Meat Week off to a booming start

Hey, it's Meat Week! I can't think of a more adorable sustenance-based social activity than bbq, can you? Neither can the founders and daring captains of Meat Week, which just started here in Austin. Meaning, it's not too late for you to saddle up.

Salt Lick Bbq, 2008

Meat Week is like an endurance race of bbq. Dinner will simeltaneously be held at bbq restaurants all over the USA and world (see the entire list of participants here). On January 29, Meat Week Austin kicked off with a late lunch at City Market in Luling.

Local chapters are led by captains, who help steer the bbq pilgramages and culinary gatherings of internet-spawned social friendships based on common interests. There is an admiral, too.

After bbq has been had, voting will determine which place had the best sauce or vibe or wins hands down. But, only people who have attended and eaten for four or more nights have the right to vote.

Honors are bestowed on those that come to Meat Week, even if it was just once. You, the fans of meat. The ones that showed up to get down with some bbq. As stated in the Newcomer's Guide:

Meat Week Honors: Awards chosen by the leaders for those who have a special place in this year's Meat Week. These are usually different each year. Years past have included an award for the person who came every night or the one who had to walk the farthest to enjoy meat. Your best Meatographer might also receive an award. These are presented, along with the Best Ofs, on the last night.

Photos are also taken and archived. The MEAT CAM 2000 has been assembled. I would imagine that costumes are not shunned but celebrated (take this advice at your own risk).

Do you want your vote to count for something? Or for best bbq? Show up with an appetite at least four times during Meat Week, eat bbq, then vote. Vote with all your heart, which I hope is perfectly healthy in spite of being such a meat lover.

Here is the schedule for Austin Meat Week.

And my headline refers to this news story in which a guy said a bomb was in a piece of meat. It wasn't. He just said there was.