In celebration of the 60th consecutive year of October Beef Month in Alabama, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has unveiled a promotion titled “60 Savory Stops.”
This promotion highlights 60 former restaurant winners and finalists of the Alabama’s Best Steak, Bama’s Best Beef and Bama’s Best Burgers contests, which have been hosted by the ACA for more than a decade. The list includes one Franklin County restaurant and four in the Shoals area.
“To celebrate 60 years of October Beef Month, we decided to look back at our past beef contest winners and finalists,” ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley said. “The 60 Savory Stops promotion is an effort to highlight Alabama restaurants who are serving up great beef dishes and encourage consumers to visit them during Beef Month in Alabama.”
Among the “60 Savory Stops” are Russellville's own Frosty Inn's big cheeseburger, Tuscumbia's Claunch Cafe's roast beef sandwich, Sheffield's George's Steak Pit's ribeye, Muscle Shoals' Mitchell's Smoked Meats' brisket dinner and Tuscumbia's Rattlesnake Saloon's 'The Duke Burger.'
Traditionally, a social media driven contest collects restaurant nominees and puts them head-to-head in a bracket challenge until one is crowned the winner. For more than 10 years, the ACA has hosted these contests in October and, as a result, has established a robust list of fan-favorite beef dishes from across the state of Alabama.
The 60 Savory Stops promotion brings all these previous competitors to the table for a unique spin on the tradition this year. The restaurants?nd their award-winning dishes?an be found on the#0563c1;">Alabama Cattlemen? #0563c1;">Association Facebook pageor at #0563c1;">www.BamaBeef.org/60.
“This promotion covers the state in recommendations,” Beasley said. “From Tuscumbia to Foley and Livingston to Opelika, there are stops where consumers can find a variety of delicious beef meals and excellent restaurant experiences.”
This promotion is just one example of the traditions started in Alabama to celebrate Beef Month. Each year, beginning in 1964, the governor has proclaimed “October is Beef Month in Alabama,” encouraging Alabamians to recognize the impact of the beef industry across the state. A $2.5 billion industry, beef production in Alabama includes over 1.1 million head of cattle across the state and producers in all 67 counties, affecting more than just those living on rural cattle operations.
After the proclamation signing kicks off the month of October, the ACA and its county affiliates activate statewide to promote beef to consumers and share more about their way of life. For example, cattlemen will be present at local events to offer samples and beef education; host steak sandwich sales will be held to fundraise for local charities and programs; and visit local schools to participate in Cowboys in the Classroom (a program which offers beef production education, ag literacy opportunities, and safe livestock interactions for students).
In addition to the 60 Savory Stops promotion, Alabama consumers are encouraged to join cattle producers in these celebrations across the state. Above all, consumers are encouraged to partake in the festivities by enjoying beef as a healthy and delicious part of their October diet.
