Happy Black History Month, y’all,

This year is the 100th anniversary of Black History Month! Did you know that the commemorative month originally started off as only a week until Gerald Ford expanded it in 1976? And why February? Creator Carter G. Woodson wanted the celebration to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass.

Speaking of milestones, Texas politics delivered a surprise this weekend. Democrat and union leader Taylor Rehmet won a special election Saturday in Senate District 9, a deep-red district.

And one last milestone, just for me: it’s my birthday. I was hoping the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil would deliver some good news today, but nope—shadow seen, and allegedly six more weeks of cold are ahead.

Y’all can help make my other wish come true: send this newsletter to three friends.

I work really hard to bring y’all valuable information every day, and I so appreciate you being willing to share my work. 💓

Now, I’m going to go have a fun day. I hope you do, too. 

(Getty)

By Stacy Rounds

Grocery shopping in Dallas–Fort Worth may seem simple, but once you begin to question the quality and service of big-box stores and national chains, not to mention some of their corporate policies and practices, you may look at shopping differently. 

This is why many folks are turning local. Local grocers are often more willing to adapt pricing, carry culturally relevant foods, or source products that reflect neighborhood preferences. Money spent at these stores circulates back into the local economy through jobs, taxes, and community investment rather than leaving the region entirely. In many cases, these markets also play a quiet but critical role in food access, operating in areas where large grocery chains have pulled back or never built stores at all.

How we’re reporting on immigration right now

Immigration has become one of the most closely watched and emotionally charged issues in the country since President Trump returned to office. We’ve seen an increase in ICE raids, legal battles, protests in Texas and across the US, and reports of people dying in custody or being killed during encounters with authorities—developments that affect families and communities here at home.

Our newsroom has been covering these moments with depth and care, showing up on the ground right beside our community.

Stories like these take time, verification, and thoughtful editing. If our reporting has helped you better understand what’s happening in our state, we hope you’ll consider supporting COURIER Texas. Thank you for reading and being part of this community.

Texas Roadhouse wasn’t founded in Texas, but in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993 . (Joi Louviere/COURIER DFW)

Y’all might think I’m crazy, but stay with me—Texas Roadhouse is one of the best restaurant chains we have here. Let me tell you why.

I was in upstate New York this summer and ended up at a Texas Roadhouse, and it was unexpectedly delicious. It had probably been a decade since I ate there, but I won’t make that mistake again. I ordered a perfectly cooked ribeye with shrimp, a loaded baked potato and green beans. It was so flavorful, and the portions were big enough that I just knew the bill would be something obscene. It was $23.

And I didn’t even mention Roadhouse’s famous freshly baked bread that comes to the table moments after you sit down, paired with honey-cinnamon butter. Is this legal?!

A few weeks ago, I was craving a celebratory meal but didn’t want to spend celebratory money, so I drove to Texas Roadhouse in Arlington. It was a Saturday night, so the wait was pretty long, but I wouldn’t give up.

After an hour and a half, I ordered the same meal I had in New York, this time with a dirty soda: your choice of a soda, coffee creamer, and flavored syrup, mixed together. The drink was popularized by non-drinking Mormons in Utah and went viral a few years ago.

The customer service also stands out at Texas Roadhouse. My waiter knew the menu, had great suggestions and was willing to replace anything I didn’t like. You could tell he valued the brand he was promoting.

Eating out has become inaccessible to so many Americans, but restaurants like this offer us a moment to feel well off and taken care of, with most meals even less expensive than the one I ordered.

Now that I’ve renewed your faith in the roadhouse, find a location near you and invite someone to dinner.

Don’t Sleep On is a weekly series where I shout out DFW events and businesses I think you should try. Have a suggestion? Reply to this email.

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Email advertising@couriernewsroom.com for more information.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Joi Louviere with reporting by Stacy Rounds. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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