Details

Taste of Laredo
Thursday, February 7, 2019
07:00 PM / Doors Open 7:00 p.m.

Buy Tickets

Taste of Laredo
Music Line-Up & Restaurants


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019

LAREDO, TEXAS - The Sames Auto Arena along with Guerra Communications announce the musical line-up for the appetizing Taste of Laredo set for Thurs., Feb. 7, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $25 per adult and children 12 years and under enter free.

“Every year restaurants return to win that first place paddle and bragging rights for the best in culinary,” said Juan C. Mendiola, General Manager of the SMG – Managed Sames Auto Arena. “New restaurants are also competing this year and the list of participation continues to grow. We would like to thank Guerra Communications for their endless support for this appetizing event, and we welcome Favor as an event sponsor this year!”

tickets copy.jpg

Admission is $25 for adults
FREE for children 12 years and under.
Tickets available at the Sames Auto Arena Box Office,
Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at-1-800-745-3000.

 

Participating Restaurants

Texas Roadhouse
Market Barbeque
Longhorn Steakhouse
Organo-Life
Buffalo Wild Wings
Dominos
Krispy Kreme
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
Chick-fil-a (Mall del Norte)
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Charleys Philly Steaks
Delicias de Contry USA
Max Golf Course
Food 4 You
Chili’s Independence Plaza
Sal Y Limon
Woops!
Caffe Dolce LLC
Cultura Beer Garden
Bush's Chicken   
Torta Yukon
Gorditas Dona Tota
Trompo Norteno  
My Pop Gourmet Popcorn
Tilted Kilt
L&F
Pepsi Co
SMG Savor...
Favor


Every year over 15 restaurants, both local and franchise, go spatula-to-spatula to win awards and bragging rights for the annual Taste of Laredo.

Categories include:

Local Restaurants
Judges’ Choice Best Tasting Cuisine
Judges’ Choice Best Tasting Dessert/Delicacies
Judges’ Choice Overall Best Booth Decor
People’s Choice Best Tasting Cuisine
People’s Choice Best Tasting Dessert/Delicacies

Franchise Restaurants
Judges’ Choice Best Tasting Cuisine
Judges’ Choice Best Tasting Dessert/Delicacies
Judges’ Choice Overall Best Booth Decor
People’s Choice Best Tasting Cuisine
People’s Choice Best Tasting Dessert/Delicacies

This year we introduce a new category, Best Plate Presentation. Participating Restaurants can submit one photo of their best plate presentation which winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and through a Sames Auto Arena social media platform.

Attendees can sign up for the Pizza Eating Competition sponsored by Peter Piper Pizza and a Blazing Wing Eating Competition sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings!

Those 21 years of age and over can try the Premium Beer Tasting event that will offer a selection of over 16 craft beers. Fee is $10 for 12 samples.

Enjoy four live performances while you savor Laredo’s grub from Ricky Ram, Morgan Ashley, Clay Hollis and Grupo Varonil.

Grupo Varonil (9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)
An Austin, Texas family by the last name Zavaleta formed Grupo Varonil in 1987. Today, only two Zavaletas family members are left in the group. Agustín Zavaleta, founder of the group, plays accordion and is the secondary vocals for the band. Lorenzo Zavaleta plays the electric bass and is the primary vocals.

They’ve produced 15 albums, recorded more than 180 tracks, and created 18 music videos. Some of their successful singles include "La Del Rojo," "Llore, Llore," "La Carbonera," "La Guacharaca," "Sonidero Nacional," "Morena" and the most recent "El Mudo."

Clay Hollis (8:25 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.)
Hollis presents country music, in its purest form; simple and powerful. Born in the Rio Grande Valley and raised in San Antonio, his mother is from Laredo and with his father being from Dallas, Hollis’ Texas roots run deep. Cultural and musical tradition define Clay’s tried and true brand, paying homage to country music legends like Strait and Jones, with a touch of contemporary grit.

A music fan as long as he can recall, Clay’s passion for performance developed at a very young age. Friendships with other neo-traditionalists have helped his career begin to blossom. Mario Flores, Gabe Garcia, Bart Butler, Jon Wolfe and Jon Pardi have all lent a helpful hand to the young singer. With the aid of talented accomplices, he released his self-titled, debut EP this summer, which features the debut single, “Look Who’s Hurting Now,” an anthemic ballad, powerful beyond his years.

Hollis’ family and close-knit group of friends strongly support his musical ambition as well as his desire to serve his community. When not on stage, or in a college classroom (studying for a degree in music business,) Hollis volunteers his time to nonprofit organizations, such as 4-H and Trinity Oaks. With time and karma on his side, classic Texas good looks and a rich, powerful voice, the future is very bright for the young troubadour.

Clay Hollis’ music can be found wherever music is served, with his debut EP already picking up steam on Spotify. Find Clay on all the major social media and musical outlets, all linked through his website: (clayhollis.com), on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat (@clayholliscountry) and Twitter (@clayhollismusic).

Morgan Ashley (7:40 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.)
Morgan just recently celebrated having the highest debuting single on the Texas Charts with her latest single "Bad Boy Chaser" from her full length album KARMA. Bad Boy Chaser is the follow-up single to her debut single, "Your Girl", which hit the Top 30 on the charts in the summer of 2018. Morgan is currently touring all over the state of Texas and booking shows for 2019 and beyond.

Hailing from College Station, Morgan grew up raising cattle and barrel racing, but it wasn’t long before the Texas Music bug bit hard and she knew that she belonged on a stage somewhere in Texas, playing the music she grew up loving and introducing fans to her own unique brand. She tested the waters with her first solo self-titled EP which came out in came out in April 2017. Within a few months she drew the attention of Hit Songwriter and Multi-Platinum Producer, Steve Freeman. The two began collaborating on new music and in December of 2017 began recording her now available full length album, KARMA.

Morgan currently plays over 150 dates per year at venues all over the state of Texas and is a member of the Texas Country Music Association and was nominated for the 2017 Female Vocalist of the Year.

Ricky Ram (7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
The Ricky Ram Band was created because of the passion and love for music. The country band came together on July 2018. The band members are lead singer/guitarist, Carlos Ricardo Ramirez, second singer/guitarist and brother, Carlos Roberto Ramirez and ultimately, drummer, Jonathan Gonzalez.

The Ricky Ram Band is climbing up the ladder as they make their way to bigger and brighter opportunities. So far the band had performed at the annual Jamboozie, Jim Hogg County Roping Festival, local farmers markets, food truck parks, private parties and have been on the air with Big Buck 98.1, the local country radio station. 

They wish to continue bringing joy and entertainment to the people around them with their love for country music

As part of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration, Taste of Laredo is one of the most anticipated and appetizing events in the month long fiesta. Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 7, 2019!

Admission is $25 for adults and free for children 12 years and under. Tickets available at the Sames Auto Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at-1-800-745-3000.

###