NFL Stars Take Over 2 Secret D-FW Food Gems
NFL Hometown Eats: Your Guide to the Dallas-Fort Worth Episode (And How to Watch)
ELI5 Summary: Imagine a food road trip show where a famous actor and a football star drive around a city, eating the most famous local dishes while chatting with legends. That’s NFL Hometown Eats. The first stop? Dallas-Fort Worth, where Eva Longoria and Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware eat BBQ, drink frozen margaritas, and hang out with the team owner.
What Is NFL Hometown Eats?
Think of it as a foodie field trip hosted by celebrities who love football.
- The Concept: Each 23-minute episode pairs a celebrity superfan with a local NFL legend.
- The Mission: Hunt down the best restaurants near the city’s football stadium.
- The Producer: The show is executive produced by actress and Texas native Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives, Flamin’ Hot).
- The Vibe: Casual, hungry, and full of surprising history lessons.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Episode: Stars, Stops & Stories
The Dynamic Duo
| Role | Person | Why They’re There |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Co-Host | Eva Longoria | Texas native, actress, producer, and self-proclaimed food lover. |
| NFL Guide | DeMarcus Ware | Former Cowboys linebacker, Ring of Honor member, and longtime Dallas resident. |
Fun Fact: Ware has been eating at Coppell Deli since his playing days—it’s a locker-room favorite.
The 3 Must-Do Activities in Dallas-Fort Worth (According to the Show)
Follow along like you’re in the passenger seat:
-
Visit "The Star" in Frisco (Cowboys HQ)
- Who they met: Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones (on NFL Draft Day, no less!).
- What they ate: Sandwiches from Coppell Deli.
- Why it matters: This is where the team practices and makes big decisions. Getting a tour with the owner is the ultimate VIP pass.
-
Feast at Hurtado Barbecue (Arlington)
- Location: Right down the street from AT&T Stadium (where the Cowboys play).
- Owner: Brandon Hurtado (also seen on Season 2 of Landman).
- The Hits:
- Smoked & Fried Quail
- Brisket Birria Tacos → Longoria’s verdict: "The best birria I’ve had in my life. It’s so good, I’m gonna cry."
- Sip History at Mariano’s Hacienda
- The Legend: Owner Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine in 1971.
- The Twist: Before the Cowboys started drinking them, people thought frozen margaritas were "a girls’ drink."
- The Quote: "It was the Dallas Cowboys that made it a man’s drink." — Mariano Martinez.
- The Drink: The Mariano — a signature margarita that took Martinez two years to perfect.
Behind the Scenes: What Didn’t Make the Final Cut
Important Callout: The Heart Behind the Margarita
The show captures the laughs and the sips, but Mariano Martinez shared a deeper story with Longoria off-camera:
- He was rejected by 11 banks before the 12th finally said "yes" to financing his restaurant.
- In the early days, Mariano’s was "running on fumes."
- Longoria sat and listened to these stories for a long time—proving the show is about people, not just plates.
The Other Two Episodes: Road Tripping Across the NFL
The debut season features three distinct cities:
| Episode | Celebrity Fan | NFL Player | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eva Longoria | DeMarcus Ware | Dallas-Fort Worth |
| 2 | Joel McHale (Comedian/Community) | Devon Witherspoon (Cornerback) | Seattle |
| 3 | Rebel Wilson (Actress/Pitch Perfect) | Davante Adams (Wide Receiver) | Los Angeles |
How & When to Watch (It’s Free!)
IMPORTANT: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- Release Date: August 24, 2026
- Platform: The Roku Channel
- Cost: $0.00 (No subscription required!)
- Where to find it:
- On your Roku device or Roku Mobile App
- Online at therokuchannel.com
- Amazon Fire TV
- Samsung TVs
- Google TV & Android TV OS devices
Just search "NFL Hometown Eats" and hit play. No credit card, no login headaches.
Quick Summary
- Show: NFL Hometown Eats (Executive Produced by Eva Longoria).
- Premiere: August 24, 2026 on The Roku Channel (Free).
- Dallas Episode Stars: Eva Longoria & DeMarcus Ware.
- The "Holy Trinity" of Dallas Eats on the Show:
- Cowboys HQ (The Star) + Coppell Deli + Jerry Jones.
- Hurtado Barbecue (Brisket Birria Tacos near the stadium).
- Mariano’s Hacienda (Birthplace of the frozen margarita machine + The Mariano drink).
- Other Episodes: Seattle (Joel McHale) & Los Angeles (Rebel Wilson).
- Watch Free: Roku Channel, Fire TV, Samsung, Google/Android TV, or web.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Do I need a Roku device to watch?
Nope! You can watch on the website (therokuchannel.com), the Roku mobile app, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, or Google/Android TVs. No hardware purchase necessary.
2. Is it really free? Are there ads?
Yes, 100% free. It is "ad-supported," meaning you’ll see commercials (like regular TV), but you never pay a subscription fee.
3. Who is DeMarcus Ware?
He is a Cowboys legend. He played outside linebacker for Dallas (2005–2013), is the franchise’s all-time sack leader, and was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2023. He knows Dallas food because he lived it for nearly a decade.
4. Did Mariano Martinez really invent the frozen margarita machine?
Yes. In 1971, he repurposed a soft-serve ice cream machine to make frozen margaritas consistently fast. It changed the restaurant industry forever. The original machine is actually in the Smithsonian Museum.
5. How long are the episodes?
Each episode is approximately 23 minutes—short enough to watch while you wait for your own takeout order!
Final Thought: NFL Hometown Eats isn’t just about food; it’s about the stories that flavor a city. Whether you’re a Cowboys die-hard, a margarita enthusiast, or just someone who likes watching famous people eat delicious things, the Dallas episode serves up a perfect bite of Texas culture. Grab a snack and tune in August 24th!