"We really have to step up our game and show them how we play in Texas," says Lance of Lone Star Chuck Wagon. This week the race is in Austin, and Tyler is testing the teams on partnerships. Lone Star has chosen Military Moms as its partner, and the two are hoping to bring in big sales together.
Mismatched on Purpose
"You want to keep your friends close but maybe your enemies closer," Tyler advises the teams. The challenge has created some unusual pairings, with Let There Be Bacon choosing to partner with Middle Feast. "I don't think we'll be stepping on each other's toes," says Matt, taking what Tyler said to heart.
Game-Time Decisions
Coming in the bottom last week has the team of Middle Feast more determined than ever. "We got to start prepping," Hilla tells her team. Tommy agrees but wants to make the most of the $250 seed money and "tweak it up a little bit" to ensure the menu is still authentic, so he wants to make shish kebab.
Hoping Partnering Will Pay Off
Tyler calls with a Speed Bump, moving all the trucks to a Match.com dating event. This partnership could prove to be very fruitful, since the diners have been given tokens worth $25 to use on purchases. "We really need to make money," says Matt, whose team has experienced the same slow sales as the others.
Taking Advantage of the Situation
The team of Beach Cruiser is the first to get to the venue, and Gretta doesn't waste time mingling with the crowds: "We have a young, attractive group," she says. "Let's not even worry about the kitchen." So all three team members end up rallying customers, leaving no one behind in the truck.
Authentic Salesmanship
"My mom is literally in the back whipping up stuff for you guys," Javier tells a patron at the dating event, making sure they know his food is the real deal and he's using free samples to attract business. Other teams have decided to sell combo plates, leaving customers undecided on which team to support.
The Best Bang for Your Buck
Lone Star Chuck Wagon is offering their entire menu for one $25 chip, wanting their customers to know they're getting their money's worth. "We're gonna do the Texas combo for one token," Lance tells a customer. "Everyone else, that would be three chips."
Sharing the Love
After the dating event, some trucks move back to their original spots, but Tommy of Middle Feast manages to secure two spots for his team and Let There Be Bacon at a local gelato festival. "We are so grateful to Middle Feast," says Matt. "So we don't have to compete with anybody but each other."
At the End of Their Hope
Military Moms and Lone Star Chuck Wagon aren't having any luck at their old spots, but they're "holding out hope that more people come and eat some food," says Carol of Military Moms. "We should all get out there and try to rustle up some business," Lone Star's Lance advises. So they do just that.
First Come, First Served?
The following day Middle Feast and Let There Be Bacon head back to the gelato festival to find that Beach Cruiser and Madres Mexican Meals have set up there, even after Tommy secured exclusive rights. But the event organizer smoothes it out, telling them, "True competition is on food. It's not on permissions."
Truck Stop Truck Swap
"We're switching trucks," Javier tells his team after Tyler calls to tell all the competitors that they must swap trucks with their partner and sell their partner's food. "The money you make goes in your cash box," Tyler points out. The team that makes the most sales will get a $500 bonus.
What Goes Around Comes Around
Selling out of the Military Moms' truck, Lance realizes how well the ladies did in Tucson: "They kicked butt, and they're selling peanut butter-and-jelly and grilled-cheese sandwiches at a really high price point." He's impressed, but most of the business ends up going to Lone Star's truck, where the Moms are cooking.
Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
The teams can't wait for the challenge to be over. Luckily, Tyler calls with the good news that not only is the swap over, but they can also end their partnerships. "Even though we don't have to stay as a partnership," says Lance of Lone Star, "we don't have anywhere else to go." So they get back to rallying customers.
Defining Deficits
All the trucks end up finishing out with their partners despite having the option to split. At elimination Tyler awards Let There Be Bacon with the $500 bonus. Madres Mexican Meals and Military Moms end up in the bottom two, and with just a $6 difference the team of Military Moms gets sent home.
Trace the Race in Season 5
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