The new year brings good news for BBQ fans! Cathead’s BBQ finds a permanent home in SOMA, just a block away from Rainbow Grocery. Earlier this year, owners Richard Park, Pamela Schafer and Greg Kinyon gained a loyal following at their Mission street pop-up venue The Corner. But that location was shutdown in October, because the space owner didn’t have the proper kitchen operating permits. Prior to that, this catering company roamed the Bay Area, busy with private catering jobs and temporary dinner pop-ups in places like St. Francis Fountain’s Candy Kitchen, Slim’s, and Doctor’s Lounge.

Cathead’s new home is at 1665 Folsom Street, taking over the space of Big Nate’s BBQ. NBA Hall of Famer and Golden Gate Warriors basketball star Nate Thurmond opened that restaurant in 1990, but sold his stake in the business in 2010. The kitchen is well equipped, including two smokers, which will work well for their signature slow smoked Carolina style pulled pork, St. Louis ribs and brisket.

Something that’s unusual for a BBQ place, the owners promise to feature many vegan and vegetarian options in the menu – like their vegan baked beans, Maker’s Mark marinated portobello mushroom, cornmeal crusted BBQ tofu with habanero sauce, BBQ bean burger, and a roasted broccoli and pimento cheese sandwich which is still in development. Assuming there’s no delays during the remodeling phase, they plan to have a soft opening on Wednesday January 4, 2012.

Tentative schedule will be:

Sunday to Monday 11 am – 8 pm, Wednesday to Saturday 11 am – 9 pm.

Closed Tuesdays.

Photo Credit: Cathead’s BBQ – Top: owners Pam and Richard at old venue The Corner. Bottom: remodeling new space.

• Tag: BBQ, Big Nate's BBQ, Cathead's BBQ, Restaurants, SoMa