#texas style bbq in the bay area

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Thank you for the high rating for Windy City BBQ, Brian!

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Nomads Visit Corpus Christi - Selena | The USS Lexington | Breweries

Visiting Corpus Christi

We have always wanted to check out Corpus Christi based on feedback from others. While we only spent a couple days here,  it was well worth it. We went to multiple brewpubs in town, met up with fellow world travelers Uncle Bob & Aunt Jane, paid tribute to Selena's grave, did some metal detecting on the beaches, and explored the USS Lexington.

Wingate by Wyndham & The Tavern Bar - Corpus Christi We stayed at Wingate by Wyndham which is dog friendly, includes a decent breakfast, and was quite nice for the price. The Tavern bar right across the street from the Wingate was a decent bar. The place was packed but had good service and selection.

McGee Beach - Corpus Christi McGee Beach was OK. We did some metal detecting, but only found a bunch of junk. The amount of plastic we picked up was just plain sad. As avid scuba divers, we are always trying to keep the ocean clean. Too bad we were only here a few days, as I imagine Corpus Christi has better beaches to offer than this.

USS Lexington (CV-16) The USS Lexington is an affordable and fun self guided tour. The aircraft carrier has been docked in Corpus Christi, Texas since 1992, and now operates as a museum. We had a great time viewing all the warplanes, and exploring the different levels of this massive ship.

The USS Lexington (CV-16), also called "The Blue Ghost", is an Essex-class aircraft carrier built for the United States Navy. The ship was commissioned in 1943 during World War II. At first, she was going to be named Cabot, however, the USS Lexington (CV-2) was lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea. To commemorate the earlier ship, this new aircraft carrier was renamed during manufacture. In honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington, the USS Lexington (CV-16) was the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear that name.

Selena I have to admit that I had no idea who Selena was. Shawna had to school me a bit on her music and tragic story.

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was very successful mostly as a singer/songwriter, but also was a popular model, spokesperson, actress, and fashion designer. Nicknamed the Queen of Tejano music, she was one of the most famous Mexican-American entertainers.

Billboard magazine once named her the top-selling Latin artist of 90s decade. Media outlets often referred to her as the "Tejano Madonna" because of her clothing choices, and her posthumous collaboration with MAC cosmetics became the best-selling celebrity collection in history. To this day, she is considered one of the most popular Latin artists of all time, and was influential in bringing a music genre into the mainstream market.

Sadly, Selena was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar, at a hotel room on March 31, 1995. Yolanda Saldívar was the founder of Selena's fan club, her friend and former manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques.

Corpus Christi Brewpubs & Restaurants Our favorite breweries in Corpus Christi were Lorelei Brewing, Rebel Toad Brewing & Railroad Brewing. We tried to go to Lazy Beach Brewing, however, we had Ramsey with, and they are not dog friendly despite having an outside area with picnic tables. Lorelei Brewing We both really liked this little brewery. This was probably our favorite brewery in Corpus Christi. Both the staff and the patrons were super fun and friendly at Lorelei Brewing. They were heavy in IPA selections which I always like, and Shawna enjoyed their blonde. The double IPA was excellent. I also liked their red ale which is not my favorite style, but it was well balanced. The beer was true to style overall, delicious, and well received after spending so much time in Zapata where good beer is hard to find.

Rebel Toad Brewing Rebel Toad is a good brewery and had a decent selection of beers for a brewery of this size. They have a selection of games to choose from as well as a couple televisions. Shawna beat me in several games of Connect 4 which I blame on beer.

Railroad Brewing Company & The Railroad Seafood Station Railroad Brewing not only has a selection of great beers, but they also have a thriving restaurant called The Railroad Seafood Station. They feature a diverse menu including seafood, Cajun, burgers and more. The best part was getting to hang out with Uncle Bob & Aunt Jane who are also avid world travelers.

Railroad Brewing & The Railroad Seafood Station is located in the S.E.A. (Sports, Entertainment, Arts) District of downtown Corpus Christi. It is within walking distance of Corpus Christi Bay and other local venues such as The American Bank Center Arena and Concrete Street Amphitheater. Their brewery is the first 5 barrel system in Corpus Christi providing a variety of delicious craft beers. Be sure and check their beer page here to see the current tap selection.

Cassidy's Irish Pub Uncle Bob loves an Irish pub more than a drunken Irishman if that's possible, so I found myself drinking stouts with Uncle Bob at Cassidy's Irish Pub. Big thanks to Uncle Bob & Aunt Jane for treating us to a few rounds after we left the USS Lexington. I usually drink Guinness at an Irish pub because I generally have a "when in Rome" mindset, but Shawna found a dill pickle beer she liked. Sour beer is good here and there, but I could not do this one.

Garrett's BBQ & PSI Brewing On our way out of town we decided to stop at PSI Brewing. We could not find it at first and then realized it was inside Garrett's BBQ.  So we decided to also have lunch, and I am glad we did. They only had two beers on tap, but the BBQ was an excellent portion and pretty good flavor as well. Unfortunately, both have since closed, and they are looking for a new location.

