Calling all carnivores. Roll up your sleeves, throw on a bib and prepare for your own version of the Super Bowl. It's time for San Francisco's own Meat Week.
This annual celebration of meat, which kicked off Sunday, honors all things smoked, grilled and fried. Hungry patrons are invited to gather for finger-licking fun in some of the Bay Area's best meat joints.
There are no official rules to Meat Week, according to the event's web site. Organizers, referred to as "captains," schedule a culinary bar crawl. At the end of the week, participants select winners in various categories like "best sauce," "best sides" and "best all around." All are welcome to attend (yes, even vegetarians).
Meat Week began in Florida in 2005. Since then, it has expanded to 25 other U.S. cities.
The San Francisco tour de tenderloin kicks off at 2012's reigning barbecue champion: Cat Head's BBQ. The event culminates in a celebration on Super Bowl Sunday near Alamo Square.
Check out the full event lineup below:
San Francisco Meat Week
CatHead's BBQ(01 of08)
This SoMa establishment serves up barbecue with a French twist. Owners Richard Park and Pamela Schafer grew up in Michigan and Tennessee. The menu is filled with their homestate flavors. Dive into the Coca-Cola smoked brisket along with a cathead biscuit. The side dish earned its name for being the size of a cat's head. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="20" data-vars-position-in-unit="23">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60886372@N00/7429483622" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="jfingas" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60886372@N00/7429483622" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="21" data-vars-position-in-unit="24">jfingas</a>)
Everett & Jones(02 of08)
This Oakland-based business has been family-owned and operated since 1973. Dorothy Everett opened the restaurant to care for her nine children. The family has received buzz for their barbecue sauce, which has been described as "almost fruity and very smokey, with a persistent perspiration factor." (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="17" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34704744@N00/536493555" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Slippy Slappy" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34704744@N00/536493555" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="18" data-vars-position-in-unit="21">Slippy Slappy</a>)
Memphis Minnie's(03 of08)
This southern-style barbecue joint appreciates the value of a slow smoking. Meats are smoked for as long as 18 hours. While carnivores are biting into a slow-smoked beef brisket, vegetarians can dive into fried cheese grit sticks or sweet potato pie. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="14" data-vars-position-in-unit="17">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7927684@N03/8205671691" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="jeffreyw" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7927684@N03/8205671691" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="18">jeffreyw</a>)
Baby Blues BBQ(04 of08)
This Mission street joint boasts a "hybrid" style of BBQ. The menu merges Memphis-style cooking with New Orleans sauces and North Carolina flavors. Order the Baby Blue Bayou to taste the different regional influences. (credit:Facebook)
Cedar Hill Kitchen & Smokehouse(05 of08)
This restaurant combines southern cooking with locally sourced, San Francisco ingredients. Executive chef and co-owner Jon Rietz is a Texas native. Take a bite of his upbringing with dishes like the Texas Frito pie. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/74105777@N00/5528740720" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="adactio" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/74105777@N00/5528740720" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="11" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">adactio</a>)
Southpaw BBQ(06 of08)
In addition to Southern BBQ, this Mission Street barbecue joint offers a well stocked bar. If you dare, order from their extensive whiskey menu. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93353606@N00/8336789178" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="mattwunderle" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93353606@N00/8336789178" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">mattwunderle</a>)
Gorilla Barbeque(07 of08)
This Pacifica shack was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Southern barbecue is served out of an orange train car. Try the Texas style brisket or the Gold Fish-crusted macaroni and cheese. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="7">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90963682@N05/8417723883" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="RealVirginian" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90963682@N05/8417723883" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">RealVirginian</a>)
City Smokehouse(08 of08)
Meat week will come to a close with a Super Bowl event near Alamo Square catered by City Smokehouse. These caterers cover all of the barbecue basics and even serve vegetarian loaf for the non-meat eaters. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="4">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43393877@N05/7947795450" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Dennis Vu Photography for Unleashed Media" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be36f62e4b0b83d9e858d7c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43393877@N05/7947795450" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">Dennis Vu Photography for Unleashed Media</a>)
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