Tacos on the Town is this Friday at the Waterford

Fall must be dude season because I've got a busy schedule of public events lined up this week.

First, I'll be recording an episode of OKC Over Easy with Mallory Craft this week. (That episode will be available at thespyfm.com on Sunday.) On Friday, it's tacos and tequila with the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber, book-talk at the Oklahoma Book Festival on Saturday morning and chili judgment on Sunday.

The Hispanic Chamber's annual One Taste at a Time party is Friday at 6 p.m. They've asked me to help usher in some Tacos On the Town from at the Renaissance Waterford Hotel, 6300 Waterford Blvd.

Revolucion, Hacienda Tacos, Naylamp Peruvian Restaurant and the new Don Pepe Cafe will be serving tacos in the Waterford ballroom. Join us for poolside cocktails and a live DJ from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tickets are $45 for chamber members and $55 for nonmembers. Get them at okchispanicchamber.org, or call 616-5031.

On Saturday morning, I'll moderate a discussion of two new books at the first-ever Oklahoma Book Festival. Fred Minnick's "Mead: The Libations, Legends and Lore" and Donna Marie Miller's tome on a legendary Austin honky-tonk called "The Broken Spoke" will be the focus of our conversation.

We'll be in the Ida Williams' tent at 11 a.m. The event takes place at the Boathouse District, 800 Riversport Drive, and will feature panels like this with access to the authors, children's storytelling, craft activities and entertainment. For full details, go to okbookfest.org

Sunday is OKC Beautiful's Fall Harvest Festival at Delmar Gardens Food Truck Park, and it's not too late to join the community chili cook-off.

The Big Friendly Beer Bus will be on site, tapping seasonal beers from Coop Ale Works, Prairie Artisan Ales, Anthem Brewing Co. and Vanessa House Beer Co. Josh Roberts will provide live music and enjoy a caramel apple bar, pumpkin-carving and yard games.

Those interested in my judgment of their expressions of chili still can join at okcbeautiful.com to fill out the proper paperwork then show up Sunday afternoon with your best bowl of the red.

But there's plenty more to do at the event celebrating local culture and fare including purchase fall mums at the farmers market. Tickets include two beer vouchers, chili and access to games and activities. No one under 21 years of age is allowed at this event. Tickets are available on the website.

Next week, VI Marketing and Branding will host its annual Carne Diem event on Oct. 26. Amateurs and pros will line the sides of Park Avenue with hot pots of chili between Broadway and Robinson from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., vying for the Carne Cup.

All proceeds benefit the United Way of Central Oklahoma, guests can purchase a tester kit good for three bowls of chili for $10. For this event, I will throw my kettle into the ring in search of the championship form that's been missing since 2013. The event also includes live music, and a hot-pepper eating contest is again planned.

Fast food

The Collective has begun announcing its operators. First to get the call was no surprise at all. Chef Beth Lyon's The Black Cat concept will go from mobile to stationary as she was the first of 11 selected to take residence at the upcoming food court and bar space in Midtown. The Coach House Apprenticeship Program grad wrote menus at Kitchen No. 324, The Mule, Anchor Down and The Press. The second concept chosen was The Fried Taco, which has been a regular on the mobile kitchen circuit for several years. The Fried Taco is known for Caribbean and Puerto Rican flavors tucked in tortillas sealed with fire and oil from owners Ruben and Kristal Pacheco. ...

Stella Modern Italian, 1201 N Walker Ave., will host Cannonball wines founder Yoav Gilat for a special four-course dinner on Oct. 29. You don't want to miss this chance to meet the winemaker and join him for a meal from chef Melissa Aust inspired by his wines. Cost is $60 and the bar opens at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 235-2200. ...

Off the Hook Seafood & More chef/owner Corey Harris recently returned to his roots with a shiny new mobile kitchen unit. The two-location seafood concept began on a trailer, but spent the last few years establishing homes at 125 W Britton Road and 1920 S Meridian Ave. Now, Off the Hook is back to offering their Cajun, Creole and comfort food creations at special events and private parties. But that's not all, Harris launched Soul Food Sundays at the south location last weekend. Look for that to continue going forward. The special menu includes smothered pork chops and chicken, fried catfish (filets or whole), oxtail and fried chicken. Sides include macaroni and cheese, collard greens, sweet potatoes, fried okra, rice, cabbage and pinto beans. The special menu runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays at the south location only.

Iguana Mexican Grill, 9 N 9, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a weeklong celebration Oct. 29 through Nov. 4. Signature dishes from the last decade including Iguana Burgers, J/K Burritos and Stacked Enchiladas will return, along with $1 tacos, cocktail specials and a Day Of the Dead costume contest. The Iguana opened originally as the Iguana Lounge on Western Avenue in the early 1990s and closed about 10 years later. It reopened in Automobile Alley in 2008. For more information, go to iguanamexicangrill.com. ...

Hopdoddy Burger Bar opened its second location on Monday at Chisholm Creek in Oklahoma City. ... Cross your fingers folks, there's a great chance OSO Paseo will begin selling tacos in earnest next week.

And, finally ...

When Othello's, 434 Buchanan Ave. in Norman, burned down over a year ago, it took with it numerous mementos, but not the memories it held nor the appreciation of its regulars.

Among Othello's biggest fans is the University of Oklahoma men's rugby team. That's because rugby is a club sport at OU and relies on sponsorship of local businesses and fans for its existence. Othello's was a longtime supporter of OU men's rugby, which dates back to 1972.

Among the items lost in the fateful fire in spring of 2017 was a rugby ball held behind glass at the restaurant. When the new Othello's opened in August, the team presented owner Jennifer Dennis with a new ball to display. Looking forward to getting down to Norman to check out the new Othello's and the new ball.