It's the one day a year when there's no shame in eating spray-cheese on CheezIts as an appetizer (I recommend a young can of bacon cheddar with spicy hot 'zits), three bowls of chili with Fritos as a snack, a bucket of chicken wings, a bowl of clam dip and a whole box of Little Debbies for dessert. And possibly some nachos just to take the edge off at half-time.
Embrace your inner sports-lover and indulge in all the gross, processed, overly salty, horrible stuff we love to hate today.
BiteClub finds the best spots to do it. Plus a few recipes for really delicious stuff you can make yourself.
WHERE TO GO
Barley and Hops: Pub owner Noah Bolmer knows his beers like nobody's busines. His take on beer-drinking this weekend? Do it right or go home.
'Nuff said. Bolmer puts his money where his mouth is with some top Superbowl brews (left) and will set you up proper this weekend. S 3688 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, 707.874.9037."Superbowl is a beer drinking commitment; I'll easily go through a dozen of something, so I recommend something low octane, but full flavored. If you see it on a half-time commercial, STAY AWAY. Would you watch the Super Bowl with... a Lean Cuisine? Perhaps watercress tea sandwiches? Hell no. Then why in the name of (insert favorite deity) would anyone drink LIGHT WATERY BEER? Grab something that will put out the flames of those pounds of hot wings (such as our perfect organic ones), something without a ton of alcohol, so you can drink a dozen, but not something pretending to be a beer."
McNear's Restaurant: Danger Dogs (bacon-wrapped weenies), Super Sliders and Game Day Nachos with belt & brew chili, each $6.95. Beer and drink specials throughout. 12 to 9pm, 23 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma.. FACEBOOK details.
Hopmonk Tavern: Two events on one super Sunday. Uptownish: Fritz Maytag (of Anchor Brewing and York Creek Vineyards fame) hosts a brewer's luncheon at 1pm, $45pp, meals and drinks.
Downtownish: Big screen TV and buffet in the Abbey. Menu includes chili, brats, wings (and a whole lot of other delish artery-clogging goodies). Abbey bar will be open. Post-game ice cream bar. No cover, all ages. 230 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol,707.829.7300
Ausiello's 5th St. Grill: Free appetizer spread and half-time spaghetti dinner. With 17 televisions and a full bar, this is every fan's dream spot. Stretch your legs at the outside patio, where you can eat, drink and let your pasty face get a few rays. Throughout the day, the grill will be fired up, serving the restaurant's regular menu. Don't miss the Lava Love burger, a big beefy hamburger with bacon, Swiss cheese and sweet-spicy BBQ sauce. Beer and wine only. 609 5th St, Santa Rosa, 707.579.9408
John & Zeke's Bar: The friendliest place in Wine Country. 111 Plaza Street, Healdsburg, 707.433.3735.
Third Street Ale Works: Rockin' house brews, $5 pizza and an all-dog menu with various kinds of bratwurst. 610 3rd St., Santa Rosa 707-523-3060
Russian River Brewing Co.: It's no surprise that some of the best beer in Wine Country flows from the taps of SR's own RRBC -- downtown's favorite rumpus room. "North of Malibu" performs free live surf-style music after the Super Bowl. Pizza and regular menu items. 725 4th St., Santa Rosa, 707.545.2337
Beyond the Glory: All manner of batter-dipped and fried delights. Plus, 14, 42-inch plasma screen TV's. Your husband may never come home. 1371 N McDowell Boulevard, Suite 130, Petaluma, 866.377.7389.
Cinema West Movie Theatre, located in Downtown Petaluma, projecting the game on the big screen with free admission, with a $5 snack bar purchase. Seating starts at 2:45 p.m.
Bear Republic Brewery: 72" TV, appetizer specials & raffle prizes, 345 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, 1:30 to 9pm. 707.433.BEER.
WINGS OF GLORY
Jackson's Bar and Oven: NeoClassical Buffalo Wings with Point Reyes Blue Cheese Dip, 135 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, 707-545-6900.
Russian River Pub's Famous Chicken Wings: Super Bucket $22.95, 11829 River Road, Forestville (707) 887-7932.
Original Buffalo Wings; 219 Lakeville Street, Petaluma. Delivery and open throughout the day Sunday.
RECIPES TO TRY AT HOME
Brown Sugar Bacon-wrapped Weenies
Tater Tot Pie
We'll be at the brewer's luncheon with Fritz Maytag today. May head over to the Abbey to watch the game after that. I haven't had Yellow Snow yet, gonna have to try that one out. And Noah's right on, Abita's whole lineup is great! Also, lqtm @ "man up!" :)
I hear the Brasserie at the Hyatt is giving away cash during the game, I bet the beer tastes great with a side of cash...
A dozen over the course of the entire superbowl is only 3 an hour. Man up Brian!
If i'm going to drink a dozen it better be PBR!
Go to Russian River Brewing and drink Pliny. Or else drink Blind Pig if Pliny too much.
The B&B Lounge in Healdsburg is also having a potluck lunch starting at 1PM!