Bar-B-Que Contest

Feb. 22 – 24, 2024

More than 250 teams, led by barbecue aficionados, compete in the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy several public venues, including The Garden, Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. Plus, the carnival is open, for wild rides and fun games.

The Garden Stage, sponsored by Miller Lite, features some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country. The Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon also features live and DJ music, and has an outside patio for visitors to enjoy. Inside the saloon is the Chuckwagon, where visitors can pick up their complimentary sliced brisket plate with chips and beans. 

Contestant Information

Schedule

Feb. 22 – 24, 2024

World's championship bar-b-que contest

  • Thursday, Feb. 22: 5 - 11 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 23: noon - 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 24: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Contest Tickets

Come back soon for more information on purchasing tickets.

Bar-B-Que Contest Admission

  • Feb. 22 – 24, 2024
  • Adult (13 & over: $20) | Child (3 - 12: $10) | age 2 and under are free
  • Concerts at Miller Lite stage at The Garden
  • Admission to Carnival (NOT valid for rides or games)
  • Admission to Saloon & Chuckwagon
  • Complimentary sliced brisket, beans and chips

 

Grounds Season Pass

  • Daily admission to World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
  • Daily admission during the run of the Show, with access to all public activities at NRG Park, NRG Center & NRG Arena
  • Admission to Carnival (NOT valid for rides or games)
  • NOT INCLUDED: Rodeo & concert in NRG Stadium, Rodeo Uncorked! events
The Garden

Public Venues

With a Bar-B-Que Contest ticket, visitors may enjoy The Garden Stage, sponsored by Miller Lite, which presents some of the best names in Texas country music. The Garden is located in the center of the contest grounds.

A delicious complimentary sliced brisket plate with chips and beans awaits guests at The Chuckwagon, and next door, visitors will enjoy the Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon, which features live and DJ music. At the saloon you can find an outdoor patio area.

The Carnival is available for people to enjoy throughout the day and night.

About the Carnival

Winners

The World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is an invitation-only competition. The winners of this competition are truly the best of the best.

2023

  • Grand Champion Overall – Jasper County Go Texan
  • Reserve Grand Champion Overall – McLennan County Go Texan


Brisket

  • Champion – Always Able But Confused Cookers
  • Second Place – San Augustine County Go Texan
  • Third Place – Metro Go Texan 1/BJ's Blue Smoke BBQ


Ribs

  • Champion – Rancho Cerveza
  • Second Place – Metro Go Texan 5/The Worms BBQ Team
  • Third Place – Hardin County Go Texan


Chicken

  • Champion – Guzzlin' Gourmets
  • Second Place – The Star of Texas Cooking Team
  • Third Place – Paloma Blanca


Go Texan

  • Grand Champion – Jasper County Go Texan
  • Reserve Champion – McLennan Country Go Texan


Dutch Oven Dessert

  • Champion – Orange County Go Texan - TX Ooey Gooey Pecan Cheesecake
  • Second Place – Hardin County Go Texan – Pecan Pie Cheesecake
  • Third Place – Shelby County Go Texan – Nana's German Chocolate Cake


Open Contest

  • Champion – Lonesome Dove Cookers - Surf and Turf
  • Second Place – Half Fast Cookers – Surf and Turf
  • Third Place – Ritch’s Raiders – Shrimp Grits


Jr. Cook-off

  • Champion – Brodie Daniel, Metro Go Texan 1/BJ's Blue Smoke BBQ
  • Second Place – Karley Aleksines, Williamson County
  • Third Place – Braxton Kolojaco, 300 Justice Road


Specialty Awards

  • Best Façade – Limestone County
  • Best Overall Theme – Saddle Tramps
  • Go Texan Best Overall Theme – BOHICA


2022

  • Grand Champion Overall – Williamson County Go Texan
  • Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Mama and Papa Joe’s BBQ

Brisket

  • Champion – Cowboys 4 Heroes
  • Second Place – Jasper County Go Texan
  • Third Place – Fayette County
     

Ribs

  • Champion – Brew Crew Cookers
  • Second Place – San Patricio County Go Texan
  • Third Place – Letsos Pan-Handlers
     

Chicken

  • Champion – Gettin Sauced Cookers
  • Second Place – Goliad County Go Texan
  • Third Place – Los Gallos
     