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Local Tidewater VA Beer Festivals

UPCOMING BEER FESTS AND FESTIVAL FORECAST: Sat, Feb 23 - 6th Annual Bull & Oyster Roast, Hosted by Capt'n Crabby, 12 - 9:00 pm, Smartmouth Brewing Co., 1309 Raleigh Ave, Norfolk. Join Capt'n Crabby at the Annual Smartmouth Beer Bull & Oyster Roast! Enjoy awesome live music and an all You Can Eat Extravaganza! Tickets on sale soon and at the door! Email itscrabtastic@gmail.com to request your tickets! Sat, Mar 2 - Pillow Fight! Winter Beer Invitational, O’Connor Brewing Co., 12 - 6:00 pm, 211 W 24th St., Norfolk. Featuring the juiciest, pillowy beers from 20+ east coast breweries. Have you ever been to a beer festival so chill that you can literally show up in your pajamas? We’re hosting Pillow Fight, a craft beer festival featuring unlimited pours from some of the best breweries on the east coast. It’s our successor to last years Dazed & Consumed Virginia Brewery Invitational, but this time we’ve added PJs, DJs, all the hazy beers you could possibly dream of, and the nostalgic excitement we all once felt going to childhood sleepovers. Pillow Fight will be taking over the brewery for two sessions of amazing beer, tasty noms from local food vendors, DJs spinning lush vibes, and a bunch of people wearing their best onesies and pajamas: Session #1 - VIP 12:00-12:30 pm | GA 12:30-2:30 pm; Session #2 - VIP 3:30-4:00 pm | GA 4:00-6:00 pm. 25 VIP tickets per session | 200 General Admission tickets per session. The GA ticket is $35 and gets you entry to the festival, as well as a limited edition festival taster. The VIP ticket is $75 and gets you early access to the festival, access to our mezzanine area with 4 more VIP only beers (not available to General Admission ticket holders), and an exclusive swag bag with a limited edition commemorative glass, a 16oz can of our event-exclusive beer release, a limited edition trucker hat, and a Pillow Fight branded pillow case. Must be 21+ with a valid ID to get a wristband. No pets or strollers in the festival area please. Sun, Mar 3 - 43rd Annual VBVRS Oyster Roast and Craft Beer Festival, 1 - 5:00 pm, Hosted by Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St., Virginia Beach. One of our favorite events, the annual Oyster Roast and Craft Beer Festival is the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad’s largest fundraiser of the year! Don't miss all this fun... Raw, Roasted & Fried Oysters, Local Craft Beer, Exclusive Brew Crafted by Back Bay Brewing Co., Pungo Catering BBQ, Fried Chicken, Sides and Soft Drinks, Rescue Squad Demonstrations and Equipment, Silent and Live Auction + Raffles, Local Artisans + Children’s Activities, Live Music, Casino Tables, AND MORE! Get sponsorship or individual tickets today! Sat, Mar 9 - Shuckin Me Mollusk-4th Annual Oyster Roast, 2 - 6:00 pm, Commonwealth Brewing Company, 2444 Pleasure House Rd., Virginia Beach. Get your shuck on with us this year at Commonwealth with All You Can Eat OYSTERS (roasted & raw bar)! The Wampler Brothers Band will be serving up bluegrass jams from 4-6pm. We'll also have Pittsburgh's Best serving up their delicious eats. $30 ticket covers AYCE roasted and raw oysters from 2-6pm.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at Commonwealth Brewing Co or on the day of the event. Sat, Mar 16 - 2019 Ocean View Saint Patrick's Day Parade & Party, 10:00 am, Ocean View, Norfolk. The parade begins at Northside Middle School; from that point it travels North on Granby; turns left at A View Ave.; turns left on First View Street; and ends at the intersection of First View and Government Ave. On-street parking is available on most of the adjacent blocks along the parade route. Off-street parking is available at the Sarah Constant Beach Park, Ocean View Beach Park, and Ocean View Elementary. The parade after-party is thrown by the Columbian Club of Ocean View at 211 W. Government Ave. from 12-4 pm. There will be food, refreshments and live music. Free admission and open to the public. Come join the fun! Check us out on the web at: www.NorfolkParade.com Sat, Mar 16 - OBC's 9th Anniversary & St. Paddy's Day Celebration, 12 - 10:00 pm, O'Connor Brewing Co., 211 W 24th St., Norfolk. ...and just like that, our brewery is 9 years old! New brews, local food vendors, and live music? That's right, it's our anniversary and we're throwing ourselves a big party. Our specialty releases: Chocolate mint stout; Breakfast stout with cinnamon, maple and vanilla; PB & J stout. Of course, we'll have our Green Beer specials in addition to our ODIS Dry Irish Stout, a World Beer Cup gold medalist and a staple for any St. Pat's party. Live music by Hampton Roads' own: Donnaka, a native Irishman's rock n' roll one-man band; Esoteric Ramblers, local favorites singing beer-drinking music. Featured food trucks serving Irish-inspired menu items: Redwood Smoke Shack, slinging the best Texas-style 'que in Hampton Roads; Taste of Asia 757 with twists on your favorite dishes. This event will also be the official 2019 re-opening of our outdoor bar and beer garden, so plan on partying outside with us if the weather cooperates! Parking is limited, so please plan on biking, carpooling, or utilizing our friends at App A Cab, a Norfolk-based company.***To keep beer flowing and lines moving, we will not be pouring flights or fills. Thank you for understanding!*** Sat, Mar 30 - 2019 Kiss My Cask Festival, Hosted by Back Bay Brewing, 2 - 6:00 pm, Back Bay Brewing, 614 Norfolk Ave., Virginia Beach. Kiss My Cask is back and better than ever! Save the date for this year's Kiss My Cask Festival. Come and judge over 30 different local, regional and national breweries! There will be games, live music, delicious food trucks and of course a massive supply of beer! Pucker up, because this is going to be one hell of a festival. Tickets go on sale February 1st. Stay tuned for more details! Sat, Apr 13 - Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest Weekend, Windsor Castle Park, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Downtown Smithfield. Held the second Saturday in April, come celebrate our 7th anniversary! Experience everything that "Gen-u-Wine" Smithfield has to offer: Fabulous Dining, Hotel Packages, Friday Night Concerts, Shopping, Art Galleries/Studios, Walking Trails, Kayaking & The ?Best Fest in Coastal Virginia! Over 100 different types of wine & brew tastings, live music on three stages, fantastic food & retail vendors. ?21 & Up only. No infants/babies/pets. GENERAL ADMISSSION TICKET RELEASES: 1st Release: WED, FEB 20, 2019 AT 7:00 AM.  2nd Release: THURS, FEB 21, 2019 AT 8:00 PM  https://www.smithfieldvawinebrewfest.com/ Sat, Apr 27 - CoVa Battle of the Burgers 2019 Southside, Hosted by Coastal Virginia Magazine, 12 - 5:00 pm, Military Aviation Museum, 1341 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach. Join Coastal Virginia Magazine as we invite local restaurants to the battle it out to become CoVa's Best Burger at the 2019 CoVa Battle of the Burgers. Last year Coastal Virginia Magazine hosted the inaugural Battle of the Burgers at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, and crowned Coastal Virginia’s best burger. Local restaurants battled it out as they served slider-sized versions of burgers paired with refreshing Virginia craft beers. Attendees and food judges voted for their favorite burger after sampling sliders from several local eateries, and guests voted for their favorite craft brewery after tasting beers, served in a commemorative souvenir glass, from several regional breweries. Guests also enjoyed live music, fun games, and offerings from local vendors. http://www.coastalvirginiamag.com/ Sat, Apr 27 - YSC Spring Party, Hosted by VB Youth Service Club, 1 - 6:00 pm, Camp Pendleton, Birdneck Road, General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach. Join us once again on the last Saturday of April and be part of raising $100,000 for Virginia Beach charities at our 48th annual Spring Party at Camp Pendleton. Some of the best food at any event around cooked by our members on site include pulled pork, BBQ chicken oysters and much much more. Live music, beer, wine, corn hole and all the good tmes you can possibly have make this the best event of the year. Save the date and get your tickets early. This event always sells out. Sun, May 5 - The Mariners’ Craft Beer Festival, 12 - 5:00 pm, The Mariners' Museum and Park, 100 Museum Dr., Newport News. Great beer, good food, and live music! The Seventh Annual Mariners’ Craft Beer Festival will feature craft beers in the unique setting of The Mariners’ Museum’s outdoor courtyards. Ticket Prices: General Admission Advance Tickets: $35 (through May 5); Day-of General Admission Tickets: $45; Museum Member: $30 (Advance tickets only, No member price day-of); Non-drinker tickets: $15. Tickets include 20 four-ounce craft beer tastings, a souvenir tasting glass, live music, beer talks by brewery representatives, and the day’s admission to The Mariners’ Museum! Non-drinker tickets include complimentary water but does not include a souvenir tasting glass. Food trucks will be onsite for an additional charge. Drink Happy - Be Safe Follow the blogs at: www.brew-n-rock-tidewater.blogspot.com or www.guapo-t-w.tumblr.com and follow the latest listings of local brew events on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/hamptonroadsbeerforum/

