festival season is here

9 flavorful food festivals happening in Houston this fall

The imminent arrival of fall’s first “cold front” (let’s be honest — we’ll take what we can get) signals the start of Houston’s fall festival season. Every weekend is loaded with opportunities to be outdoors, and that includes any number of food-related happenings.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up nine of the fall’s highest profile events. From staples that will draw thousands of food lovers to an intriguing newcomer that looks very promising, this list has something for every taste and every price point.

Iron Bartender
Thursday, September 25
This annual bash benefits The Periwinkle Foundation, which develops and provides programs for children, young adults, and families who are challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. After an initial round of judging, these are the finalists who will compete for the coveted title: Victor Navarro (Anvil), Stephanie Di Muria (Botanica), Drew Jerdan (Bad News Bar), Leonel Galvan (Cuchara). Christian Guadiana (Johnny’s Gold Brick), and Marc Estil (Reserve 101).

Photo courtesy of Southern Smoke Foundation

Join Aaron Franklin and many others at the Southern Smoke Festival.

Tickets start at $75 for the tasting or $350 for a seated dinner with cocktail pairings by the finalists.

Chefs for Farmers
Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28
Named for the way it connects Houston chefs with Texas farms, this two-day event returns to Autry Park this weekend. Approximately 60 chefs — split between Saturday and Sunday — will serve bites. In additions, attendees can look forward to experiences such as:

Rosé Ranch – A garden-inspired space with curated pours and photo ops from sponsors.
Tailgate Experience – Beer pairings, lawn games, and football on the big screen, including the Texans vs. Titans game.
Texas Love – A celebration of barbecue traditions and regional flavors.
Artisan Alley – A market of local vendors.

Tickets for either Saturday or Sunday are priced at $145 for general admission and $195 for VIP. Attend both days for $249 or $349. Search Instagram for various influencers with discount codes.

Southern Smoke Festival
Saturday, October 4
Benefitting the Southern Smoke Foundation, which offers mental health services and emergency financial assistance to hospitality workers, the epic food festival returns to Discovery Green with a roster of more than 85 chefs and beverage professionals from across the country. As always, star pitmaster Aaron Franklin headlines the group, which also includes Paul Carmichael (Kabawa, New York), Wylie Dufresne (Stretch Pizza, New York), Tavel Bristol-Joseph (Canje, Austin), Ana Castro (Acamaya, New Orleans), Ashley Christensen (Poole’s Diner, Raleigh), Cassidee Dabney (The Barn at Blackberry Farm), (Billy Durney, Hometown BBQ, Brooklyn), and many others.

Attendees get access to bites and drinks from the participants, along with live entertainment, cookbook signings and more. VIP tickets are sold out, but a limited number of general admission tickets remain for $225.

James Beard Taste America
Wednesday, October 8
A group of 12 Houston chefs — many who are James Beard Award finalists or semifinalists — are teaming up for this event at the Post Oak Hotel. Led by Ope Amosu (ChòpnBlọk), a current member of the James Beard Foundation’s TasteTwenty class for chefs who have shown talent and leadership, the group also includes Emmanuel Chavez (Tatemó), Suu Khin (Burmalicious), and Top Chef winner Tristen Epps (Buboy). See the full menu here.

Tickets are priced at $175 for general admission and $225 for premier access that includes entering one hour earlier. Proceeds from the event benefit the foundation’s mission to champion a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for independent restaurants and the broader food system.

Taste of Atlas
(Update 9/29: This event has been postponed. A new date will be announced in the future.)
Baltimore-based hospitality group Atlas Restaurants will bring together all three of Houston concepts for one special evening. Held at Azumi, the company’s Japanese restaurant in River Oaks District, attendees will have the opportunity to sample bites and drinks from Azumi, Loch Bar, and Marmo, along with a tuna cutting and live entertainment. Head to Loch Bar after for 50-percent off drinks for wristband wearers. Tickets are priced at $120 per person.

Rare Steak Festival
Thursday, October 23
As many as 30 Houston-area restaurants will serve bites featuring steak at this festival at the Post Houston. Tickets — priced at $145 for general admission, $200 for early entry, and $307 for VIP — include unlimited samples from the participating restaurants alongside cocktails and other sips from the event’s sponsors. Participants include Guard & Grace, Fielding's, Rainbow Lodge, Marmo, Vic & Anthony's, State of Grace, and more.

