, who gained ownership of the restaurant in 1980) and earned hands-on experience as a pitmaster. Upon graduation, he moved to Denver with his wife, Kristi, where he worked at Denver Biscuit Company.

"I’ve always worked in restaurants," says Timmons. "From my first job at Dairy Queen to a local restaurant called Orlando’s, where I was a server and got fired for making pizzas during my shift."

Timmons' wife also happens to be Dwayne and Liz Clanton's daughter, making him the obvious choice to carry on the legacy when the couple was ready to retire in 2017.

Now, Timmons pays homage to Tom & Bingo's 70-year legacy by smoking modern bark-on-brisket, his own coarsely ground smoked beef sausage, and pork spare ribs on the original brick pits the predecessors used for decades. He's also expanded the menu to include scratch-made potato salad and slaw, but one item remains a constant since the early days of the restaurant: the steak burger.

"This fall we are switching from our legendary brick pits to a new Centex offset smoker, so it’s back to square one for us," reveals Timmons. "This fall will be a learning season for us! But we are excited to see what a new smoker can do for us."

You can also catch the eatery's new food truck out and about and look forward to more biscuit collaborations with Monomyth Coffee (inspired by Timmons' time in Denver, of course). "We'll also hopefully open a Biscuit Club location to help grow the breakfast scene in Lubbock," Timmons hints.

But perhaps the tastiest way to experience Tom & Bingo's, besides visiting the restaurant itself, is by sampling its goods at the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest in November. Held in Lockhart, November 4-5, the event helps raise funds for Feeding Texas and a network of food banks across the state.

Yung Cry Baby, aka Aaliyah Limon, resident artist with Charles Adams Studio Project
Full-time musician and vocalist Aaliyah Limon was born and raised in Lubbock, but when she was younger, she didn't feel the city had a place for her yet. After graduation, the aspiring talent took off to explore both coasts, working as a model and artist, but after a while realized she wasn’t as fulfilled as she had hoped and missed her family.

"I needed a break from my fast-paced lifestyle," she says. "I came back home to be with family, take a step back, and reassess what I really wanted to do with my life. When I moved back, my music took off much faster than I ever anticipated."

Now Limon is professionally known as Yung Cry Baby and serves as a resident artist with the Charles Adams Studio Project, a nonprofit that supports working artists in Lubbock.

"Because I'm passionate about it and motivated by the people who resonate with what I sing about, I've kind of kept with the momentum of things," Limon says. "I'm excited about what I do, and I love helping people heal through my music. Even if it only helps a little, it gives me a lot of joy knowing I can maybe help someone not feel alone."

Fans can see Yung Cry Baby perform not only at the karaoke bar she hosts at, but also at First Friday Art Trail, a monthly arts festival located in downtown Lubbock with a mission to bring together collectors, artists, and community friends for an evening of art, music, and fun. Participants are ever-changing, offering something for everyone.

"I love doing community-based things, especially when it comes to art," Limon says. "First Friday is always a blast for me."

Yung Cry Baby is currently working on her first full album, following the earlier release of her EP. Follow her on social media for updates.

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Experience the people and places of Lubbock yourself by planning your next vacation here.

Photo courtesy of Visit Lubbock

Matt Bostick helps visitors appreciate the wine at Llano Estacado Winery.

UT Austin rises to the top in new list of best Texas schools for 2024

go longhorns

The University of Texas at Austin continues its streak of high rankings for its high-quality educational experiences. The home of the Longhorns earned a coveted top three spot on U.S. News and World Report's just-released list of the Best Colleges in Texas for 2024.

UT Austin claimed No. 2 in Texas, and ranked No. 32 nationally. The public institution had an undergraduate enrollment of more than 41,300 students in fall 2022. The school, which costs $11,698 in tuition for in-state students and fees each year, ranks No. 9 for "Top Public Schools" by U.S. News.

In April, UT's Cockrell School of Engineering ranked No. 7 in U.S. News' ranking of the best graduate schools in the country, while McCombs School of Business earned the No. 20 spot among business schools.

UT Austin actually fared similarly in Niche'slist of top public universities, in which it ranked No. 6 nationally.

U.S. News' profile of UT Austin says the university prides itself on being a top-tier research institution.

"UT Austin has been a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities since 1929," the site says. "The university attracts nearly $800 million annually for research. Top accolades include the creation of the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines and the worlds’ fastest supercomputers for open research."

The university also boasts a rich campus culture that encourages students to participate in different organizations and activities.

"Students can participate in more than 1,000 clubs and organizations or in the sizable UT Greek system," the site says. "The university has several student media outlets, and its sports teams are notorious competitors in the Division I Big 12 Conference. UT also offers hundreds of study abroad programs, with the most popular destinations being Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and China."

Ahead of UT Austin in the ranking is Rice University in Houston. The "Ivy League of the South" ranked No. 1 in Texas and No. 17 nationally.

Just behind UT Austin is College Station's Texas A&M University, which placed No. 3 in the Texas rankings and No. 47 nationally.

U.S. News' top 10 best colleges in Texas in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Rice University, Houston
No. 2 – University of Texas at Austin
No. 3 – Texas A&M University, College Station
No. 4 – Southern Methodist University, Dallas
No. 5 – Baylor University, Waco
No. 6 – Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
No. 7 – The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson
No. 8 – University of Houston
No. 9 – Texas Tech University, Lubbock
No. 10 – University of St. Thomas, Houston

The full rankings can be found on usnews.com.

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck says hi to Austin on cross-country tour

in her tour era

The famously pink Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is making its way down to Austin in October for a special day of treats and cartoon cat collectibles.

The cutesy vehicle will bring a horde of new Hello Kitty clothing, plushies, and accessories to The Domain from 10 am to 7 pm on October 14.

Among the new items is a bright pink tote bag with rainbow straps and desserts decorating the front, an assortment of Hello Kitty baked goods, and a transparent coffee mug with sprinkles in the handle and different desserts printed on the glass body. Visitors can also snag an adorable lunchbox and a 18-ounce or 32-ounce stainless steel rainbow thermos.

Hello Kitty rainbow tote bag The bright pink reusable tote bag has rainbow straps.Photo courtesy of Sanrio

As for the hand-decorated baked goods, guests can expect to see Hello Kitty's classic friends Keroppi the frog and Chococat appear on petit fours. The leading lady appears on miniature cakes, a giant sugar cookie, small box sets of madeleines, and French macarons.

The popular attraction has been touring around the country for nearly a decade, drawing crowds of thousands of people every year. Austin will be its third Texas stop on the tour, before it visits San Antonio's North Star Mall on Tuesday, October 21.

As a note, the cafe truck only accepts debit or credit cards, and not cash.

Other Texas cities on the tour route include:

September 30 – Arlington
October 7 – Houston
October 21 — San Antonio
October 28 – El Paso

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