That's Cheesy

30+ chefs and teams prepare for annual queso competition in Austin

The highly customizable dip lends itself well to competitions.

Photo by Vaughn Luciano

Yes, it's a bit cruel to make anyone wait nearly four months for queso. But the annual Quesoff at The Mohawk is the sort of thing Austinites are willing to wait for, and coveted tickets are now on sale. The competition will be held Sunday, November 2, from noon to 3 pm.

A great equalizer, Quesoff pits all kinds of cooks against each other: chefs representing local restaurants, impressive home chefs, and anyone else who wants to enter.

If confident (or scared-but-doing-it-anyway) Austinites want to join the fun, there were still a few slots open this week. A press release encourages interested parties to email quesofftexas@gmail.com with their desired category. They can also apply in multiple categories as long as each is matched to a different recipe. Entry into the competition is free.

There will be four categories: meaty, spicy, veggie, and wildcard. A panel of judges will decide whose cheesy efforts paid off the most in the best in show category.

2024 winners are as follows:

Meaty Champion: Chilly’s Phillys Cheesesteaks
Veggie Champion: Eldorado Cafe
Spicy Champion: Live Oak Brewing Company
Wild Card Champion: Yellow Ranger
Best in Show: Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

Getting to know those champions should keep queso-lovers busy 'til November. (Unfortunately, Chilly's Phillys closed in May, but the rest are still kicking.) At least two of them are returning to defend their win in 2025, totaling 30 with potential for more to join.

2025 participants include:

Eldorado Cafe (past champion)
Yellow Ranger (past champion)
Live Oak Brewing (past champion)
FlipFlopFilipino
Round Rock Rage
Torchy's Tacos
Comedor
Chef Flaco's Gourmet Foods
Love Queso
Team Indigo
RoughRiders
Dosa Shack
Veracruz All Natural
Pelons
épicerie
la Barbecue
La Plancha
Smokin The Good Stuff BBQ
The Kebab Shop
Busty's Bar & Jukebox
Fairmont Austin
Goodburn Sauce Company
Commodore Perry Estate
Moonshine Grill
Electric Gravy
La Pera con Queso
Taco Flats
La Santa Barbacha
Arriba Abajo
Ezov

As an added competitive bonus, both teams and attendees can participate in a costume contest with a magical theme: Cheezards and Cheezitches (cheese wizards and witches). A press release promises prizes for the best-dressed.

Even if you don't win, tickets support the Central Texas Food Bank. Last year's competition raised nearly $27,000.

queso competition chefs

The Rebel Rests

Austin-based vegan cheese maker announces Mueller bistro closure

Rebel Cheese/Facebook

Rebel Cheese will still be available to buy, but the bistro is clearing out for another vegan company.

A well-known vegan cheese shop in Austin is closing. Rebel Cheese sent out a newsletter December 16 announcing that its bistro at 2200 Aldrich St., suite 120, will close December 24. However, this isn't the end of the road for Rebel Cheese, which has a large distribution network outside of its own shop, and vegans will get a consolation prize as another business moves in.

The newsletter assures recipients that the next company in the space is completely plant-based and "shares the same heart that we do." It does not disclose what the incoming business is. So far, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's online records do not reflect a new project at the address.

"Their delicious products and experience are acclaimed by vegans and non-vegans alike, and we are so thrilled, as Austinites, to know we’ll be able to enjoy their food here in ATX!" says the newsletter.

This isn't even the end of guests enjoying Rebel Cheese on Aldrich Street. Some of the company's products will stay in the deli case, including some favorite sandwiches. Current bistro staff will also transition into working for the new tenant.

In the final days for the Austin location, guests can take 20 percent off grocery items and wine through 3 pm on the closing date, December 24. Gift cards will continue to be honored for use in the online store. Shoppers can email giftcard@rebelcheese.com with gift card info to get them activated online.

Rebel Cheese has grown fast since its 2019 start. The company explains that the Covid-19 pandemic hit only three months after Rebel Cheese opened, which forced a pivot to online sales and wholesale. It now has a 9,000-square-foot factory and ships cheese to hundreds of locations across the United States and Canada. The business also got a big boost in name recognition and cash in a 2023 episode of Shark Tank, in which investors Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner purchased 10 percent of the company for $750,000.

Folks who will really miss the bistro going forward will still be able to visit the company's one remaining shop in Manhattan, New York.

"Though we are still a small team, we’ve been so fortunate to have seen such growth and the loyalty of team members and customers alike," the newsletter says. "We look forward to beginning 2026 focused on e-commerce, wholesale, and our NY location, and are so excited for our bistro team's next journey."

closings vegan cheese grocery