Oktoberfest Dallas is this weekend, and while musical performers and cold beer tend to get most of the love, the fest also touts an impressive local catering lineup going into its thirteenth year.
Cane Rosso pizzas cook at 900 degrees for 90 seconds. Photo courtesy of Cane Rosso.
Bratwurst, of course, is on the menu, courtesy of Strouderosa BBQ. But if you’re looking for something a little different, vendor menus include shrimp tacos, breakfast smashburgers on english muffins, schnitzel sliders and more.
With the fest coming up this Saturday, we spoke with each of the fest’s five food vendors to learn what’s on the menu. Prost!
Strouderosa BBQ | Brats
Matt and Trisha Stroud have been preparing for Oktoberfest for weeks. It’s their first time catering the event, and they’ve certainly kept true to Strouderosa’s “go big or go home” mentality. Over 2,000 house-made Shiner Bock beer brats have been smoked low-and-slow over the last few weeks in anticipation of the event, and their special bratwurst — the “Braterosa” — comes piled with two ounces of pulled pork, sauerkraut and beer mustard. If that sounds like too much, regular brats will be available with a selection of condiments, and Matt will be serving brisket nachos until supplies run out.
Burger Schmurger | Smashburgers
Screenshot via Burger Schmurger on Facebook
Lake Highlands neighbor Dave Culwell’s smashburger popup, Burger Schmurger, has been making waves over the past year for its “schmurgers.” Often hailed as one of the best burgers in town, enjoying a schmurger normally requires a trip to Knox-Henderson. But this Saturday, neighbors can enjoy Culwell’s creations at Flag Pole Hill. Perhaps the first vendor who will be serving, Culwell says he’s planning to serve the popular early morning Schmurger riff, the Bfast Smash, to kick things off.
“It’s like an elevated Sausage McMuffin with egg from McDs. It’s so delish,” Culwell said in a text message.
The Bfast Smash is a house-made sausage patty served with american cheese, house garlic aioli and an over-medium egg served on an English muffin. And yes, it does sound delicious. So delicious, in fact, that Culwell highly recommends arriving early to grab one.
Once breakfast time is over, single patty Schmurgers, or “Thin Lizzies,” will be served for as long as supplies last.
Cane Rosso | Wood-fired Neapolitan Pizza
Even though the brand has certainly created a serious pasta and entree menu, Cane Rosso still means one thing to many neighbors: authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. Having opened in the Town Center in June, it’s only fitting that the “Red Dog” joins in on the fun this Saturday. Equipped with a portable pizza oven that will be working overtime to say the least, Cane Rosso staff will serve various varieties of the brand’s wood-fired pies. Gluten and vegan options will be available.
Aw Shuck’s | Seafood
Aw Shuck’s is bringing the ocean to Flag Pole Hill once again this year. Serving shrimp tacos, shrimp cocktail, boiled crab and crab bites, Aw Shuck’s offers plenty of options for seafood lovers.
Cedar + Vine | Pretzels and Festival eats
Owned by a group of LHHS grads, Cedar & Vine has been serving the neighborhood for seven years. That’s almost a century in the Lake Highlands dining world, especially for a restaurant at Walnut Hill-Audelia. They’ve also served at Oktoberfest before, so this isn’t their first rodeo (Unfortunately, there is no German translation for rodeo, I tried).
Keeping in line with the fest’s Bavarian roots, Cedar & Vine will serve pretzels with bier cheese and pork schnitzel sliders with coleslaw. In addition, fried Brussels sprouts, chicken tenders, fries and ice cream will also be for sale at the C+V tent.
