My buddy Loafy at the Houston Zoo!

The Loaf Love Tour is in Houston! What better to celebrate than treating all the Houston Zoo goers to some all natural Tillamook Cheese on Earth Day?

The zoo was buzzing with excitement from the get go. There was a little bit of everything going on. From the hundreds of people doing the “Walk With Me” 5k family fun walk, to all the kids running around trying to complete their Tillamook Cheese scavenger hunt bingo; I bet that even the animals could sense this was not your ordinary day at the zoo!

Not only was this an unusual day for the zoo, this was a special day for me too! I got the privilege of being Loafy’s handler. That means I was able to not only spend some quality time with everyone’s favorite loaf of Medium Cheddar Cheese, but I was also able to explore the amazing Houston Zoo. Loafy and I had some great moments, but I’d have to say our favorite was seeing Jonathan the lion! After seeing Jonathan’s big teeth, Loafy was hoping that lions didn’t like Tillamook Cheese as much as everyone else at the Zoo did!

After giving out more 9,000 samples of Tillamook Cheese, thousands of smile sticks, and countless coupon booklets, I’d have to say the kick off to our stay here in Houston was a total success. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see us! I’m excited to find out what else Houston has in store for the Loaf Love Tour.

- CheddarCoy

Samples, samples and more samples!

By Coy

To celebrate some of the best burgers in Houston, the Loaf Love Tour has partnered with five local restaurants for Tillamook Burger Week.  During Burger Week, which runs from April 28 – May 5, each spot will offer a unique burger special featuring Tillamook Cheese.

Participating Restaurants:

Little Bigs
Award winning Chef Bryan Caswell and Bill Floyd, owners of Little Bigs, are taking their famous food and adding some Tillamook.  Little Bigs made Bon Appetit’s List of Top 10 Best New Burger Spots in the US.  Who could pass this up?  The Hanging Slider – a Yeast bun, Tillamook Medium Cheddar and Caramelized Onion perfection. ($2.50)

BRC Gastropub
You know BRC for fine all American food from Chef Lance Fegen and of course that Big Red Rooster, but during Burger Week you will know it for their Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Chili Dog Burger – with Sweet Jalapenos, Pickled Onions and Iceberg lettuce this is one burger you won’t soon forget. ($13) Before the burger don’t miss the Tillamook Pepper Jack Pimento Cheese appetizer served with Warm Tortilla Strips. ($9)

The Burger Guys
These guys aren’t called The Burger Guys for nothing. They are serious about burgers and seriously know how to make them delicious. They got creative so come hungry for their Tillamook Betty – 1/2 lb. Akaushi beef with Cinnamon Nutmeg Aioli, Bread and Butter Pickled Braeburn Apples, Arugula, and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar served on a Challah bun. ($10)

Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Chef Lance Fegen’s new venture is making a splash with top-notch comfort food.  You won’t be able to resist their Burger Week Special – The Rodeo Clown Reuben – a drool-worthy combination of Brisket, Chicken Fried Steak, Hot Dog, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, Tillamook Pepper Jack, Sweet Jalapenos, Malt Slaw, Tomato, Pickles, 1000 Island and Chile con Queso on Pumpernickel.  ($18)  Hungry for more? Try the Maryland Blue Crab & Tillamook Pepper Jack Pimento Cheese Dip with Warm Tortilla Strips. ($12)

Beaver’s
They had us at cornmeal fried jalapenos… This popular gastropub meets Texas ice house serves up some “dam good” food.  Go for a great time, fun drinks and an epic burger.  Beaver’s presents the Tillamook Ice House Burger – made with Tillamook Pepper Jack Cheese, Beer Battered Pickled Onion Rings and Cornmeal Fried Jalapenos, topped with Beaver’s house-made BBQ sauce, served on locally made TX Toast. ($13)

Tillamook’s Loaf Love Tour is the third annual cross-country event dedicated to “bringing tasty cheese to the people”. To see the tour’s full & detailed schedule of stops, please visit www.LoafLoveTour.com.

Photo courtesy of BRC Gastropub

By Loafy

Enjoy the Loaf Love Tour at the Houston Zoo with the whole family!

The Loaf Love Tour continues to roll through the great state of Texas! Our next stop is Houston, and we’re celebrating at the Houston Zoo on Saturday, April 21! Stop by to see us between 9am and 7pm to enjoy yummy cheese samples, play games and get Tillamook goodies!

Starting at 9am the first 100 people dressed in Tillamook orange will receive free entry to the zoo! Anyone after the first 100 will save $1 off zoo admission. Keep your eyes peeled for yours truly, Loafy! I will be roaming the zoo throughout the day to join in the cheesiness! The Zoo will also be celebrating Earth Day, so expect even more fun!

Our Loaf Love team will be sampling our yummy natural cheeses and handing out Tillamook Cheese coupons and yummy recipes for your family! You can also play zoo bingo and win an extra special prize – just bring your completed bingo card to the Tillamook sampling station!

See you at the Houston Zoo on Saturday, April 21!

By Loafy