A Note From the Editor

More than 23,000 Austin Chronicle readers voted in this year’s Best of Austin Readers Poll, with Chronicle staff and contributors offering a few additional accolades in our Critics Picks. The nearly 1,000 resulting winners and finalists celebrated within these pages are a diverse lot: old-school spots that have stood the test of time, newer favorites, and buzzy next-big-things. Congratulations to them all – and to all of us who count ourselves lucky enough to call Austin home.

This issue is a team effort. That team includes: Art Director Zeke Barbaro and Associate Art Director Lauren Johnson, who make everything look so much cooler; staff photographers John Anderson and Jana Birchum, who are definitely exhausted from running all over town; photographer David Brendan Hall, who shot our dual covers, and the lovely and talented performing artist Mélat, who brought the fun as our cover model; proofers Jasmine Lane and James Scott, whose eyes are surely very tired; Managing Editor James Renovitch and Community Listings/Special Screenings Editor Kat McNevins, who went above and beyond; digital wizzes Brian Barry, Mike Bartnett, and Brandon Watkins; all our wonderful editors and contributors; Associate Publisher Cassidy Frazier, Marketing & Engagement Manager Cassie Arredondo, PR maven Sarah Wolf, and the entire ad staff for putting together promotion, a party, and for selling enough ads to keep the lights on; and finally, the readers who powered this whole issue.

You can celebrate with some of these winners, finalists, and Chronicle personnel in person at our second annual Best of Austin Market Party Saturday, June 17, at Lustre Pearl South. (It’s free, but RSVP here: austinchronicle.com/boaparty.) Hungry for more of what makes Austin great? Find over 30 years of past Best of Austin winners online at austinchronicle.com/boa. – Kimberley Jones