Go Texan

  • Grand Champion – Jasper County Go Texan
  • Reserve Champion – Metro Go Texan 2/Q’ston Barbecue
     

Dutch Oven Dessert

  • Champion – Willis Group – Pecan Pie Cheesecake
  • Second Place – Rusty’s Smoke BBQ – Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
  • Third Place – NRG Energy, Inc. – Pineapple Upside Down Cake
     

Open Contest

  • Champion – Clifton Chevy Cookers, LLC – Seafood Surprise
  • Second Place – Cotton Q Club – Q Club Surf & Turf
  • Third Place – Ritch’s Raiders – Steak & Lobster
     

Jr. Cook-off

  • Champion – RJ Fite, Asleep at the Grill
  • Second Place – Raelyn Barker, Circle D-A Cookers
  • Third Place – Vince Martinez, Metro Go Texan 3/Midnight Mavericks
     

Specialty Awards

  • Best Façade – Cotton Club
  • Go Texan Best Façade – Brazos County
  • Best Overall Theme – Over the Hill Gang
  • Go Texan Best Overall Theme – Mills County

2020

  • Grand Champion Overall – Fayette County Go Texan
  • Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Operation BBQ Relief

 

Brisket

 

  • Champion – Williamson County Go Texan
  • Second Place – Energy in Motion
  • Third Place – Rio Valley Meat BBQ

 

Ribs

 

  • Champion – BBQ Social Club
  • Second Place – Metro Go Texan 3 – Double Trouble Kookers 2
  • Third Place – Ram’s Club

 

Chicken

 

  • Champion – Lavaca County Go Texan
  • Second Place – The Tumble Inn
  • Third Place – Men in Black

 

Go Texan

 

  • Grand Champion – Fayette County Go Texan
  • Reserve Champion – Lavaca County Go Texan

 

Dutch Oven Dessert

 

  • Champion – Madison County Go Texan – Caramelized Pecan Cheesecake
  • Second Place – Wharton County Go Texan – Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
  • Third Place – Lingon & Dill BBQ Team (Sweden) – Chocolate Cake

 

Jr. Cook-off

 

  • First Place – Evan Arocha – Pittmaker BBQ Addiction
  • Second Place – Ian Brown – Wharton County Go Texan
  • Third Place – Cooper Odenbach – Burleson County Go Texan

 

Specialty Awards

 

  • Best Façade – Saddle Tramps
  • Go Texan Best Façade – Cherokee County
  • Best Overall Theme – Saddle Tramps
  • Go Texan Best Overall Theme – Mills County
  • Best Recycling – Holy Cow
  • Go Texan Best Recycling – Orange County

2019

  • Grand Champion Overall – Operation BBQ Relief
  • Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Hill County Go Texan

Brisket

  • Champion – Circle D-A Cookers
  • Second Place – Operation BBQ Relief
  • Third Place – Hill County Go Texan

Ribs

  • Champion – Gulfstream
  • Second Place – Bottoms Up Cookers
  • Third Place – Lignon & Dill BBQ Team

Chicken

  • Champion – Metro Go Texan 2/Cypress Boys
  • Second Place – Texas Cowtown Cookers
  • Third Place – Damnifino Team

Go Texan

  • Grand Champion – Hill County Go Texan
  • Reserve Champion – Lavaca County Go Texan

Dutch Oven Dessert

  • Champion – Tejas Barbacoa
  • Second Place – Cold River Cattle Co. Barbeque Team
  • Third Place – Texas Night Owls

Specialty Awards

  • Best Façade – Holy Cow Cookers
  • Go Texan Best Façade – Cherokee County Go Texan
  • Best Overall Theme – Floyd, Morrow & Larkin
  • Go Texan Best Overall Theme – Metro Go Texan 1 – Gridiron Cookers
  • Best Recycling – Blowin’ Smoke
  • Go Texan Best Recycling – Grimes County Go Texan

2018

  • Grand Champion Overall – Buns-N-Roses Cook Team
  • Reserve Grand Champion Overall – Jasper County Go Texan

Brisket
  • Champion – Buckshot BBQ
  • Second Place – Manning Valley Natural Smokers
  • Third Place – Steve’s Cooking Team

