Smokin’ Caboose Cooks 7^th Place Brisket,
Win “Kids Q” Contest

Above: Smokin’ Caboose Assistant Managers Brennan Berg and Andrew Smith accept the 1^st Place Trophy for winning the “Kids Q” at the Iowa State Barbeque Championship in Marshalltown.

On June 27^th and 28^th, Smokin’ Caboose BBQ competed in the Iowa State BBQ Championship in Marshalltown.  Of the 65 teams, Smokin’ Caboose placed a respectable 29^th overall.  Championship teams from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, Florida, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Tennessee competed in Marshalltown with us.

One weekend highlight came when our name was called and we were handed a ribbon and a check for winning 7^th Place in the Brisket category.  Achieving a top ten in any category against the competition we faced is a huge achievement and a lot of fun. 

Another accomplishment last weekend was watching Brennan Berg and Andrew Smith win 1^st Place in the Kids Q Contest.  They barbequed (what else?) B & A’s Famous Chicken.  Brennan and Andrew celebrated with a few Mountain Dews.  Jacob, Mary, Cecilia, and Erin cooked some fantastic kabobs for the 11 and under age group.  Great job, guys!

Click here for overall contest results of all 63 teams
Click here for detailed Brisket results of all 63 teams

Pulled Pork Turn In	7th Place Brisket	Marshalltown Chicken	Kids Q 1st Place Chicken

Watch for us in the video from the Marshalltown Competition:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znsLI37TnVo

Smokin' Caboose BBQ Lands in the "Middle of the Pack" Among Nation's Finest at Des Moines BBQLossal

Sixty-one teams from 13 states competed in the annual pork barbecue contest held at the World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.   Smokin' Caboose BBQ was one of nine teams competing in the Great Pork BarbeQlossal for the first time. Teams competed in one or more of the four categories: Pork Shoulder, Ribs, Loin and Whole Hog. Monetary prizes in the Great Pork BarbeQlossal are awarded for first through tenth places in each category, as well as the top five overall scores.  

Co-owner Ron Smith summed up the event, "Although we were shut out of the money, it was a great learning experience for us.   We were clearly one of the lower-end teams from a financing perspective, and we were proud to have hosted one of the largest Friday night parties of the event."

Smokin' Caboose BBQ placed 35th overall among the 61 teams present.  "It is important to look at who we beat and not who we didn't beat," suggested co-owner Jason Berg.  "We placed much better than a number of high end competition teams and well-known Des Moines BBQ establishments. We should be proud of our accomplishments", Berg added.

Click here for overall contest results of all 61 teams

Upcoming BBQ Contests

You’re officially invited to join us for some good BBQ and libations!  Ever wonder what happens at a BBQ contest?  Bring your family, some lawn chairs, and an appetite and find out.  Just give us a call and we’ll point you our direction at the contest.

Independence Brew-B-Q (Sept. 19-20) Independence, IA