Best Dam BBQ in Boulder City

This year is flying by...it's all ready time to head to Boulder City, NV for the Best Dam Barbecue Challenge.  The Rotary Club hosts this event every Memorial Day Weekend and they do a fantastic job.  We're hoping for great weather and a prize winning cook.  We've had a few calls at this event in year's past but this event seems to be our nemesis when it comes to getting a top 5 call.  This year we have Tracy, a KCBS certified barbecue judge cooking with us as she works for her master certification.  This should be a great learning experience for her and we're honored she chose us to cook with.  Hopefully, she will be good luck for us. 

This is a great family event with lots of stuff to do including a Kid's Que contest, kids zone full of fun activities, a beer garden, great BBQ meals for sale, a vendor's market and more.  Be sure to come out on Saturday to check it all out.  

Nevada BBQ Association is once again hosting a team/judge potluck dinner Friday evening.  Should be even bigger and better than last year from what I hear.  

Awards are supposed to be at 5:00om on Saturday.  We're hoping to hear a name...several times would be amazing.  

9th overall in Best Dam BBQ

Best Dam BBQ is in the books.  It was a great weekend, the weather was pleasant, we had great neighbors, and we came out of it with a decent placement.  

Although the chicken had great flavor, it was too dark.

The ribs were tasty for sure. 

I gotta say, the pork was amazing!  We changed up the recipe on it this time and I think its a keeper. 

As far as brisket goes, it was way too peppery for my taste but it was our highest placing category.  It was a thinner brisket than I normally like to use. 

Scott and Christy came out to help.  They helped out with the NVBBQA potluck Friday night and came back out on Saturday.  Christy ran all the boxes for me...such a big help!  Scott and Timm watch the pit and the meat.  Thank you so much you guys!

I painted up a few signs for the event.  Didn't sell many, but that's okay.  They'll be on Etsy this week.  

Cassy loves on daddy while waiting for awards.  She is such an awesome dog and mascot.  

Devil Pups did an amazing job once again.  

I think one of the most exciting things I am happiest about all weekend is the 2nd place call in ribs for Satisfied Hogs!  They also got 6th in brisket.  They finished just in front of us in 8th place.  We're so proud of them.  

We were pleased with our results.  

14th...chicken

14th...ribs

12th...pork

10th...brisket

9th overall

We decided to donate our winnings to Operation BBQ Relief.  It's something we really feel good about and we know it will do lots of good in the Moore, OK area. 

Nevada BBQ Association was well represented.  We had a great time with many of them on our row.  Timm got to visit with many of the teams, I tend to stick close to our site.  

Hats off to Kathy Hicks and her team at the Rotary Club.  They put on a fabulous event that has really grown since she has been in charge.  We look forward to next year's event!

Where are we next?

Good question...haven't really been anywhere since January but it's starting to wind up for the next few months. 

 Memorial Day weekend we are sticking close to home, we'll be in Boulder City NV for the Best Dam BBQ Challenge.  Turn ins are Saturday starting at noon.  There's lots to do at this one with a kid zone play area, kids 'que contest, a new marketplace (vendors) and more.  We hope for better results this year than the last.  

 Just a couple of weeks later on June 14 & 15 we'll be in Williams AZ for the Northern Arizona Barbeque Festival.  This is another great contest.  They have people's choice tasting at this contest and it's a big hit with the crowd.  I love this area of the country.  

July 12th & 13th takes us to Arizona once again, this time a bit further to Holbrook AZ.  Whiskey Ranch Pro BBQ Series is hosting the Ace in the Hole BBQ Throwdown.

I think its awesome how small communities get behind these contests and make them successful.  This one is tied in with a fair as well.  It's right on I-40 and historic Route 66 runs right through town (just like Williams AZ).  There's a people's choice at this one as well but we donate our meats to the local food bank instead like we did last year.  

There's nothing on the calendar (as of now) for August.  We'll have to see how we'll do in Boulder.  The overall outcome there will be the deciding factor if we go to Mesquite or not for Labor Day weekend.  We hope to see y'all at one or two of these events.  Be sure to stop and say hello and taste a sample or two.