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Texas Smokehouse BBQ or Chicago-style deep dish pizza. We have what hungry folks need to fill up! Conveniently one block north of CA-92 at the El Camino Real exit in San Mateo.

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The Best NFL Tailgating Cities

View photos Fans of the Denver Broncos play beer pong as they tailgate in the parking lot outside Mile High Stadium. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images. Design by Erik Mace for Yahoo Travel) Football season is now in full swing, but all the fun doesn’t have to happen on the field. In fact, the real game might be taking place just outside the stadium gates. As you fire up the grill, polish the RV, and head to the store for some extra beers, consider checking out one of these tailgates — the most searched NFL tailgates on Yahoo. 10. Denver Broncos: Miles High of Fun

Tailgaters outside of Invesco Field at Mile High prior to a Denver Broncos game. (Photo: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) The Mile High Stadium doesn’t just permit tailgating, it encourages it. Tailgating is allowed in all parking lots, but spaces in the coveted Lot C and Lot M are $30 per spot and doled out on a first-come, first-served basis. (Plan on getting there by 8 a.m. for afternoon games.) The Mountain High Village, at gate 4, is also open to all fans with a game ticket and has flat-screen TVs, food and drink, DJs, and cheerleader appearances. While Broncos fans are known for being some of the nicest in the NFL, if someone offers you a taste of their Rocky Mountain Oysters, you might want to politely turn them down. The delicacy is essentially deep-fried bull, pig, or sheep testicles. 9. Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrible Towels For Everyone

