“Food is Love” was started to highlight local food and beverage (f&b) establishments that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. We try to highlight the mom-and-pop places that could really use some extra love from the Houston community. We always welcome suggestions for places we should spotlight next; click HERE to e-mail us!
While our budgets and waistlines prohibit us from eating out daily, we still want to do our part to support our f&b community in a meaningful way--especially during this difficult time. We were inspired by Southern Smoke’s slogan to “take care of our own,” so we created a "Food is Love" initiative: the idea is to sell food and merchandise via pop-ups (click here to read more about our tamago sando throwdown and “burger kolache” offering at “A Night Market”), and then use the proceeds to purchase staff meals for f&b workers from local restaurants who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
Our ethos is to use the funds to support local f&b establishments and hardworking f&b workers in any small way that we can.
We are happy to report that we raised enough funds through the throwdown to fund the following staff meal swaps through "Food is Love":
3/2/2021: We used funds to purchase staff meals from Cafe TH and delivered them to the staff at Blacksmith. Read more here.
3/4/2021: We used funds to purchase staff meals from IBUN Bakery and delivered them to the staff at Feges BBQ. Read more here.
3/2/2021 and 3/4/2021: In return, we used funds to purchase staff meals from Click Virtual Food Hall to be delivered to the staff of Cafe TH and IBUN Bakery.
We raised a bit more money through t-shirt sales and more contributions—huzzah!
3/19/2021: We used funds to purchase staff meals from Lit Chicken HTX for the staff at Grand Prize Bar. Read more here.
3/19/2021: We used funds to purchase staff meals from Papalo for the staff at UB Preserv. Read more here.
3/19/2021: In return, we used funds to purchase burger-chan burgers and tots from Click Virtual Food Hall to be delivered to the staff of Lit Chicken HTX and Papalo.
3/19/2021: We also received a generous contribution of ice cream from milk + sugar. We delivered the sweet treats to the staff at 11 Below Brewing. Read more here.
3/21/2021: Craft Creamery also contributed enough ice cream to donate to the entire staff at The Toasted Coconut. Papalo piggybacked on the contribution and donated cacao chip cookies as well! Read more here.
4/3/2021: We used funds to purchase staff meals from Chef Evelyn Garcia of KIN HTX for the farmers and ranchers at Urban Harvest Farmers Market. Read more here.
4/6/2021: Feges BBQ contributed bbq sandwiches and sides for the staff at Ramen Tatsu-ya. Read more here.
4/26/2021: We used funds to purchase staff meals from Chef Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & co. for the staff at milk + sugar and The Bake Happening as a thanks for donating sweet treats! Read more here.
On Saturday, 5/15/2021, burger-chan collaborated with Kolache Shoppe to sell “burger kolaches” at the “A Night Market” event hosted by Underground Creamery and Tatemó. All tips and proceeds will go toward funding more “Food is Love” staff meal swaps!
5/25/2021: We used funds to purchase staff meals from Dumpling Haus for the staff at Southern Smoke Foundation. Read more here.
5/27/2021: We used funds to purchase kolaches from Kolache Shoppe for the staff at Brasil and Black Hole Coffee House. Read more here.
6/3/2021: We used funds to purchase kolaches from Kolache Shoppe for the staff at Tenfold Coffee and Magnol French Baking. Read more here.
6/7/2021: We used funds to purchase milk teas and fresh-brewed teas from Carlos Herrera for the staff at Kata Robata. Read more here.
6/11/2021: Christina Au contributed banana cream poptarts for the staff at Kickin’ Kombucha, Street to Kitchen, Baileson Brewing Co., Johnny’s Gold Brick, Nobie’s, and Henderson & Kane. Read more here.
6/20/2021: We purchased banh mi from Don Cafe for the staff and vendors at Tenfold Coffee’s one-year anniversary party (Christina Au, Khói Barbecue, Calenda’s Pizza, KIN HTX, and Tatemó). Read more here.
7/1/2021: Stefanie Velasquez of Papalo Mercado/Tlahuac contributed miniature pan (blue corn conchas, horchata berlinesas, and scallion cheddar scones) for the staff at Koffeteria, Monkey's Tail, EQ Heights, Squable, and Chef Fernanda--the executive chef at Homestead. Read more here.
8/17/2021: Gabriel Medina of Click Virtual Food Hall contributed burger-chan burgers and tots for the staff at Night Shift, a newly-opened bar in the East End.
8/18/2021 Update: As burger-chan 2.0 is gearing up to open soon, we are winding down our “Food is Love” deliveries. The initiative still lives on in our hearts—and we may still do little things here or there—but we will put a pause on events to focus on the restaurant.
11/10/2021 Update: Started pre-sale of our new long-sleeve shirt. During the holiday season, we plan to purchase special holiday items--such as pies and gift cards--from local f&b joints and distribute them to f&b workers.
12/1/2021: Michael Fulmer won the Bodyworks by Julie 1-hour sports massage giveaway. Read more about the giveaway here.
9/1/2022: For the month of September, Kolache Shoppe will be selling burger-chan burger kolaches (Thursdays through Saturdays at their Greenway Plaza location, and Fridays through Sunday at their Heights location) and donating 10% of sales to Food is Love!
Wear it proudly.
100% of proceeds will go toward "Food is Love" initiative.
Screenprinted by APDAT Print Co., an awesome local HTX print shop. Artwork by Chef Willet Feng.
Fabric: 50/50 combed ring spun cotton/poly.
District DT6200 heathered charcoal long sleeve featuring slightly slimmer body.
Pre-order until Wed., 11/17. Shirts will be shipped out around mid-December; shipping included.
SOLD OUT.
