BBQ Critic Features

The Grill Works rib class attracts passionate lovers of BBQ (2022)

4/24/2022

This is THE place to go for all your BBQ needs in the Cedar Rapids and Marion area.

MARION, IA (BBQCRITIC.COM) The Rib Class at The Grill Works in Marion, IA attracted a large crowd of BBQ lovers eager to learn how to cook ribs.

A large crowd of The Grill Works customers gather to learn how to cook ribs.

Cedar Rapids-based BBQ competition team, BAMBQ, did a fantastic job teaching the 3-2-1 method for smokin' up pork ribs. The recipe is available at The Grill Works website.

An impressive demonstration by Bryan Meyer and Michael Givens brought on a Q&A from inquisitive BBQ lovers attending. The final product was very tasty. Folks will now have some knowledge to take home and put to practice.

The Grill Works owners Brian Gilliatt (right) and wife Lisa (left) join Bryan Meyer (center) during the rib class.

Michael Givens (right) answering questions from the class.

Michael Givens (left) and Bryan Meyer (right) sampling their smoked ribs.

Samples were given out to the class to taste. BAMBQ's 3-2-1 ribs tasted great!

While at The Grill Works, I bought a rub I never tried called Cimarron Doc's Sweet Rib Rub & Bar-B-Que Seasoning, and a bottle of Galena Canning Co. Hickory Apple BBQ Sauce. I love an apple BBQ sauce! Will be testing both soon.

A large selection of rubs and sauces to spice up your grilling and smoking needs.

Customer shopping around inside The Grill Works

I own a GMG Trek Prime like this one. I bought it at The Grill Works.

When I visit The Grill Works, I have to always buy something. I just cannot leave empty handed.

It was nice getting together with friends at The Grill Works. More classes forthcoming, so be sure to like the store's Facebook page to stay alerted. If you live a distance away, you can shop online at https://shopthegrillworks.com/

BBQ season is here. Time to roll out your grill and smoker and get to it!
.
Herb
BBQ CRITIC

Christmas 1974

12/25/2021

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Every now and then the Ghost of Christmas past haunts me. Especially this year.

My mother and sister (who both have gone on to be with the Lord years ago) loved to decorate and bring on the Christmas spirit. This particular Christmas day in 1974, my mother, sister and I lived in an upper apartment in Cedar Rapids. Gazing at our balcony from outside you would see a stuffed Santa Claus my sister made. I snapped a photo of her goofing around and posing with him outside. Oh what fun! She was an absolute blast.

We opened gifts that morning and boy was I excited. One of my presents was Rock Em Sock Em Robots (which I still have to this day). My sister and I had a riot playing with this toy, trying to knock each other's head off. Better than the real thing right? 😊

Me at 10 years-old excited to open my present!

My sister, Doris, and I fighting robot style!

My mother and sister both had an amazing sense of humor, always wrapped up with love. I remember my mother really put a lot of love and effort in holiday celebrations. My sister and I were so very fortunate.

The food was always amazing. Get my mom and sister in kitchen and they performed magic that must have come from the North Pole. Always a wonderful feast.

My Mother, Lois, opening presents with us Christmas 1974

Today when I gaze back at the past, I realize it was not robots or a stuffed Santa or North Pole that made Christmas magical. It was simply being with family, a blessing God gave me especially as a young child. My holiday memories as a little boy, I will always cherish.

You never know when God will call your loved ones home. Enjoy celebrating with your family while you can.

Merry Christmas to you all, and May God Bless EVERYONE! 🙏❤️

-- BBQ CRITIC

ROMANS 12:10 - "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."

Amen! 🙏

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Dave Compton the most universally loved person in BBQ

10/19/2021

It's been almost one year (December 19th, 2020) since my friend Dave Compton passed his earthly test and graduated to Heaven. I feel blessed to have known him, and Dave's contribution to barbeque is a wonderful story to tell.

