While it may have been rainy and dreary for the last few days, the weather report for this weekend is warm and sunny. Get out of the house and grub down with five of the best things to eat or drink this weekend.
2013 Burger Bracket Grand Championship at The Refinery Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 702 West Dallas
This is the culmination of our 3rd annual Burger Bracket, where four restaurants will face off to determine the Grand Champion burger for 2013. The Hay Merchant won't be able to make it this Saturday, but don't fret; we'll still have burgers from four different restaurants -- including the host restaurant, The Refinery -- for the first 150 guests to sample for free. Simply vote on which burger you think is best, and stick around when we announce the winner at 2 p.m.
National Beer Day at Local Pour Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1952 West Gray
The newest beer bar in town, Local Pour, has already been drawing rave reviews for its huge selection of Texas craft beer and low prices -- despite being located squarely in River Oaks. This Sunday, check it out for yourself as Local Pour celebrates National Beer Day with happy hour prices all day long.
Pearland Crawfish Festival Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to to 6 p.m. Shadow Creek Ranch, Highway 288 between FM 2234 and FM 518
For the low price of a $7 general admission ticket, you'll get all-you-can-eat crawfish all day long for only $3.50 a pound at the Pearland Crawfish Festival. In addition, the 50-acre fairgrounds at Shadow Creek Ranch will be packed with other Cajun food vendors, Zydeco and blues bands, crawfish races, a children's area and a couple of competitions if you think you're game: cornhole and a series of crawfish-eating contests.
Houston Children's Festival Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. City Hall, 900 Bagby
Everything's bigger in Texas -- even our kids' festivals. The annual Houston Children's Festival is reportedly ''the largest children's festival in the United States,'' with an expected attendance this year of 50,000 people. Your kids are going to want to see Victoria Justice of Victorious and Laura Marano from the Austin & Ally between checking out all of the crafts and games (most of which are included with the $10 ticket price). Keep them going with food from dozens of vendors, including two of our favorite food trucks: Zeapod Cakery and The Golden Grill.
RA Sushi Showdown sushi eating contest Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m. 3908 Westheimer and 12860 Queensbury Lane
The Burger Bracket isn't the only betting action this weekend: Both Houston locations of RA Sushi will be hosting a college basketball championship-inspired competition between man and sushi this Sunday, in which 24 hungry sushi fans will try and consume the largest amount of uncut RA Sushi signature Tootsy Maki rolls (containing kani kama crab mix, shrimp and cucumber rolled and topped with crunchy tempura bits) in only three minutes. The grand prize eater will win "RA Sushi for a year," and you're invited out to watch it all go down. Enjoy the competition and entertainment as well as food and drink specials including the Tokyo Tussle Roll, cucumber and shrimp wrapped in rice and seaweed, topped with spicy shrimp ($7); the Throwdown Roll, cucumber and spicy tuna wrapped in rice and seaweed, topped with red tempura bits ($6); Free Throw Bombs, Kirin and Kirin Light ($5) plus sake ($1); Half Court Bombs, Red Bull with a shot of cherry, grape or mango vodka or Jägermeister ($6); the Rim "RA"cker, a Skyy Vodka and Red Bull cocktail ($7).
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