Delicious Alchemy: 20th Anniversary Banquet
Monday, November 3
Recipe for Success will celebrate 20 years of teaching children about the importance of eating their vegetables with an epic meal that features 10 Houston chefs, including Ryan Pera (Colitvare), Lucas McKinney (Josephine’s), Dominick Lee (Augustine’s), along with retired chefs Claire Smith (Shade, Alice Blue) and Greg Martin (Bistro Menil). The event takes place in the gathering barn at Recipe for Success’ urban farm in South Houston. Tickets start at $2,500 per person with tables for four priced at $12,000.

Bites & Beyond Festival
Saturday, November 8
Making its debut this year, Bites & Beyond will offer a full day of food and music at Discovery Green. General admission tickets ($30) get attendees in the door, giving them access to food vendors, a craft market, and all of the day’s entertainment. VIPs ($134) get access to a tasting presented by the Houston Hospitality Alliance, along with a VIP entrance, dedicated restrooms, and a VIP lounge. Participating restaurants and bands are still TBA.

Urban Harvest Sunday Supper
Sunday, November 9
The organization behind Houston’s most popular farmers market has rounded up an all-star lineup for its annual fundraiser, which will be held at J-Bar-M Barbecue in EaDo. Participating chefs include Arash Kharat (J-Bar-M Barbecue), Bryan Caswell (Latuli), Felipe Riccio (March), Hilario Zamora (Zanti), Josh Sutcliff (55 Seventy), Marco Incerti (Tavola), Michael O’Connor (Doris Metropolitan), and Jane Wild (Jane and the Lion Bakehouse). Tickets start at $350 for individuals with tables of four starting at $3,000.

festivals news-you-can-eat

new neighborhood bar

Exclusive: New pub flies into familiar Montrose space with NY-style pizza

A Galleria-area Irish pub has claimed a prime Montrose space for its second location. Ducky’s Pizza and Tavern is now operating in a quiet, soft opening phase in the former Riel space at 1927 Fairview Street.

It’s the latest project from veteran Houston restaurateur Michael Collins, who owns the original Ducky McSweeney’s Irish Pub near the Galleria, as well as Sushi on Post Oak and Midtown sushi staple The Fish.

“We’ve been after that building for a couple of years and knew Ducky’s would be a good fit for the neighborhood,” Collins tells CultureMap.

From his perspective, Ducky’s blend of a casual, sports bar atmosphere with well made pizza should appeal to area residents looking for a place to gather to watch a game or blow off some steam after work. By serving food until 1:30 am, he also hopes to draw in workers from Montrose’s numerous restaurants and bars.

“Those guys at Riel did a great job. They had a fantastic run,” Collins says. “It was time for a change in the neighborhood. I think all of Houston is just looking for somewhere casual to hang out.”

Completing their work in just 35 days after Riel’s closure in August, Collins and his team have made the space their own with some simple cosmetic changes, starting with new exterior signage. Inside, patrons will notice the new TVs on the walls to follow all of the night’s games. One of the other additions is Ducky’s use of classic Houston blue-and-white subway tiles that spell out “I (heart symbol) Montrose.” At the far end of the restaurant, diners will find a couple of dart boards for a little friendly competition. Collins also added some additional air conditioning units to help keep the interior temps down.

Photo by Eric Sandler

Ducky's Pizza Tavern is now open in Montrose.

At the heart of the menu are Ducky’s New York-style pizzas, which are baked in a deck-style pizza oven that’s been installed at the bar. Customers have a range of options, starting with traditional pies like pepperoni, the Montrose (prosciutto and arugula with a balsamic glaze), meat lovers, a simple vodka sauce with basil, and a classic Hawaiian. On the more adventurous side, consider the H-Town, made with brisket, blackened shrimp, jalapenos, and Alfredo sauce, or the Al Pastor, topped with pork, pineapple, onion, cilantro, and salsa verde ranch. All of Ducky’s pizzas are available in a shareable, 14-inch size or a personal nano. Gluten free dough is also available.

Patrons may supplement their pizzas with shareable bites such as meatballs, chicken wings, crab rangoon cheesy toast, spinach bacon dip, or nachos. Sandwiches, including a cheeseburger, salads, and house made carrot cake round out the menu.

On the cocktail side, look for riffs on classics such as the apple-flavored Ciderita or the Basic Witch, an espresso martini topped with egg white foam. Collins says he’s stocking a more premium selection of wine and liquor than the original location near the Galleria, since that what Montrose residents expect from their bars.

“It’s an affluent neighborhood,” he says. “We want to give people what they expect.”

ducky's pizza and tavern montrose news-you-can-eat openings pizza