Steelers fans tailgate before a game at Heinz Field. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) If you can’t find the famous Mobile Tailgating Unit — a repurposed Steelers-yellow ambulance (with a bathroom on board!) — then you’ll just have to settle for the rest of the fun around Heinz Field. There are over 20 parking lots, all of which open five hours before kick-off. While many of the closest spaces have been pre-sold to longtime fans, if you get there very early you might still be able to find a spot. Stage AE is the official Steelers Tailgate Zone, but you can find Polish-inspired food and great cooks everywhere. Check out Blue Lots 7F and 7H for some of the best snacks. Just be sure to bring your Terrible Towel and your dancing shoes for the Steelers Polka. 8. Chicago Bears: Plenty of Hours to Fight the Chill

Bears fans tailgate at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) While you can’t tailgate during the game — maybe you should actually watch some football after all — you can tailgate at Soldier Field for four hours before and two hours after. That’s a lot of time in what can be unforgiving weather, which is why Bears veterans wear layers and prepare for anything. Tailgating is allowed in all surface lots and on the top of Waldron Deck, but you need pre-purchased parking passes. If you don’t have a pass, just bring enough food and beer to share and you’ll find plenty of people willing to let you sit around their grill. Some lots are designated as family-friendly, while others can get particularly rowdy. Just be sure not to miss Fiesta Bob’s pregame speech, which he’s been doing for over 20 years — typically around 10:30 a.m. for a noon game. 7. Green Bay Packers: Getting Back to Your Roots

Fans crowd the tailgating area at Lambeau Field. (Photo: Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images) There is some evidence, according to the Packers’ organization, that tailgating was in fact invented by the Green Bay fans in the 1920s as fans gathered around fires to stay warm before games. Sure, the official tailgating zone is called The Tundra — as in a frozen tundra. But you’ll get warm enough once you try all the cheese curds, brats, and beer. The Lambeau Field parking lot opens four hours before game time and no oversized buses or RVs are allowed. It might be hard to find a space, though, since the majority of spots are sold to season parking pass holders, who aren’t giving those spots up anytime soon. You can reserve a spot in one of the other lots nearby. Or, to tailgate without a car, head to the Brett Favre Steakhouse, a few blocks from the stadium, or join the Bart Starr Plaza party. 6. Cleveland Browns: Beer Inside a Chicken? What’ll They Think of Next

Fans tailgate before a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Browns in Cleveland. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) You know any tailgating community that creates the beer-can chicken — a chicken filled with beer and then grilled — is going to have some fun pre-game parties. Fans start gathering as early as 7 a.m., when the main Muni parking lot opens for most of the season’s games. The city recently released rules for this season, which includes no open fire, no alcohol, and no saving spaces, but that doesn’t mean no fun. As you’re enjoying your fried turkey and chili, keep your eyes peeled for the famous Cleveland Brown’s tailgating vehicles like The Kennel, an orange and brown school bus, or the Tailgate Dawg, a bus with a giant dog head on the front. Related: The 15 Best College Bars in America 5. Philadelphia Eagles: Where Tailgating is Serious Fun

Philadelphia Eagles fans tailgate at Lincoln Financial Field. (Photo: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Philadelphia takes its tailgating seriously — so seriously that The Football Shuttle, a repurposed school bus that lives in the Wells Fargo Center parking lot, has its own Facebook page. Tailgaters make official-looking t-shirts and give their groups names. Many have been grilling and playing Shotgun Shotgun, a kind of drinking relay, in the same spot for decades. Much of the best tailgating takes place in the lots around the Wells Fargo Center, across from Lincoln Field, where you can just show up in the morning and pay for your spot at the gate. Parking lots around the stadium open five hours before games, and tailgating is not permitted in Lots Q-W or the lot near the Nova Care Complex. Related: Game on: The Best College Football Towns in America 4. Houston Texans: Bigger and Better in Texas

Costumed Houston Texans warm up for a game. (Photo: Richard Carson/Reuters/Corbis) Texas knows BBQ and Houston Texan tailgaters know a thing or two about making some of the best BBQ you’ll find in any NFL stadium. No tailgate at NRG Stadium would be complete without trying some brisket, ribs, or sausage from one of the local pitmasters. To do so, you’ll either need a game ticket or a $10 tailgating guest ticket. A few years ago, tailgating at Texan games got so popular that team officials had to cut down on the crowds. Once you’re inside the parking lots, though, no one does it like the Texans do it. If you want to be named the Tailgater of the Game or of the Year, you’ll face some tough competition. Long-time groups like Texans Liberty Tailgaters and the Raging Bull Tailgaters spend over $10,000 each season to serve up Texan hospitality. 3. Kansas City Chiefs: Bring Bacon and BBQ

