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Photo courtesy of Loro

It seems fair to say Austinites know they can drop by H-E-B for most of their game day needs. But we’re not talking needs, we’re talking excess. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a host who wants to offer something truly memorable — or just absolutely clueless on this whole football thing but looking forward to Rihanna and the food — CultureMap is setting you up for a touchdown.

On February 12 at 5:30 pm, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, and there are basically two places to be: at home, or out with everyone else. If the former is more your style, make sure you order well in advance. If the latter, keep in mind that many of these events operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. Either way, time to tackle these game day plans.

Take-home snacks

Little Ola’s Giant Biscuit Bowl
One of the most extravagant and Southern offerings comes from Little Ola’s, one of Austin’s favorite biscuit makers. The Giant Biscuit Bowl ($140 feeds six) is, as described, a giant biscuit carved into a vessel for vegan queso. This main dip is accompanied by a seven-layer dip, deviled ham dip, and chicken salad. Just add chips for the classiest dip buffet on either side of the Colorado River. Order on Tock for pickup at Little Ola’s or Olamaie.

Loro’s Big Game Party Pack
Barbecue is a game-day staple, and Loro offers an Asian twist in its Big Game Party Pack. It comes with all the classics, but more interesting: wonton chips and dip, smoked baby back Duroc ribs (sourced from a specific breed of pig), whole smoked “sake can chicken,” Thai-style sausages, and oak grilled zucchini to balance out all the meat. Preorders available until February 10 via toasttab.com.

Oseyo's Korean fried chicken buckets
Oseyo is kicking the chicken wing tradition up a notch with Korean fried chicken buckets ($50). Those include twice-fried chicken, waffle fries, a pint of Korean potato salad, a pint of sesame cole slaw, half a pint of house pickles, and four chocolate-black sesame brownies (add more of these à la carte for celebration or stress snacking). Drink add-ons include a six-pack of Terra Beer (Korean Lager), a 32-ounce "Kimchilada mix" (Makes about 8-10 drinks), and non-alcoholic St. Elmo Hop Water. Preorder on Tock.

Goodstock by Nolan Ryan's specials and discounts
If a downtown restaurant is too fancy but preparing everything at home is not enough, Goodstock by Nolan Ryan is ready to meet in the middle. The Round Rock butcher shop's game day specials include bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers and beef kabobs, plus discounts on popular party items from now through Valentine's Day. House-made burger patties, Butcher’s Blend sausage, wings, steaks and more are 20 percent off. Head to the store to see what's on sale — the discount only works in person, anyway.

Watch parties

The Driskill Bar
Whether a visit to the Driskill is your way of keeping up with college football traditions, or you want the non-football fans in your group to have a special experience beyond the TV screen, the historic bar is offering deals. Domestic beer buckets will be available for $20 per five beers. The hotel’s location on 6th Street will make it just as fun as any sports bar, with the added benefit of a much nicer atmosphere.

Punch Bowl Social
For parties who’d like something else to keep busy with during game delays, Punch Bowl Social is hosting one of the most energetic watch parties in the city. The pregame starts at 4 pm with arcade games, bowling, cocktails and bar snacks. It’ll probably be crowded; consider signing up as VIPs for a projector screening, buffet, and lounge. A local DJ will close out the post-game party. Tickets ($70 with two drink tickets) for The Domain and downtown locations available on Eventbrite.

Fierce Whiskers Distillery
Whiskey distillery Fierce Whiskers is always ready with a party for big days in Austin; for Super Bowl Sunday, it’s staying ready for big crowds with pre-batched cocktails and rivalry-stoking theme-themed punch bowl drinks. Otoshi, the onsite food truck, will serve creative wings and burgers while game watchers play bingo and trivia for prizes. Dogs are welcome, and the free watch party does not require an RSVP.

Meanwhile Brewing Co.
Just down the road, the distillery’s neighbor Meanwhile Brewing Co. is breaking out the big screen outside, kicking off the party early (12 pm) for an all-day party. The super-popular group of food trucks — including an exciting new addition specializing in fried chicken sandwiches — will be churning out their own specials from the sidelines. Pueblo Viejo offers a tostada plate, and Bésame is putting together a sundae special, with more to come. RSVP on Eventbrite.

