Kelly Tarun & Shotgun30 are hosting a Stella & Dot Trunk Show at the Shotgun 30 tailgate

Saturday, November 19th

UT-Kansas State Game

4-7 pm- Before the Game

Take a Sneak Peek- www.stelladot.com/LINDSEYNEUHAUS

Shop Early and select Kelly Tarun as your hostess!

See Stella & Dot’s new Rose Gold Collection– perfect for game day attire!

Watch this video for holiday gift ideas- Click Here…..

Come checkout the jewels and bling and start your holiday shopping early!

Accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

David Reimherr  had this to say about the green tailgate, “ Shotgun 30 is excited at the opportunity to host a carbon neutral tailgate right on campus. We will be the only tailgate that does not use a generator to power our tv and stereo system.”

“Bringing solar power to a great venue like a UT tailgate is a great way for the solar industry to showcase an exciting part of Austin’s green economy”, says Andy Hernandez a residential sales expert for Solar Community.

About Solar Community:

Founded in 2007, Solar Community is a leading Texas-based solar integrator and contractor with national coverage and delivery capabilities that offers solar energy design, installation and solar project services. Solar Community is dedicated to making solar power easy and affordable for everyone.

1. We see you everywhere lately, but when did you become a Texas Longhorn fan?  And when did you join up with Shotgun30?

I became a fan out of necessity. I was orphaned at a young age, after my parents
were murdered in a Smoothie King incident. I was soon given to a carney who ran
a ring toss game, and soon after, one of the yahoos from Shotgun 30 won me  at the State Fair of Texas. Because I don’t
have legs or a car, I go where Shotgun 30 members take me.

2. Are you more of a tailgate fan or do you make it to the games too?

I’m really in it for the free booze and food. I usually split once the game starts.

3. What’s your favorite tailgate food? Beverage?

I love making banana daiquiris with Treaty Oaks rum and of course, Bud Light never loses it’s a-peel.

4. What’s the farthest you’ve travelled for a game? And what’s your preferred method of travel? Any tailgater travel tips to share?

California is the farthest I’ve travelled. I went to the Rose Bowl, did some sightseeing, and visited some old raisin friends who I hadn’t seen since they were grapes. I prefer to fly cargo, sealed in a plastic bag for freshness.

5. In your short time as a Longhorn fan you’ve seen just about the high of the program and pretty much the low as well. What advice do you have to all the fans out there to keep motivated about our Longhorns?

Sometimes you’re the top banana, and sometimes you’re just monkey food- it’s just the way life goes. If the “fans” need more motivation than hot girls in tiny Chicka-d dresses and beer that flows like water, they should go F&%# themselves.

6. What is your favorite Shotgun30 memory?

I would say the night I spent on 6th Street when I woke up to a Jewish girl I hardly knew. But truthfully, I don’t have much of a memory of that evening.

7. Is there a Mrs. Foster?

No, no Mrs. Foster. But I had a thing with Jessie last season. I was drinking a lot at the time, and he was too. I was just experimenting, and I sensed he was growing attached, so  I’m hoping it doesn’t get weird between us this year.

8. Boxers or briefs?

Banando or Banana Hammock.

9. Will you be at the infamous Shotgun30 State Fair themed tailgate? And what will you be wearing this season?

Does a banana turn brown in the freezer?  I’ll be doing my impression of an OU fan at this year’s State Fair themed tailgate. I’ll be wearing jean shorts, Blue Blockers, and the bodily fluid of a close relative.

10. 2010 was a bad year for Texas Longhorn football fans. There’s no doubt about it. What are your predictions for 2011?

No matter what happens on the field, the tailgates are going to be bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

So, drumroll please…

The 2011 State Fair of Texas Food Winners are:

Buffalo  Chicken in a Flapjack BEST TASTE- A  buffalo chicken strip is coated in  flapjack batter, rolled in jalapeno bread crumbs, deep fried to a golden brown,  skewed, and served with a side of syrup.   Crowd pleasing appetizer or a meal in itself! inside the Automobile Building and in the Thrill Way.

Fried  Bubblegum MOST CREATIVE - You’ll swear it’s bubblegum!  A light  as a feather bubble gum flavored marshmallow is dipped in batter and lightly  fried to perfection.  Decorated with a  swirl of icing.  A final sprinkling of  powdered sugar completes this treat!  It  will blow you away!  Granny’s Funnel Cakes on Coliseum Drive.

