Feeling foolish? 5 Austin April Fool's Day pranks that almost got us this year

Beware the I-35 toll booths!

Could the new toll booths on I-35 be the transit solution Austin is waiting for? And could a deal with TxDOT give the highway-adjacent Chronicle office a new lease on life? Find out more: https://t.co/cx0MMJQ4vtpic.twitter.com/wGYslsDtuZ

— Austin Chronicle (@AustinChronicle) April 1, 2022

Following up on their vision of an Elon Musk Austin purchase last year, The Austin Chronicle followed up with another (hopeful) April Fool's Day prank as they announced new toll booths set to be installed on I-35.

"Could the new toll booths on I-35 be the transit solution Austin is waiting for?" the cover reads, with more details on a new Chronicle deal with TxDOT involving benefits for the "highway-adjacent" publication's office.

The Chronicle has been pulling Austin's collective leg for years, with tongue-in-cheek April 1st covers declaring the end of UT football, Obama's supposed move to Austin and more. It's the only day news can be—well, not actual news—so we don't blame them for getting in on the fun.

Austin to LA hyperloop?

ELON MUSK UNVEILS AUSTIN TO LA HYPERLOOP PROPOSAL @elonmuskhttps://t.co/B99sVH7sjjpic.twitter.com/G4XhStdH1F

— 365 Things Austin (@365ThingsAustin) April 1, 2022

Speaking of Musk, the Tesla CEO and expert Twitter troll was involved in more April Fool's Day fun this year—according to a perfectly-timed piece from 365 Things Austin.

"Don't California My Texas" supporters would crumble at Musk's alleged new proposal, which would allegedly tie Austin to the Golden State permanently with a hyperloop route that would only take 75 minutes each way.

"The one-hour and 15 minute travel time will be shorter than many LA residents’ current commute. Allowing them to buy homes in Austin without having to leave their high-paying jobs in California," the site story read.

No worries, Austinites—while Los Angeles' influence may be felt a bit more than usual these days in the Texas capital, this post is entirely false.

"All assertions and quotations in the article attributed to Elon Musk and others are entirely fictionalized," the post reads. "Please don’t sue us, Mr. Musk."

Dona Agua Fresca

Doña you can drink! Now serving: The Doña Agua Fresca 🌶️
Creamy, spicy, and not-at-all refreshing. You’ll probably need to chase this drink with another drink. Available for a limited time only. 😉 pic.twitter.com/EZCopv3yFK

— Tacodeli (@tacodeli) April 1, 2022

Austin taco chain Tacodeli was all jokes this morning (we think) as it announced a new agua fresca: the "creamy, spicy, and not-at-all refreshing" doña drink.

Although the company's signature salsa doña is delicious as a dip, it might be hard to choke down a drink based almost solely on jalapeños and garlic.

"You’ll probably need to chase this drink with another drink," the chain wrote in a post.

Luckily, it seems like you won't have to: Tacodeli's alarming new announcement was followed up with a wink emoji and hopefully a couple of laughs.

Alt rock band or food truck?

Fans of Austin alt rock band The Woulds were probably not fooled for long as the group announced it would retire from music and open an E 6th food truck this year.

No hate to the group's Photoshop skills, but maybe they should just stick to music instead!

El Arroyo keeps it tame

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A post shared by El Arroyo (@elarroyo_atx)

Perhaps the most elaborate April Fool's Day prank in Austin history came from iconic Tex-Mex spot El Arroyo, which beguiled the city when it announced that its iconic sign was mysteriously stolen on April 1 last year.

The scheme, which involved doctored security cam footage and a prerecorded message from Gov. Greg Abbott, confused most of Austin for hours before the sign was "found" at the YETI headquarters later that day.

It seems like the restaurant is taking a break from the jokes this year, but it is announcing a giveaway for front row VIP tickets to the Moody Center's grand opening celebration on April 29th and 30th. Follow these steps to stake your claim on prime seats to the celebration, which features performances from George Strait, Willie Nelson and the Randy Rogers Band.