Camy is a native Texan and mom of three who has lived in Sonterra since 2009. She serves her community as vice president of the Jarrell Education Foundation, recently served on the Rezoning Committee for JISD, was a director on the Sonterra MUD Board for five years, and founded the local Facebook group Mom Tribe Jarrell that has over 2,200 members.
COMMUNITY LIAISON Janet Hage
Janet Hage has been part of the Jarrell community for almost 30 years. She has volunteered with JISD, and worked for the City for more than seven years. She is a development partner of NW Wilco, LLC, serves on the Community Library Board of Directors, and was recently appointed to the Williamson County ESD #5 board.
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Ann Marie Kennon • Charlotte Kovalchuk
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GRAPHICS & DESIGN
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
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IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne
CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel
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In an age where the rush of daily news often overshadows the deeper narratives that shape our community, My Jarrell Monthly constantly strives to be an eager beacon of positivity and unity. Far more than just a lifestyle magazine, our publishers and staff are committed to creating a means of getting to know what makes our community thrive—its people and their impact.
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In every story, from first responders and community leaders to the latest events and programs, our purpose is to foster a sense of pride and connection. In short, we believe My Jarrell Monthly is more than a magazine; it is a vital part of the community’s fabric that spotlights advocacy, education, and celebration. We hope you will agree it stands as a testament to what we can all achieve when we choose to focus on the positive and the possible.
Thank You, Williamson County ESD #5, for another incredible Jr. Fire Cadet Camp! My son, Walker, was beyond excited to return for his second year and hasn’t stopped talking about the experience—from escaping a “smoking house” (thankfully, an inflatable version with a fog machine!), to learning how to tie knots, to touring a real-life helicopter.
This camp not only fuels a passion for service and safety but also leaves our children with lifelong memories and valuable skills. Walker is already counting down the days until next summer—and dreaming of the day he can return as a camp counselor.
A heartfelt thank-you to all the firefighters and staff who make this camp possible. Your time, dedication, and impact on our kids are truly unforgettable.
TRUE TEXAS FARE
The Texas BBQ Burger Boom
BBQ EVOLUTION From Trail Smoke to Strip Malls
KIDS & EDUCATION
Jarrell Ranch Middle School
TEXAS SIT-REP
The 89th Legislature Review
21 24 26 28
WHAT MAKES
TEXAS "TEXAS"
H-E-B Puts the Super in Market
WORTH THE DRIVE Smokin' Family Legacy
NEIGHBOR LEIGH Leigh's Linguistic Revolution
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AQUA-TOTS SWIM SCHOOL ROUND ROCK
The largest international provider of year-round, indoor swim instruction dedicated to teaching water safety through our proven curriculum.
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HALL'S ROOFING & SHEET METAL
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PARTING SHOT
Junior Fire Cadet Camp
DTC AIR CONDITIONING
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DTCTexas.com 512-887-5091
JARRELL MONTESSORI
Offering academic and loving care of children from infancy to 5 years old.
In Texas, barbecue isn’t just food—it’s heritage. And the burger? Well, it is practically a birthright. But in recent years, a delicious transformation has emerged: the rise of the BBQ-style burger, where smoky brisket meets buttery buns, and dry rubs mix with juicy griddle patties.
It’s a fusion that feels inevitable here in Central Texas, where backyards double as smoke labs and chefs treat chuck like fine art. Now, diners are reaping the rewards of that experimentation—with burgers that taste like they have been to barbecue school.
Barbecue and burgers are beloved in Texas—but when they collide? That’s where the real flavor magic begins.
Across Williamson County and beyond, pit masters and burger artists are fusing smokehouse techniques with patty perfection.
What Makes a Burger ‘Texas BBQ’ Style?
It starts with the meat. Some chefs use a custom blend of brisket, short rib, and chuck, echoing the rich, marbled cuts that make Texas barbecue famous. Others go all in and smoke the patties themselves, low and slow over post oak or mesquite.
Seasoning matters, too. You’ll find patties rubbed with the same spices used for ribs—black pepper, paprika, garlic, maybe a hint of brown sugar. And then come the toppings: slices of smoked sausage, chopped brisket, spicy pickles, barbecue sauce, or creamy slaw, stacked high and dripping with flavor.
Where to Try It: BBQ Burgers Around Williamson County
WILDFIRE – GEORGETOWN
Everything at Wildfire is kissed by oak fire, from the beef patties to the hickory-smoked brisket. Their standout: The Ponderosa Burger— provolone cheese, habañero mango sauce, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and chopped brisket on a beef patty and sourdough bun.
TEJANO COOKERS BBQ & CATERING – GEORGETOWN
Go big or go home with CJ’s Big Boy Barbecue Sandwich—a full pound of meat with half sausage, half brisket sliced or chopped, stacked onions, pickles, jalapeños, and sauce. Or a mouthwatering El Tejano Barbecue Sandwich: sliced brisket topped with Hot Cheetos and mac & cheese.
LIBERTY TAVERN –LIBERTY HILL
This small-town spot with big-city flavor serves a Brisket Sandwich that delivers on every level—barbecue brisket layered with spicy sauce, house-pickled onions, and crispy onion rings on a toasted sourdough bun. It’s a well-balanced bite that hits all the textures: tender meat, crunchy toppings, and bold, tangy heat.
THE SALT LICK BBQ – ROUND ROCK
Known for legendary smoke, Salt Lick’s brisket and pulled pork sandwiches deliver the real deal. Their Pulled Pork Sandwich comes with coleslaw and spicy sauce, while the Brisket Sandwich brings bold live oak smoke flavor without overwhelming the meat.
SLAB BBQ AND BEER – AUSTIN
At Slab, hip-hop culture meets hardwood smoke in a lineup of original sandwiches with names that pay homage to rap legends. The Notorious P.I.G. features tender pulled pork, mustard slaw, and house-made BBQ sauce on a bun. The Donk loads a beef patty with chopped brisket, cheddar, pickles, and jalapeños for a stacked bite that hits hard.
WHY IT WORKS
For Mark Avalos, owner of Austin-based Slab BBQ & Beer, barbecue burgers offer a creative twist on a time-honored smokehouse tradition. “I wanted to differentiate
Can’t make the drive? Bring the flavor home. Here’s a simple formula for a backyard BBQ-style burger:
PATTY BLEND: 50% chuck, 25% brisket, 25% short rib
RUB: Salt, coarse black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika
SMOKE: If you’ve got a smoker or pellet grill, cook at 225°F for 45 mins before finishing with a sear
TOP IT: Brisket slices, BBQ sauce, pickled onions, cheddar, and slaw
BUN: Toasted brioche or Texas toast
us from the many different barbecue places in the area. As good as brisket, chicken, sausage, and ribs are, it’s about what you can do with them—not just serve a straight plate of meat and a side,” he says. “Back when I started, nobody was really doing sandwiches with barbecue. Now you see all these beautiful fusions—Mexican, Asian, Korean, Egyptian—you name it. People are getting creative with different styles, and that’s where barbecue burgers come in.”
Final Bite
Whether you’re chasing smoke trails across the county or crafting your own backyard burger stack, one thing’s for sure: in Georgetown and towns around, barbecue isn’t just on the side anymore—it’s front and center, right on the bun.
DIY: Backyard BBQ Burgers
by Charlotte Kovalchuk
From Trail Smoke to Strip Malls
Serving Up Texas Barbecue History
Texas barbecue isn’t just a beloved cuisine—it’s heritage wrapped in butcher paper and passed down through generations of fire, flavor, and tradition. Born from the fire pits of cattle drives, shaped in the smokehouses of European immigrants, and perfected in the roadside pits of African American communities, barbecue is a tradition as diverse as Texas itself. Today, that storied legacy shows up everywhere–from Lockhart town squares to suburban strip malls–each bite telling a story of grit, migration, and cultural fusion.
Ancient Origins: Indigenous and Spanish Influences
Long before European settlers arrived, Native American tribes like the Caddo were roasting venison and other game over open fires and in earth ovens, laying the groundwork for Texas’ slow-cooked meat traditions.
In the 1600s, Spanish shepherds on the plains of South Texas introduced al pastor–spit-roasted lamb and goat–borrowing from Caribbean and Moorish traditions. Their methods, blending spices and smoke over open flames, further enriched the region’s culinary landscape.
According to the Texas Historical Commission, it wasn’t until the early 1800s that the word “barbecue” likely entered the Texas lexicon. The term was a variation of the Haitian word barbacot–a framework of sticks used for smoking or roasting meat. It made its way to Texas via enslaved Haitians in the Carolinas who had introduced the method of barbecuing to Southern plantation owners. From there, the word and the technique traveled west, embedding themselves in the state’s food culture.
19th Century: The Birth of Barbecue Culture
After the Civil War, Texas became the epicenter of the American cattle industry. Trails like the Chisholm and Goodnight-Loving enabled Texas to evolve as the heart of America’s beef belt. Cowboys who worked long hours in harsh conditions cooked salvaged cuts of meat over open fires using green mesquite or oak wood. This was
survival cooking–practical, rustic, and rich in smoke. These early chuck wagon pit stops laid the foundation for the smoky techniques that would become hallmarks of Texas barbecue.
Meanwhile, German and Czech immigrants in Central Texas brought Old World butchery and meat preservation techniques to the region. In towns like Elgin, Taylor, and Lockhart, they opened meat markets that smoked sausages and briskets in brick or cinder block pits. The food was simple but satisfying–slices of pepper-crusted brisket or rings of pork sausage, served with saltines, pickles, and onions. No sauce. No frills. Just smoke, salt, and craftsmanship–a tradition that continues today at historic joints like Kreuz Market and Southside Market.
Late 19th to Early 20th Century: African American Traditions Take Root
Barbecue culture in East Texas flourished in African American communities, where pit masters transformed smoke and sauce into entrepreneurial lifelines during the era of Jim Crow segregation. With limited access to capital or store
BBQ EVOLUTION
communities, barbecue fundraisers helped sustain churches and schools underfunded by segregation-era policies.
By the 1960s and ‘70s, as highways expanded and towns suburbanized, barbecue joints began popping up in shopping centers and roadside stops. These unassuming spots–often little more than converted gas stations or cinder block
BEER, BURGERS & BBQ
by Charlotte Kovalchuk
Rooted in Jarrell
Josh Curtis Takes the Helm at Jarrell's New Middle School
Jarrell Ranch Middle School will open its doors this August with veteran educator Josh Curtis at the helm, marking a major milestone for Jarrell ISD as the district keeps pace with the city’s rapid growth.
Principal Curtis brings nearly two decades of experience in education to the role, including time as a middle school principal in Liberty Hill ISD and as an assistant principal at Jarrell Middle School. “My time as assistant principal was great because I got to know the students and staff. I was able to build those relationships and got to know what certain students and staff need to be successful.” His journey to Jarrell ISD was inspired by Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks’ student-centered leadership style. “I knew Jarrell ISD had a strong team committed to student success,” he says.
A former college football player at McMurry University in Abilene, Principal Curtis first entered the education world through coaching, before taking on multiple roles at small-town Texas schools in Flatonia and Louise ISDs.
“At one point I was the dean of students, offensive coordinator, head track coach, and drove the special education bus,” he recalls with a laugh.
Throughout his career, he adds, his motivation has come not just from a love of education, but from a desire to set an example at home. “I’m the first in my family to graduate college. I want my kids to know they can do it too.”
CREATING A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE
Jarrell Ranch Middle School will launch this fall with an anticipated enrollment of about 500 students and a team of 50 staff members. While the building might be brand new, Principal Curtis is quick to point out that the most important work will happen inside its classrooms and hallways. “The first year is about establishing a culture and I want ours to be about excellence, family, and innovation. I’m most excited about building that culture at Jarrell Ranch Middle School.” That means creating a space where students and teachers feel supported and inspired—and where learning doesn’t stop at math and science. “There’s a lot more to education than teaching the four core subjects,” Principal Curtis says. “We want to build students who are equipped with the tools to be great members of society.”
