Houston's 1st Food Truck Park

Finally! Houston gets its own food truck park — and it has monster-sized plans

Considering the growing popularity of food truck culture in the Houston scene (and the City of Houston's inability to revise ordinances that restrict their operations in downtown), it was only a matter of time before someone followed in the footsteps of Austin entrepreneurs to create a food truck park where all could exist in harmony.

And so it goes: Houston Food Park will make its debut at 1504 St. Emanuel St. with a grand opening event beginning at 3 p.m. on June 22, just in time for the official start of summer. Expect Yummy'z Kitchen, Coreanos, POCKet to Me and Betton's Comfort Food to be among the mobile eateries serving up treats at the event.

Owners Jack Gillett, Tirzo Ponce and Miguel Villegas tell 29-95 that they can accommodate eight or nine food trucks at a time on the parking lot beside the former Meridian Club, which may eventually be converted into a concert venue with a rooftop bar, according to Swamplot.

The owners also plan to utilize a nearby parking lot to expand food truck capacity to as many as 20 during monthly special events, like tailgating for Houston Texans away games, as well as a Retro Fest and a Beyond the Black Top street food bazaar (which are already in the works).

"We want to bring an urban festival scene to the city," Ponce said. "We want to celebrate arts, food and music in a setting that reflects Houston as the melting pot it is."

Let's hope that there won't be any actual melting beginning on Monday, June 24, when the park will begin lunch service day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Houston Food Park Facebook

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists