Features

---

Meet the Chef for the Texas vs. Rice Tailgate

Last modified on 2011-08-29 20:50:32 GMT. 4 comments. Top.

Chef Tap will be working all night over a hot smoker in 100 degree heat this week. Find out what makes him cook!

1. We hear you’re cooking this Saturday for the Rice game. It’s an evening game and I think we can expect it to be maybe a little hot at the tailgate. What are you planning on serving? Why?

Seeing that the weather on Saturday is coming back down into the 90’s with a decent chance for rain. Hopefully we can stay cool out there. Either way, I will be making some good stuff. Here is what is on the menu so far. It may change a little if I find any good deals at my meat market.

Smoked brisket tacos (a couple different kinds but my favorite is the brisket with grilled onions and melted monterey jack cheese)

Bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers

Smoked sausage (gonna have a few but you gotta try the mozzarella & roasted garlic chicken one)

Dutch’s wicked baked beans – lil hot but some good stuff in there

2. It’s a lot of work to cook for all those people and I think I already mentioned the heat. Why do you do it? What do you like about it?

Anybody that knows me knows that I love to do this stuff. Used to do it for almost every game back in the day. But married life and 3 kids changes things a bit. I like how Shotgun 30 does it now with somebody different handling the food each week. Love me some John P Cajun food. Kelly T and Matt A make some great food too. And of course there’s the rib tailgate from our friends from KU. Hopefully my food this week can hold its own with all these guys.

 3. What beverage should people enjoy at the tailgate with your food?

Beverage is always a personal choice but most people know that a good brisket taco is best washed down with an ice cold beer – preferably a Budweiser  – since they are helping to sponsor us this year.

 4. Care to share any recipes? These are good. You’ll see. 

WICKED BAKED BEANS

6-8 strips of bacon cut into 1/2 inch squares

1/2 Medium onion, diced

1/2 Bell pepper, diced

1 – 2 Jalapeno Peppers, diced, seeded

1 – 55 ounce can Bush’s Baked Beans

1-8 ounce can of pineapple chunks, drained

1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed

1 Cup ketchup

1/2 – 1 Tbs. dry (ground) mustard

Sauté bacon pieces in fry pan until crispy and remove from pan with a slotted spoon. Sauté onion, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper until tender.

In a large mixing bowl
combine beans, pineapple, brown sugar, ketchup and dry mustard. Stir in bacon pieces and vegetables. Pour into a 12X9 or a deep 9X9 aluminum baking pan. (While mixing if things look dry, add additional ketchup 1/4 -1/2 cup at a time)

Place in a 220-250° smoker for 2½ -3 hours (make sure temperature of the baked beans reaches 160° )

5. What’s your prediction for the Rice game? TheSeason?

Here’s how I see it – the quick version. We are very talented this year but also very young. We are going to beat Rice (but we did last year too so what that doesn’t mean a whole heckuva lot). But how we do versus BYU and UCLA is going to help determine our season. If we can play well and get these young guys some confidence, we could
get on a roll. All depends on how fast they learn this new offense and defense. We need to become less critical less year, be better fans and just enjoy seeing these guys come together. If we put together a good season, I think we have the talent to make another national championship run next season.  Best case – I see us ending up at 10-3 with a nice Cotton Bowl win over a very good Arkansas team.

Rice 10

Texas 37

10 Questions with The Sombrero Guy

Last modified on 2011-08-29 12:30:04 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

To kick off the 2011 football season, we sat down with one of Shotgun30′s more famous members. You’ve all seen him at the tailgates getting the shotgun started or mixing the party tunes on the ipod and sometimes on the Godzillatron during gametime, it’s … The Sombrero Guy.

We asked him ten questions and tried to reveal a little of the mystery behind this great fan.

1. I think the first question we all want to know is where you got your sombrero?

Well, the first Sombrero was purchased in Nuevo Laredo central market. It is a charro sombrero that is not very common in color. I went sombrero diving along the market’s shops for a couple of hours. My pursuit of sombrero was long and tested… (That’s what she said).

2. How many sombreros have you had? Are any of them particularly “lucky” or “unlucky” or do you even believe in luck? And if you do, are you burning the 2010 sombrero?

I have had three sombreros. The first is missing in action, but I like to think it’s hanging on the bedpost of a female fan.It didn’t really fit anyway. The second is not commonly used since it is not really burnt orange. The present sombrero did bring us some “luck” during the National Championship Season and the winning seasons we had until 2010. The neighboring fans at home and away games have often asked the sombrero to conjure up the Mojo when needed. I usually oblige whether asked or not. What is luck? I believe in momentum and the effects of audience participation and the collective karma of a team or organization. Preparation and training allows you to identify and seize on an opportunity. Luck is subjective; when we lose they got lucky. And shame on you for asking if I’d burn the sombrero. The current sombrero has Earl Campbell’s signature. “Peace and Love, Earl Campbell”

3. How long have you been wearing sombreros?

Since 2000? I know I began to wear it before going to B-school in 2002.

4. Do you wear sombreros on non-game days? Do you sometimes wear it around the house with nothing else on? In bed? Be honest.

No, I only wear the sombrero on game days, generally 30 minutes before the game, after our shotgun. And once for a Swedish online website advertisement for increased stamina and virility. Okay, okay, I do wear it when I limbo or play croquet, badminton or twister.

5. What’s the farthest you have traveled with the sombrero for a game? And is it considered a carry-on piece of luggage?

The three Rose Bowl games to Pasadena, California may be the furthest or the Ohio State University game. The sombrero is considered carry-on luggage and counts agains my onboard allowance. The somberro sits on my lap, as it does not fit under the seat in front or in the overhead bin. When the Texas Exes travel I get a lot of attention during the TSA check, while in flight and baggage claim. Usually the people who approach have seen it during a game.

6. You’re obviously an interesting guy, but people don’t really know a lot about your personal life. Are you single?  Ladies want to know. If you are, what are you looking for in a date?

Yes I am single. Hmmm, in a date? Criminal history, bad language, short temper, picky eater, illiterate, chemilcally unbalanced and scars or at least a really nice pair…of burnt orange maracas.

7. What’s your favorite Texas Longhorns memory? And what about any special sombrero memories? Shotgun30 memory?

My favorite memory has to be the National Championship game (the 4th down stand, game winning drive), and the celebration on Sunset Blvd the next day. One nice memory was right before the National Championship game when a father and son approached me to take a picture and call mom while I was there. They had sat near us during the Ohio State game and remembered the sombrero. Also, when I returned from Europe in 2004 I was approached repeatedly that season asking me where I had been or gone. It’s nice to be missed. Once I was told that I was sitting on a UT student’s mantle since we shared a photo together some time in the past. All those are nice. Though I must admit, game days are always nice since the Shotgun30 extended family always shows sometime during the season and it’s nice to see everyone. It’s particularly great when we get to celebrate birthdays during game day. Lucky are we that were born in August, September, October and November.

8. You’re obviously a trendsetter. What’s your favorite tailgate food and beverage and what will be hot this year?

If the lower eastside hipsters begin wearing a sombrero, I would agree. I am a fan of any Cajun tailgate themes and the KU ribs are a favorite as well. Oh, and the Thanksgiving spreads are awesome too. Shotgun-thirTEA with sweet tea & Enchanted Rock Vodka is very refreshing and dangerous. But shotgunning an ice cold Budweiser is usually the perfect answer to a hot day.

9. The Texas Longhorns had a rough 2010 season and pretty volatile off-season. What would you tell all the fans out there that might need a little encouragement to get to DKR?

Where else can you enjoy day drinking, barbeque, friends, family, games and fun amongst 100k people in central Austin withou hassle or a cover charge? Come Early, Be Loud, Stay Late. And if that doesn’t motivate you, Charlie says it best “WINNING”

10. And finally, what’s your prediction for the 2011 Longhorns?

I predict that the sun rises and the sun sets in the color of Burnt Orange ’til Gabriel blows his horn. And that you can find me at the corner of 18th and San Jacinto with my closest friends, their friends and the friends of Texas.

 

If you’re like us and can’t get enough sombrero, check out the new Sombrero Guy gear in the shop.