Football fans and foodies alike scored big at the Second Annual Tailgate Throwdown at the Houston Texans Grille in CityCentre. The crowd sampled fare from an all-star lineup of restaurants that included the Houston Texans Grille, Underbelly, Churrascos, Tasting Room-CityCentre, Cinq at La Colombe dʼOr, Fusion Taco, Lubyʼs Catering, Eleven XI, Soma Sushi, Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar and Hollister on Washington.
Battling it out for tailgate bragging rights, top chefs vied to make the cut with a panel of judges — retired Texans player Chester Pitts, CultureMap's new writer Eric Sandler and yours truly, Cleverley Stone of Fox 26/CBS Radio 650, KHOU's Katherine Whaley and Syd Kearney and Greg Morago of the Houston Chronicle – who were scouting for Most Original Dish, Best Tailgate Classic and Top Dish with a Kick. Guests had the opportunity to vote for Fan Favorite.
Hollister on Washington, taking no prisoners, won for Most Original Dish with a Thanksgiving-style smoked Gouda mac & cheese complete with pulled turkey, cranberry BBQ sauce and Cheetos.
Best Tailgate Classic went to Soma Sushi for its Berkshire pork and kobe beef hot dog infused with Shiner Bock beer, topped with homemade pickles and grass-fed beef chili, and served on a sesame chive bun.
Churrascos was the big winner, garnering Top Dish with a Kick and Fan Favorite with its pulled pork taquitos in crispy malanga shells. An assist by two tasty side items, queso poblano and a house made guacamole, helped ensure the victory.
Proceeds from the Tailgate Throwdown went to Houston Restaurant Weeks benefiting the Houston Food Bank.
Adam Supgul and Betty Mujica at the Tailgate Throwdown at Houston Texans Grille.
A vintage picture of chefs EJ Miller and Ryan Lachaine. Photo by 