We have been releasing the Big Eat: 100 Things to Taste Before You Die for five years, and each time a new list comes out, a few brave souls actually take on the challenge of consuming every item on the Big Eat...and blog about it. Although few succeed, we still tip our hats to you all and thank you for coming on this culinary journey with us year after year.
Ready to see how some people commit their every meal to the Big Eat? Check out these delicious blogs.
1. The Big Eat
Not only did Kendra Aronson tackle every single dish on the Big Eat 2012, she also drank (and blogged!) her way through the 2012 Big Drink! Kendra published every single day on both blogs, and we are seriously amazed at her dedication and enthusiasm. The only item yet to be consumed? The Gin Fizz Tropical at Heaven's Dog, which is currently under construction. A huge high five to you Kendra!
Number of dishes tackled so far: 100!
Favorite item yet:
When we asked Kendra about her favorite dish, this is how she responded. Needless to say, she is our type of woman:
"My favorite item? Now that's a tricky question because it's impossible to narrow down to just one. So how about if I only had 48 hours to be in San Francisco I would try to eat the following (you think I'm joking, but I am totally serious):
DAY 1, SAVORY
Breakfast = Secret Breakfast @ Humphrey Slocombe, Brunch = Chicken Porridge @ Out the Door
1st Lunch = $24 Prix Fixe @ Cotogna, 2nd Lunch = Porchetta Sandwich @ RoliRoti
Afternoon snack #1 = Rice Burger at Sandbox Bakery, Afternoon snack #2 = Tonkotsu Ramen @ Izakaya Sozai, Afternoon snack #3 = Dry-fried Chicken Wings @ San Tung Chinese, Afternoon snack #4 = Soft Garlic Pretzels @ Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
Pre-dinner snack = Langos @ Bar Tartine, 1st Dinner = Carnitas @ Nopalito, 2nd Dinner = Pork Sugo @ Delfina
DAY 2, SWEET
Breakfast = Kouign Amann @ Fourbarrel Coffee, Brunch = Benwaffles @ Bar Jules
1st Lunch = Katsu Curry @ Muracci's Japanese Curry & Grill, 2nd Lunch = Fried Chicken and Waffles @ Little Skillet
Afternoon dessert #1= Kelvin-made Ice Cream @ Smitten, Afternoon dessert #2 = Cookies-and-cream Cookie @ Anthony's Cookies, Afternoon dessert #3 = Nojo Sundae @ Nojo Restaurant, Afternoon dessert #4 = Coconut Buns @ King's Bakery
Pre-dinner snack = Seafood Chowder @ Bar Crudo, 1st Dinner = Duck and Sausage Jambalaya @ the Boxing Room, 2nd Dinner = Malaysian Curry Laksa Soup @ Betelnut"
Dish she would you nominate for next year:
As expected, she didn't have just one. Here are her 10 suggestions:
"1. Peanut Butter dessert @ Commonwealth, 2. MBC Huevos @ Mission Beach Cafe, 3. Burger with bacon @ Mission Beach Cafe, 4. Burger with bacon @ Monk's Kettle, 5. Tea Leaf Salad @ Burma Superstar, 6. Monger's Choice Cheese Flight @ Mission Cheese, 7. Chicken Tikka Masala @ Naan N' Curry, 8. Pastrami Sandwich @ L&M Market, 9. Valencia Street on Dutch Crunch @ Rhea's Deli, 10. Fried Chicken @ Wayfare Tavern."
Alex and Kristina are relatively new to SF, and to get to know our fabulous city they decided to eat their way through the 2011 Big Eat, reviewing our picks as they go.
Number of dishes tackled so far:50
Favorite item yet:
"The Hamburguesa at Don Pistos. This was a very tough decision that involved much hand wringing, cursing and tears. We were torn between the Tuna tostada from Tacolicious and the Tonkatsu ramen at Izakaya Sozai as well, but the hamburguesa just packs this unique, meaty flavor explosion that we've never encountered before. We're also huge fans of Don Pistos as a whole, so we'd have to go with that."
Dish they would nominate for next year:
"The Tea Leaf Salad at Burma Superstar. This is another dish that stands out for the unique flavor and great texture balance. Excellent example of a dish being greater than the sum of its (many) parts."
Although Seema didn't get through quite as many items from the 2012 Big Eat as she wanted to, her food photos from the past year are spectacular. We can't wait to see what dishes she snaps in 2013!
Number of dishes tackled so far: 65
Favorite item yet:
"Fave item this year is The Rebel Within at Craftsman & Wolves. Last year, it was pretty close between the carnitas at Nopalito and the Kelvin-made ice cream at Smitten."
Dish she would nominate for next year:
"So many things I would add, but here are a few: Grilled cheese at Cowgirl Creamery (Sidekick cafe), a cone of meat from Boccalone, fried chicken and waffles at Zero Zero (brunch weekends), and the seasonal bread pudding at Tartine is amazing."
We're almost as smitten with Grace and Jason's blog's motto, "Stay hungry, stay thirsty, stay foolish, stay happy" as we are with the Google Map of the 2012 Big Eat they made.
Number of dishes tackled so far: 54
Favorite item yet:
"Our favorite item is the Egg Custard Tart from Golden Gate Bakery."
Dish they would nominate for next year:
"If there is one dish we'd recommend for 2014, it would be the Canelé at Boulette's Larder."
Having worked through much of the 2012 Big Eat, Jackie is starting fresh and early on 2013. We're impressed by the thorough reviews and helpful basic information that accompanies each meal's blog post.
Number of dishes tackled so far:2011- 40 dishes, 2012 - 61 dishes, 2013 - 37 so far...
Favorite item yet:
"The Rebel Within from Craftsman & Wolves."
Dish they would nominate for next year:
"RickyBobby's crawfish & Grits."
We love how Vicente combined all the dishes from 2010-12 onto a master list, making it easy to see all the items in one place without repeats. Genius!
Number of dishes tackled so far: 100 over multiple lists
Favorite item yet:
"I'm still in love with the roast chicken at Zuni Cafe."
Dish they would nominate for next year:
"Smoked sturgeon with an 'everything' pancake at State Bird Provisions."
In search of an eating buddy? We just heard that a Big Eat Food Crawl and Scavenger Hunt is scheduled for Feb. 17th in the Mission. Plus, it's free!
And discover the delicious dishes for yourself:
