The Pitmaster Next Door

How Trey Sanchez Built One of Texas's Highly Acclaimed BBQ Spots Right Here in Allen Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q earned a New York Times Top 20 nod, a James Beard nomination, a D Magazine ranking, and a Texas Monthly taco list spot -- and most of Allen still doesn't know it's there.

Walk through the Watters Creek district on Garden Park Drive and you might mistake Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q for a Texas Hill Country transplant -- something that belonged in Lockhart or Llano before it wandered north. The brick-and-stone exterior, the blue patio umbrellas stretched along the sidewalk, the weathered wood facade -- it reads like a place that has been here longer than it has. Step through the entrance (a handmade log sign reads "This Guey," which in Spanglish lands exactly as intended: This Way) and the picture sharpens fast.

The dining room opens wide -- reclaimed wood dividers trimmed in corrugated metal, big windows onto the street, exposed ductwork overhead, ceiling fa…

Allen USA Celebration 2026

What to Know Before You Go

Allen's biggest community night of the year is back at Celebration Park on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m. The H-E-B Allen USA Celebration has anchored Allen's Independence Day weekend since 1995, and this year's edition is simpler to attend than ever. No tickets, no registration, no RSVP. Just show up.

If you've never been, here's what to expect. If you have, here's what's new for 2026.

The basics

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026 Time: 6 to 10 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) Location: Celebration Park, 701 N. Angel Parkway, Allen, TX 75002 Admission: Free, thanks to event sponsors. No ticket or RSVP needed. Official site: AllenUSA.org

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter the park.

The 2026 lineup

This year's entertainment is built around two strong live acts and a skydiving show that kicks off the action.

5:00 p.m. Gates open 6:0…

Stacy Rd Fast Food Lane

With the The Village at Allen on one side and The Village at Fairview on the other, Stacy Rd is quite the happening shopping area. Let's not forget Premium Outlets on the west side of Central. These mega-draw retail areas bring thousands of shoppers and with their shopping tasks, they get hungry. To fill this need to feed, in steps the fast food cartel with their various offerings of quite bites and beverages. This is where Fast Food Lane comes in. From the west we have In-N-Out Burgers, Raising Cane's Chicken, Panda Express, Chick-Fil-A, McDonalds, Taco Bell, El Pollo Loco, Whataburger and Jack In The Box. Last, but not least, is Taco Bueno. I have them listed last because they are actually on Greenville Ave, not Stacy Road. Chick-fil-a Chick-fil-a, is open 6 days a week. Sunday is closed for employees to have family time. They have a play area for the kids, convenient drive through, outdoor seating during nice weather and a very courteous staff. They also provide cate…

Fishing in Ray Roberts Lake

The Ray Roberts Lake is home to a variety of fishes including but not limited to largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, crappie and sunfish. The lake has 2,000 acres of standing timber, with a rip-rap along the dam located at the south end of the main pool. It is has 2,212 acres of floating and submerged aquatic vegetation. Some floating species found on the lake are floating pondweed, water primrose and American lotus. Submerged species, on the other hand, include bushy pondweed, American milfoil, Chara and hydrilla. Fishing Tips and Techniques Guided fishing trips for largemouth bass, white bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish are quite popular in Ray Roberts Lake. The lake has many good spots where you can fish for largemouths. During the spring and fall, Largemouth bass angling seems to peak. If you like to fish for trophy bass, February and March are the ideal months to go fishing on the lake. When fishing for colder months, the best bait is a jig or a ji…

Spring Break Activities in Allen

Whether you are a tourist or a native of Allen, Texas, you will surely love the town’s festive spirit during Spring Break. The town offers a variety of activities for you and your family and surely you will know that in Texas, everything is bigger and better. Here are some activities that await you when you visit the town. If you’re a health buff or love to be active, the SNAP dance, Zumba Party, Yoga and Aerobics are the activities for you. You can snap your fingers and shuffle your feet to the music or you can choose to join the party and learn Latin-based moves to your favorite party songs while doing high-intensity cardio all under the black lights. But if you prefer serene and traditional fitness activities, Yoga and Aerobics classes are also available. Boxing and Martial Arts are also beneficial activities to spend your time on during the Spring Break. Aside from keeping you fit, boxing and martial arts will come in handy when you do get in trouble and you need …

Domains and URLs Explained

Cool Outdoor Recreational Fun in Allen, TX

Allen, Texas is not just a place where you can enjoy shopping and suburban living. It is home to several sports teams that have brought fame to the state and have huge following. When it comes to dining experience, every little bit that is served your palate is thoroughly thought of to be the best and comes from the heart. When it comes to recreational activities, Allen, Texas is also a place to reckon with. It can truly mesmerize its visitors with the grand presentation that only the “Allenites” know how to do. Here’s a rundown of what more you can expect aside from the usual city treats. Ultimate Golf Courses Texas boasts of the finest recreational centers that visitors usually flock to during summer and every time they can get a break from their hectic schedules. One activity that seems to run in the veins of every Texan is golf. The Courses at Watters Creek For many golf aficionados, one of the best locations for this sport is located at 7201 Chase Oaks Blvd., Pl…