This Week In Gluttony

Derby parties and massive tailgate top best food and drink events in Dallas

Whether you care about the Kentucky Derby or not, chances are you like to celebrate it, because the parties always involve booze and big hats. For all you philanthropic football fans out there, Taste of the NFL celebrates its 11th year at a new venue, AT&T Stadium.

Take a look at the variety of events that are sure to keep you full of food and good spirits.

Tuesday, April 28

Tequila Dinner at Mexican Sugar
Chef Tony Zamora prepares a five-course dinner paired with cocktails made with Clase Azul tequila. Dishes include ancho spiced pork empanadas, chipotle shrimp and watermelon salad, blue corn-crusted sea bass, anejo-braised short rib, and prickly pear and guava paleta. The event kicks off at 7 pm and costs $75. Call 972-943-0984 for reservations.

Thursday, April 30

Craft Beer and Artisan Cheese Tasting at Lakewood Brewing Company
Lakewood Brewing Company welcomes cheesemonger Ali Morgan from Rare Edibles as she continues her quest to bring together cheese and beer. The event features four select craft brews paired with a complementary and contrasting cheeses, plus descriptions of taste profiles and styles from brewers and industry experts. The event kicks off at 6:30 pm and costs $30.

Saturday, May 2

Kentucky Derby Bash at Library Bar
Celebrate horse racing’s biggest event at this party featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon cocktails, prizes for best dressed (including hats) and several raffle prizes. The Library’s “cocktail jockeys” are handcrafting mint juleps featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon for $20, with all sales benefiting Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship. The event lasts from 3:30-6:30 pm.

Kentucky Derby Party at Del Frisco’s Grille
Celebrate the Kentucky Derby with a live watch party featuring a red carpet selfie station, step and repeat, best dressed and best hat competitions, mint juleps, and live music. The fun lasts from 3-6 pm.

Fourth Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party at Sissy’s Southern Kitchen
The Jockeys & Juleps event is back and better than ever. Expect a best dressed competition, raffle prizes and the derby broadcast live. The event runs from 3-6 pm, and reservations are required. Call 214- 827-9900.

Kentucky Derby Watching Party at Gin Mill
Celebrate the derby at the Gin Mill with $6 mint juleps. Guests are encouraged to wear their best derby attire. The bigger the hat, the better.

Sunday, May 3

Taste of the NFL at AT&T Stadium
North Texas Food Bank supporters are invited to huddle up with Dallas Cowboys past and present and 20 of the area’s hottest chefs for a tailgate party unlike any other. Indulge in gourmet tailgate fare with sports legends, sip signature cocktails, enjoy live country music by the Rusty Brothers, and bid on exclusive luxury prizes at the live and silent auctions. The event kicks off at 6 pm; tickets start at $150.

Finalist Cook-off at Kitchen LTO
It’s time to unveil the chef and artist finalists for the fifth pop-up at Kitchen LTO. Outgoing chef Blythe Beck is the emcee for the evening, and a portion of the proceeds benefits Cafe Momentum. Taste the chefs’ creations; review proposed artwork; grill the contestants; and enjoy beer, wine and specialty cocktails. The event runs from 5-8 pm, and tickets are $75.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Gin Mill
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo early with drink specials from 11 am-3 pm: $5 bloody Marys and mimosas, $3 Mexican beers, and a bottomless mimosa option for $14. There are also food specials, including house made pozole and shrimp flautas.

North Texas Food Bank fundraiser Taste of the NFL heads to AT&T Stadium on May 3.

Courtesy photo

North Texas Food Bank fundraiser Taste of the NFL heads to AT&T Stadium on May 3.

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H-E-B opening

H-E-B's first Dallas County grocery store makes grand debut in Irving

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B has opened at 2351 West Interstate 635, Irving.

The ribbon has been cut, and dinner is being purchased at the long-anticipated new H-E-B store in Irving. The Texas grocery chain officially opened the doors to the supermarket, at 2351 West Interstate 635, at 6 am Wednesday, June 17.

The store, the first H-E-B in Dallas County, is technically in Irving but is also convenient to Las Colinas neighborhoods, Coppell, Grapevine, West Dallas, and DFW Airport. Irving is also home to a location of Joe V's Smart Shop by H-E-B, a spinoff H-E-B concept, at 2407 W. Airport Fwy.

“We’re honored to open our doors to this wonderful community, where our committed H-E-B Partners are ready to earn the loyalty and confidence of local families,” says Juan-Carlos Rück, an H-E-B executive vice president, in a release. “We are eager to provide our customers in the Irving area with quality service and an outstanding selection of H-E-B favorites and flavors from around the world.”

A look around
The massive 112,000-square-foot store features not only groceries and home essentials but a True Texas BBQ restaurant with drive-thru, H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery services with a large Curbside parking area, and full-service H-E-B Pharmacy with drive-thru.

Additional highlights include an expanded hot food offerings with several breakfast, lunch, and dinner options; a Meal Simple section plus Asian grill items such as rice and noodle bowls, True Texas BBQ favorites, True Texas Boil House seafood selections, hot soups, and bakery goods.

Specific to the Irving store, H-E-B has introduced Masala House, described as "an H-E-B product line that offers customers meal options made in-house daily such as chicken masala, butter chicken, naan bread, chutney dips, and more." There's also an international assortment of rice, lentils, and specialty items from Central America, Latin America, Britain, and Asia.

"Inside and out, the new store reflects the unique character of the Irving community," says the release.

H-E-B South Asian foods There's a special emphasis on South Asian foods at the Irving H-E-B.Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Like in other H-E-B stores, the Irving location offers:

Bakery with artisan breads, cakes, warm tortillas, and vegan options made fresh daily
Deli featuring an extensive cheese selection and charcuterie island
Sushiya with fresh-made sushi and an Asian grill serving rice bowls, teriyaki, and more
H-E-B Meal Simple chef-inspired meals prepared in store
Cooking Connection with live demos, samples, and easy recipe ideas
Produce department with large organic and Texas-grown selections
Meat market featuring Prime, natural, organic, and Wagyu meats, plus ready-to-eat options
Blooms floral department with online ordering and delivery
Extensive beer and wine selection with a tasting station
Healthy Living department with bulk foods, sports nutrition products, and supplements
Expanded frozen foods selection
Beauty department with cosmetics and personal care essentials
Pet department featuring Heritage Ranch by H-E-B food, treats, and toys
Household Essentials department with tableware, storage products, and Texas Tough items

The store opened at 6 am June 17 with fanfare that included H-E-B and community leaders, plus Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders - essential for any opening worth its salt in DFW. The company also presented checks totaling $40,000 for Irving-based nonprofits including Irving Family Advocacy Center, Level Pathways, Coppell ISD Education Foundation, and the Canine Companions.

H-E-B Irving The Irving store is just off 635, convenient to Grapevine, Coppell, DFW Airport, and West Dallas.Photo courtesy of H-E-B

First announced in August 2024, the Irving store is the latest in the San Antonio-based grocer's march across Dallas-Fort Worth. It is the second DFW opening in a month, following the H-E-B Midcities store in Euless on May 20.

H-E-B has also unveiled plans for stores in Garland, Murphy, Walsh Ranch, Carrollton, and Denton. H-E-B owns land in Dallas at Hillcrest Road and LBJ Freeway, the site will be the company’s first H-E-B store in the city of Dallas.

The Irving H-E-B store is open daily 6 am-11 pm.

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