Armadillo Den
Another opportunity to watch on an outdoor projection screen is at Armadillo Den, made even greater with a gigantic crawfish boil. Let’z Geaux Boil, a weekend popup in the Armadillo space, is hosting a feast of up to 500 pounds of crawfish, plus specials on beer and seltzers. Fans who arrive via rideshare get 10 percent off for showing a receipt. The big screen is visible from downstairs tables as well as the second-floor space, but there are smaller TVs around the venue to spread out the crowd.

The Lucky Rabbit
If you're feeling superstitious about your favorite team, the Lucky Rabbit could be a good place to settle in for the game. There are 10 TVs in total, with sound on, plus a comfortable rustic atmosphere that's perfect for what could be a long game. There will be specials all day including $1 off all drinks and some wings (including habanero sweet chili, buffalo, ranch rub or BBQ), and $3 off all appetizers. The cozy space with heaters and fire pits is weather-protected, and welcomes the whole family, including dogs.

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NASCAR driver Ross Chastain aims for 3rd career win at Circuit of the Americas

HAIL MELON

After his first-ever Cup victory at Circuit of the Americas in 2022, this eighth generation Central Florida watermelon farmer turned NASCAR driver is looking to nab his third career win at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix in Austin on March 26.

Trackhouse Racing star Ross Chastain is currently third in the points heading into the race weekend; just four points behind Christopher Bell (second), and five behind Joey Logano (current leader). Chastain finished second behind Logano in the 2022 Cup Series Championship.

The tight standings make for a thrilling weekend at COTA, where Chastain earned his first career win just last year. He says driving on the 3.41-mile road course feels “opposite” to him than what he’s used to with a typical 1.5-mile oval track. He's been making left-only turns since he was 12 years old, and even on his Florida farm he would navigate the grids of watermelons and turn left at the end of every row. Learning to navigate a road course meant seeking help from others who might have better experience.

“I went to driving schools [and] I went to older and other drivers to teach me and give me advice on the simple art of driving a race car at its limit to the right, and COTA’s no different,” he tells CultureMap. “It’s – to me – very ironic that we got our first Cup Series win at a road course.”

Many race car drivers have raised concerns about the bumpy surface of the track, even after parts of it were resurfaced in 2022. For Chastain, he thinks there’s a couple different perspectives a driver can take when it comes to blemished track surfaces. On the one hand, part of him loves the idea of a perfectly smooth track with "symmetrical corners" for him to put down a perfect lap. But the “racing purist” in him also wants to drive on the “worst track possible.”

“I want bumps and cracks, different corners. I want to turn left and right...and just have variety, and COTA is getting that more and more," he says. "Our cars, they bottom out [and] slide...that’s what makes our racing so great is that we are out of control a lot."

Unlike F1 drivers, who tend to be more precise on track, NASCAR drivers use anything and everything to their advantage to get a win, much like Chastain’s straight-from-a-video-game wall-ride move that subsequently got banned at the beginning of January.

COTA might not have a wall to ride, but it does have a 133-foot first turn elevation change. While it can be a challenge for some, it isn’t for Chastain. The high elevation allows him to charge into the corner hard, let gravity slow him down while going uphill, then let the car slide down while heading into turn two.

“I love it. I wish more tracks had more elevation change like [COTA]. It makes the racing more dynamic, and being behind the wheel in the driver’s seat makes it more fun,” he says.

When considering the momentum it will take to score another win, Chastain admits it will be the biggest challenge he’s ever faced, but he’s confident in his ability to carry over that drive and motivation after his 2022 second-place Cup Series finish.

In line with the car’s continuing evolution, as he puts it, a recent aerodynamics change is expected to shake up who ends up at the top of the leaderboard. But his calm demeanor shows he isn’t phased by the changes.

“As simple as it sounds, we race in circles on Sunday afternoons, and this sport is a big circle of teams [and drivers] cycling up, cycling down,” says Chastain. “We’ll have to work harder than ever to try and stay at the top here.”

To kick off the race weekend and initiate some good luck for his Sunday race, Chastain (ever-connected to his roots) will drop watermelons off COTA’s illustrious 251-foot observation tower on Friday, March 24 at 2 pm.

