What started as a pop-up at Squeezebox is not San Antonio's fiercest culinary competition.
What began as a way to keep a crawfish boil going long after the mudbugs ran out is now one of San Antonio's most heated culinary competitions. The Fajita Lounge Showdown is returning to Southtown bar Gimme Gimme on August 31 for another taco tussle. And, yes, the fajitas are still free.
The annual tradition, now in its third year, is an extension of Fajita Lounge, the sizzling pop-up founded by Gimme Gimme and Amor Eterno owner Aaron Peña and chefs Jacob Gonzales and Matthew Garcia. The project was started by accident, when Peña improvised at a Squeezebox boil by throwing some meat on the grill.
The Fajita Lounge soon became its own thing, with the crew cooking at various San Antonio locales. The Showdown started in 2022 with only five chefs. This year, the lineup includes some of the most celebrated restaurants and bars in the city, including:
- Cullum's Attaboy (2024 champion)
- Leche de Tigre
- Mixtli
- Bar Loretta
- Bucán Rodeo
- Rosa's Kitchen
- Buddy's Big Trouble
- The Friendly Spot
The Showdown has upped the ante on the judges, too. This year, no less an authority than Texas Monthly Taco Editor José Ralat will be on the panel awarding a $500 prize, along with Spectrum News journalist Jose Arredondo and food writer (and CultureMap contributor) Kat Stinson.
"Only in San Antonio could a little carne asada hang turn into a full-on showdown like this," says Peña. "The Fajita Lounge Showdown is our way of celebrating the city's taco culture, the chefs who make it special, and the community that shows up to support. There's nothing like sharing tacos, a cerveza, and music together — this is what our city does best."
The Fajita Lounge Showdown kicks off at 5 pm on Sunday, August 31. Specialty cocktails from Live Oak Vodka and DJ Texas Papi will keep the party going until 2 am. It's a good thing the next day is Labor Day.