He’s also honest about the role of mistakes in the learning process: “We’re not expecting every kid to be perfect. We expect them to be the best they can be that day. We never learn if we don’t make mistakes. Our job is to figure out why they were made and how to not make those again.”
ONE DISTRICT, ONE COMMUNITY
With Jarrell ranked among the fastest-growing cities in Texas, Principal Curtis sees the opening of Jarrell Ranch Middle School as an essential part of keeping students on track. “As we grow, we have to be proactive. We never want to wait until a building is overpopulated to make changes.” The new campus is expected to help lower teacher-to-student ratios and provide more space, but Principal Curtis says the heart of the district remains unified. “The big thing is, as Jarrell continues to grow, we’re all still Jarrell. It doesn’t matter which campus you’re at, you’re still a Cougar.”
That spirit will carry into the classroom, with consistent curriculum and shared goals across both middle schools— even as individual teachers bring their own styles to the instruction.
BEYOND THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
When he’s not on campus, Principal Curtis is usually on the go. With two children entering high school and one starting sixth grade this fall, he is typically ferrying them between their many activities. “If I’m not at work, I’m usually in the car driving them to a sports practice,” he jokes. He and his wife Nicole also enjoy spending time outdoors and cheering on the Texas Longhorns at UT games.
Jarrell Ranch Middle School families can keep up with news and updates by following the school’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
The 89th Legislature Delivered for All Texans
Text and photos contributed by Colonel Terry M. Wilson, US Army (Retired) Representative for TX House District 20
In January, as I was sworn in as a member of the 89th Texas House, our state was facing numerous issues that had to be addressed during this legislative session. From securing our critical resources and infrastructure from foreign threats to easing the burden of property taxes and investing in educational opportunities—I am proud to say the legislature came together and truly delivered for Texans.
Now, with the regular session behind us, here are a few of the many highlights from the 89th Legislature. Each of these areas will be receiving their own future in-depth articles, but it is always good to start with a broad look at the whole picture first.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
This session, Texas has dedicated $51 billion in total property tax relief. Of that total, $40 billion comes from continuing the tax relief passed in the 86th, 87th, and 88th legislatures. The $11 billion in new tax relief comes in the form of raising the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 ($200,000 for seniors) and from allowing businesses to exempt up to $125,000 on items used to produce income—freeing up funds they can then reinvest in their business or hire more employees. Both changes will require voter approval in November, and I hope you will find them worthy of your support at the ballot box.
ENHANCING EDUCATION
Since the founding of our state, Texans have placed a priority on providing quality education to our children. Quality education requires quality teachers. I am all for saving money where we can, but when we do not pay teachers a competitive salary, we are cashing out their desire and passion to take on a hard job at extremely low pay. This session, the Legislature dedicated an historic $8.5 billion in new funding to Texas public schools, the largest increase in state history, including record teacher pay raises and targeted reforms.
Lawmakers also passed legislation that empowers teachers with greater authority to discipline or remove disruptive students from the classroom. We enacted substantive improvements
to law enforcement’s approach to responding to school safety incidents. We took measures to ensure instructional material will be of the highest quality, and that every student receives an education in personal finance before graduation, encouraging wise financial decision-making as they become adults.
But one size does not fit all. Some students have needs that require stepping outside the public education system, and a child’s ability to succeed should not depend on the ability to pay for his or her education. To make sure every student is provided a quality education, the Legislature also invested in the creation of education savings accounts, boosting opportunities and resources for students who might otherwise slip between the cracks.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER
As Texas grows, so do the demands on our critical infrastructure. Securing our state’s water future was a top priority this session. If given final approval by voters this November, a new dedicated revenue stream will fund much-needed water supply projects across the state for years to come.
I was honored to have sponsored one portion of this investment, dedicating funds for the Bureau of Economic Geology’s Texas Imperative. This initiative utilizes the investments Texas has made into building state of the art supercomputers toward turning the mountain of data our state has collected over 50 years of data into real, useful, and actionable information available to the public.