In March of 2008, I became a Certified Barbeque Judge (CBJ) with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). Later in July, I rolled in to Waterloo, Iowa to judge my first competition at the BBQ'Loo and Blues, Too! It was at this contest when I first met fellow BBQ judge Dave Compton, who literally became my Ambassador to competition barbeque.

Dave's hospitality and his eagerness to help me out as a BBQ judge made me feel at home immediately. The more we talked about BBQ and judging, the more informed I became and the more comfortable I felt about the whole process. Dave provided a warm welcome to the sport.

BBQ'Loo was located in Lincoln Park, a little town square in downtown Waterloo. BBQ teams lined up on all four sides. It was here that Dave's hospitality shined when he gave me the grand tour. We walked the square and he introduced me to each and every BBQ team. This would be the start of a life-long friendship. It was clear, even at this early juncture, that Dave was admired by all.

Plowboys BBQ Pitmaster, Todd Michael Johns, said in a recent social media post that Dave Compton was "the most universally loved person in BBQ." Todd nailed it.

I always looked forward to seeing Dave and his wife, Erma at contests (he loved her like no other and she passed prior to Dave). Dave Compton was a jovial character with a quick wit and his love for people (and BBQ) was evident in his demeanor. You could not help but have a good time when Dave Compton was around. On Fridays, the day before competition, he would walk from team to team pulling a wheeled cooler filled with beer and smoked cheese, always willing to share. He smoked his own cheeses and brought blocks of it to competitions for judges and cooks to enjoy. When I arrived at a BBQ contest, the first thing I looked for was Dave and his smoked cheese. So delicious!

I remember one time I walked up to Dave, as he was slicing into a block of cheese, and I asked, "Are you done cutt'n the cheese yet, Dave?" He replied, "In more ways than one, Herbie. Straight outta Compton!" - and his deep hearty laugh would follow.

I loved those baggies of smoked cheese.

This cheese was so delicious and came in many verities and flavors. YUM!

Dave Compton cutt'n the cheese!

In 2015 Dave invited me to cook with him at the Sam's Club BBQ contest in Des Moines, IA. What a blast! We did not win, but Dave got 2nd Place in Ribs competing amongst all these pros. Nothing like watching a BBQ judge rise to the top in a pro contest at awards time. What a memory. I remember clearly when it came down to the wire and it was Dave Compton and Ryan Newstrom (Big T's Que Cru) waiting for the final call on ribs. Ryan was rooting for Dave to win and it is this comradery in the sport of BBQ that I love.

Dave was a big fan of Frostbuster, a small contest in Colo, Iowa hosted by Smokehouse 72 BBQ team. We both enjoyed attending this event because it would allow judges to discuss their scores eye-to-eye with cooks. A learning experience for all, and no one left with a bloody nose. I judged BBQ with Dave at a lot of contests and it was always a joy to share a table with him.

I would often cook with Bubba & Sabrina Knapp (Bubba-Q's) on the competition circuit and Dave would stop by after judging and say hi - especially when Sabrina had her hamballs on hand. He loved those hamballs! Dave and I met at Bubba-Q's restaurant in Ottumwa, Iowa a few times for lunch and dinner. He loved that place. We enjoyed meeting at various BBQ joints when time permitted to catch up on life and talk Q.

Dave Compton and Robert "Bubba" Knapp hanging out at a BBQ contest. We always enjoyed Dave's company.

Sabrina Knapp's Hamballs. Dave Compton loved this! In fact, everyone did. This was potluck paradise!

Robert "Bubba" Knapp with Buzz Dean and Dave Compton at a potluck in Boone, Iowa.

We visited Darren and Sherry Warth's Smokey D's in Des Moines, IA. Dave ordered a huge plate stacked with fries and all kinds of toppings. I don't know how the heck he finished eating all of it, but he did. Another time we met at Shad and Angie Kurton's Kue'd Smokehouse in Waukee, IA and it was there he first introduced me to his brother, Bo Compton. That was a special day, indeed. I took a photo of Dave gnawing on some really big beef ribs. He used it as his FB profile pic and I see the Iowa BBQ Society has adopted it on their website. That photo embodies Dave's love for BBQ.

Dave gnawing on a big beef rib at Kue'd Smokehouse in Waukee, Iowa.

Herb Kane, Bo Compton and Dave Compton at Kue'd

Dave devoured this plate of food at Smokey D's in Des Moines. Wow!

Watch Dave Make Smoked Cheese!

One of my best friends from high school, Mike Hall, trained with me to become a CBJ. I introduced him to Dave and Dave took immediate interest in Mike's finger tattoos. Under each knuckle is a letter. When Mike holds his fists together it reads, "HARD CASE" (a line taken from his favorite movie Cool Hand Luke). Dave loved it and from that point on always referred to Mike as "Mikey Knuckles." Hilarious!

Mikey Knuckles, knuckles.

Dave Compton and Mike Hall having a fun conversation at a BBQ contest.

Mike Hall, Mike Green and Dave Compton in the judge tent.

Mike Hall and I at a contest preparing to judge BBQ

Dave was not always about fun and games. He took BBQ competitions very serious. I recognized this and in 2011 I invited him to write a blog on my BBQ Critic site. Dave accepted. If you get time, browse through Dave's writings. His humor and wisdom is evident.

Dave had a penchant for uniting judges and cooks at Friday potlucks, a common theme in his blogs. He wanted everyone to get along and have fun in this sport. Dave (user name Rookie48 and also known as Judge #6) wrote about his favorite online community called The BBQ Brethren. By the end of 2011, Dave announced his run for the KCBS Board of Directors and he won. He served on committees for philanthropy, and the Rules Committee.

In 2013, Dave Compton and I conducted a KCBS Certified BBQ Judges Roundtable Discussion at the Iowa Barbeque Society banquet. We displayed the BBQ Critic website on a large projection screen and discussed BBQ boxes involving a myriad of topics. It was a fun time. Cherished memories.

Dave Compton, Ed Hartman and Herb Kane at the Iowa Barbeque Society Banquet

Preparing the projection screen for the Certified BBQ Judges Roundtable Discussion

Herb Kane and Dave Compton answering question during the displaying BBQ boxes online.

Yes, Dave Compton was universally loved by all in the BBQ community because of his fun nature, his willingness to help others and his contributions to the sport serving in multiple capacities including cook, judge and a KCBS board member. We see others express their love toward Dave during high points in his BBQ journey.

When Dave judged his 30th contest April 3, 2010 (a qualifier to become a Master BBQ Judge), he was given a special plaque from Smokin' On Big Creek BBQ competition (Pleasant Hill, MO). My favorite is when Dave judged his 100th contest at the Kiwanis BBQ Contest (Nevada, Iowa) August 24th, 2013. My good friends Francis and Christine Dutton (Smokin Bonz BBQ) gave Dave a special wood plaque congratulating him on his achievement.

Francis and Christine Dutton (Smokin' Bonz BBQ) present Dave Compton with plaque celebrating his 100th contest judged.

The Iowa Barbeque Society added The Dave Compton Award which will be awarded to a BBQ judge each year "who embodies Dave's love for judging BBQ." There are a few judges that come to mind worthy of this first award. Mike Green (he was with Dave until the end), Nancy Goldsmith (helped Dave immensley!) and Dave's BBQ pal John Parks. I can only nominate one, unfortunately. I made my decision based on what Dave wrote in his BBQ Critic blog.

Dave pointed out, "I started this journey when a buddy of mine by the name of John Parks (Q'n for Fun BBQ Team), who was a Master CBJ even way back then, invited me to a comp that he was cooking in State Center, Iowa....After I had helped (?) out at 2 or 3 comps I took the CBJ class at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa that was taught by Mike & Theresa Lake."

Dave Compton and his BBQ buddy John Parks who introduced Dave to competition BBQ

If it had not been for John Parks, we may never have known Dave Compton. Thank you, John, for bringing Dave Compton into our BBQ community. So I nominate John Parks for introducing us to Dave Compton and for his long dedication as a KCBS BBQ Judge. If you have not nominated a judge yet, please do so at the link below and please consider John Parks, Mike Green or Nancy Goldsmith. I wish I could vote for all three, but I cannot.

THE DAVE COMPTON AWARD
Click Here

A Celebration Of Life was held for Dave January 3, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. Kue'd Smokehouse catered the event with awesome food. Many of Dave's family and friends each stood up and gave a final word about Dave. It was a heart wrenching experience. I wanted to stand and say something myself, but I just couldn't do it. I get way too emotional. The best way for me to gather my thoughts about Dave is right here in this column. .

Dave Compton's Celebration of Life in Des Moines, Iowa on January 3, 2021. We all loved him.

Dave and his brother Bo Compton talk with Sabrina Knapp as they arrive at Bubba-Q's in Ottumwa, Iowa to see Dave one last time before he moves out of state to be with his brother.

The last photo I took of my friend, Dave Compton. at his party at Bubba-Q's in Ottumwa, Iowa. Farewell, my friend. Until we meet again.

When my time is finally up on earth and I arrive in Heaven, I expect Dave to be waiting for me at the gates eager to take me on the grand tour, introducing me to everyone. Thank you, Dave Compton, for being a friend. You are loved by all and I look forward to that glorious day when I see you and Erma again. God Bless.

Herb Kane
BBQ Critic

DAVE COMPTON SCHOLARSHIP

This has been created to honor Dave's long-standing commitment to the Kansas City Barbeque Scholarship Program

Donations may be sent to:

KCBS Foundation
2519 Madison AVE. Suite 100
Kansas City, MO 64108
Check memo line should read: Compton Scholarship

or

Call 800-963-5227 to donate via credit card

The KCBS Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. All Donations are Tax-deductible

Dave Compton BBQ Critic Blog

Go back in time and read Dave Compton's written stories on BBQ Critic. Click here

William Shatner says my chicken is "delicious"

10/13/2021

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BBQ CRITIC (Riverside, IA) Actor William Shatner (who played Captain James T Kirk in the original 1960's Star Trek TV series) is about to boldly go where he has never gone before - Space. Shatner's launch to space is scheduled for today (October 13, 2021). Hearing this news reminded me of a time when I appeared with Shatner in his realty TV show called Invasion Iowa (filmed in Riverside, Iowa and aired on Spike-TV back in 2005). I recently found a letter he sent to me saying how much he and his wife loved my chicken dish. How did all this come about?.

It all started when Shatner came to Riverside, Iowa and said he was filming a science fiction movie called Invasion Iowa. Shatner held casting sessions to recruit locals to be in the movie. Turns out he was actually filming a reality TV show, capturing the craziness of a Hollywood production shooting a fake movie in Riverside, Iowa (a town known worldwide as "The Future Birthplace of Captain James T Kirk).

Shatner literally spoofed the town. When the filming came to a final wrap, he revealed this to a crowd of towns people and a few of them got pissed, and others accepted it and was happy to just be a part of it.(I am in that group). Shatner presented a $100,000 check to the town of Riverside and gave away special gifts to the local cast for participating in the show.

I briefly appeared in the show with Shatner in a scene where he was telling lame jokes while we watched dailies (the raw, unedited footage shot during that day) of this so-called movie. I watched in shocking horror thinking how goofy the footage was and I thought Shatner had lost his mind (you see that exact expression on my face in the scene). Regardless, I was still intrigued by all this movie stuff and I came to the set every day getting to know all the cast and crew. During this time, I developed a really good friendship with one of the local stars Scott Riggan, along with his wife Carol and son Travis. We bonded and remain close friends to this day.

BBQ Critic Herb Kane with actor William Shatner in Riverside, IA

For purposes of this column, I will make a very long story short (and it's packed full of stories!), Scott, Carol and Travis were preparing to take a trip to California to meet with the producers and cast of Invasion Iowa, and then go to Hawaii for vacation (Shatner gave the them a free trip to Hawaii as a parting gift for being in the show.). I remember how much they missed talking to Bill, so I decided to do something special before they left on their trip.

I called up Shatner's personal assistant, Chris, and asked if he could get William Shatner to call my house and surprise my dinner guests, the Riggans. Shatner agreed. We arranged to have Shatner call my house at around 7pm on a Thursday night..

The Riggans arrived at my house about 6:30 pm as we planned to go out to eat. I explained we had reservations at a restaurant at 7:20pm, so we just sat around and talked. Well, time flew by and suddenly it was 7:15 pm. I nervously kept watching the clock and I'm just waiting for Scotty to say, "Shouldn't we get going? Our reservation is at 7:20 pm?" Luckily, Scotty and Travis were glued to some show on Spike-TV as we watched for Invasion Iowa commercials to appear during breaks.

Finally, at 7:20pm the phone rings. I answer and it's Chris. He brought Shatner on the phone and we talked briefly, trying to be secretive at the same time as the Riggans were in the same room. Then I said to Scotty, "You have a phone call." Scotty looked at me with a puzzled look and replied, "Who the hell knows I am at your house?" I replied, "I don't' know. Some guy named Bill." (I smiled inside as I handed him the phone waiting for his reaction).

Scotty got on the phone and when he realized it was Willaim Shatner, they all freaked out! Shatner's humor was just as evident over the phone as it was when we spoke with him in person. Shatner knew I was a writer, so he asked me (through Scotty) if I knew of a Herb Caen who wrote for a paper in San Francisco. I told Bill, yes and I knew Caen was a famous columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle, who is now deceased. I said to Bill, "I had corresponded with Herb Caen a few times."

Bill replied, "Before or after he was dead?" We all busted out laughing!

Carol Riggan having a fun talk with William Shatner on my phone. They could not believe he called! Oh, and thank God I no longer own that couch! God I hated that flowery thing.

Travis Riggan talking with William Shatner. If only I had this experience when I was a kid.

Carol had mentioned to Bill that at one time I had made them a dish called Chicken Schwing. That peaked Bill's interest in a big way. I spoke with his agent Chris the next day and he said Bill kept bugging him about my Chicken Schwing. He wanted me to make up a batch and ship it to Shatner. I told Chris, no way! It's chicken and I don't trust it. I do not want to be known as the guy who killed Captain James T Kirk. We laughed.

I jokingly offered to fly out and cook it for Bill in person, but we settled on me sending him the recipe and his chef could make it for him. So I gave Scotty a personalized mug stuffed with my recipe and a personal letter to Shatner to bring with him to California.

On June 13th, 2005 William Shatner sent me a personal letter back and he said, "Dear Herb - Thank you very much for the mug - I really appreciate it. We made the Chicken Schwing and can't express to you just how delicious it was. Liz and I send our best and hope that all is well with you." Warmly, Bill

The Invasion Iowa experience is a memory of a lifetime for me. I made new friends and I personally got to know the man who played Captain Kirk, my childhood hero on Star Trek. I wrote a multi-part story on Invasion Iowa and maybe I will post all of it on BBQ Critic some day. If you have not seen the show, it is available on DVD. Check it out, and also watch for Shatner's real mission to space today.

William Shatner will be the oldest person to ever fly in to space. Oh, and this is no spoof. Crazy as it sounds, Captain James T Kirk is really launching to space on hydrogen-fueled rocket with Jeff Bezos and his spacecraft company Blue Origin.

Perhaps after his return to earth, Bill will consider coming back to Riverside, Iowa for a visit during Riverside's TrekFest, the annual event celebrating his TV character, If he can make it to space, he can make it back to Iowa.

Enjoy your trip, Bill. GODSPEED!

- BBQ Critic

Editor Note: I know what you are thinking. Where's the recipe? BBQ Critic will have a new recipe section coming online soon featuring my personal recipes and Chicken Schwing will be the first one to be published. I would also like to create a section for friends to post their recipes. If you are interested in contributing your own recipe to BBQ Critic, send me a note on my contact page or via Facebook. .

Chicken Schwing right before it goes in the oven. My dish William Shatner calls DELICIOUS!

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The Buster Doggle BBQ Story

6/3/2011

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WEST DES MOINES, IA (May 29, 2011) - It was this same time last year at Smokin' in the Junction I had the privilege to hang out briefly with Rod Anderson and his family from Buster Dog BBQ. I had no idea that Rod would pass away in less than a year battling cancer. Though Rod is gone, his spirit lives on in his wife Dawn, and son David.

Upon arriving at the contest site, Bubba Knapp (Bubba Q's) told me there was a team called Buster Doggle BBQ competing here. Buster Doggle? It almost sounded like Buster Dog BBQ crashed into a two-brother team called Boondoggle BBQ. Wait a minute. Could it be? Yep! They collided alright, but it was no accident.

Buster Doggle BBQ
Bob Denner, David Anderson, Dawn Anderson and Don Denner

I stopped by the teams BBQ camp to see how this all came about. A few months ago, Boondoggle's Don Denner attended Rod Anderson's tribute/fundraiser here in Iowa. He asked Dawn if it would be ok to have David cook and hang out with the team at Smokin' in the Junction in West Des Moines, Iowa. Dawn liked the idea and accepted the nice gesture.

As the event drew closer, Don decided to follow up with Dawn to make sure everything was still a go. Poor, Don. Instead of calling Dawn, they chose to phone text. Don recalls chuckling, “She wouldn't quit texting me while I was mowing the damn lawn. I had to stop the lawn mower about every ten feet because she kept texting me! I asked her since David is going to cook with us, would it be ok if we cook under the team name Buster Doggle BBQ. She came back with, 'Does that mean I get to cook chicken?' I said, hell yes! Let me talk to Bob about it.”

Brother Bob Denner responded with, “Oh, hell yeah - you betcha!”

Buster Doggle BBQ came together as a team and had a blast cooking together over the weekend. There were emotional times, too, as they remembered Rod. When awards time came, it was heart-tugging to watch them get calls. The team ended up winning 1st place in Ribs and 6th in Brisket. Oh, and the Chicken? It made the Top 10 and came in 7th.

Buster Doggle BBQ
Don Denner accepts trophy for 1st Place in Ribs

Bob commented on Dawn's chicken, “It was moist, unlike ours [laughter]. I picked up a couple tips. I'm not gonna lie [laughter].” Dawn added, “It wasn't my best, but it turned out alright.”

Buster Doggle BBQ ended up 5th place overall out of 62 teams thanks to everyone's contributions. Bob said, "This doesn't have to be a one event thing. Dawn and David are welcome to join us any time.”

Buster Doggle BBQ came together as a team
and had a blast cooking together over the weekend.
There were emotional times, too, as they remembered Rod.

Rod Anderson was a true gentleman and a great BBQ cook. It was nice to see two other fine gentleman and talented competition cooks bring Dawn and David together again to compete in BBQ. It touched them deeply and touched the hearts of all the their fellow BBQ competitors on hand for the event.

I hope to see Buster Doggle BBQ compete together again in the near future. I'm sure Rod is looking down from Heaven and smiling on his BBQ family.

All of them.

– BBQ Critic

Buster Dog BBQ
David, Dawn and Rod Anderson
Smokin' in the Junction 2010 - West Des Moines, Iowa

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BBQ CRITIC FEATURES

HERB KANE - Publisher of BBQ Critic and a lifelong lover of BBQ with 20+ years working in the restaurant business. Two restaurants were BBQ joints including Red Hot & Blue BBQ and Dickey's BBQ Pit in Cedar Rapids, IA.

BBQ Background:
Certified Master BBQ Judge
Certified Table Captain

Membership:
Kansas City Barbecue Society
Iowa BBQ Society Member

Competition Cook
BBQCRITIC.COM: A BBQ Judge Competition Cook Team

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