Eat meat and be merry, Meat Week 2010

Washington DC Meat Week 2010 kicked off Sunday night at Urban Bar-B-Que in Rockville

“Is this a private party?” A smartly clad gentleman asked after rushing into Urban BBQ Sunday night just before closing to pick up his bounty of smoked BBQ. His question was a reaction to the unusually large Sunday evening closing-time crowd gathered at the foodie-famous Rockville BBQ joint. The twenty-some people in attendance were not there for a private party, but for the very public kick off to Meat Week 2010.

View pictures of Washington DC Meat Week kick-off event

Eight days of Meat Week

Sheer serendipity brought founders come Admirals Chris Cantey and Erni Walker to create the protein packed holiday. A random word generator paired the words that would become an eight-day holiday dedicated to daily consumption of barbeque. Two weeks later, the carnage began and so with it, a tradition was born.

From humble roots in Tallahassee, Meat Week has caught on around the nation. Local organizers, Captains (the nautical theme is prevalent; most captains have at least one first-mate) organize meatings at a different local barbeque establishment each night from the last Sunday in January, through the first Sunday in February. There are no specials or promotions tied to the events; the draw is good ole BBQ.

Captain Mike Bober, the Washington DC event organizer, developed the 2010 Washington DC Meat Week Schedule. In efforts to appeal to many and allow most to participate, Metro accessible locations were selected. There are three in Washington DC proper, two in Maryland and two in Northern Virginia. Because 2010 marks the inaugural Meat Week event, Bober and the Meat Week DC crew have declared the second Sunday a free day. On this day, Meatweekers are encouraged to enjoy the Super Bowl with friends, and revel in the memories of meat dancing in their heads.

On the fourth day of Meat Week

Aside from the high-quality cue, the highlight of Washington DC area Meat Week 2010 may well be the humpday event. Former US Senate staffers Heath Hall and Brett Thompson, founders of Pork Barrel BBQ Sauces and Spice Rubs (and Shark Tank celebrities) will host a special “Pork Barrel BBQ” evening at Mango Mike’s on Wednesday in Alexandria. In an exclusive preview, they will offer samples of new recipes from their soon to open Pork Barrel BBQ Restaurant in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The duo will open the restaurant in partnership with “Mango” Mike Anderson of Mango Mikes.

Meat Week 2010, January 31 – February 6, Washington DC Area Locations
Each night's event starts around 7pm (except Saturday, February 6th)

Sunday, January 31
Urban BBQ, 2007 Chapman Avenue, Rockville, MD

Monday, February 1
Rocklands Barbecue, Glover Park, 2418 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC

Tuesday, February 2
Red Hot & Blue, Courthouse, 1600 North Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA

Wednesday, February 3
Pork Barrel BBQ at Mango Mike’s, 4580 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA

Thursday, February 4
Capital Q, 707 H Street, NW, Washington, DC

Friday, February 5
Branded ‘72, 387 East Gude Drive, Rockville, MD

Saturday, February 6 -  3 PM
Mr. P’s Ribs and Fish, 514 Rhode Island Ave, NE (in the Safeway parking lot), Washington, DC