Deep Fried Pineapple  Upside Down Cake - Fresh and sweet pineapple rings are delicately dipped in cake batter, fried, and  coated with a caramel, sugar, and cinnamon glaze. What tropical treat is complete without a cherry on top? Fun Way across from Guest  Relations and Nimitz Avenue by the Embarcadero.

Deep Fried Texas  Salsa™ - This spicy medley of jalapenos,  roasted garlic, onion, tomato, and pepper is rolled together, dipped in masa,  and covered in crunchy tortilla chips. Into the fryer and served with warm,  deliciously creamy queso.   Located on Cotton Bowl Plaza at  the Taste of Cuba stand and the Beer Garden.

El Bananarito - In case you are wondering, it’s a deep fried banana rolled in a  flour tortilla, topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, a dusting of  cinnamon, and a touch of vanilla extract. Top it off with your choice of  smooth, hot caramel or decadent chocolate syrup. Funnel Cake stand on Fun Way.

Fried Autumn Pie - Fairgoers will fall for this hard to resist puff pastry  infused with a scrumptious combination of pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered  sugar, and fall spices. Deep fried and rolled in ginger, cinnamon, and sugar. Chicken on a Stick stand  located on Nimitz Drive, near the entrance to the Embarcadero.

Hans’ Kraut Ball - A conglomeration of  taste: browned pork sausage, onion, garlic, a zing of sauerkraut, mustard, and  tasty seasonings all rolled into a mouth-watering ball of delight. Covered with  seasoned bread crumbs, deep fried, and served with your choice Spicy Mustard,  Raspberry Chipotle, or Ranch. Hans  Mueller tent next to the Main Stage, in Cotton Bowl Plaza, and at on Nimitz  Circle.

Walking Taco - Stroll down the  Midway with this concoction of seasoned hamburger meat, lettuce, onion, fresh  tomato, grated cheese, sour cream, and tasty salsa. Inventively served up in a  Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos® bag! Darn Good Corn stand across from Gateway Pavilion tent  on Coliseum Drive.

Map to all this year’s winners can be found over at BigTex.com

Searching for a previous year’s favorite? BigTex.com also has old favorites mapped out as well. You also might want to check out last year’s new feature of pre-ordering your food/drink tickets online. It’s a real time-saver as anyone knows who’s exited the stadium at half-time to grab a Fletcher’s and wax-paper-cup beer only to find you’re two tickets short. Why should you have to choose between the corny dog and that waxy cup perfection?

Many pets and livestock have been made homeless as well by the fires. If anyone wants to help out our four legged friends, please swing by your local shelter with any food, towels or toys.

In Louisiana we try to eat the mascot of the opposing team whenever possible, i.e SoCar/chicken, Arkansas/pork, Rice/rice, etc. As there is a notable lack of cougar available south of Round Rock, for the BYU game I’m doing a chicken/sausage jambalaya and lots of different types of chicken skewers in honor of  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_the_gulls . Since I generally make several items I’m including pork, shrimp, and some veggie skewers as well as black beans and a rice dish for for those not into mascot consumption.  The flavor profile will be tropical rather than my usual hearty assortment of dishes since it’s probably going to be 110 at the tailgate.

2.     What do you like about cooking for Shotgun30? 

It’s just a part of the rich pageant that is a Longhorn game day – the camraderie, drinks, games, football on TV and the meal are usually a better experiance than the actual game.  Well, last year’s games…..

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

I personally will cool off with several Bud heavies in my traditional stein, but I do have a few recipes I’ve put together to pair with the tropical skewers.  They are all refreshing and make outstanding frozen drinks as well. These recipes each make a large pitcher if you want to scrimmage them before kickoff:

Treaty Oaks Mai Tai

16 oz Orange Juice

16 oz Pineapple Juice

4 oz fresh lime juice

16 oz Treaty Oaks Rum

8 oz Orange Liquor

Sugar to taste (2-8 tbsp)

Combine all ingredients and stir until sugar is
dissolved.  Serve in a highball glass filled with crushed ice and a
straw.  Umbrella optional.

