One of San Antonio’s most sizzling traditions is firing up the grills for another round of competition. The annual Fajita Lounge Showdown will return to Southtown’s Gimme Gimme (803 S. St. Mary's) on Sunday, April 12.

The taco throwdown, now in its fourth year, is an extension of Fajita Lounge, the Tastemaker Award-nominated 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 a crew of brave firefighters and some of the most celebrated restaurants and bars in the city, including:

• Leche de Tigre (2025 Defending Champion)
• The Magpie
• Naco Mexican
• Little Death
• Aguazul
• El Weinecero
• Porc Slap
• Burritos Dorada
• San Antonio Fire Department Station No. 7 and No. 28

The Fajita Lounge's Matthew Garcia, Aaron Peña, and Jacob Gonzales pose with ArnieTex (second from left).Photo by TXTroublemaker

All competitors will work with Arnie "ArnieTex" Segovia’s Arnie Asadas Seasonings, a nod to the cookbook author and YouTube personality who is also serving as one of this year's judges. A charro beans station featuring the same seasonings will be available to guests.

The judging panel also includes Texas Monthly Taco Editor José Ralat, content creator Mike Dubya of @as_seen_in_sa, and yours truly, CultureMap San Antonio Editor Brandon Watson. The winning chef takes home $500 and some serious local bragging rights.

"Only in San Antonio could a little carne asada hang turn into a full-on showdown like this," shared Peña last year. "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 runs from 5 pm-midnight and features tunes from deejays Texas Papi and SunnyBoy. The $10 cover includes taco samples on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.