Ribs
  • Champion – Buns-N-Roses Cook Team
  • Second Place – British Bulldog BBQ
  • Third Place – Operation BBQ Relief

Chicken
  • Champion – The Tumble Inn
  • Second Place – Madison County Go Texan
  • Third Place – San Patricio County Go Texan

Go Texan
  • Grand Champion – Jasper County
  • Reserve Champion – Bee County

Dutch Oven Dessert
  • Champion – Lingon & Dill BBQ Team
  • Second Place – Comcast Business
  • Third Place – Smokin’ Stokers

Specialty Awards
  • Most Colorful Team – Floyd Morrow & Larkin
  • Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Over the Hill Gang
  • Go Texan Most Colorful Team – Grid Iron Cookers
  • Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful Team – Nueces County
  • Most Unique Pit – Pit Boss
  • Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Clifton Chevy Cookers
  • Best Team Skit – Brazos County
  • Runner Up Best Team Skit – Bad Girls Gone Wild
  • Cleanest Team Area – Houston First
  • Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Floyd Morrow & Larkin

2017

Grand Champion

  • Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ

First Runner Up

  • Top Hand Cookers 2

Second Runner Up

  • Roadkill BBQ Company 2

Brisket

  • Champion – Roadkill BBQ Company 2
  • First Runner Up – Roadkill BBQ Company 1
  • Second Runner Up – Jack Daniels Barrelhouse Cookers 1

Ribs

  • Champion – Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ
  • First Runner Up – Top Hand Cookers 2
  • Second Runner Up – Wild Game Crew 1

Chicken

  • Champion – Washington County Go Texan
  • First Runner Up – Bulldog Mountain Cooking Crew
  • Second Runner Up – Bottomless Pit Cooking Team 1

Go Texan

  • Go Texan Best Barbecue – Washington County Go Texan
  • Runner Up – Austin County Go Texan

Dutch Oven

  • Champion – 100.3 The Bull
  • First Runner Up – Houston Proud Yeller Bellies
  • Second Runner Up – Willis Group

Specialty Awards

  • Most Colorful Team – PBR Cookers
  • Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Houston First Corporation
  • Go Texan Most Colorful – Falls County Go Texan
  • Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful – Metro Go Texan, Gridiron Cookers
  • Most Unique Pit – Lost Village Cooking Team
  • Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Shelby County Go Texan
  • Best Team Skit – Brazos County Go Texan
  • Runner Up Best Team Skit – Devil’s River Mountain Men
  • Cleanest Team Area – Floyd Morrow & Larkin
  • Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Clifton Chevy Cookers

2016

Grand Champion

  • Bulldog Mountain Cookin' Crew 2

First Runner Up

  • Washington County Go Texan

Second Runner Up

  • Xtreme Texas Cookers 4

Brisket

  • Champion –Xtreme Texas Cookers 4
  • First Runner Up – Cool Smoke (2015 Jack Daniel's Invitational Winner)
  • Second Runner Up – Valero Texas Gasoline Alley Cookers 1

Ribs

  • Champion – Bulldog Mountain Cookin' Crew 2
  • First Runner Up – Comcast Business 4
  • Second Runner Up – Grills Gone Wild Iowa (2015 American Royal Winner)

Chicken

  • Champion – Washington County Go Texan
  • First Runner Up – Bulldog Mountain Cookin' Crew 3
  • Second Runner Up – Damnifino Team 3

Go Texan

  • Go Texan Best Barbecue – Washington County Go Texan
  • Runner Up – Lavaca County Go Texan

Dutch Oven

  • Champion – Jasper County Go Texan
  • First Runner Up – Red's Young Guns
  • Second Runner Up – Refugio County Go Texan

Specialty Awards

  • Most Colorful Team – Holy Cow Cookers
  • Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Devil's River Mountain Men
  • Go Texan Most Colorful – Metro Go Texan 4 – Road Dog Cookers
  • Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful – Jasper County Go Texan
  • Most Unique Pit – Fowl Feathered Cookers
  • Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Lost Village Cooking Team
  • Best Team Skit – Brazos County Go Texan
  • Runner Up Best Team Skit – Holy Cow Cookers
  • Cleanest Team Area – Chevy Cookers
  • Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Limestone County
  • Go Texan Recycling – Calhoun County
  • Recycling – Brisket Cases