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Volvo and Waabi launch autonomous freight runs between Houston and Dallas

For now, there is still a human observer in the driver's seat.

Transit

Another autonomous trucking company is hauling commercial freight between Dallas and Houston. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="That route" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/texas-driverless-trucks" data-vars-content-id="3b85bfaf-b244-417f-8acc-294d3ffe575c" data-vars-headline="Volvo and Waabi launch autonomous freight runs between Houston and Dallas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/texas-driverless-trucks" target="_self">That route</a> continues to be a testing ground for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="self-driving trucks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/06/autonomous-trucks-av-freight" data-vars-content-id="3b85bfaf-b244-417f-8acc-294d3ffe575c" data-vars-headline="Volvo and Waabi launch autonomous freight runs between Houston and Dallas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/06/autonomous-trucks-av-freight" target="_self">self-driving trucks</a>.

2026 Michelin Guide Texas: Houston restaurants win 5 new Bib Gourmands

Houston didn't earn any new Michelin stars in 2026, but five local restaurants earned Bib Gourmand awards.

News

Houston didn&#x27;t earn any new Michelin stars this year, but the region claimed five of the six new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bib Gourmand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/29/michelin-restaurant-winners-bib-gourmand-houston-2025" data-vars-content-id="a9068ba4-a11e-4322-94bf-9a5aa9ca2815" data-vars-headline="2026 Michelin Guide Texas: Houston restaurants win 5 new Bib Gourmands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/10/29/michelin-restaurant-winners-bib-gourmand-houston-2025" target="_self">Bib Gourmand</a> awards across Texas.Why it matters: The distinctions underscore Houston&#x27;s reputation for high-quality dining that doesn&#x27;t have to break the bank.

Harris County libraries offer free Repair Cafes

I got a sewing machine fixed for free, saving me money and saving the machine from the landfill.

Things to Do

👋 Shafaq here! Last weekend, I got my mom&#x27;s sewing machine fixed for free at Harris County Public Library&#x27;s Repair Cafe at West University.Why it matters: The community event saves people money and keeps broken items out of landfills.

MFAH's new art includes rare portraits and a Renaissance table 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has acquired new art spanning centuries, including a portrait by Joshua Johnson, one of America&#x27;s first established Black painters.Why it matters: The acquisitions expand the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MFAH&#x27;s collection" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/08/06/mfah-to-extend-friday-hours" data-vars-content-id="3604ab08-d341-4b54-b3e7-7a2f8fcf5ce5" data-vars-headline="MFAH&#x27;s new art includes rare portraits and a Renaissance table " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2024/08/06/mfah-to-extend-friday-hours" target="_self">MFAH&#x27;s collection</a>, meaning Houstonians will have new works to see as they go on display.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Houston

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="6f6f831c-18f2-41d7-b206-930e72bb7f38" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in the Houston Heights on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Latin Restaurant Weeks brings dining deals to Houston

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with prix fixe menus and specials from Latino-owned restaurants.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Restaurant Weeks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/05/houston-restaurant-weeks-2026-food-bank-participating-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="f099cae3-6992-4ec0-b3b7-e97f13ed02c0" data-vars-headline="Latin Restaurant Weeks brings dining deals to Houston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/05/houston-restaurant-weeks-2026-food-bank-participating-restaurants" target="_self">Houston Restaurant Weeks</a> just wrapped up, but another dining event is underway: Latin Restaurant Weeks runs through Sept. 25Why it matters: Participating Latino-owned restaurants, food trucks and culinary businesses are offering special deals and prix fixe menus, giving Houstonians another reason to eat local and try new places.

Budget Bites: Via 313 Pizza

In a world of artsy, Instagrammable restaurants, a casual pizza joint with red booths has become rare.

👋 Shafaq here! I was in the mood for indulgent, no-fuss pizza. And that&#x27;s what I got at Via 313.Dig in: Austin-born Via 313 serves Detroit-style pizza. They also offer thin-crusted and gluten-free pizza.

Houston bakery let diners name their price

More than 100 restaurants across 13 countries are taking part in the Pay What You Can experiment.

