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. Now in it's 14th year, they are ready to serve up some great food and music.
Arriving with my frends, Bruce and Nanette, was easy. No fees and plenty of room to park in the grass at Centennial Park. We could see activities going on all over the place. Live music was coming from the stage where hundreds of folks basked in the sun with a drink, and taking in the blues. The music line up included Avey Grouws Band, Nathan Graham, Sam Ross Quartet, The Tanya English Band, Lilly Hiatt, and The War and Treaty.
The kids area was packed full of smiling faces. Inflatables and games fueled the fun. You could really get a sense of community here. A good family type event where there is fun for all.
The kids area was packed full of smiling faces. Inflatables and games fueled the fun. You could really get a sense of community here. A good family type event where there is fun for all.
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All this sounds cool. but I am here for food. Especially BBQ. Food vendors are all lined up on Junge Ford BMW North Liberty Food Vendor Alley including Cynful Smokers BBQ, Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk & BBQ, Luna’s Taqueria of Iowa City, Wich uh Waffle, Poimen Bosko Foods, TC Bonez BBQ, Rudy Blues BBQ, Da Flava Unit, Sugarfire Smoke House, Mosley’s Backyard Grill, Keepin Up With The Jones’s, Moo Moo’s Ice Cream, Kona Ice of Cedar Rapids & Iowa City, Yolanda’s and Optimist Club of North Liberty.
Time to sample food! It was not cheap, so we had to be selective. Bruce and Nanette immediately bought Pork on a Stick from Yolanda's for $8 each. I wish I had bought one before the lines got long. That Pork on a Stick looked delicious!.
Time to sample food! It was not cheap, so we had to be selective. Bruce and Nanette immediately bought Pork on a Stick from Yolanda's for $8 each. I wish I had bought one before the lines got long. That Pork on a Stick looked delicious!.
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Bruce said, "We really enjoyed it. It's not like a traditional BBQ flavor. It had an oriental style kind of taste to it."
I had a hankering for ribs, so I went to Cynful Smokers and bought their 3 rib sampler for $8. I received a paper boat with 2 1/2 ribs in it. I'm thinking at this price, I want a full 3 ribs in my boat. I am kind of laughing to myself, "What a sin for Cynful Smokers to short me on ribs!"
I had a hankering for ribs, so I went to Cynful Smokers and bought their 3 rib sampler for $8. I received a paper boat with 2 1/2 ribs in it. I'm thinking at this price, I want a full 3 ribs in my boat. I am kind of laughing to myself, "What a sin for Cynful Smokers to short me on ribs!"
If anything, it would be cool if they took those tiny end bones and add it to a customer's 3 rib sampler as an extra. That would make more sense. Turns out I enjoyed the ribs, which really made me want that 3rd rib. I knew I had more food to eat, so I was good.
Bruce and Nanette decided to get some ribs of their own from Rudy Blues BBQ. We then relaxed under a tent enjoying the shade. They chowed down on their saucy ribs, which they fully enjoyed.
Bruce and Nanette decided to get some ribs of their own from Rudy Blues BBQ. We then relaxed under a tent enjoying the shade. They chowed down on their saucy ribs, which they fully enjoyed.
Luna’s Taqueria of Iowa City caught my eye with a beautiful display of meat they were cooking. I decided on the chorizo meat for my street taco. It was fantastic! So good I forgot to take a photo of it. I could have eaten a lot more of this, but I wanted to sample more BBQ.
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Brisket came to mind, so I walked down to Sugarfire Smoke House. I like the brisket at their store in Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately, they were not selling any. So I decided on the pork sandwich.
While walking next to Bruce and Nanette, I started to eat the pork and my first bite just hit me. The flavor of smoke and seasoning was outstanding. I let Bruce and Nanette try a piece and they said let's go to Sugarfire! So we all walked back and the two ordered their share.
While walking next to Bruce and Nanette, I started to eat the pork and my first bite just hit me. The flavor of smoke and seasoning was outstanding. I let Bruce and Nanette try a piece and they said let's go to Sugarfire! So we all walked back and the two ordered their share.
In the mean time, I saw Shawn Lewis (owner, Sugarfire Smoke House - Cedar Rapids, IA), tending to his smoker. We had chatted online, so I introduced myself. It was great to finally meet and he gave me some good news. Turns out there was a BEST BBQ contest here earlier in the day (which I was totally unaware of) and Shawn won it. Sugarfire is on fire! Congrats, Shawn.
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Shortly after Bruce and Nanette went home, I ran into my friends Mike and Margaret. Mike is a KCBS Certified Master BBQ Judge. We judged and trained together and became Master judges in just a year and a half. Boy did we hit the competition circuit to do this (30 contests!). We had a great time visiting.
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North Liberty Blues & BBQ is one of my favorite BBQ events in Eastern Iowa. I definitely get a sense of community here by the way everyone unites to organize an event of this magnitude. It says a lot about the people of North Liberty, IA.
Centennial Park is the perfect venue. The music is just right. But my favorite part is the BBQ. I will be back again for more next year.
Centennial Park is the perfect venue. The music is just right. But my favorite part is the BBQ. I will be back again for more next year.
- BBQ CRITIC
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