The annual smackdown between Texas and OU kicks off at the Cotton Bowl this weekend. While I may not fall partial to either team, I will gladly partake in any and all food related specials throughout the weekend, as there are many to pick from. Choose your allegiance or simply choose your destination, but if you can’t make up your mind then I highly suggest jumping from one watch party to the next.
OU Club of Dallas Events:
It pays to be a member of the OU Club of Dallas as you can join in on a number of weekend festivities starting Thursday night with the “Beat Texas Weekend Happy Hour” at Henderson Tap House. Follow the chants of “Boomer Sooner” to Hilton Lincoln Centre Friday night for the Beat Texas Party at 8 p.m. Expect big screen replays of OU football highlights, giveaways, and special appearances by The Pride of Oklahoma marching band and OU spirit squad. Tickets are $30 and $25 for club members. The official game day watch party will also take place at Henderson Tap House.
Texas Exes Dallas Chapter Events:
Texas Exes Dallas Chapter hosts its annual Bash Before the Clash on Friday at 7 p.m. with $5 Longhorn drink specials, Longhorn singers, and Longhorn cheerleaders all night long. Embrace your burnt orange side at Toad in the Hole off Ross Avenue with this free event featuring a buffet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a live DJ. I said I wasn’t partial to either team, but I could throw up the horns for this special occasion. If you have the honor of going to the game, Texas Exes is hosting a pre-game tailgate inside Gate 5 from 7 a.m. to 10:30 am. Otherwise, head to Alamo Drafthouse for their official watch party.
The Rustic:
This Uptown restaurant and bar couldn’t wait for the weekend to hit, so they decided to get things going with a “Concert for a Cure” on Thursday night featuring Jack Ingram. Show starts at 8 p.m. and VIP party tickets include food, drink, seating, and swag bags with a $75 donation going straight to the Leukemia Texas foundation. During the night you have the opportunity to win two game day tickets for Saturday. If you don’t win then you can always grab a seat on their open outdoor patio at 10 a.m. and enjoy the game on the inflatable screen.
So & So’s:
So & So’s cranks up the jams Thursday through Sunday with DJs and live music. I really enjoy their $10 bottomless mimosas. Oh, and the fact that they have fourteen TVs throughout the place that allow for optimal football viewing.
American Airlines Center:
Pretend like you’re tailgating outside the Cotton Bowl, but without all of the traffic and fuss at the 6th Annual Coors Light Texas Oklahoma Party on the Plaza. Tote along your lawn chairs to this free event at the American Airlines Center. Party kicks off at 10 a.m.
Barley House:
Barley House understands that an 11 a.m. game day kick-off can suck (it’s just so early), so they want to ease your pain a little by opening at 9 a.m. on Saturday and serving $3 bloody marys, $5 breakfast taco plates and $8 domestic pitchers until 6 p.m. David Willingham will play Friday night followed by Hazardous Dukes on Saturday.
Granada Theater:
Watching a football game on a theater big screen seems like a pretty good idea, especially when paired with beer bucket specials and a fajita buffet. Granada Theater hosts a watch party at 9 a.m. and for $15 and you can get your tickets online. Looking for somewhere to go during half time? Stan’s Blue Note, Dodie’s Reef, Dubliner, Londoner and the San Francisco Rose are just down the street.
Capitol Pub:
Capitol Pub kicks things off Friday night at 9 p.m. with local punk trio Ten Can Riot and leads things into the weekend with Saturday brunch at 10:30 am. Brunch specials include chicken fried steak and eggs, omelets and traditional, American breakfast. Pair that with the $5 mimosas or the bloody mary to hold you over until the group Fingerless Ghost (please ask them how they came up with this name and get back to me) takes the stage at 5 p.m. followed by DG Kwasar at 10 p.m.
Nightlife Dallas:
Nightlife Dallas teams up with the Urban Taco on McKinney Avenue to host “House Divided.” From 9 a.m. until noon you can enjoy $2 mimosas, bloody marys and margaritas as you gaze upon the seven flat screen TVs and jumbo projector. In addition to the regular menu you can expect $16 beer buckets, $2 team shots, $3 Dos Equis lager drafts and $5 house margaritas and mojitos. DJ Innovate will spin from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.
J. Black’s:
Head to J. Black’s on Friday at lunch for half-priced pizzas and $3 pints to prepare for Saturday festivities. Doors open at 10 a.m. on Saturday with specials from Shiner Smokehouse and Shiner Bock including their $5 brat ‘n a beer special that runs through NFL Sunday.
Christies Sport Bar:
Most know Christies Sport Bar as the place to set up camp for sports viewing, but this time of year calls for an all weekend bash. Picture BBQ, beer, forty-seven HDTVs (yes, forty-seven), food specials and drink specials that begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
The LOT Dallas:
For The LOT Dallas’s three-day celebration, they will start Thursday off by hosting a brat and beer tasting featuring Kuby’s Sausage and Heady Topper. Friday night will involve some tunes by David Matsler at 7 p.m. and Saturday with a little game tailgate running from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. including $1 breakfast tacos and $3 bloody marys. Then at game kickoff, they offer $5 bloody marys, mimosas and margaritas with $2.50 Bud Light and Miller Lite. End the night with live music from The Roomsounds.
McFadden’s:
Those around the Addison area should head to McFadden’s for a live ’80s band and $3 you-call-its from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. followed by a Saturday watch party with $15 bucket specials, $10 pitcher specials and $6 burgers with fries.
Social House:
Social House runs its normal brunch specials from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with live entertainment after the game. Get an $8 mimosa or peach bellini personal carafe, with a $1 refill, and a helping pile of the Irish pork nachos to set the mood.
Dodie’s Reef:
Nothing sounds more like a college party than $2 Jell-O shots and $5 Fireball shots. Dodie’s Reef is serving them up Friday and Saturday in honor of the rivalry along with prime viewing on their rooftop patio with plenty of TVs.
Lark on the Park:
This restaurant near Klyde Warren Park doesn’t want you to get caught up in the mayhem of rivalry weekend, so escape with meal specials running through the weekend. On Friday, enjoy barbecue pork ribs with potato-roasted pablano gratin and mustard greens. On Saturday, chow down on bone-in short ribs with pureed potatoes, swiss chard, cippolinis and horseradish gremolata. And for Sunday brunch, grab a plate of Moo Krob Hash, which involves braised pork belly, roasted Yukon potatoes, cilantro, a fried egg and a spicy Thai chili-lime sauce.
