A Good Egg to dial up Mexican Radio

A Good Egg Dining will introduce its first new concept in nearly two years when it opens Mexican Radio in The Plaza District next year.

The new taco emporium moves into the space left vacant when Empire Slice House moved into its new home down the street in the Plaza District.

Keith Paul, president of A Good Egg Dining, confirmed his group has signed a lease to take over the space and will install its first new concept since Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes. Mexican Radio will serve “tacos and cold drinks,” Paul said.

First, a major renovation of the space is in the offing, Paul said. He suspects Mexican Radio will begin taco transmissions on or about Feb. 1. When it’s complete, Paul said the space will seat about 165.

As for the food, look for tacos starting with breakfast and spanning into the smoker, along with simple drinks.

“We’re gonna have frozen margaritas,” Paul said. “Maybe swirls.”

But don’t look for craft cocktails or fussy foods. Paul said Mexican Radio will play the hits and serve them fast with all the points of service A Good Egg has come to be known for at concepts like Kitchen No. 324, The Drake, Cheever’s Cafe, Republic Gastropub and Iron Star Urban BBQ.

Talk about Tacos ...

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has asked me to host its annual One Taste at a Time party with some Tacos Around Town on Oct. 19 at the Renaissance Waterford Hotel, 6300

Waterford Blvd.

Revolucion, Hacienda Tacos and Naylamp Peruvian Restaurant are among those 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 6165031.

Cha to Chae, hip-hip-hooray!

Daniel Chae has been a pretty busy fellow recently. When he hasn’t been on the campaign trail running for county treasurer, he’s been busy converting his All About Cha space into Chae Cafe and Eatery at 7300 N Western Ave.

In breaking free from the global chain, Chae is combining the coffeehouse experience with the food from the former Chae Modern Korean, which closed earlier this year.

Chae Cafe is offering brunch on the weekends plus homemade desserts like matcha cookies, matcha lava cake and red bean cheesecake in white chocolate bowls. For lunch and dinner daily choose from sandwiches and poke bowls.

And if all that wasn’t enough, Chae and his wife, Shinae, welcomed their first child into the world on the day Chae Cafe went live.

If you’re still looking for the Oxtail soup and Bibimbap from the old menu, I am happy to inform you those two item are now available at Chae’s fast-casual conceptUrbun,

431 NW 23.

Chili weather

Chili-heads have plenty to get excited about this month with a pair of cookoffs this month.

OKC Beautiful Young Professionals will host an adult Fall Harvest Festival on Oct. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Delmar Gardens Food Truck Park, including a community chili cook-off open to corporate or individual entries.

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.

Fall mums will be available for sale, and OKC Harvest student farmers and garden champion teachers will host a farmers market.Tickets include two beer vouchers, chili and access to games and activities. To join the chili cookoff, which yours truly will help judge, or to purchase tickets, go to okcbeautiful.com/newsevents/fall-harvest-fest. No one under 21 years of age is allowed at this event.

Would-be chili champs can use this event as a warmup to VI Marketing and Branding’s annual

Carne Diem event, which is 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.

Festival season

Fall means festival season in Oklahoma, and two of the city’s most popular are now on the radar. St. George Greek Orthodox Church will host its 34th annual Greek Festival this weekend, and St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church will host its annual Food Festival and Bake Sale on Nov. 2 and 3.

The Greek Festival starts Friday at the church, 2101 NW 145. Dining options include Greek-style lamb, meatballs or chicken dinners in the Parthenon Room. Or you can dine on gyros, souvlaki, saganaki, kalamari rings, Greek salad, pastichio and spanikopitas under the tent.

Greek wine will be served, as well as baklava and loukoumades for dessert. The event is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available for $16 in advance online at greekfestokc.com.

Just west of St. George is St. Elijah, 15000 N May Ave., which will host its annual fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. At St. Elijah, you’ll find a preponderance of Lebanese cuisine, but other cultures from the Mediterranean will be present. You’ll find cabbage rolls, baked kibbe, kafta, tabouli, hummus, hashwa and talami in ready supply. Sweets include baklawa (NOT baklava, in this case), mamoul and gvirabi cookies. There is no cost for admission to the St. Elijah event. For more information, go online to stelijahokc.com.