Too often in recent years, tailgating would be the best part of attending a Texans game. While that’s not true this season — AFC Rookie of the Month and Offensive Player of the Month CJ Stroud has the team in contention for a Wild Card spot — those attending the game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, December 3 may want to get to the stadium a little earlier than usual.

Houston hip hop legend Bun B will use the occuasion to hold a special pop-up for Trill Tenders in the parking lot of NRG Stadium. Texans fans will find Bun B and the Trill Tenders team at the Modelo Golden Lion Tailgate, which is located near the Amegy Bank gate outside the southeast corner of NRG Stadium. Tenders will be served from 9:30 am until kickoff at noon (or sold out). Given Houstonians' enthusiasm for all things Trill, we suggest getting there early.

The first 100 adults (21-plus) will receive free tenders. Minors will be able to purchase tenders at a nearby location outside the tailgate.

A sister concept to his smash hit smash burger concept Trill Burgers, Trill Tenders serves, as it names implies, chicken tenders. The award-winning concept made its Houston debut at the recent Taste of the Texans fundraiser.

Trill Burgers chefs Mike Pham and Fernando Valladares teamed up on the Trill Tenders recipe. Drawing on their French training and experience operating Nashville-style hot chicken concepts in Orange County, Trill Tenders are brined to ensure they stay juicy when fried. It's served with two dipping sauces, dubbed "Soy OG" and "Pink OG," which looks like the chefs' take on the creamy and tangy dipping sauce served at national chicken tender chains.

That's a tasty-looking tendie.Photo by Golda Valladares

Back in October, the tenders won the ConTender Contest at the 2023 Tenderfest in Los Angeles where they beat out a host of top California chefs such as Burt Bakman of Slab Barbecue, Joan McNamara of Joan’s on Third, and chef Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord Filipino restaurant.

Sunday’s pop-up deepens Trill Burgers’ relationship with the Texans. Prior to the season, the team announced that Trill Burgers would be available at four stands within NRG Stadium. Of course, the burgers are also available for lunch and dinner daily at its brick and mortar location at 3607 S Shepherd Dr.