Fans are ready and the date has been circled on calendars across the region. After months of preparation, the competition gets real on Sunday, Sept. 9. That's the day area restaurants will take to the streets for Meatball Street Brawl III, the third annual rendition of Buffalo's tastiest food competition.

Hosted and organized by Osteria 166, the Italian restaurant that has become one of downtown's most popular dining destinations since opening in 2013, Meatball Street Brawl III will take place on West Mohawk Street between Delaware and Franklin, starting at 11:30 a.m. "Meatball Street Brawl is a Buffalo event through and through," said Nick Pitillo, Osteria 166 owner.