The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas will run from 2:30-6 pm on Sunday, March 26. More information about the race can be found at circuitoftheamericas.com, and tickets can be purchased at nascaratcota.com.

Former UT football star turns another page in AISD library renovations

Still defending the dream

There’s always more to discover in the world of books, and former Longhorns linebacker Derrick Johnson is making sure there are new places for it, too. The football star, who went on to play for the Chiefs, later created a foundation which has just installed its second “Discovery Den” in Austin at Langford Elementary School, unveiling it on March 23.

Johnson’s Discovery Dens are minor library renovations that include furniture for kids who would like to read together or independently, plus “750 new age-appropriate and culturally relevant books.” Photos also show wall decals of Johnson and encouraging words such as “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

“I’m thrilled to continue our work in Austin and transform Langford Elementary’s library into a space that inspires kids to open a book and their minds for a brighter future,” said Derrick Johnson.

Defend the Dream Foundation — now 11 years old, almost as long as Johnson’s 14-year NFL career — prioritizes low-income and inner city youth in Title I schools to encourage success both in and out of school. Kendra Scott, a well-known Austin-based jewelry designer with frequent philanthropic endeavors, matched the foundation’s contribution to the Langford project as a co-funder.

“Education is a key component of our philanthropy pillar at Kendra Scott, and we’re proud to provide ongoing support for the Defend the Dream Foundation and all the good they do” said Kendra Scott CEO Tom Nolan. “The new library at Langford Elementary will provide the right resources to continue to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow.”

It is also thanks to Austin Ed Fund, a nonprofit education foundation through Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD), that the Dens can be created. The first Austin Discovery Den opened at Oak Springs Elementary School in September of 2022. There are 17 Dens in total across the United States, with multiple in the Chiefs' home of Kansas City.

“We are so grateful to DJ and his foundation for caring about our students and impacting schools in our community,” said Austin Ed Fund executive director Michelle Wallis. “We’ve already seen the positive impact that the Discovery Den has made in Oak Springs Elementary School, and we know that students at Langford Elementary will experience the same excitement in having new books to read in their new library space.”

More information about Defend the Dream Foundation is available at visit derrickjohnsonfoundation.org.

5 noteworthy Austin concerts to catch in the SXSW comedown

Music Notes

South by Southwest's domination of Austin may be done, but that doesn’t mean the music has stopped. See here for a handful of noteworthy shows with local artists that are happening over the next couple of weeks.

Aries Zodiac Party at the Far Out Lounge – Friday, March 24
The Aries Zodiac Party, which is exactly what you think it is, will go down at the Far Out Lounge this Friday, March 24. The event will feature performances by Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band, Shooks, Sleep Well, and DJ Astral Violet, plus the Austin Witches Market. Tickets are $10, but if you’re an Aries, they’re only $5.

Deer Fellow at Radio Coffee & Beer – Saturday, March 25
Unraveling is the title of Deer Fellow’s new EP, and the indie folk-pop duo will be throwing a release show for it at Radio Coffee & Beer this Saturday, March 25. Support for the evening includes Redbud (solo), Aubrey Hays, and Elijah Delgado. This is a free show.

Futon Blonde at Chess Club – Thursday, March 30
Swing by Chess Club on Thursday, March 30, to help indie rockers Futon Blonde ring in the arrival of their new EP, Something That We’ve All Experienced Together Before. San Gabriel and Trumpeter Swan round out the bill. Tickets for the show are $10.

Glasshealer & Felt Out at Hotel Vegas – Friday, March 31
Hotel Vegas is set to host a double release show on Friday, March 31, as both Glasshealer and Felt Out will be celebrating having just put out brand new singles. God Shell will open for the co-headlining alternative acts. Tickets for the show are $10.

Lord Friday The 13th at Feels So Good – Saturday, April 1
Dust off your cassette player and head to Feels So Good on Saturday, April 1 for trash-glam-punk band Lord Friday the 13th’s tape release party for their Disaster Piece EP. Favor and Grocery Bag will kick off the show. Tickets for the show are $8 in advance, $10 the day of.