A.M. ROUNDUP: Ted Cruz Transforms into the Baconator, Bon Appetit Picks New Top 50, Smashburger to Open at IAH

NATIONAL — Texas Republican Senator morphs into the Baconator by revealing how he likes to cook the delicious meat, via machine gun. In a video on the Independent Journal Review, Cruz headed to a shooting range in Iowa and wrapped strips of bacon around the barrel of the gun, covering it tightly with foil. He shot a hanging paper target multiple times (close-up shots of the target weren't revealed), causing the heat from the gun to cook the bacon as grease splattered on the floor. [EATX]

NATIONAL — Bon Appetit Rounds up their Top 50 New Restaurants and Houston is notably missing from list. Their 50 best came from only 20 states, which hardly seeming representative of the country and most are either on the East or West coast with less representation of the central states. Texas did get some love, Austin snagged two spots with Gardner and Dai Due, and Dallas with Luscher's Red Hots and Small Brewpub. [Bon Appetit]

DOWNTOWN — Batanga is extending their kitchen hours, so while you're bar hoping on Main St. you'll be able to snag tapas late into the night. The extended hours are only for Friday and Saturday evenings. The kitchen will remain open until 12:00 a.m., while the bar will keep normal business hours. [Batanga Facebook]

INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT HOUSTON — Smashburger, the national burger restaurant known for its "smashed" burgers, has announced plans to add multiple airport locations, including one at Houston George Bush IAH. The new location is set to open December of 2015. [Restaurant News]