2016 Toyota Texas Fest

Food of the Toyota Texas Fest

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One of the big attractions at the Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL is the Lone Star Food Fest. Area restaurants and beverage makers filled visitors with great food and drink.
One of the big attractions at the Toyota Texas Fest presented by JBL is the Lone Star Food Fest. Area restaurants and beverage makers filled visitors with great food and drink.
Chef James Harrison of Ruth’s Chris Steak House loads buns with some really prime prime rib and tops it with his garlic butter.
Chef James Harrison of Ruth’s Chris Steak House loads buns with some really prime prime rib and tops it with his garlic butter.
The NOLA Grill has a taste sensation of grilled andouille sausage, carmelized Texas sweet onion and remoulade sauce crostini. So that crispy bread-like thing on the bottom was a crostini? Pretty dang good.
The NOLA Grill has a taste sensation of grilled andouille sausage, carmelized Texas sweet onion and remoulade sauce crostini. So that crispy bread-like thing on the bottom was a crostini? Pretty dang good.
Kristina Libby and Mark Estes of The Colony dig right in to The Capital Grille’s beef and mashed potatoes, which most Fest-goers seemed to agree was among the best.
Kristina Libby and Mark Estes of The Colony dig right in to The Capital Grille’s beef and mashed potatoes, which most Fest-goers seemed to agree was among the best.
Laker Howell, 14-year-old son of Bassmaster Elite pro Randy Howell, tries Central Market’s shrimp and grits. Central Market is the title sponsor for the Lone Star Food Fest, which is being hosted by Dean Fearing. Let’s hope he’s here.
Laker Howell, 14-year-old son of Bassmaster Elite pro Randy Howell, tries Central Market’s shrimp and grits. Central Market is the title sponsor for the Lone Star Food Fest, which is being hosted by Dean Fearing. Let’s hope he’s here.
OMG, there he is. Dean Fearing offers Trait Zaldain, wife of Day 1 leader Chris, a spicy taco from his downtown Dallas restaurant, Fearing’s.
OMG, there he is. Dean Fearing offers Trait Zaldain, wife of Day 1 leader Chris, a spicy taco from his downtown Dallas restaurant, Fearing’s.
Trait said she loved the taco and Fearing said he loved her sunglasses. Yeah, cool shades, Trait.
Trait said she loved the taco and Fearing said he loved her sunglasses. Yeah, cool shades, Trait.
We’ve run across both these folks before - that’s Janis Johnson and Dave Terre of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Money raised from the Toyota Texas Fest goes to help the TPWD’s program to get youth involved in the outdoors, specifically increasing fishing opportunities in urban areas. Yeah, they’re eating Central Market’s shrimp and grits, another fav of the Fest-goers.
We’ve run across both these folks before – that’s Janis Johnson and Dave Terre of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Money raised from the Toyota Texas Fest goes to help the TPWD’s program to get youth involved in the outdoors, specifically increasing fishing opportunities in urban areas. Yeah, they’re eating Central Market’s shrimp and grits, another fav of the Fest-goers.
Ticket holders also had the opportunity to indulge in a number of beer and wine samples from brands such as Texas’ own Becker Vineyards, which was a rather popular booth.
Ticket holders also had the opportunity to indulge in a number of beer and wine samples from brands such as
Texas’ own Becker Vineyards, which was a rather popular booth.
More prime rib could be found from Lawry’s The Prime Rib booth. The chefs add slaw to their sliders.
More prime rib could be found from Lawry’s The Prime Rib booth. The chefs add slaw to their sliders.
The mezzanine was a popular place to hang out, drink and chat.
The mezzanine was a popular place to hang out, drink and chat.
Laker and Oakley Howell sit above the stage where their father will weigh-in in just a few hours.
Laker and Oakley Howell sit above the stage where their father will weigh-in in just a few hours.
Goose Island Beer Company not only offered libations, they set up a couple bag toss games.
Goose Island Beer Company not only offered libations, they set up a couple bag toss games.
It’s Treats, which was pretty much exactly what the name says, had a line of folks satisfying their sweet tooth.
It’s Treats, which was pretty much exactly what the name says, had a line of folks satisfying their sweet tooth.
The Mini-Mac was one such sweet treat, and neater than a cupcake with the condiments as icing inbetween the cakes. Dubs Tea & Water offered the right beverage to wash it down.
The Mini-Mac was one such sweet treat, and neater than a cupcake with the condiments as icing inbetween the cakes. Dubs Tea & Water offered the right beverage to wash it down.
Even other workers wanted to get in on the treats.
Even other workers wanted to get in on the treats.
That’s a hot tray of cheese covered meatballs of some sort from Vicini American Italian Kitchen & Bar. Ta-stee!
That’s a hot tray of cheese covered meatballs of some sort from Vicini American Italian Kitchen & Bar. Ta-stee!
Should have gone here first. Coming from out of state and wanting some Texas BBQ, Rudy’s would have hit the spot. These guys handed out a full plate.
Should have gone here first. Coming from out of state and wanting some Texas BBQ, Rudy’s would have hit the spot. These guys handed out a full plate.
