Updated in 2018 with recommendations, neighborhood profiles, interviews, maps and more. The very best barbecue, swimming holes and dive bars, deep from the cosmic heart of Texas.

Local stories, travel intel and modern lore, including:

• A map of the city's top barbecue joints
• Our bests list of coffee, hotels and weekend plans
• Interviews with an architect, soul singer, chef and more
• Where to find the top swimming holes
• Essays from award winning writers and journalists
• Three decades of Death Row final statements
• An ode to the late, great Doug Sahm
• Words from Lyndon Johnson about his hometown
• The best places for queso, mezcal, late night steak frites and more