Graham’s Daly

16 oz Graham’s Texas Tea

Small can of frozen lemonade

48 oz strong tea

lots of ice

Combine first three ingredients and stir
until lemonade is dissolved.  Fill pitcher with ice and stir
well.  Add sugar or sweetener as desired.  Serve in a highball glass
filled with crushed ice and a straw.

Enchanted Caipirinha

Fifth of Enchanted Rock Vodka

8 large limes with thin rinds

3-4 oz Sugar or Agave Nectar

Juice limes and combine ingredients until sugar dissolves -
shake if possible.  Serve in an old fashioned glass filled with crushed
ice.  Include crushed mint and a splash of soda to convert to a vodka
mojito.

Austin Iced Tea

This should be either your first drink or your last one

8 oz Enchanted Rock Vodka

8 oz Graham’s Texas Tea

8 oz Treaty Oaks Rum

8 oz  Orange liquor

16 oz Orange Juice

juice of three limes

Sugar to taste (2-6 oz )

most of a coke

Combine everything but sugar, stir, and taste.  Add
sugar if needed.  Serve in a highball glass filled with crushed ice and a
straw, or freeze for a day, pour into a jug with a spout and bring to
tailgate for shots.

Lawnmower

Stick a bottle of lemon/lime gatorade in the freezer and go
work outside for an hour.  Pour an ice cold Bud Light or Bud Light Lime into a
pint glass and top off with the very cold gatorade.  Chug and thank me
later.

4.     Care to share any recipes?

Here is an easy one I’ll be serving next week:

Rumaki

1 1/2 cups teriyaki sauce

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root

1 lb chicken breasts or tenders cut into little bite sizes

1 can water chestnuts, drained and sliced

15 slices bacon, cut in thirds (not thick!)

Marinate chicken and drained water chestnuts for several
hours in teriyaki/ginger/garlic combination.  Wrap chicken piece and
water chestnut slice with bacon and skewer or stick on toothpick.  Fry in
oil, cook in 425 deg. oven or grill ontil bacon is crisp.  If grilling,
soak skewers for an hour beforehand.

 5.     What’s your favorite Texas Longhorn memory?

Probably Vince’s ridiculous comeback against Oklahoma State – an underrated game that set the stage for what was to come.  You just knew those guys weren’t going to be denied.

6.     What’s your prediction for the BYU game? The Season?

UT 28 BYU 17.  Texas will win ten games this year.

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

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.

What made me think of these traditions is the current news about the Iowa – Iowa State unveiling last Friday of the new Cy-Hawk Trophy.  After 5 days of completely negative feedback from fans and media alike and the requisite clowning from the interwebs, it was announced yesterday that the new trophy would be scrapped and they would search for a replacement.  According to the AP:

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — The new trophy designed for the winner of the annual
Iowa-Iowa State gridiron showdown was scrapped Tuesday as organizers
acknowledged it had too much to do with corn and not nearly enough to do with
football.

[...]

It was unveiled Friday at the state fair. And everyone pretty much hated it,
likening it to a garage sale leftover or something from the Precious Moments
catalog. Newspaper chats, Twitter and Facebook lit up with critics, and even
former Iowa coach Hayden Fry and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad weighed in against the
new design.

Craig Floss, the CEO of the corn growers group, said the response showed the
passion Iowa fans have for football.

“The overwhelming feedback has been negative,” he said. “Because we’ve
listened … people want something different than what was proposed last week.
And we as Iowa corn growers and the farmers we represent, we want people to be
happy.”

A temporary trophy will be designed for this year’s game on Sept. 10. Fans
will be able to suggest a design for the more permanent replacement.

How bad could it be you might ask:

I do feel badly for the artist they commissioned for the work.  I guess he’ll have to go back to making those figurines you see at the Hallmark stores…

Some examples of locker room decor from around the country:

Floyd of Rosedale – Iowa and Minnesota

Little Brown Jug – Michigan Minnesota

Illi Illibuck –  Ohio State and Illinois

Stanford Axe – Stanford / California

Bronze Boot– Colorado State / Wyoming

Indian War Drum – Kansas / Missouri

Keg of Nails – Louisville / Cincinnati

Golden Hat – Texas / OU

Iron Skillet – SMU / TCU