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All the mouthwatering food and drinks you'll find at The Tailgate

Sink your teeth into this sandwich from Empire Baking Co.

Empire Baking Co./Facebook

Attention, sports fans: The Tailgate is almost here. CultureMap Dallas' newest signature event is happening October 13 at The Empire Room, and you'll want to be there.

Why? Because even if you aren't a football fanatic, hockey hound, soccer supporter, or basketball and baseball buff, you're probably a big fan of fantastic local food and drinks.

Here's what's on the menu:

2021 Tastemaker Awards Hero Award winner Meaders Ozarow from Empire Baking Co. will be serving pastrami and pimento cheese sandwiches.
Carte Blanche's Amy La Rue, the 2022 Tastemaker Awards Pastry Chef of the Year winner, is presenting a whole smorgasbord of sweet treats: s'mores hand pies, maple and beer glazed doughnuts, and brown butter chocolate chip cookies.
2022 Tastemaker Awards Best New Restaurant winner Dusty Biscuit Beignets is bringing a taste of New Orleans with duck and andouille gumbo-smothered beignets and a glazed mini beignet trio.
2022 Tastemaker Awards Best New Pizza winner 400 Gradi will have two pizzas: margherita and hot salami
TLC Vegan Kitchen, the 2021 Tastemaker Awards Best Ghost Kitchen winner, is taking care of the non-meat-eaters with creamy Better Balance chicken arrabbiata.

Also expect:

smoked wings from Jaxon Texas Kitchen & Beer Garden
Snuffer's famous cheddar fries
buttermilk popcorn chicken from Village Burger Bar
quesabiria tacos from Cafe Herrera at the Omni Dallas Hotel
Texas-style barbecue pork belly from District
a variety of pizzas from Urban Crust
meatballs and pomodoro from Postino
smoked pork belly from One90 Smoked Meats
brisket sliders from Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar
five different flavors of gelato from Zero Gradi

Whole Foods Market will have a game-day catering spread and a variety of 365 favorites for tailgating — learn all about their delicious options here.

Cast your vote on-site to choose the best tailgate dish, and we’ll announce the winner at the end of the event.

To wet your whistle, there will be signature cocktails by 1800 Tequila and Dripping Springs Vodka — just wait until you taste the Sideline Rita and QB Crusher — plus Austin Cocktails and beer.

Blackland Distillery, the 2020 Tastemaker Awards Bar of the Year winner, will also feature a variety of premium bourbon tastings highlighting local flavors.

Aside from the concessions, expect game-day activities and fun yard games, the chance to meet Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy, and there just might be appearances from your favorite athletes, who will be shining a spotlight on the sports-related nonprofits they support and giving you the chance to pitch in and make a difference for the causes they champion.

Get your tickets now, and use promo code FOOD15 to get $15 off tickets. We’ll see you on October 13.

sports promoted

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French bakery-cafe Maman from New York debuts chic Plano spot

Photo courtesy of Maman

Maman has opened a cafe at Legacy East in Plano.

A fast-growing New York bakery-cafe chain has expanded into a new North Texas city: Maman debuted a new location Friday, August 7 at Legacy East in Plano.

The cafe is at 7200 Bishop Rd., Ste. D, where it serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, pastries, and baked goods in a 2,650-square-foot space with seating for 78 indoors and another 34 on an outdoor patio, according to a release.

Plano is the brand's third Dallas-area cafe in about a year, with more on the way.

Founded in New York's Soho in 2014 by partners Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Maman has grown to about 60 locations across the U.S. and Canada. The company made its Texas debut in November 2025 with a cafe at The Plaza at Preston Center, followed by a Lakewood location that opened earlier this year. Another location is planned at Fields West in Frisco, as well as in Dallas' Casa Linda Center.

Maman Coffee and croissants at Maman.Photo courtesy of Maman

The menu features espresso drinks, tea, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast and lunch items, plus seasonal offerings and a few Dallas-area exclusives, including:

Magnolia Sweet Tea Fizz: Cold-steeped magnolia bud tea with Topo Chico, Texas wildflower honey syrup, lemon, and mint.
Lone Star Cinnamon Bun: A cinnamon roll topped with vanilla glaze and a signature pastry star.
Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Roll: A pastry swirled with salted caramel, vanilla, and toasted Southern pecans.

Known for its French provincial-inspired interiors, Maman's cafes feature vintage furnishings, wood accents, and the brand's signature blue toile details. The Plano location also offers catering and private event space.

"We're so excited to continue growing in the Dallas area with our newest location in Plano," says co-founder Elisa Marshall in the release. "Legacy East has such an incredible energy and strong sense of community, making it the perfect home for Maman. We can't wait to welcome both longtime guests and new neighbors into the space to enjoy coffee, pastries and meaningful moments together."

Maman New York Lemon meringue tarts from Maman. Photo courtesy of Maman

The company also sells coffee, tea, matcha, merchandise, and its cookbook, Maman: The Cookbook, All Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart, and continues its collaboration with Martha Stewart through limited-time menu items and retail products.

Doors opened at 8 am August 7. To celebrate the opening, the first 100 customers who make a purchase will receive a complimentary tote bag and chocolate chip cookie. From 1-3 pm, the first 50 customers who spend $15 or more can receive a complimentary croissant charm at an on-site charm bar hosted by Charmed Haven.

Regular hours are 7:30 am-6 pm Monday-Friday and 8 am-6 pm Saturday-Sunday, with the kitchen closing daily at 4 pm.

bakery legacy east maman plano openings

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All the mouthwatering food and drinks you'll find at The Tailgate

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