Foodievents

What to Eat at Eat Real, Starting Friday in Oakland

It's always a good, crowded time.
It’s always a good, crowded time. Photo: Brian Smeets/Grub Street

We already discussed Meatopia, which is part of the kickoff of this year’s Eat Real fest, starting tomorrow in Oakland. But there’s more! So, so much more.

Below, our suggestions of some things to hit. And be forewarned, the crowds will descend, so get there early, grab some grub, and stake out a corner from which to watch it all go by.

Friday: Eat some meat at Meatopia. Tickets cost $50, so we understand if you don’t want to pay. In that case you should check out the Brewers’ Summit at which all of the brewmeisters from these fine breweries will be there to pour tastes, talk on panels, and talk to you about their beer. The panels are at 6 and 8 p.m., and also at 6 p.m. you can check out the pizza-making demo at the community oven. Also, you can be among the first to dig in to the cavalcade of food-truck fare, including a bunch of new vendors like Harley Richter Meats, LickPops, and Saruno Burger.

Saturday: Get there early. Saturday’s crowd will surely be the thickest, so why not drag your ass out of bed and have an early brunch of delicious and cheap truck fare, washed down by beer and cocktails at the Jam Bar. If you can handle the hordes, stick around for BaconMania at 2 p.m., and the annual butchery competition at 4 p.m., which will be emceed by festival founder Anya Fernald. As people get more boozy, you can stick around the music, which will be from Bells starting at 8 p.m.

Sunday: There’s a sausage-making class at 11 a.m. on Sunday which sounds interesting, and also there’s the Milk-Fed Brunch with chef Daniel Patterson, milk-punch cocktails, and fresh suckling meats from Belcampo Meat Co. Also on Sunday at 3 p.m. there’s a presentation on making BBQ sauces and rubs, and a baguette-baking class with Arizmendi at the community oven at 4 p.m. And don’t leave without trying some Youki ramen from renowned S.F. sushi chef Sachio Kojima, who’s recently been working at Hecho but who sounds like he’s preparing to launch his own business again after selling Kabuto A&S; seven years ago.

Have fun! And you may want to exercise a little extra tonight to prepare.

Earlier: Brace for the Coming of Meatopia, September 21
What You Missed at Eat Real 2011 in Jack London Square

What to Eat at Eat Real, Starting Friday in Oakland