7 restaurants smokin’ brisket at showdown at Hotel Congress
Some folks who pride themselves on their barbecue talents are lining up to throw down in the inaugural Smokin’ Showdown at Hotel Congress on Saturday.
Seven Tucson restaurants — Chillin n’ Grillin BBQ, Edge Catering, Rusty Truck BBQ, The Cup Café, Acacia Food & BBQ, Brushfire BBQ and Gary Ray’s Smokehouse — will pit their slow-smoked brisket for a shot at the title of Old Pueblo’s Pitmaster. The winner also gets a snazzy championship belt that will do nothing about keeping your pants up but will provide immeasurable bragging rights.
And in the words of Hotel Congress, “With this sear comes beer,” provided by Pueblo Vida, and live music will create a smokin’ soundtrack for the evening.
It’s from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and it’s 21-and-older. Tickets are $30 in advance through ticketfly.com or $35 at the door. Proceeds benefit Steele Children’s Research Center. Details: hotelcongress.com
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It’s not often a nonprofit organization can benefit from a restaurant’s spring cleaning.
But on Thursday afternoon, when Daisy Mae’s Steakhouse strips the thousands of dollar bills that have been tacked to its walls the past several years, it will donate the cash to Wounded Warrior Project.
Owner Dan Brady says there’s probably 12,000 bills on the walls — mostly $1 bills but there are a few larger bills in the mix including a couple $50s. He expects the haul to top $12,000.
The west-side restaurant, 2735 W. Anklam Road, also will donate 20 percent of its food sales to the organization, which assists veterans injured in post-9-11 conflicts. Brady said he hopes the final tally will top $15,000.
Patrons of the 15-year-old steakhouse have been leaving dollar bills on the walls for years. And every few years, Brady and his staff set aside an afternoon to gather up the cash, which they give to a nonprofit organization.
Daisy Mae’s, which specializes in mesquite-grilled steaks, chops, chicken and ribs, serves dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and until 9 p.m. Sundays; the bar opens at 3 p.m. daily. Details: daisymaessteakhouse.com or 792-8888.
Danny Perez takes the Iron Chef Tucson title
Danny Perez took the secret ingredient — bacon — and his know-how to win the title of Iron Chef Tucson.
The competition was last weekend at The Westin La Paloma. This was Perez’s first time competing in the event. He is executive chef at Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa’s Signature Grill.
Perez bested last year’s winner, John Hohn, executive chef at Gringo’s Grill & Cantina.