Kansas City Chiefs fans know their barbecue. (Photo: John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT) Tailgating at Arrowhead Stadium is only a little bit about the football. Mostly it’s about the friends you make waiting in line at dawn, the fun of one truly massive party, and BBQ. Really, it’s a lot about the Kansas City-style BBQ. The parking lots, which the Chiefs share with the Royals, are so large that 25,000 cars can park and there’s still plenty of room for BBQ pits, Chiefs-themed postal vans, and almost any food you want wrapped in bacon. That means if you don’t have a group, you should be able to find one amid all the Kansas City friendliness. A tip: bring bacon — good, juicy bacon — and be ready to trade it. The gates open three-and-half hours prior to kick-off, but you’ll want to get there early and make friends in line. 2. Baltimore Ravens: Games, Crabcakes, and Football

Baltimore Ravens fans barbecue in the parking lot of M&T Bank Stadium. (Photo: Kirby Lee/Getty Images) If you’re not sure how to tailgate at a Ravens game, don’t worry. The team has official tailgating tips and even games you could try playing to pass the time, like Cornhole, Ladder Ball, or a “Ray Lewis Entrance” dance-off. The lots around the stadium are typically sold out well in advance to season ticket holders (and serious tailgaters). If you’re looking for a party, try Lots H and G. If you’ve got kids, head to the Ravens Walk, by Lots B and C. That area typically has pre-game entertainment, DJs, and big screen TVs. If you don’t have a pre-purchased parking pass, then you can always park in the lot across the street behind the ABC Party Rental store. Whichever lot you pick, you’re bound to find beer, football fans, and crab cakes. That’s what Baltimore does best. 1. Buffalo Bills: Not Too Cold for the Real Fans

Bills fans cook from the top of a 1989 Ford Pinto. (Photo: AP Photo/Don Heupel) Sure, Bills fans know how to throw a traditional outdoor tailgate, no matter the weather. But they also have the largest indoor tailgating party in the league held at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. That area, with games, prizes, and entertainment, tends to be more family-friendly and kid-focused. If you’re looking for adult fun, you’re going to have to brave the cold. Plenty of long-time fans have been doing just that for years. Look for Ken “Pinto Ron” Johnson, who grills meat on the hood of his Pinto, makes pizza in an oven made of a filing cabinet, and cooks chicken wings in a mailbox. Of course, you’ll also have to take the traditional shots out of a bowling ball, and you won’t want to miss Buffalo wings in the home of Buffalo wings. source Read the full article

[guapo-t-w]

