This week offers an excellent opportunity to sample some of the city’s best mobile restaurants.
The Gym at Contagion, 8210 W. Amarillo Blvd., will host its second Food Truck Challenge at 6 p.m. July 18 in conjunction with its West Texas Classic bodybuilding championship.
Twenty food trucks are expected to compete for a $10,000 prize. Attendees can pay $20 for free samples at each truck, then buy additional food at any of the trucks—plus cast a vote for their favorites. An extra $15 gets you unlimited beers at the beer garden, and DJ Element will spin tunes. For information, call 806-599-4200 or visit Contagion Athletics’ Facebook page.
Looking for something a bit more elevated? Check out Amarillo Botanical Gardens’ Summer Gala.
Set for 7 p.m. July 18 at the Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive, the fundraiser dinner will feature dinner from Valore, dessert from Sweet Baby Cakes, an open bar and music from Patrick Swindell & Esquire Jazz. Tickets are $100 each or $750 for a table of eight. Concert-only tickets are $50. Proceeds benefit the Gardens’ educational programs. For information, call 806-352-6513.
Looking ahead, amateur sleuths and Mexican food aficionados may enjoy Longhorn Murder Mysteries’ “Catastrophe at the Cinema.”
Guests, who are encouraged to wear 1920s-era clothes, will try to solve a murder during the dawn of the Hollywood era while enjoying dinner provided by Abuelo’s. The fun begins at 6 p.m. July 26 at Abuelo’s, 3501 SW 45th Ave. Tickets (including online fees) are $59.75. For information, call 443-889-7510.
One of Amarillo’s most popular fundraisers celebrates three decades of providing invaluable support for those in need.
Family Support Services’ Original Harley Party marks its 30th anniversary with this year’s event, set for 6 p.m. July 26 in the Amarillo National Center on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Chris Villegas, FSS’s fundraising and events coordinator. “The support from Tripp’s Harley-Davidson and the community to keep this thing going for 30 years is a testament to our community and how much they believe in us and in our services.”
Attendees can enjoy unlimited food from 23 local restaurants (“unlimited” meaning as long as supplies last). Participating restaurants are scheduled to include Abuelo’s, Beef O’Brady’s, Bubba 33’s, Buns Over Texas and Texas Tea, Cheddars Scratch Kitchen, Chuy’s, FAV’s, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Hoffbrau Steaks, Joe Taco, Mr. Gatti’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pancake Station, Rt. 66 Family Buffet, Schlotzsky’s, Smokey Joe’s Café, Texas Roadhouse, Thai Arawan, The SnoBall Stop, Tanks Burgers, Twin Peaks, Valore and Walk-On’s.
Your $100 ticket includes admission for two and one chance to win either of the grand prizes: a brilliant red 2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S or a $15,000 Visa gift card. Tickets are available at Tripp’s, 6040 W. I-40; Family Support Services, 2209 SW Seventh Ave.; or online at forms.gle/Md4EPGNKnrtiCRRr9. For information, call 806-342-2500.
Other food-related fun that you can’t miss in the next two weeks:
Music in the Gardens: The Amarillo Botanical Gardens’ annual summer concert series continues with Amarillo country singer Cameron James Smith and food from Porch Swing Eats & Treats at 7 p.m. July 17; blues-rockers Touching Voodoo and food from Sweets & Meats at 7 p.m. July 24; and country band Christopher Erin & The Obvious Few and food from Sushi Bomb at 7 p.m. July 31. (1400 Streit Drive; admission $5 for members, $10 nonmembers; 806-352-6513)
High Noon on the Square: Center City of Amarillo’s annual live concert series wraps for the season with Bomb City Bluegrass and food from Raising Cane’s at noon July 23 and party band Insufficient Funds and burgers from Bubba 33’s at noon July 30. (free, lunch $10; 501 S. Fillmore St.; 806-372-6744)
Tapas & Tequila: The Barfield’s Patio Vista hosts this dinner experience with four chef-curated tapas courses paired with premium tequilas. (6 p.m. July 24; 600 S. Polk St.; tickets $65, plus fees; 806-414-2200)
