Hog Heaven
Meat Week is a thing and what a glorious thing it is. For eight days all around the country, America’s pork lovers feed en mass in participating cities at local BBQ joints, licking their chops and taking piggish advantage of specials. Right now we are smack in the middle of Meat Week and in D.C. the pigs are plenty and the trough is deep.
D.C. Meat Week is always the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Jan. 26-Feb. 1 this year. (Photo: Meat Week)
Suey!
Tonight at 7 p.m., Meat Week ambles on over to Pork Barrel BBQ where meaters can try out the sampler, which features a medley of animal protein sure to bring any New Years’ resolution to its knees. For $23.95, meat enthusiasts will enjoy 1/4 pound of pulled pork, 1/4 pound of brisket, burnt ends, a Texas beef sausage link, two spare ribs, cornbread and their choice of two sides.
If you prefer a little competition with your gluttony, then toss your hat into the ring for Pork Barrel BBQ’s “High on the Hog Eating Challenge.” Seven competitors will go bib to bib scarfing down a litany of BBQ classics: a smackin’ daddy oversized sandwich, a six bone slab of spareribs, two beef sausage links, a side of mac and cheese, a side of potato salad, a side of BBQ beans and cornbread. The winner gets a $50 gift card, and anyone to clock in under the respectable 45 minute mark gets a T-shirt. Competition begins at 8 p.m.
Smoke BBQ in Bethesda will carry the torch Thursday night, and dinners can find more of the sampler fare with pulled pork, pulled chicken and brisket, with cornbread, coleslaw and one side for $16.99. For those looking for lighter fare, they have a quarter rack of ribs with cornbread, coleslaw and one side for $12.99!
The main event
Friday night at 6 p.m., the Living Social building at 918 F St. NW will host the 2nd annual D.C. BBQ Food Truck Face-Off. Five of D.C.’s most beloved meat wagons will dish out samplers of their choicest creations with attendees voting for the grand prize winner. For $49, you get in the door and 15 samples at your finger tips with a cool tall boy of PBR in hand. Butchering demos, sauce tasting and knife sharpening instructions can also be had. This year’s participants include BBQ Bus (last year’s grand prize winner!), Carnivore BBQ, Curley’s Q Food Truck and Catering, Hardy’s BBQ and Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co.
The final stop is Mr. P’s Ribs at the corner of 6th and Rhode Island Avenue NW on Saturday at noon. This bus used to be parked at the Foreman Mills parking lot in NE. No word on their specials.
Earlier stops included Urban Bar-B-Que Co. in Rockville on Sunday, Hill County Barbeque Market in D.C. on Monday and DCity Smokehouse in D.C. on Tuesday.
If we have to freeze through the weekend, why not do it with a belly full of pork? Grab your wet wipes and come on!
Richard is a freelance writer who enjoys building a healthy appetite with long runs around the city. When not logging the miles, he can be spotted training the palate at brunches, happy hours and food trucks.
