Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:

All week long

Texas Cocktail Week
Houston hosts its first Texas Cocktail Week, celebrating the craft of bartending and Southern hospitality. Cocktail Passport holders gain access to tastings, pop-ups, guest shifts, and masterclasses at top bars across the city, including Julep, Camaraderie, Bandista and more. The week also features a Guest Bartender Series with award-winning talent from around the country and Global Bar Partners spotlighting international flavors.

Monday, September 15

Bites & Brews: Tailgate Classics at Crawfish Cafe Heights
Football season gets a Viet-Cajun twist as Crawfish Cafe partners with Karbach Brewing Co. for a new Monday Night Football pop-up series. Fans can dig into the Game Day Pack — think spicy wings, Cajun fries, sausage, corn, potatoes, and a boiled egg slathered in signature Smack Sauce — while sipping Karbach’s brand-new Lager. Buckets of six beers run just $10 (or $2 each), with games showing on big screens and swag, tastings and brewery reps on hand before kickoff. From September through the Super Bowl, the series will travel across five Crawfish Cafe locations, kicking off at the Heights on September 15 and continuing at the Shenandoah-Woodlands location on October 20.

Monday–Saturday

10th Anniversary Specials at KA Sushi
In honor of its 10-year anniversary, KA Sushi, 1901 North Shepherd, will be offering a special $10 menu, including eats from basil tuna maki and otoro crispy rice to three-piece flights and house cocktails.

Tuesday, September 16

Mexican Independence Day
H Town Restaurant Group is celebrating Fiestas Patrias (Mexican Independence Day) with $10 red, white and green margaritas at Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer, Caracol, 2200 Post Oak, URBE, 1101 Uptown Park, and Xochi, 1777 Walker.

Both Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen locations, 6401 Woodway, 1140 Eldridge, will celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day with a special Mexican Colors Enchilada Plate — featuring three enchiladas in the colors of the flag for $18.95, dine-in only. That evening, the Eldridge location will host a four-course Tequila Dinner at 6:30 p.m., paired with Casamigos tequilas, for $65 per person; reservations are required.

Mexicanos Unidos: Maximo x Belly of the Beast at Maximo
Chefs Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast and Adrian Torres of Maximo are teaming up to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Maximo, 6119 Edloe. The night kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a seven-course dinner highlighting flavors from seven Mexican regions, complete with Mexican wine and agave cocktail pairings. Tickets include food, drinks, tax, and gratuity, with a portion of proceeds going to FIEL Houston. Folks can also stick around for a Mexicanos Unidos Patio Party starting at 8 p.m and featuring a meet-and-greet with the chefs, complimentary paletas, snacks, beverage samples, and a cash bar; admission is $15, with all ticket sales supporting FIEL Houston.

Thursday, September 18

Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinner at Ousie’s Table
Ouisie’s Table, 3939 San Felipe, is sending summer off with a five-course dinner paired with Napa Valley’s Cakebread Cellars wines on Thursday, September 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Highlights include Oysters Rockefeller, Brown Butter Scallops, 5 Spice Duck Breast and more, with tickets for $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

Friday–Saturday

Oktoberfest at Little Woodrow’s
On Friday, September 19, Little Woodrow’s Shepherd, 720 Shepherd Drive, kicks off Oktoberfest at 9 p.m. Guests can try their strength in stein hoisting and watch dachshunds dash in the Dachtoberfest Weiner Dog Races for prizes. The fun continues on Saturday, September 20, with stein hoisting and dog races beginning at noon at the Midtown location, 2306 Brazos; and Oktoberfest celebrations starting at 1 p.m. at Little Woodrow’s Webster, 20251 Gulf Freeway.

Friday–Sunday

Karbachtoberfest at Karbach Brewing Co.
Houston’s beloved Bavarian celebration returns for three weekends at Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach. Expect live music, stein-hoisting contests, bratwurst tosses, wiener dog races, seasonal Karbachtoberfest brew, German food, bingo, giveaways and family-friendly fun. The fun is free and open to the public.

Saturday, September 20

WhiskyX at Silver Street Studios
WhiskyX returns to Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards, bringing more than 60 premium whisky brands to sample alongside a Food Truck Village, live music from Tiera Kennedy and fun extras like complimentary beard trims and cigars. General admission begins at 7 p.m. with VIP entry at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $75.

All month long

Two Dine for $99 at Brennan’s
Brennan’s, 3300 Smith, is bringing back its Three-Course, Two Dine for $99 experience all September long. Guests can start with Snapping Turtle Soup or Shrimp Rémoulade, then choose entrees like Petite Filet Oscar, Gulf Shrimp & Grits or Eggs Brennan before finishing with Mississippi Mud Pie, Bananas Foster or Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé (+$5). Select wines are specially priced at $9/glass or $30/bottle. Reserve online or call 713-522-9711 and mention “Two Dine for $99.”

Chiles en Nogada at Hugo’s
Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer, is celebrating walnut and pomegranate season with its annual Chiles en Nogada, served throughout September only. Representing the colors of the Mexican flag, the festive Puebla-born dish features poblano peppers stuffed with pork, apples, pears, peaches, plantains, almonds and raisins, topped with creamy walnut sauce and garnished with pomegranate seeds and parsley. The special includes two peppers with rice for $29. 
Hunger Action Month
Houston Food Bank and partner agencies mark September as Hunger Action Month. This year’s theme, What Does Home Mean to You, highlights how safe, affordable housing supports food security, with opportunities to advocate, volunteer, and donate throughout the month. From Operation: Hunger Relief competitions to SNAP Challenges and voter registration drives, Houstonians can take part in hands-on activities and special events to help reduce food insecurity across the region.

Farm-to-Table Specials at River Oaks Shopping Center
The River Oaks Shopping Center is teaming up with Urban Harvest Farmers Market for limited-edition dishes at Brasserie 19, Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina, Zanti Cucina Italiana and Leo’s River Oaks, running all September long. Highlights include grilled tri-tip with mushroom- and goat cheese-stuffed tomato at Brasserie 19, Mexico City–style mushroom quesadillas at Goode Co., ricotta-stuffed cannelloni and dessert cannoli at Zanti, and heirloom tomato cocktails and tarts at Leo’s. Ten percent of sales from these farm-to-table creations benefit Urban Harvest’s local food-access initiatives.

New and ongoing specials

Passport Germany at Central Market
Through September 23, Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, brings the flavors of Germany to Texas with its in-store Passport Germany event. Guests can enjoy tasting strolls, cooking classes, and a wide range of German specialties, from sausages, Frikadelle, Rouladen and Currywurst to pretzels, marzipan pigs, seasonal wines and sodas. Festive pumpkin displays and desserts like Apple Torte and Bee Sting Cake round out the two-week celebration.

Bernie’s Burger Bus at PINCHO
Five years after closing, Bernie’ Burger Bus brings its fan favorites back for a limited-time collaboration with PINCHO. Now through October 5, alll Houston PINCHO locations will serve reimagined Bernie’s classics, including The Bernie’s Burger, Honor Roll fries and the Cookie Butter Milkshake. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Periwinkle Foundation.

High Holidays at Kenny & Ziggy’s
Kenny & Ziggy’s, 1743 Post Oak, is ready to help folks celebrate the High Holidays, offering Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur catering packages featuring matzo balls, smoked fish, brisket and more. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Monday, September 15 for Rosh Hashana and Thursday, September 25 for Yom Kippur.