Local Tidewater VA Beer Festivals

UPCOMING BEER FESTS AND FESTIVAL FORECAST: Sat, Feb 23 - 6th Annual Bull & Oyster Roast, Hosted by Capt'n Crabby, 12 - 9:00 pm, Smartmouth Brewing Co., 1309 Raleigh Ave, Norfolk. Join Capt'n Crabby at the Annual Smartmouth Beer Bull & Oyster Roast! Enjoy awesome live music and an all You Can Eat Extravaganza! Tickets on sale soon and at the door! Email itscrabtastic@gmail.com to request your tickets! Sat, Mar 2 - Pillow Fight! Winter Beer Invitational, O’Connor Brewing Co., 12 - 6:00 pm, 211 W 24th St., Norfolk. Featuring the juiciest, pillowy beers from 20+ east coast breweries. Have you ever been to a beer festival so chill that you can literally show up in your pajamas? We’re hosting Pillow Fight, a craft beer festival featuring unlimited pours from some of the best breweries on the east coast. It’s our successor to last years Dazed & Consumed Virginia Brewery Invitational, but this time we’ve added PJs, DJs, all the hazy beers you could possibly dream of, and the nostalgic excitement we all once felt going to childhood sleepovers. Pillow Fight will be taking over the brewery for two sessions of amazing beer, tasty noms from local food vendors, DJs spinning lush vibes, and a bunch of people wearing their best onesies and pajamas: Session #1 - VIP 12:00-12:30 pm | GA 12:30-2:30 pm; Session #2 - VIP 3:30-4:00 pm | GA 4:00-6:00 pm. 25 VIP tickets per session | 200 General Admission tickets per session. The GA ticket is $35 and gets you entry to the festival, as well as a limited edition festival taster. The VIP ticket is $75 and gets you early access to the festival, access to our mezzanine area with 4 more VIP only beers (not available to General Admission ticket holders), and an exclusive swag bag with a limited edition commemorative glass, a 16oz can of our event-exclusive beer release, a limited edition trucker hat, and a Pillow Fight branded pillow case. Must be 21+ with a valid ID to get a wristband. No pets or strollers in the festival area please. Sun, Mar 3 - 43rd Annual VBVRS Oyster Roast and Craft Beer Festival, 1 - 5:00 pm, Hosted by Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St., Virginia Beach. One of our favorite events, the annual Oyster Roast and Craft Beer Festival is the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad’s largest fundraiser of the year! Don't miss all this fun... Raw, Roasted & Fried Oysters, Local Craft Beer, Exclusive Brew Crafted by Back Bay Brewing Co., Pungo Catering BBQ, Fried Chicken, Sides and Soft Drinks, Rescue Squad Demonstrations and Equipment, Silent and Live Auction + Raffles, Local Artisans + Children’s Activities, Live Music, Casino Tables, AND MORE! Get sponsorship or individual tickets today! Sat, Mar 16 - 2019 Ocean View Saint Patrick's Day Parade & Party, 10:00 am, Ocean View, Norfolk. The parade begins at Northside Middle School; from that point it travels North on Granby; turns left at A View Ave.; turns left on First View Street; and ends at the intersection of First View and Government Ave. On-street parking is available on most of the adjacent blocks along the parade route. Off-street parking is available at the Sarah Constant Beach Park, Ocean View Beach Park, and Ocean View Elementary. The parade after-party is thrown by the Columbian Club of Ocean View at 211 W. Government Ave. from 12-4 pm. There will be food, refreshments and live music. Free admission and open to the public. Come join the fun! Check us out on the web at: www.NorfolkParade.com Sat, Mar 16 - OBC's 9th Anniversary & St. Paddy's Day Celebration, 12 - 10:00 pm, O'Connor Brewing Co., 211 W 24th St., Norfolk. ...and just like that, our brewery is 9 years old! New brews, local food vendors, and live music? That's right, it's our anniversary and we're throwing ourselves a big party. Our specialty releases: Chocolate mint stout; Breakfast stout with cinnamon, maple and vanilla; PB & J stout. Of course, we'll have our Green Beer specials in addition to our ODIS Dry Irish Stout, a World Beer Cup gold medalist and a staple for any St. Pat's party. Live music by Hampton Roads' own: Donnaka, a native Irishman's rock n' roll one-man band; Esoteric Ramblers, local favorites singing beer-drinking music. Featured food trucks serving Irish-inspired menu items: Redwood Smoke Shack, slinging the best Texas-style 'que in Hampton Roads; Taste of Asia 757 with twists on your favorite dishes. This event will also be the official 2019 re-opening of our outdoor bar and beer garden, so plan on partying outside with us if the weather cooperates! Parking is limited, so please plan on biking, carpooling, or utilizing our friends at App A Cab, a Norfolk-based company.***To keep beer flowing and lines moving, we will not be pouring flights or fills. Thank you for understanding!*** Sat, Mar 30 - 2019 Kiss My Cask Festival, Hosted by Back Bay Brewing, 2 - 6:00 pm, Back Bay Brewing, 614 Norfolk Ave., Virginia Beach. Kiss My Cask is back and better than ever! Save the date for this year's Kiss My Cask Festival. Come and judge over 30 different local, regional and national breweries! There will be games, live music, delicious food trucks and of course a massive supply of beer! Pucker up, because this is going to be one hell of a festival. Tickets go on sale February 1st. Stay tuned for more details! Sat, Apr 13 - Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest Weekend, Windsor Castle Park, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Downtown Smithfield. Held the second Saturday in April, come celebrate our 7th anniversary! Experience everything that "Gen-u-Wine" Smithfield has to offer: Fabulous Dining, Hotel Packages, Friday Night Concerts, Shopping, Art Galleries/Studios, Walking Trails, Kayaking & The ?Best Fest in Coastal Virginia! Over 100 different types of wine & brew tastings, live music on three stages, fantastic food & retail vendors. ?21 & Up only. No infants/babies/pets. GENERAL ADMISSSION TICKET RELEASES: 1st Release: WED, FEB 20, 2019 AT 7:00 AM.  2nd Release: THURS, FEB 21, 2019 AT 8:00 PM  https://www.smithfieldvawinebrewfest.com/ Sat, Apr 27 - CoVa Battle of the Burgers 2019 Southside, Hosted by Coastal Virginia Magazine, 12 - 5:00 pm, Military Aviation Museum, 1341 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach. Join Coastal Virginia Magazine as we invite local restaurants to the battle it out to become CoVa's Best Burger at the 2019 CoVa Battle of the Burgers. Last year Coastal Virginia Magazine hosted the inaugural Battle of the Burgers at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, and crowned Coastal Virginia’s best burger. Local restaurants battled it out as they served slider-sized versions of burgers paired with refreshing Virginia craft beers. Attendees and food judges voted for their favorite burger after sampling sliders from several local eateries, and guests voted for their favorite craft brewery after tasting beers, served in a commemorative souvenir glass, from several regional breweries. Guests also enjoyed live music, fun games, and offerings from local vendors. http://www.coastalvirginiamag.com/ Sat, Apr 27 - YSC Spring Party, Hosted by VB Youth Service Club, 1 - 6:00 pm, Camp Pendleton, Birdneck Road, General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach. Join us once again on the last Saturday of April and be part of raising $100,000 for Virginia Beach charities at our 48th annual Spring Party at Camp Pendleton. Some of the best food at any event around cooked by our members on site include pulled pork, BBQ chicken oysters and much much more. Live music, beer, wine, corn hole and all the good tmes you can possibly have make this the best event of the year. Save the date and get your tickets early. This event always sells out. Sun, May 5 - The Mariners’ Craft Beer Festival, 12 - 5:00 pm, The Mariners' Museum and Park, 100 Museum Dr., Newport News. Great beer, good food, and live music! The Seventh Annual Mariners’ Craft Beer Festival will feature craft beers in the unique setting of The Mariners’ Museum’s outdoor courtyards. Ticket Prices: General Admission Advance Tickets: $35 (through May 5); Day-of General Admission Tickets: $45; Museum Member: $30 (Advance tickets only, No member price day-of); Non-drinker tickets: $15. Tickets include 20 four-ounce craft beer tastings, a souvenir tasting glass, live music, beer talks by brewery representatives, and the day’s admission to The Mariners’ Museum! Non-drinker tickets include complimentary water but does not include a souvenir tasting glass. Food trucks will be onsite for an additional charge. Drink Happy - Be Safe Follow the blogs at: www.brew-n-rock-tidewater.blogspot.com or www.guapo-t-w.tumblr.com and follow the latest listings of local brew events on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/hamptonroadsbeerforum/

[mmckenzieport]

By Melissa McKenzie

Here’s what’s newly opened, closed and opening soon in and around Santa Clara.

