If there was ever a time to scream “TGIF!” this is it. Friday kicks off a weekend filled with festivals, fried fair food, birthday cake and more. If you’re sitting at home, bored with nothing to do at any point the next couple days then I have no pity for you. You live in Dallas, the city that loves to eat and party. Embrace it.
Thursday, September 25th
Urban Taco turns four today and they’re celebrating with a big fiesta at their McKinney Avenue location. From 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm you can partake in two complimentary drinks (I suggest one with tequila) along with other fall specials like empanadas de pastor and pork belly chicharron tacos. RSVP by emailing [email protected].
Friday, September 26th
The day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Fried food everything, rides, shopping, games, music, and cars are the things Dallas looks forward to at the State Fair of Texas. The downtown parade kicks off at noon, but the chowing down begins at 11 am at Pegasus Plaza where you can find classics like Fletcher’s Corny Dogs or the more bizarre creations from Big Tex Choice Awards like the Original State Fair Brew – funnel cake ale. The first celebrity chef kitchen demo debuts at 12:30 pm with Chef Janice Provost of Parigi. Get more information on events and ticket pricing here.
Deep Ellum ignites their three-day music festival Index Fest with an array of national, regional, and local talent. Highlighting indie and popular music artists, the event hosts three outdoor stages and six venues including Club Dada, both sides of the Prophet Bar, Three Links, Trees, and Sons of Hermann Hall. Get your fill of tunes, food trucks, beer gardens, craft vendors, and several participating restaurant while there. For a listing of the lineup and ticket prices go here.
If you’re feeling a little claustrophobic or just trying to avoid all the festivals going on then get your fix at Cook Hall’s monthly beer dinner featuring Grapevine Craft Brewery. For $55 per person, enjoy plates like pork rillettes with crisp plantain chips, roasted organic chicken with fall vegetables, roasted venison, and apple and pecan sticky buns with a brown butter ice cream. Brews include Monarch Classic American Wheat Ale, Saison Festival, Lakefire Rye Pale Ale, Ten Gauge Belgian IPA, and Sir Williams Brown Ale. Glasses are raised at 7 pm. You can make reservations by calling 214-397-4111.
The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church brings their love of Greek culture and fun to the community with the return of The Greek Food Festival of Dallas. Beginning at 4 pm, sample authentic foods like Chicken Oreganato, Tiropita, and Keftethes, while you sip on coffee, wine, and beer. Don’t worry there will be plenty of lamb, gyros, and baklava to go around.
The Oktoberfest torch is being passed to Downtown McKinney as they host their Taste of Germany. The beer garden covers 14 blocks, making for a prime venue to guzzle down German beer in between bites of bratwurst. McKinney Main Street, supporting sponsors, and shops along Historic Downtown McKinney will host activities like dancing, music, and crafts to embrace your inner yodeler. The event rings in for free and runs from 4 pm today to 5 pm on Sunday.
Sometimes it’s nice to dress up to the nines and mingle amongst the nation’s top chefs. The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America takes place at 7 pm with a reception of bites and libations from local chefs, including Tim Byres (Smoke), Omar Flores (Casa Rubia), Matt McCallister (FT 33), Janice Provost (Parigi), and David Uygur (Lucia). Afterwards, guests will come together for a four-course dinner that appears to be under wraps until the unveiling of the event. As you get up to make room for more, you can take part in both a live and silent auction filled with “items for foodies.” Get your ticket to this exclusive shindig here.
Saturday September 27th
There’s no way you hit all those festivals yesterday and if you did then you deserve a medal. If you want to take a breather today before finishing off festivities tomorrow then join Abacus for their 15th birthday party from 6 pm to 11 pm. This birthday may set you back $200, but this “perfect blend of past and present” dinner will bring back former Abacus family like Tre Wilcox and Omar Flores alongside Kent Rathbun and current Executive Sous Chef Chris Patrick. The four-course meal will include wine pairings and plenty of toasts. Make reservations by calling 214-520-0151.
Sunday September 28th
Like anyone else, Abacus doesn’t like to celebrate its birthday for one night only. The party continues on Sunday from 2 pm until 8 pm. For $100 partake in food, craft cocktails, cooking and mixology demonstrations, and a live performance from Downtown Fever.
