Hugo's 12th Birthday @ Hugo's Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1600 Westheimer
Birthday parties are great because there's always something sweet involved and nine times out of ten, it's cake. Hugo's will celebrate its 12th year in business this afternoon by serving its guests a free slice of birthday cake with their entree. The official anniversary is on Sunday, July 6, but owners Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega decided to move the celebration to the Fourth of July. Start your weekend and holiday off on a good note with a margarita, tuna ceviche, a plate of cabrito (roasted goat meat), barbacoa (lime marinated in chiles, onion, garlic and avocado leaves) or tlayuda (blue corn tortillas stuffed with chicken and Chihuahua cheese), and a slice of birthday cake.
Burgers & Brew Bus Tour @ Silver Street Studios Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1525 Silver Street
Hit the road with The Wave tonight for a Fourth of July burgers and beer tour. The bus leaves Silver Street Studios at 5 p.m., then heads straight to BRC Gastropub for burgers and beer pairings; expect a special Fourth of July burger with potato salad, slaw and beer from Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company, which just so happens to be the next stop. Tour the brewery while sipping on the thirst-quenching brews. Finally, the bus tour will end at Silver Street Studios to watch fireworks, drink more beer and enjoy live music. Tickets for the bus tour and fireworks viewing party costs $60, while tickets for just the fireworks viewing party cost $10. All guests must be 21 years or older.
Red, Hot & Blue Festival @ Town Green Park Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 2099 Lake Robbins
After the parade, musical performances, face painting and carnival activities, you and your family will be pretty hungry. Stop by a variety of food vendors, including the first TGI Fridays food truck during the 17th Annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival in The Woodlands. The mobile eatery will be serving up multiple restaurant favorites, such as the Loaded Potato Skins, All American Burger Sliders, Oreo Madness and Red Bull Strawberry Lemonade. Did we mention everything served is free? Kids also have the opportunity to participate in a hot dog or watermelon eating contest. Stick around for fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.
Oyster Menu @ STRAITS Restaurant Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 800 Sorella Court, Ste. 940
Spend your Fourth of July weekend feasting on a special oyster menu at STRAITS Restaurant inside Hotel Sorella. Chef John Sikhattana has prepared a variety of oyster dishes, such as Singapore chili crab-roasted oysters, fried oyster and soy-braised pork belly bao, Hawaiian spicy tuna and oyster poke, Asian oyster corn chowder and popcorn oysters, all for $8 each. Plain shucked oysters will also be available for $1; enhance their flavor with basil mignonette, galangal cocktail or kaffir lime aioli.
National Fried Chicken Day @ Max's Wine Dive Sunday, all-day 4720 Westheimer and 214 Fairview, Ste. B
Celebrate National Fried Chicken Day on Sunday at both Max's Wine Dive locations. Feast on the restaurant's famous Southern Fried Chicken soaked in jalapeno-buttermilk served with the works: Texas toast, mashed potatoes and collards greens. Gluten-intolerant folks can also partake in this comfort food classic because Max's Wine Dive will serve gluten-free fried chicken with a honey-chipotle dipping sauce, plus a side of vegetables.
