A New Beginning

I'm so happy to welcome you to the Leftovers, a food email about eating around Texas. If we haven't met, I'm Courtney E. Smith, the former Eater's Texas Region editor based in Dallas. This newsletter is a spot for me to write about what I'm eating and why it matters, and I'll cover food from my unique point of view. Expect posts about whether it is worth compromising your politics for a good burger, the most interesting new omakase in Dallas that is not the most talked about, and why cheap queso is the best. The Leftovers will be opinionated always and gossipy sometimes. It won't be about openings and closings. Instead, from an insider, it will tell you who makes your food and what you should know about them. And it won't just be about food in the Metroplex. Coming soon is a look at the raw bar competition in Waco and why Isidore is the best restaurant in San Antonio (well, maybe after Mixtli). I will highlight hidden gems, talk about the family-run small businesses you should check out, and keep you updated about what the most significant Texas-born hospitality groups are up to. If you care about what you eat and where it came from, and want to have the best meal possible, this is the newsletter for you.

Courtney E. Smith

Aug 19, 2025

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1 min read