We also bolstered the reliability of our power grid by establishing standards for connecting large electric loads like data centers. Texas is now on its way to becoming a national leader in nuclear energy with legislation that supports advanced nuclear energy projects.
PROTECTIONS FOR MINORS
This session, we took significant steps to protect young Texans in an increasingly complex world. New measures will require mobile app marketplaces, such as social media sites like Instagram, to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent. Additionally, K-12 students will be restricted from using cell phones and similar devices during school hours to support a more focused learning environment. The Legislature also criminalized explicit sexual content involving children, including AI generated images, and banned the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual abuse cases. We secured increased funding for child abuse prevention grants and strengthened laws to improve the reporting and handling of abuse cases.
INCREASED SECURITY
Texas is increasingly targeted by foreign antagonists, but this session, we enhanced protections for our sovereignty and critical assets. This session we took decisive action to strengthen our state’s defenses. I supported legislation to block governments, businesses, and agents tied to countries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from buying land in Texas. We also cut off state investments in companies controlled by these regimes and banned lobbying efforts on their behalf. To protect our infrastructure better, we established Texas Cyber Command, a new statewide unit focused on countering cyberattacks and securing critical systems.
There are also major reforms to make our communities safer. I helped pass legislation ensuring judges will now have greater authority to deny bail to high-risk defendants, stopping violent offenders from committing new crimes while out on bail.
Additionally, we put a stop to nonprofits using taxpayer dollars to post bail.
Rep. Wilson with the Governor’s Chief of Policy, Robert Howden, Sen. Brian Birdwell, and Command Sergeant Major Brian A. Hester
HIGHER EDUCATION
As chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, I am proud of the work we did this session to strengthen the future of higher education in Texas. Whether you are a first-generation college student, a working parent going back to school, or a veteran preparing for the next chapter, the changes we made are about meeting Texans where they are. We made historic investments in our campus infrastructure, especially for regional universities that are growing fast but often overlooked.
We expanded support for military students, streamlined transfers, and gave students more choices in the admissions process. We also took major steps to protect the integrity of our research, improve campus governance, and launch tools like the new My Texas Future portal to make college more accessible and transparent. At the end of the day, our goal was to build upon a higher education system that works for Texas families—efficient, accountable, and built for the real world.
With Dr. James Hurley, President of Tarleton State University
WHAT’S NEXT
The bail reform and property tax relief legislation mentioned earlier are proposed constitutional amendments, requiring both a bipartisan 2/3rds majority in each chamber and the approval of the voters in the upcoming November elections as well.
On June 22, Governor Abbott announced he will call the Legislature back to Austin for a 30-day special session beginning July 21 to address issues with several bills the House and Senate initially agreed upon, but which were later found to contain problems that necessitated a veto.
Comparing that to the 88th Legislature, where the House and Senate’s inability to come together on multiple major policy areas required four special sessions before an agreement could be reached, gives an excellent picture of just how much things have improved over the last two years.
These changes to the fundamental structure of our government in Texas cannot happen unless we come together across multiple divides to make them a reality, and I look forward to seeing the people of Texas do just that this fall.
WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?
by Linda A. Thornton
H-E-B puts the SUPER in Supermarket
It’s a little-known fact that, though H-E-B stands for Howard E. Butt, it was Howard’s mother, Florence Butt, who opened the first H-E-B location.
In 1905, Florence moved her husband and three sons from Tennessee to Texas, hoping the drier weather might help her husband’s tuberculosis. A year later, with her husband still unable to work, she obtained a $60 loan and established Mrs. C. C. Butt’s Staple and Fancy Grocery Store, a one-room store on the ground floor of her family’s Kerrville home.
A ONE-ROOM MARKET TO A MARKET WITH ROOM FOR GROWTH
In 1919, Howard E. Butt, Florence's youngest son, took over the business, with a strategy to eliminate the middlemen and maximize profits.
The credit-and-deliver policies of the time were replaced with a new self-service cash-and-carry model.