A Houston bakeshop will let diners decide their own bill Wednesday, part of a global experiment in making dining out more accessible.Why it matters: Dining can easily become a special-occasion expense. For one day, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Preemo&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.preemosbakeshop.com/" data-vars-content-id="34e34574-c3a2-4bca-a462-85649815c725" data-vars-headline="Houston bakery let diners name their price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.preemosbakeshop.com/" target="_blank">Preemo&#x27;s</a> will remove that price barrier.

Houston Restaurant Weeks is here

Hundreds of participating restaurants will have fixed menu prices: $25 for brunch or lunch and $39 or $55 for dinner.

Houston Restaurant Weeks kicked off this weekend, providing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="meal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="d5d5a6e4-e937-4022-95d0-c8cede3ff0be" data-vars-headline="Houston Restaurant Weeks is here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/food-and-drink" target="_self">meal</a> deals and an opportunity to give back amidst the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s growing food insecurity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/05/food-insecurity-climbs-across-the-houston-region" data-vars-content-id="d5d5a6e4-e937-4022-95d0-c8cede3ff0be" data-vars-headline="Houston Restaurant Weeks is here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/08/05/food-insecurity-climbs-across-the-houston-region" target="_self">city&#x27;s growing food insecurity</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the largest fundraiser for the Houston Food Bank.

Eat the match: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan

The most iconic Portuguese dessert is pastel de nata, an egg custard tart that you'll find all over the country.

Ahead of Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portugal vs. Uzbekistan match" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="52a39da7-5671-46b6-a6e8-8a17e9b7e984" data-vars-headline="Eat the match: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">Portugal vs. Uzbekistan match</a>, I revisited the cuisines of both countries.The big picture: Houston has no shortage of international food, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portuguese" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/17/portugal-congo-world-cup-houston" data-vars-content-id="52a39da7-5671-46b6-a6e8-8a17e9b7e984" data-vars-headline="Eat the match: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/06/17/portugal-congo-world-cup-houston" target="_self">Portuguese</a> and Uzbek options are relatively limited. Luckily, we do have Oporto and Foreign Grill.

6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists

Maximo, Agnes and Sherman and ChòpnBlọk are among the finalists.

Six Houston-area restaurants and chefs on Tuesday were named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="1010e1d1-b0aa-46a2-9659-5cdc25a8cc78" data-vars-headline="6 Houston chefs and restaurants named 2026 James Beard finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/21/2026-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">finalists for this year&#x27;s James Beard Awards</a>.Why it matters: Being nominated is one of the dining industry&#x27;s highest honors.

Budget Bites: Dukes Venezuelan Food

Katy is a hub of the Houston-area Venezuelan community.

These are anxious times for Houston&#x27;s Venezuelan community — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest in the U.S. outside Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/01/09/facts-about-venezuelans-in-the-us/#:~:text=Venezuelans%20in%20the%20U.S.%20most,and%20Atlanta%20(49%2C000)%20areas." data-vars-content-id="e98d5612-320f-4af0-be2b-45ec750421ba" data-vars-headline="Budget Bites: Dukes Venezuelan Food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/01/09/facts-about-venezuelans-in-the-us/#:~:text=Venezuelans%20in%20the%20U.S.%20most,and%20Atlanta%20(49%2C000)%20areas." target="_blank">largest in the U.S. outside Florida</a>. Why it matters: For those seeking the comfort of familiar flavors from home, the simple arepa isn&#x27;t far away. And you don&#x27;t have to be Venezuelan to enjoy this hearty, savory street food.

Houston's premiere barbecue cook-off is happening now

It's the ultimate pregame to rodeo season.

The World&#x27;s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is happening now ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rodeo Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/09/houston-rodeo-concert-2026-lineup" data-vars-content-id="4860b792-b94b-4280-a447-b2055ebdc3ec" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s premiere barbecue cook-off is happening now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/09/houston-rodeo-concert-2026-lineup" target="_self">Rodeo Houston</a>. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the ultimate pregame to rodeo season.

Food and Drink 🍽

2026 Michelin Guide Texas: Houston restaurants win 5 new Bib Gourmands

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Houston

Latin Restaurant Weeks brings dining deals to Houston

Budget Bites: Via 313 Pizza

Houston bakery let diners name their price