Forget best BBQ in Des Moines or Iowa...how about best in the world?

[Cpech56]

TRZA,

Have you been to Smokey D's? That place is jam packed 24/7, you think they really need 10k?

If you do go in there take a look on the west side of the places near the bathrooms. They've been competing in BBQ contests long before there was ever a restaurant. They don't compete for the $ they compete for the friends they meet along the way and I'm sure a small amount of it is for advertisement of their restaurant.

 

[flander1649]

Winning the Jack is a big deal you beat the best of the best at that competition. Competitions are very subjective but if you consistently finish in the top 15% you are good and you know what you are doing. If I remember correctly this is the second year in a row that they have won the Jack and last year they finished 2nd and 4th this year at the American Royal which is over 550 teams.

My team has been doing competitions for 8 years now we finish well about 80% of the time chicken just kills us every time. We usually finish in the top 15% in Ribs, pork, & brisket. So what Smokey D's is doing is very impressive. You also have to remember restaurant cooking for large quantity is a lot different then competition cooking.

 

[urb1]

We recently ate at what is supposed to be the best BBQ in the Smoky Mountain region. The owner said they were doing competitions long before the opened the restaurant.

I have a friend who competes on a team. It's a guy thing - cooking all weekend, drinking, and just having fun while competing. They've never won, but continue doing it.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Winning the Jack is a big deal you beat the best of the best at that competition. Competitions are very subjective but if you consistently finish in the top 15% you are good and you know what you are doing. If I remember correctly this is the second year in a row that they have won the Jack and last year they finished 2nd and 4th this year at the American Royal which is over 550 teams.

My team has been doing competitions for 8 years now we finish well about 80% of the time chicken just kills us every time. We usually finish in the top 15% in Ribs, pork, & brisket. So what Smokey D's is doing is very impressive. You also have to remember restaurant cooking for large quantity is a lot different then competition cooking.

flander has established his street cred. on this topic. TZRA, what are your first-hand experiences and more importantly...why in the world are you so bitter?

 

[capitalcityguy]

TRZA sounds like your stereotypical Jethro's fan.

Let's open one restaurant that has mediocre food at best then sellout and open a few more but use the words:

pork chop
jambalaya
bacon

Jethro's is the sports betting tout of the Iowa BBQ scene. Support local places like Woody's, Uncle Wendells and Big Daddy's. The only one I don't recommend is Cactus Bob's in Johnston. If it weren't for Camp Dodge this place would've been closed years ago.

Jethro's is also locally owned, just multiple locations. I have no problem with their food or business model but for the money, I'd select Smokey D's (or Woody's Smoke Shack).

 

[chuckd4735]

Jethro's is also locally owned, just multiple locations. I have no problem with their food or business model but for the money, I'd select Smokey D's (or Woody's Smoke Shack).

Jethros is a great sports bar with average BBQ. Smokey D's is an average sports bar with great BBQ. I'd go to Jethros if the point was to watch a game, but I'd go to Smokey D's if the point was to get good BBQ.

 

[NickTheGreat]

The BBQ competitions are pretty silly when you really look at it. How do you get two people to agree on what makes good ribs or whole hog or brisket or anything else. The cooking is affected by relative humidity, air pressure, contents in the water, different kinds of wood. Any competition settled by judges has to be looked at skeptically to begin with. The endless bbq competitions are just the same people showing up week after week cooking the same thing. This World Championship is just one of several "World Championship" trophies given out to bbq teams all over the place.

What contest/competition isn't subjective? Before you say "sports" let me compile the list of games we lost due to a subjective officiant.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Jethro's is also locally owned, just multiple locations. I have no problem with their food or business model but for the money, I'd select Smokey D's (or Woody's Smoke Shack).

Jethros is a great sports bar with average BBQ. Smokey D's is an average sports bar with great BBQ. I'd go to Jethros if the point was to watch a game, but I'd go to Smokey D's if the point was to get good BBQ.

I started enjoying Jethro's when I stopped ordering their "BBQ" junk. As far as a sports bar or generic restaurant goes, they are pretty good. BBQ? Worst in the metro

 

[CRAZYGREG]

I started enjoying Jethro's when I stopped ordering their "BBQ" junk. As far as a sports bar or generic restaurant goes, they are pretty good. BBQ? Worst in the metro

Agree 100% Their BBQ is TERRIBLE!

 

[cyclonepower]

I started enjoying Jethro's when I stopped ordering their "BBQ" junk. As far as a sports bar or generic restaurant goes, they are pretty good. BBQ? Worst in the metro

agreed, I have eaten at Jethros five times, I haven't even had anything I would consider average tasting food, its always terrible.

 

[Cpech56]

agreed, I have eaten at Jethros five times, I have even had anything I would consider average tasting food, its always terrible.

I used to deliver for Fed-Ex to multiple Jethro's locations. I used the back door that lead me through the kitchen. I would suggest sticking to drinks only. Not that I noticed anything too crazy but it sure wasn't kept clean and organized. I'm assuming its because they get so busy but it just seems extremely unorganized and messy.

I'll completely agree with the guy that said Jethros is better if you're going to watch a game though. Smokey D's has average tv's and their bar area doesn't have waitresses to my knowledge. You gotta go up to the bar every time which if its busy can be a chore.

 

[Antihawk240]

I'm not qualified to comment on the "best in the world." But I was fortunate to be in Memphis TN for a business trip. I was put up in the Peabody Hotel for 2 nights. I asked the bell hop where the best place to eat in town was and he pointed across the street. The Rendezvous is by far the best barbeque I've eaten in my life. Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, New York, my friends back yard, you name it, The Rendezvous in Memphis TN is my vote for best in America.

 

[dmclone]

I'm not qualified to comment on the "best in the world." But I was fortunate to be in Memphis TN for a business trip. I was put up in the Peabody Hotel for 2 nights. I asked the bell hop where the best place to eat in town was and he pointed across the street. The Rendezvous is by far the best barbeque I've eaten in my life. Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, New York, my friends back yard, you name it, The Rendezvous in Memphis TN is my vote for best in America.

Rendezvous was good but I preferred Central BBQ and I would just as well have Oklahoma Joes as either one.

 

[JP4CY]

Rendezvous was good but I preferred Central BBQ and I would just as well have Oklahoma Joes as either one.

If I could get Jack Stack beans @ OK Joes with a Z-Man, that would be the best BBQ meal ever.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I'm not qualified to comment on the "best in the world." But I was fortunate to be in Memphis TN for a business trip. I was put up in the Peabody Hotel for 2 nights. I asked the bell hop where the best place to eat in town was and he pointed across the street. The Rendezvous is by far the best barbeque I've eaten in my life. Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, New York, my friends back yard, you name it, The Rendezvous in Memphis TN is my vote for best in America.

I thought the ribs at "Pig on Beale" were much better

 

[dmclone]

I think this post and the other 50 BBQ posts over the last few years proves that everyone has different tastes.

 

[ianoconnor]

According to their Facebook page, they just won the USA BBQ Championship in Nevada. Not a bad week.

 

[SerenityNow]

I've not tried them yet...have to put them on my list. My palette is not refined, as I pretty much like any BBQ.

 

[Wesley]

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/que...testines-blood-sausage-slow/story?id=32183325

 

[Wesley]

Oklahoma Joes in KC
http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-barbecue-restaurants-in-the-world/3


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