Rope 'em

10 Houston restaurants saddling up can't-miss Rodeo dishes and deals

It's that time again, when all of Houston decks itself out in cowboy hats and boots, amps up its two-stepping skills, and celebrates that thing they call Rodeo. But it's not just on the grounds of NRG Park where diners will find great eating. All across the city, restaurants are offering specials throughout Rodeo season. Rope 'em before they're gone.

Cafe Leonelli
The fast-casual option inside the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston gets into the Rodeo spirit with a braised pulled pork sandwich, made with house barbecue sauce, dijon mustard, arugula, tomatoes, and pickled onions. The special is available through Sunday, March 24.

Dandelion Cafe
The Bellaire restaurant is serving Brisket Breakfast Hash, made with smoked brisket from their neighbors at Blood Bros BBQ, bell peppers, onions, country potatoes, and two eggs made to order. It's available all day, every day, through March 17.

Eunice
Come on by the Upper Kirby restaurant for an extended happy hour from 2-6 pm throughout Rodeo season and opt for a Tumbleweed cocktail, made with vodka and jalapeno, or the Texas Ranger, a blend of tequila, pomegranate, and lime. Those needing some sustenance with their drinks can tuck into chef Drake’s Grilled Cowboy Ribeye, served with crawfish butter, green asparagus, and Yukon gold potatoes. All special are available through March 17.

Georgia James
In honor of Rodeo season, the Montrose steakhouse has transformed its upstairs lounge into GJ Saloon. In addition to live music Wednesday through Saturday, customers can look for happy hour specials between 5 and 7 pm. There's also a special Rodeo prix fixe menu for $95 that includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Diners may select from choices such as a half-dozen oysters, crab hushpuppies, 44 Farms Ribeye with fried Brussels sprouts, Gulf fish with Szechuan style noodles and charred cabbage, and pecan pie.

Hilton Americas-Houston
Head to the hotel's lobby bar for the BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich – crafted with mesquite-smoked, Black Angus beef brisket, topped with barbecue sauce and smoked gouda. Served on a soft brioche bun, the sandwich is paired with steak fries, bread and butter pickles, and a side of ranch-style baked beans. It's available through March 17.

Loch Bar
The River Oaks District seafood restaurant offers 15-percent off customer checks through March 17, when they present their Rodeo Houston badge or Rodeo tickets.

Marmo
Rodeo revelers will appreciate the restaurant's extended happy hour, available from 2-6 pm through March 17. On the weekends, Marmo offers a reverse happy hour from 10 pm to midnight.

Drink highlights include $6 select glasses of wine, $5 Peroni beer and $8 cocktails. Food specials include $2 oysters on the half shell with Calabrian chili mignonette and $7 pastas such as rigatoni alla vodka, veal bolognese, and polpette (meatballs with tomato sauce). Marmo’s extended happy hours will be available at the bar, in the lounge, or on the patio.

Puttshack
This year is the downtown destination's first rodeo, and they're doing it up with specials like Korean BBQ Bao Buns ($15) and the Pitmaster sandwich, made with smoked chicken, barbecue sauce, smoked Gouda, red onion, jalapeños, and buttermilk ranch ($16).

Relish
Head to this River Oaks spot to sample a full menu of Rodeo-themed treats. Try the 44 Farms Mini Corn Dogs for $10 or the pulled pork sandwich for $16, made with Relish's barbecue sauce and slaw, served on a brioche bun with a side of fries — both available from 11 am - 5:30 pm. Other options can be had from open to close, including the Space City Cowboy with bourbon, blackberry, mint, lemon, and maple and the Rodeo Rita with mezcal, tequila, lime, blood orange, and bitters for $14 each.

Photo by Becca Wright

Georgia James has transformed its upstairs into GJ Saloon.

Tacos A Go Go
Rodeo Committee members who present their current badges at the Midtown location can get a 15-percent discount, an acknowledgement of the hard work put in by the Rodeo's tens of thousands of volunteers. With its location on the METRO light rail's red line, volunteers can travel easily between the restaurant and the Rodeo grounds.

happy-hours news-you-can-eat

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