Look at those beauts. A thick, very meaty rib was accompanied with a chunk of brisket and some sausage. Three plates of that with some sides, and some desert right next door at It’s Treats, would have filled anybody’s bill.
Look at those beauts. A thick, very meaty rib was accompanied with a chunk of brisket and some sausage. Three plates of that with some sides, and some desert right next door at It’s Treats, would have filled anybody’s bill.
After an hour of awesome samplings, could anyone blame these folks for leaning back in the Lunker Room and putting up their feet.
After an hour of awesome samplings, could anyone blame these folks for leaning back in the Lunker Room and putting up their feet.
Yeah, there was fun and hijinks. Why this woman is laughing hysterically might stay between her and her friend here, as well as emcee Dave Mercer and his friend. Oooooh, mystery.
Yeah, there was fun and hijinks. Why this woman is laughing hysterically might stay between her and her friend here, as well as emcee Dave Mercer and his friend. Oooooh, mystery.
Not Your Father’s Root Beer sends out that old-timey vibe. But that alcohol kick, in it and its brother, Not Your Father’s Ginger Ale, is exactly how our dad’s “root beer” and his “ginger ale” smelled. Wait, that was W.C. Fields.
Not Your Father’s Root Beer sends out that old-timey vibe. But that alcohol kick, in it and its brother, Not Your Father’s Ginger Ale, is exactly how our dad’s “root beer” and his “ginger ale” smelled. Wait, that was W.C. Fields.
Kristina and Mark made the food rounds and use their mini mug to try Old Tankard Ale.
Kristina and Mark made the food rounds and use their mini mug to try Old Tankard Ale.
What Toyota Texas Fest is complete without Lone Star Beer?
What Toyota Texas Fest is complete without Lone Star Beer?
Mason McInnis, 4, of Frisco, looks like a seasoned pro with the mug perfectly sized for him. But no, that’s not Not Your Father’s Root Beer, nor dark ale. It’s Dr. Pepper, as proven by his mom holding a can behind him.
Mason McInnis, 4, of Frisco, looks like a seasoned pro with the mug perfectly sized for him. But no, that’s not Not Your Father’s Root Beer, nor dark ale. It’s Dr. Pepper, as proven by his mom holding a can behind him.
What is a Toyota Texas Fest without a cowboy hat? Aside from the TPWD officers, there wasn’t a lot of cowboy hat wearing, at least among the men. That’s why Bill here gets the nod for Best Male Appearing in Cowboy Hat. He and his wife, Leslie, are from nearby Plano and were enjoying the tickets they won.
What is a Toyota Texas Fest without a cowboy hat? Aside from the TPWD officers, there wasn’t a lot of cowboy hat wearing, at least among the men. That’s why Bill here gets the nod for Best Male Appearing in Cowboy Hat. He and his wife, Leslie, are from nearby Plano and were enjoying the tickets they won.
Now Best Beard (or Facsimile, including Goatee) goes to Andy Elorreaga, who was just hanging with friends who came from as far away as San Antonio.
Now Best Beard (or Facsimile, including Goatee) goes to Andy Elorreaga, who was just hanging with friends who came from as far away as San Antonio.
Dave Mercer, who has served as emcee of the bass fishing portion of the Fest, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, since it began 10 years ago, gets ready to interview Dean Fearing.
Dave Mercer, who has served as emcee of the bass fishing portion of the Fest, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, since it began 10 years ago, gets ready to interview Dean Fearing.
Here’s the stage where the bands performed, helping draw a paying crowd that helped the TTF donate $2.25 million to TPWD over the past decade. Say, who is that wildly waving his arms?
Here’s the stage where the bands performed, helping draw a paying crowd that helped the TTF donate $2.25 million to TPWD over the past decade. Say, who is that wildly waving his arms?
Why, it’s James Overstreet. JO has been shooting photographs of anglers launching, fishing, catching, releasing, weighing, kissing and cursing bass for as long as he can remember.
Why, it’s James Overstreet. JO has been shooting photographs of anglers launching, fishing, catching, releasing, weighing, kissing and cursing bass for as long as he can remember.
Boots go with shorts, skirts, dresses, jeans, anything -- it’s Texas! Asked if we could show off these kicks, an answer of whatever, they’re not even my good ones. OK. They still look nice.
Boots go with shorts, skirts, dresses, jeans, anything — it’s Texas! Asked if we could show off these kicks, an answer of whatever, they’re not even my good ones. OK. They still look nice.
Admittedly, the ones on the left are her “worn ones,” while them thar fancy ones are Lucchese, which can run anywhere from $300 to $3,000, unless you get lucky and find ‘em on the discount rack somewhere for around $100.
Admittedly, the ones on the left are her “worn ones,” while them thar fancy ones are Lucchese, which can run anywhere from $300 to $3,000, unless you get lucky and find ‘em on the discount rack somewhere for around $100.
Best Look with Chef Hat goes to Kali Brem for this stylish “School cap.” She was working the Urban Rio Cantina & Grill.
Best Look with Chef Hat goes to Kali Brem for this stylish “School cap.” She was working the Urban Rio Cantina & Grill.
Sure, we know Dean Fearing’s a big deal in Texas, but he’s got to be doing something else right besides food to draw this much attention.
Sure, we know Dean Fearing’s a big deal in Texas, but he’s got to be doing something else right besides food to draw this much attention.

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