Closed Mexicali Grill, Santa Clara 3149 Mission College Blvd The Mexicali Grill at the Mercado Shopping Center closed at the end of June. No additional information was available about the closure. AAMCO Transmissions, Santa Clara 2345 El Camino Although minimal information is available, the AAMCO Transmissions location in Santa Clara quietly closed in recent weeks. Additional locations are available in Milpitas and Campbell. Recently Open The Hut 3200 The Alameda, Santa Clara The iconic The Hut near Santa Clara University reopened in June. The Hut offers classic pub fare including burgers and sandwiches, as well as a selection of salads, meats and a kid’s menu for children 10 and under.thehutsantaclara.com

Voyager Craft Coffee 87 N San Pedro St., San Jose Santa Clara’s popular coffee spot opened its second location at San Jose’s San Pedro Square Market on June 21. The company will launch a new website soon, but maintains fairly active social media accounts on Facebook (voyagercraftcoffee) and Instagram (@voyagercraftcoffee)voyagercc.comStar Udupi Café 2690 El Camino Real, Santa Clara The Indian vegetarian restaurant opened at the beginning of July. The restaurant offers a variety of Indian favorites, including dosas and uthappam and sweets and even has a kid’s menu. starudupicafe.com

Bay Area Pizza 2898 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara Taking over the former location of Stuft Pizza, Bay Area Pizza opened in June. The location serves hand-tossed pizzas with traditional and Indian flavors. bayareapizzas.com

The Gurkha Kitchen 1342 S Mary Ave, Sunnyvale Opened in June. The Gurkha Kitchen serves Nepali-Indian food.  The menu includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees with items like fried rice, chowmein, dumplings, biryani and tandoor-cooked selections. thegurkhaskitchen.com

Le Plonc 279 W Washington Ave., Sunnyvale Le Plonc is a boutique wine bar offering creative dishes (tartines, charcuterie boards, pậté, cheese plates and desserts) and unique wines. The Sunnyvale location opened at the end of May and joins one in Mountain View. Le Plonc additionally has a location in Melbourne, Australia. leplonc.com

Bishops Santa Clara Square Marketplace, Suite 3237 Bishops, a full-service hair salon providing cuts and color for men and women, including styling, shaving and beard trimming, opened May 25 at the Santa Clara Square shopping center. bishops.co

Brandy Melville 378 Santana Row, Suite 1000, San Jose Popular boutique Brandy Melville, the women’s apparel line from Italy known for its trendy styles with a beachy, comfortable vibe opened a 3,112-square-foot space in early June. brandymelvilleusa.com

Chipotle Mexican Grill3249 Coronado Place, Santa Clara The quick-service Mexican restaurant chain recently opened a location at the Santa Clara Square shopping center.chipotle.com

Opening Soon Nick the Greek 2002 El Camino Real, Santa Clara With plenty of locations throughout the Bay Area, Nick the Greek will open its newest location at the Santa Clara Town Centre later this year. Until a concrete date is available, visit the Nick the Greek in Sunnyvale or any of the six locations throughout San Jose.nickthegreeksj.com

Bloom 202 Saratoga Ave, Santa Clara The American restaurant and bar Bloom is scheduled to open early fall at the former location of Golden Mushroom Pizzeria. The eatery’s website mentions its “main attractions” as a corn beef hash and crab cake benedict.bloomeatery.com

Silverlake Ramen Santa Clara Square, Suite 3347 Silverlake Ramen serves ramen that uses quality, traditional ingredients. The Santa Clara eatery will open later this year. silverlakeramen.com

Pacific Catch Santa Clara Square, Suite 3315 Pacific Catch is a WestCoast Fish House specializes in high quality sustainable seafood. The menu explores styles and ingredients found throughout the Pacific. They will also offer a variety of Fresh Catch specials highlighting specific regions in the Pacific and seasonal offerings. The new Santa Clara restaurant is listed on the Santa Clara Square site as a restaurant “coming soon,” but the Pacific Catch website has not yet been updated to reflect the new location. pacificcatch.com

Gong Cha Santa Clara Square, Suite 110 Gong Cha specializes in tea, coffee and juices and is constantly developing of new and innovative drinks. The new Santa Clara restaurant is listed on the Santa Clara Square site as “coming soon,” but the Gong Cha website has not yet been updated to reflect the new location. This will be the company’s first Santa Clara location. gongchausa.com

