DESSERT NACHOS!
Houston Texans roll out wild new concessions at NRG Stadium
Sep 5, 2017, 7:00 am
The Houston Texans invited the media to NRG Park for their annual “State of the Stadium” address and feeding frenzy of new concession goodies.
Darn the luck, I had to graze and nibble an array of over-the-top football fare, from celebrity chef Chris Shepherd’s fried sausage and cheese kolaches on tater tot casserole to barbecue lord Ronnie Killen’s pulled pork tacos to cowboy cookie Grady Spears’ brunchin’ chicken biscuit to dessert nachos topped with fresh berries and Nutella.
That’s just not fair. I’d eat football cleats if they were covered with Nutella. My favorite new item ... anything Killen handed to me.
Before the Texans rolled out the food carts (they’re no dummies), team president Jamey Rootes discussed and unveiled the new features and improvements — the “Game Day Experience” — waiting for fans this season.
NRG Stadium has undergone $30 million in additions and updates to its concession and retail outlets. Killen will have three times as many food locations as last year, Shepherd six times more. The main gift store in Bud Light Plaza has a new name — Houston Texans Team Shop. There will be a new Chevron Kids Zone for pregame romper fun. A new Tailgate Lane has been installed right next to the stadium.
“If you were any closer, you’d have to wear a helmet,” Rootes said.
I asked Killen, with all of his restaurants’ (barbecue, burgers, steaks, etc.) success in the outside world, why work Sundays at NRG Stadium?
“My relationship with the Houston Texans is very important for one main reason — I love football,” he said. “I’m a huge Texans fan. It’s as simple as that. I want to be a part of this.”
For more about the new menu items, watch this video from our news partners at ABC13.
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Originally appeared on CultureMap.
Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
CAM SMITH COMES THROUGH! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Y6dtPpXF9J
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.
Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.
Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
FULL THROTTLE.
Hunter Brown now leads the MLB in lowest ERA (1.74). #BuiltForFuel pic.twitter.com/nkwT2MpgJQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.
Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!
🧹🧹🧹
After the @Astros completed their sweep of the Phillies, @JuliaMorales visited with Bryan Abreu!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/UeOOSNDKwW
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) June 26, 2025
Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.
Smith’s RBI.
Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.
The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.
The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).