Specializing in low-priced goods saw the company through the Great Depression and they were able to offer employees perks like picnics and group life insurance.
During World War II, their canning company also produced food for the Armed Forces.
By the 1950s, in-store fish markets, butcher shops, drugstores, frozen foods, and bakeries were introduced to stores.
In 1971, Howard’s son, Charles, took over and added in-store pharmacies, photo processing, video rentals, a florist, and the sale of wine and beer.
In 1985, the company headquarters moved to a renovated army arsenal in San Antonio.
"TEXAS": H-E-B
Today, Howard Butt, III serves as CEO of H-E-B, with his uncle, Charles Butt, as chairman, and his brother, Stephen Butt, as president. By staying “Texas true” and resisting the urge to expand beyond state lines, H-E-B has built a unique competitive edge— seamlessly blending Texas traditions with cutting-edge technology. This approach has earned the company top honors from dunnhumby, a leading customer data analytics firm, which has named H-E-B America’s top grocery retailer four times since 2017.
According to Forbes, with more than 445 stores, 160,000 employees, and $42.5 billion in sales, it is the fifth largest privately held U.S. company.
STORE TRAFFIC JAM
H-E-B also operates under five brand names that cater to different markets.
CENTRAL MARKET: In 1994, H-E-B introduced this upscale market offering organic and international foods. The concept has since expanded to include merchandise under the names Woodland Market, Kingwood Market, Alon Market, and Spring Creek Market.
H-E-B PLUS! STORES: With an expanded focus on non-food categories, these general merchandise stores were launched in 2004.
MI TIENDA: Spanish for “my store,” these Latin-themed stores have provided shoppers with a traditional Mexican grocery experience since 2006.
JOE V’S SMART SHOP:
Named after the company executive who brought the concept to fruition, this low-cost grocery chain opened in 2010.
H-E-B MEXICO: Since opening their first Mexican store in 1997, business has grown to more than $1 billion in sales.
IT’S NOT JUST A STORE, IT’S AN EXPERIENCE, NO “BUTTS” ABOUT IT!
Texas pride runs deep at H-E-B, and it’s evident in everything from their marketing to the tortillas made fresh in-house—widely considered the best grocery store tortillas in the country and now the stuff of legend among loyal shoppers. But H-E-B’s celebration of all things Texas goes far beyond food.
The company is a proud supporter of local brands and small businesses, with initiatives like the annual Quest for Texas Best competition—a statewide showcase that helps entrepreneurs bring their products to store shelves. Their supplier diversity team also offers hands-on training and guidance to help business owners thrive. Even H-EB’s private label brands are thoughtfully developed to compete with national names, offering quality products that are appealing, not just affordable.
A family-owned company rooted in Christian values, H-E-B is also generous, donating five percent of annual
pre-tax earnings to support causes across the state. Consistently ranked among the best places to work, the company fosters a culture of loyalty, professionalism, and outstanding customer service—reflected in thousands of long-term employees.
H-E-B: “HERE, EVERYTHING IS BETTER” – AND BIGGER!
At 182,000 square feet, the San Antonio H-E-B Plus! is the chain’s largest. The supercenter, known for wide aisles, boasts electronics, home goods, boutiques and even restaurants.
In 2023, a new H-E-B opened in Georgetown, replacing its smaller 34-year-old predecessor. The 121,000-sq-ft location, in the Wolf Lakes Village shopping center, offers more selection, a merchandise shop, and a two-story BBQ restaurant.
by Charlotte Kovalchuk photos courtesy Pustka Family Barbecue
Smokin’ Family Legacy
Father-Son Pit Master Team Brings Mouthwatering Meats to Temple
Bruce and Rebecca Burnett have been regulars at Pustka Family Barbecue ever since the trailer opened five years ago in Temple. On a scorching Thursday afternoon in June, they were back with their playful dachshund-terrier mix, Lady, who seemed just as eager about the lunch stop as her owners. “It’s nice that you can choose to sit inside or outside,” Rebecca says while enjoying a plate of ribs, beans, and potato salad. During their summertime visit, the couple were especially grateful for the indoor dining area—a converted propane company office.
