When the owner of Buns Over Texas got a call from the Orange Bowl, he asked which of his friends was pranking him. But it was no joke. The family restaurant of 33 years really has been asked to represent Lubbock and Texas Tech in the 2026 Burger Battle.
“I got a call, and they said there’s a guy from the Orange Bowl that wants to talk to me about cooking hamburgers,” said Mark Hutchens, owner of Buns Over Texas at 3402 73rd St. “I started talking to a guy, and I’m thinking, ‘which one of my friends is pulling a joke on me?'”
A follow-up email made the moment real, and within hours of that phone call, Mark Hutchens said “I’m in.”
On Jan. 1, 2026, Buns Over Texas will compete at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida during the Capital One Orange Bowl Fan Fest.
This invitation means even more to the family, as Mark Hutchens was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer in 2023 and started chemotherapy.
“Last year was pretty tough for me,” Mark said. “There were times I couldn’t leave the house. It’s been a roller coaster, but I feel pretty good now. So, we’re really excited that I can even go to the Orange Bowl this year, because this time last year, there’s no way I could have.”
During that time, both Mark and his son, David Hutchens, said the Buns Over Texas staff stepped up.
“Everybody else treated this restaurant like it was theirs,” David said. “Everybody really pulled together and it was a huge blessing for us.”
What is Buns Over Texas?
Mark Hutchens went to Texas Tech for accounting and worked as a CPA, but wanted to return to the family business – restaurants. His father and uncles owned multiple restaurants across Lubbock, Pampa and Amarillo.
In 1992, the Hutchens family bought the restaurant, formerly Southern Sea, at 3402 73rd St. Three months later, Buns Over Texas officially opened on Aug. 3, 1992. It had a rocky start, only having about 10 customers on opening day.
“It went like that for a while, we struggled,” Mark Hutchens said. “Two years later, we put out coupons in the A-J, and then it kind of built on itself.”
After 33 years, Buns Over Texas has become known for consistency, in-house ranch dressing, and freshly ground hamburgers daily.
“I think the goal is, if someone comes in, you want them to know the exact experience they’re going to get,” David Hutchens said. “I think this place is really unique, because it is a community place.“
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What is the 2026 Orange Bowl Burger Battle?
This battle is part of the Capital One Orange Bowl Fan Fest, the tailgate for the college football playoff game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. The battle, presented by Camp Chef, is between a Miami chef, and one chef each from the cities participating in the bowl game.
For 2026, that is Texas Tech’s Red Raiders and the winner of Oregon vs. James Madison, which will be decided on Dec. 20. Buns Over Texas’ Mark Hutchens will represent Lubbock and Texas Tech.
“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often, so we’re going to live it up to the max,” Mark Hutchens said. “I want to win. I want to be a good representation of this part of West Texas and Texas Tech. I’m not going to let them down.”
In this showdown before the big game, the chefs will cook up to 15 burgers that will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The Burger Battle will have a winner announced prior to kickoff.
When is the Orange Bowl and Fan Fest?
Fan Fest begins at 7 a.m. CST Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, and is free for anyone with a ticket to the game. The Orange Bowl kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CST.
Buns Over Texas will spend the next two weeks testing out recipes for the battle while continuing to serve customers. Mark Hutchens said merchandise is in the works, and invites fellow Tech fans to cheer them on during the battle.
“I hope there’s a good, strong contingent of Tech people there to support,” Mark Hutchens said. “Wear your Tech gear and cheer us on.”
In the meantime, fans can follow the restaurant at bunsovertexaslbk.com, Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Alana Edgin writes about business for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip? Contact her via email at aedgin@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Buns Over Texas to represent Texas Tech at Orange Bowl
Reporting by Alana Edgin, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
