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COMPETITION REVIEWS

BBQ CRITIC to judge at the Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series in Sioux City, IA

When I heard Famous Dave's of America (FDA) and World Food Championships (WFC) teamed up to create the new Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ Series contest, I got excited and wanted to participate. After a brief phone call with BBQ legend Famous Dave Anderson, things started to happen. Read the story in the new Famous Dave's All-Star BBQ series coverage section!

KING OF THE CORN 2023

OTTUMWA, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - My BBQ cook & judge friend, Steve Carfrae, and I hit the road on Friday to go judge the KCBS Pro-Series contest KING OF THE CORN in Ottumwa, Iowa. We arrived a day early to judge the TURKEY SMOKE, and hang out with BBQ teams.

BAR-B-QC

DAVENPORT, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - The Jaycees of the Quad Cities and event organizers created a stellar event at LeClaire Park, executed with a fire of passion for their mission.

Smokin' in the Grass 2022

CEDAR FALLS, IA - (BBQCRITIC.COM) -Great news! Cindy Wells, a well-respected BBQ contest organizer in Iowa, has created a new backyard contest located at the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It's called "Smokin' in the Grass," but this place isn't just all grass.

Smokin' Up Main Street
2022

CENTER POINT, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - I judged this event Saturday and BBQ teams served up some really great chow. But I did come across some FAKE CHOW, too. Read the story

Iowa State Fair "Mine is the Best BBQ Sauce" 2022

DES MOINES, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - I've always wanted to judge food at the Iowa State Fair and today I am doing just that. Judging comes naturally to me, but the trip to the fair is another story...

Iowa State BBQ Championship 2022

ALTOONA, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - BBQ Critic judges the first Iowa competition of the year at the Iowa State BBQ Championship in Altoona, IA. The food at our table was absolutely fantastic. Porkrastinators wasted no time winning the Grand Champion...

North Liberty Blues & BBQ North Liberty, Iowa

NORTH LIBERTY, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - What a beautiful, summer day to attend the North Liberty Blues & BBQ in North Liberty, Iowa. I have not been here in two years (thanks to COVID restrictions), but this event is back and so am I...

State Center 21st Annual Rose Festival BBQ Comtest

STATE CENTER, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - The Rose Festival BBQ contest is the longest running KCBS BBQ contest in Iowa. I have a long history of judging (and cooking) at this event and it was an honor to be back...

BBQ CRITIC FEATURES

The Iowa BBQ Society 2022 Banquet

ALTOONA, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - BBQ Critic coverage of the Iowa BBQ Society 2022 Banquet is now online. Lots of pics, videos and stories ahead. Enjoy the read!

CR Midnight Smoker BBQ is fire!

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (BBQCRITIC.COM) - Discovering CR Midnight Smoker BBQ this week is what I call BBQ serendipity. I am looking forward to bringing the BBQ Critic Restaurant Judges in for an official review,

The Grill Works Rib Class attracts passionate lovers of BBQ

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. Cedar Rapids-based BBQ competition team, BAMBQ, did a fantastic job teaching the 3-2-1 method for smokin' up pork ribs.Read story...

T-Rex BBQ Smoked up a Gator

MINGO, IA
(BBQCRITIC.COM) - Kyle Johnson (T-Rex BBQ and "Memphis in May" 2022 World Turkey Smoke Champion) invited me to a summer cookout in Iowa. Move over brats, burgers and hot dogs. We got Alligator and Crawfish and much more. T-Rex vs Gator. Who wins? Read the story and watch the videos....

JUDGE MY BOX PHOTO GALLERY

BBQ CRITIC VIDEO ARCHIVES

INTERVEIW: FAMOUS DAVE ANDERSON

BBQ Critic talks with Famous Dave at the "original" Famous Dave's in Hayward, WI in 2014. This video is very special to me because months later the restaurant burnt to the ground. It was a very beautiful restaurant and I am so glad I got to experience it, and with Famous Dave himself.

DAVE COMPTON's 100th CONTEST JUDGED

My BBQ Judge friend, Dave Compton, may not have lived to be 100, but he did judge 100 barbeque contests as a KCBS Master BBQ Judge. Dave celebrates the moment and I am so thankful I captured this on video. Dave Compton was loved by many and his presence at BBQ competitions is missed greatly. God Bless, my friend.