In between bites of brisket and Pustka’s famous sausage, Bruce shares a memory that sums up the restaurant’s popularity: “I asked a lady in front of me in line about her favorite thing on the menu. She said the brisket. Then she mentioned that she had just come from a doctor’s appointment. Her doctor told her not to eat too much meat, and the first place she went after that was this place for a chopped beef sandwich—if that tells you anything. People are drawn here.” Pustka’s popularity, he says, goes beyond its mouthwatering meats: reasonable prices, hearty portions, and a wider variety of sides than you’ll find at most barbecue joints. Rebecca adds, “The service is good. They remember you and they actually talk to you.”
FROM BACKYARD TO BARBECUE JOINT
That friendly service is what Dustin Pustka and his father, Paul, pride themselves on most. It’s more than a business model— it’s a family tradition carried from backyard cookouts to the trailer window. “Growing up, my parents were always entertain ing—work parties, church parties, it seemed like the Pustkas were always
entertaining,” Dustin says. His dad, a self-taught barbecue enthusiast, was usually manning the grill, and Dustin quickly picked up a love for outdoor cooking.
Years later, after working in the restaurant industry, Dustin found himself ready for something of his own. He asked his dad if he’d be interested in starting a barbecue trailer together. “He said yes, and we got to work,” Dustin says. What began as a food trailer in Hutto eventually found its way to Temple, where both the family and business have firmly planted roots. The present site was previously occupied by a propane company office, which included operational propane tanks.
“It’s weird to see propane trucks coming in and out, and it’s a little hard to get in and out, but once you find us once, you’re good.”
Despite the unusual backdrop, Pustka Family Barbecue has become a favorite for
locals and road-trippers alike. It has been named one of Texas Monthly’s top 25 new barbecue joints and was also featured in this year’s list of Texas Monthly’s top 100 in the state. Now, Pustka is preparing for its next chapter. By the end of summer, the trailer will relocate to a new, more accessible brick-and-mortar space—formerly Al’s BBQ Barn—on 25th and Avenue M in Temple that Dustin and Paul are currently converting into a full barbecue restaurant.
So what sets Pustka apart in a state full of legendary barbecue? “We make our sausage in-house,” Dustin says. “Not many places make their own sausage. You can control the seasonings and it’s a much better product.” Nearly everything on the menu is made from scratch daily, from the tender brisket to the classic sides, “everything except the pickles,” he adds with a laugh.
Pustka also offers more flexible and affordable options than most places. “A lot of places won’t let you get just a quarter pound of meat,” he says, but Pustka offers that option along with various sides that make for a hearty meal.
WORTH THE DRIVE
And while the food speaks for itself, Dustin says the real secret is simple: “Every person who walks up to that window should feel welcome. We don’t have customers—we have guests. This is a family barbecue spot, and we want everyone to feel like they’re part of it.”
WHEN YOU GO
If it’s your first visit to Pustka Family Barbecue, try the housemade sausage or the weekly burger special on Fridays. For something uniquely Temple, go for the Wildcat Sandwich—brisket, sausage, and a crisp jalapeño green apple slaw, named after the local high school mascot. 23330
o celebrate the almost-semi-quincentennial birthday (yes, that is the correct word), of the greatest country ever, and as a fairly old person who works hard to use a full spice rack of words for a living, Leigh is hereby declaring independence from modern verbal atrocities. So, to this, I say...
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one satirist to dissolve the overused bonds of linguistic minimalism and assume, among the powers of the English language, the separate and elevated station to which erudite vocabulary entitles us, a decent respect to the intelligible opinions of mankind requires we should declare some words which we shall henceforth reject.
We hold these overused truths to be self-evident and also to be hyperbolic nonsense:
Procuring a parking spot under a tree at San Gabriel park on the 4th of July is not EPIC. How 'bout we dial it down, Achilles. You beat a minivan, not a Minotaur.
