well done

Sizzling new food festival celebrates steak with beefy bites from Houston restaurants downtown

Sample bites from more than 20 restaurants at the Rare Steak Championship.

Courtesy of DiningOut Events

Calling all carnivores. A new food festival has rounded up some of Houston’s top restaurants to celebrate steak.

The Rare Steak Championship will be held Thursday, October 19 at Post Houston. Created by DiningOut Events, Rare comes to Houston from Denver. Organizers have rounded up more than 20 participating restaurants, including Andiron, Blood Bros. BBQ, Killen’s STQ, Marmo, Mastro’s, and Phat Eatery (participants subject to change).

They’ll compete for both people’s and judges’ choice in Traditional Steak, Creative Steak, and best cocktail at Rare’s Grand Tasting. As with similar tasting events, attendees get access to bites from all of the participating restaurants as well as beverages and live music. Get a feel for the environment with this video from the Denver event.

Those springing for VIP tickets will also have access to a separate tasting featuring bites created by Top Chef finalist Dawn Burrell, James Beard Award winners Paul Qui and Tom Cunanan, and Golstrommen owner Christopher Haatuft.

Tickets are priced at $175 for admission to the Grand Tasting and $325 for VIP. Early bird discount tickets ($155 and $300, respectively), are currently available. In addition to the separate dining area, VIPs also get early admission, access to a VIP lounge, and an extra VIP vote.

“We are so excited to bring Rare to Houston,” DiningOut’s Jeff Suskin said in a statement. “This event brings together Houston's best chefs in a thrilling competition that celebrates the artistry of steak preparation and craft cocktails.

Rare joins a host of other food events taking place this fall. They include, Chopd & Stewd, a celebration of West African culture on September 30; Chefs for Farmers on September 30 and October 1; the star-studded Southern Smoke Festival on October 14; and the Honeyland Festival, a new event celebrating Black chefs, artists, and musicians. The Tailgate, CultureMap’s sports-themed event, returns for its second year on October 25.

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With or Without Whiz

Houston burger mastermind fires up new pop-up devoted to Philly cheesesteaks

Photo by Michael Ma

Abbas Dhanani is serving up cheesesteaks at his new pop-up.

Abbas Dhanani is at it again. The food influencer-turned-restaurateur behind the CultureMap Tastemaker Award-winning smash burger concept Burger Bodega is firing up a new pop-up concept devoted to another iconic sandwich.

Called Bas’s Cheesesteaks, the new concept will Dhanani’s take on the classic Philly cheesesteak, made with sliced ribeye and white cheese on a seeded hoagie roll — onions and a spicy sauce are optional. A second version swaps the white cheese for Cheez Whiz. Like Burger Bodega, Dhanani is using halal beef for his cheesesteaks.

Bas's Cheesesteaks cheesesteak sandwich The cheesesteak is served on a seeded hoagie roll.Photo by Michael Ma

“We have experimented with cheesesteaks as specials on the menu at Burger Bodega and received amazing feedback,” Dhanani said in a statement. “However, the cheesesteaks at Bas’s are the most refined versions we have done so far. I am excited to bring authentic Philly cheesesteaks to Houston as a new flavor experience while continuing to build on the energy and community we have created at Burger Bodega. This is a huge passion project for me, and I plan to take it step by step, just like Burger Bodega."

As Dhanani notes, he introduced Burger Bodega with a series of pop-ups throughout Houston. To answer the obvious question, of course a restaurant could be in the cards for Bas’s, too.

“I think thats the goal of any new pop-up concept,” Dhanani tells CultureMap. “Like Burger Bodega, we want to take it one step at a time and see where it goes.”

Bas’s Cheesesteaks will have its first pop-up on Monday, June 30 at Burger Bodega’s location (4520 Washington Avenue). In addition to the two cheesesteaks, diners can get fries. Future pop-ups will be announced via Instagram.

As for Burger Bodega’s second location in Katy, Dhanani says it’s still working through securing the necessary permits to begin construction.

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