Attempts to lure the makers of Sriracha to Texas aren’t going unnoticed – although this latest round of attention may not be what the popular hot sauce is after.
Yesterday, a bipartisan group of Texas politicians, business people and agricultural representatives visited Huy Fong Foods in Irwindale, California – the company that makes Sriracha sauce.
The company is staying in California for now, despite complaints from neighbors. But it may open a second plant in the Lone Star State.
State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas – a member of the so-called "Sriracha delegation' – tells KUT an expansion to Texas could eventually lead to something more.
“Come, stay, build a plant, expand the business into this region of the country," Rep. Villalba urges Huy Fong Foods. "And then, after a period of time, [they would] quickly realize that Texas is a superior state to conduct business." Villalba says such a move could ultimately lead to a full relocation.
Huy Fong Foods has been at odds with the city council in Irwindale, California over the spicy smells emitted from the plant. That, and Texas's controversial policy of enticing businesses from other states are lampooned in this video from the animators at TomoNews, the Taiwanese tabloid famous for its crude depictions of current events.
http://youtu.be/eN-JyffqkAg
This video's no different, as an avatar of Gov. Rick Perry melts California Gov. Jerry Brown with a douse of the red sauce, the entire Sriracha delegation meets their doom at the Huy Fong plant, and Texans and Californians alike burst into gobs of condiment.
The video takes some equally unsubtle digs at Texas job poaching, asking "Maybe Huy Fong Foods can catch a ride with Toyota?"