Barebottle Brewing Company Santa Clara Square Barebottle Brewing Company, based in San Francisco, will open a Santa Clara location sometime this year. The company brews innovative beers inspired by the Bay Area using local ingredients whenever possible and partners with local homebrewing groups to develop new beers. Barebottle serves craft beer, cider, wine, craft sodas and kombucha beverages options, as well as a selection of appetizers. barebottle.com

Charisma Salon Santa Clara Square Charisma Salon, a nail spa providing manicure and pedicure services, in addition to waxing, eyelash extensions, permanent make-up services, blow-dry bar and retail, will open later this year. No additional information is available at this time. charismasalonsantaclara.com

Kumar’s Authentic South Indian Village Cuisine Santa Clara Square With no artificial pre-packaged ingredients, no food coloring and no MSG, Kumar’s offers authentic South Indian cuisine using natural and organic ingredients. Santa Clara will be the first California restaurant for the company. Additional restaurants are operating in Connecticut and throughout Texas.

Tender Greens Santa Clara Square The chef-led kitchen serving seasonal and responsibly-sourced food including salads, sandwiches and soups will open in Santa Clara later this year. Santa Clara’s restaurant will be the sixth Bay Area location for the chain. www.tendergreens.com

The Halal Guys Santa Clara Square The Halal Guys is set to open its first Santa Clara location sometime this year. The restaurant offers a variety of halal chicken, beef gyro and falafel options and sides including baba ganouj, hummus and fries, and has a South Bay location off Curtner Avenue in San Jose. thehalalguys.com

Vince Santana Row, San Jose The luxury retailer will open a Santana Row location in summer 2019. Vince offers women’s and men’s clothes, shoes, handbags, and home fit for a global lifestyle. The store will be in a 2,378-square-foot space located next to the newly expanded Lululemon. vince.com

TravisMatthew Santana Row, San Jose Premier men’s apparel brand TravisMathew will open its first Northern California store this fall. The store will be complete with classic arcade style gaming consoles and ping pong tables in its 1,911-square-foot space. The Santana Row location will carry their exclusive California capsule product. travismathew.com

Sauced BBQ & Spirits Santana Row, San Jose Sauced BBQ & Spirits will be making its debut this fall, moving into the parkside location next door to the popular Maggiano’s Little Italy. Sauced is a Southern-inspired restaurant concept, founded by two cousins with a passion to bring authentic, Southern BBQ to Northern California. Besides featuring multiple Southern styles of barbecue, the restaurant touts numerous beer, wine and whiskey choices. saucedbbqandspirits.com

[rfung8]

Legit US style BBQ, whether Texas, Kansas City, or Carolina-style, is hard to find in the Bay Area . Q.B.B. is a welcome addition to the downtown MV scene and their Carolina style meats were legit . 📷Pork Rib, Smoked Prime Brisket, and Hot Sausage Link . The brisket had a great smoked ring with a stellar fat to lean ratio while the pork rib was fall off the bone . I also liked their house BBQ sauce and the vinegar based Carolina sauce (all on the side) . #instafood #foodstagram #foodspotting #topcitybites #topfoodnews #eatersf #eatersv #yelpsouthbay #yelpnewbiz #bayareabuzz #bayareabites #myfab5 #mountainvieweats #mveats #bayareafood #bayareafoodie #paleo #bbq #meats #themeatshow #brisket #porkrib #sausagelink #carolinabbq (at QBB)

[windycitypizzabbq]

Texas Smokehouse BBQ or Chicago-style deep dish pizza. We have what hungry folks need to fill up! Conveniently one block north of CA-92 at the El Camino Real exit in San Mateo!

650-578-1942 

[windycitypizzabbq]

Of course, at Windy City every day is Deep Dish Pizza Day!

[windycitypizzabbq]

Loyal customers like Donovan are seeing us successfully through this pandemic.

[windycitypizzabbq]

Thank you so much Rhonda, for the shout-out for our hard-working staff. It has been a challenging year and they appreciate that you noticed their work!

650-578-1942

[windycitypizzabbq]

It's a beautiful day for lunch on the patio! ☀️ Take his word for it and try the Piggy Deluxe deep dish 🍕--stuffed with pit-smoked pork, Canadian bacon, Hawaiian pineapple, red onion, green bell pepper, Carolina mustard sauce & regular BBQ sauce. Delish!

[windycitypizzabbq]

Cold & dreary days call for comfort food... Doesn't get any better than deep dish pizza and beer, Vienna Beef Chicago dogs, smokehouse BBQ and all the fixins! 🍕🍷🍖🍺

Join us today or order from the comfort of your couch: www.windycitypizza.com, Slice Pizza App, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. 📲🚘🏠

[windycitypizzabbq]

Couldn't make it to Houston for the Dubs/Rockets game? Join us at Windy City for the best Texas 'Q in the Bay Area. With 5 big screen TVs, authentic smokehouse BBQ 🍖 and Chicago-style deep dish 🍕, 10 beers on tap 🍻and laid back atmosphere--Windy City Pizza and BBQ is the place to be tonight. Tip-off is at 5pm! 🏀 #DubNation

[windycitypizzabbq]

Long day? Let Windy City make dinner easy! Order online for pick-up or delivery ➡️ www.windycitypizza.com, UberEats, DoorDash and GrubHub. 📲🍕🚗🏡