In truth I mean to separate myself from tyranny like “it was LITERALLY the best day of my life.” Was it though, Karen? I'm sure the first day of pumpkin spice latte was pretty great, but did Adam Levine bring it to you on your wedding day in your new Escalade and Instagram selfies of the two of you singing together at the reception?
I hereby decree that PERFECT is an appropriate response only for sunsets, newborns, and Jesus—not from the appointment setter at the doctor’s office, and certainly not from every customer service rep who proclaims it, in that wee patronizing tone, when I successfully recite my own contact information. Seriously, Janine. Just say, “Okay, got it.” I didn't split an atom. You’re just confirming I haven’t forgotten my zip code.
From thence, we shall reclaim the original social order from the Gen Alpha sluggards and express all necessary reticence regarding the emergent SIGMA. I say—with some irony—that Alpha *types* shall lead, Beta shall support, and Sigma, despite all efforts to appear cool, aloof, and mysterious, shall be metaphorically shoved in a locker by the former two for refusing to participate in the collaborative project then acting superior about it, because... “groupthink”.
And so, Patriots, in the spirit of our forebears who tossed tea into harbors and wore wool in July without complaint, I hereby declare my glorious rebellion from the tyranny of trend-speak, word inflation, and the dopamine-starved yapping of thumb warriors whose entire vocabulary has been reduced to “sus,” “slay,” and the occasional emoji that somehow conveys both sarcasm and pseudo-existential angst.
Let it be known that, in this Leighverse, I do not slay I do not stan. And unless I am actually questioning my humble place in the vast, unknowable universe from the rim of the Grand Canyon, reflecting on my son's grasp of the Gospel, or watching a bald eagle snatch a salmon midflight while a choir sings, I will not use AWESOME. Phyllis, your charcuterie board was delightful but it did not fill my soul with awe.
We the people once learned language, civics, and good sense on sacred Saturday mornings from cheerful cartoon singers in powdered wigs. A bill sat patiently on Capitol Hill waiting to become a law, we learned why three is a magic number, there's never been a planet Janet hasn't seen, and verbs were what's happ'nin.
And for the support of this Glorious Rebellion, with a firm reliance on the wisdom of our elders and the enduring spirit of Schoolhouse Rock, I pledge to you my Eye Rolls, my Rhetorical Snobbery, and my Sacred Vocabulary. Though some may say this rebellion is about semantics, let the record show: words still mean things, and if we stop caring about that, we might as well communicate with emojis and interpretive dance. As for me and my mouth, we will serve the syntax.
Signed with excessive flourish,
First of Her Name, Breaker of Buzzwords, Defender of Context, High Priestess of the Grammar Police, Mistress of the Rolled Eye, and Honorary Chairwoman of the Society for the Preservation of SAT Vocabulary
by Charlotte Kovalchuk
JUNIOR FIRE CADET CAMP
For a group of 32 kids, summer kicked off with ladder climbs, rescue knots, and a whole lot of fun at the third annual Junior Fire Cadet Camp hosted by Williamson County ESD 5 / Jarrell Fire Rescue. Held June 9-13 at Living Word Church and Jarrell Fire Station 1, the camp gave students hands-on experience in everything from climbing aerial ladders and tying rescue knots to operating fire extinguishers and navigating obstacle courses. For Fire Chief Ron Stewart, the campers’ enthusiasm was the best part. “Every day, the kids would say, ‘Can we stay longer?’ Their enthusiasm and excitement just fuels us and confirms this is a really good program.”
IGNITES
FUTURE HEROES
The camp also featured visits from the Jarrell ISD Police Department and their K-9 unit Nosic along with Daisy a therapy dog handled by Chris Orton with Bluebonnet Trails, plenty of outdoor play, and a final day pool party at Sonterra, complete with hot dogs grilled by local law enforcement. The camp not only sparks curiosity about firefighting but also builds leadership—several returning campers served as counselors this year. As the program grows, organizers are exploring ways to expand, possibly by adding a police-themed camp week in the future. “We’re trying to find creative ways to get more kids involved,” Chief Stewart says.
