What it be: Rosé All Day Soiree
When it do: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22
Where dat is: 5001 Belt Line Road, Addison
*****
Long gone are the days when food trucks meant anonymous white vans and mystery burritos. Nowadays, food trucks are stalked with the aid of social media, with devotees willing to pay handsomely for dishes prepared on four wheels. This Thursday, Denton hosts its second annual food truck fest. This year features a whopping number of trucks, with 30 to 35 expected. In an effort to maximize the street-to-food-truck ratio, the trucks will be parked around East Side Denton's beer garden and across from Oak Street Drafthouse.
What it be: Downtown Denton Food Truck Fest
When it do: 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22
Where dat is: 308 E. Oak St., Denton
*****
What do you get when you combine a dachshund race, stein-hoisting competition and beer spelled with an "i"? Oktoberfest, of course. Whether you missed the one in Addison last week or just like to make the rounds, you can get all the German bier and food your lederhosen can possibly stand at Oktoberfest at Panther Island Pavilion. Come on Thursday for the ceremonial tapping of the kegs when admission costs $5, or stop by Friday or Saturday for $10 a person.
What it be: Fort Worth Oktoberfest
When it do: 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22
Where dat is: 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth
*****
Heed the call of the great outdoors at a special edition of the Trinity River Audubon’s Birds & Brew event. For a $25 donation, guests will enjoy after-hours access to the Audubon center, live birds, food from Cousins Maine Lobster and libations from Texas Ale Project, Franconia Brewing Co. and other local breweries. Because this is also North Texas Giving Day, Smith Group Asset Management will be matching donations up to $10,000. We can drink to that.What it be: Birds and Brew Special Edition
When it do: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22
Where dat is: 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way
*****
We'll have two bags of grass, 75 pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid and a house-cured salmon and grapefruit salad with brown butter vinaigrette and fennel pollen. OK, so maybe you won't have the first three items on that list, but you will have the salmon as part of a scrumptious, four-course Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas beer dinner. Take in this seminal Terry Gilliam film, good food and drinks from The Last Frontier at this Alamo Drafthouse screening. Tickets are $60 per person.
What it be: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Beer Dinner
When it do: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22
Where dat is: Alamo Drafthouse, 1005 S. Lamar St.
*****
Dallas will be in short supply of vowels and Windex this weekend as the 60th annual Greek Food Festival takes place. In exchange for their appropriation of A's and O's and U's, vendors will offer festival-goers things on skewers, wrapped in grape leaves or drenched in honey. From souvlaki and loukoumades to spanakopita and tiropita, there will be lots of food on hand to help get you into that Opa! state of mind. Admission is $6 for adults, free for children 12 and under. Proceeds go to the Holy Trinity Church.
What it be: Greek Food Festival of Dallas
When it do: 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m Saturday, Sept. 24; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25
Where dat is: 13555 Hillcrest Road
*****
Augustine of Hippo once said, "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." This metaphor lends itself rather well to my personal ethos, wherein I believe the world is a smoker and those who do not travel eat only one brisket. If you happen to be one of those unfortunate souls who have not braved the back roads of Texas for the promise of smoke rings, all is not lost, for Smoked Dallas brings with it a myriad prized barbecue from all over the state. Returning favorites include Black's Barbecue from Lockhart, Bee Cave's Schmidt Family Barbecue and BBQ on the Brazos based out of Cresson, while locals Pecan Lodge and 18th and Vine will help flesh out the 15 total pitmasters slated to be onsite. VIP tickets are $90 and BBQ tasting tickets are $45. Live music will be provided by The Toadies, Shinyribs, The Dirty River Boys, Dean Fearing's Lost Coyote band and more.
What it be: Smoked Dallas
When it do: 2:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
Where dat is: Main Street Garden Park, 1902 Main St.
*****
Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy, or so some dead guy once said. OK, sure. But are puppies not also evidence of a benevolent God? We think so. We also think that when these two things — beer and puppies, that is — combine, great things are bound to ensue. Deep Ellum Brewing Co. will host animal support group Paws in the City as part of an adoption event which also benefits the group. A $20 ticket gets an obligatory commemorative pint glass, three beers and who knows, maybe a new four-legged pal.
What it be: Pups and Pints
When it do: 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
Where dat is: 2823 St. Louis St.
*****
Chefs for Farmers kicks off their first event of the weekend with their Crème de la Femme Dinner, , a six course dining extravaganza featuring the talents of six chefs including local favorites Misti Norris (Small Brewpub) and Sharon Van Meter (3015). Each course will be paired with wines by Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, and diners will also enjoy a live concert courtesy of the Dallas String Quartet. Tickets are $200 per person.
What it be: Celebrity Cruises Crème de la Femme Dinner, Presented by Whole Foods
When it do: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23
Where dat is: Arlington Hall at Lee Park, 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd
*****
The second Chefs for Farmers event will take diners on a whirlwind tour of street food stalls the world over. The Dallas Design District will be transformed for one night into a night market featuring more than 15 vendors — mostly local, some national. Participating restaurants include Cane Rosso, Knife, Whistlebritches, Terrine (Los Angeles), MoPho (New Orleans), while participating farms include A Bar N Ranch, Comeback Creek Farm and Dallas Urban Farms.
What it be: Street Food Night Market
When it do: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
Where dat is: 1617 Hi Line Drive
*****
The last Chefs for Farmers event is also the main event. It is called — ahem — The Main Event. This marks the fifth year that some of the best local and national chefs (100 in total) will come together with Texas farmers, wineries and local breweries to create an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of epicurean delights. Don't forget to leave your lawn chairs at home and bring your picnic blankets to this down-home affair.Tickets are $100.
What it be: Chefs for Farmers: The Main Event
When it do: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25
Where dat is: Gilley's, 1135 S. Lamar
