21st Annual Cedar Rapids BBQ Roundup presented by Veridian Credit Union
June 26 - 29, 2008
BBQ Roundup preparations are underway. Please check back soon for the latest BBQ Roundup news.
Vendors
Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ
Butch says, "Cook it low, cook it slow. Serve no swine before its time."
Pitmaster Butch Lupinetti knows sauces, rubs and ribs. He's a "Rib Gypsy" who criss-crosses the country, competes in rib cook-offs . and in Butch's case, usually takes home a trophy. You might have met Butch in person and seen his impressive BBQ pit, or you may have seen him on TV. Butch makes his way to Cedar Rapids from Mt. Laurel, NJ. Never mind that New Jersey is not a state with real BBQ tradition. "We're only 40 or so miles from the Mason-Dixon line," says Butch. He describes his food as real roadhouse hickory flavored BBQ. This year marks Butch's 14th year of competition in Cedar Rapids where he has every intention of reclaiming his title for cooking the Best BBQ Ribs and Best Butt in Iowa.
Chicago Barbeque Company
If you're looking for the sweet taste of Chicago-style barbecue, look no further than the Chicago Barbecue Company. This year marks the ninth visit Tom Ferguson and his barbecue cooking team have made to Cedar Rapids. Their pride and joy is the actual sauce used in the Chicago area's famed Giovanni's Restaurant, nationally known for its sweet ribs and great Italian cuisine. Folks in the Chicago area like their ribs lightly smoked with a sweet, succulent taste. In 1985, at the suggestion of many customers, Tom entered his first barbecue competition: the famous "Best Ribs in America" contest in Cleveland, Ohio. Their team placed 6th out of a field of 40 of America's best rib chefs. Not bad for their first time out. Since then they've racked up several awards and continue to be at or near the top in nearly every cook-off they enter.
Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que
Dave's road to fame began with a strong hankerin' for fine barbecue and a stronger desire to make the finest slow-smoked barbecue folks had ever tasted. He visited rib shacks, roadside joints, every hole-in-the-wall or fancy pants supper club he could, all in search of the most succulent meats, savory seasonings and lipsmackin' sauces around.
After 25 years of tastin' and cookin', Dave's barbecue just plain knocked the socks off his family and friends. That's when Dave decided he had to share. He wanted to give all the folks a chance to dig into the best barbecue ever. And in a place as down-home fun and frolicsome as the shacks and clubs he went a callin' on all those years.
Folks like you made Dave "Famous". His barbecue and restaurants have been showered in more awards than he has walls to hang'em on. Over a hundred for best ribs, best new restaurant, best music, best take-out and best barbecue joint. Heck, we didn't even have ta' bribe the judges.
Fair and square, Famous Dave's offers great barbecue and fun. But that's for you to judge, 'cause after all, you're our best critics. Come on in, we'll treat y'all right.
Johnson's BBQ
Home of the Thermonuclear Sauce, Johnson's BBQ is well known, not only for their sauces, but also for their rubs and smoking techniques. While owner Dan Johnson won't divulge specific information, he does admit that "our great taste is a result of our tender combination of first-class rubs and hickory wood which permeates the meat in a special way." Johnson's has over 150 national awards to their credit in the last five years, including multiple first place finishes for Best Sauce and Best Ribs at the Cedar Rapids BBQ Roundup. Johnson's BBQ will be celebrating their 12th year as a vendor in Cedar Rapids.
Pigfoot BBQ Company
Pigfoot BBQ Co. has been competing professionally since 1989 and has won numerous awards and titles including Greatest Ribs in America, National Ribfest Winner for Best Ribs & Best Sauce, Best Ribs in Ohio and Pennsylvania, but has done the BEST at the Cedar Rapids BBQ Roundup. They have been at the BBQ Roundup longer than any other BBQ Vendor, accumulating awards like 2 time winner Best Ribs, 2 time winner Best Sauce, 3 time winner Best Pork and an astounding 5 time winner for the People's Choice Award. They are a little different in the way they prepare their ribs and that fact that they offer 4 different sauces. They put the sauces out for the public to choose which one they want, as opposed to having the Pigfoot crew decide for them.
Porky 'N' Beans
Porky 'N' Beans has been a proud member of the National Award Winning Rib Cookers of America since 1983 and will celebrate their 7th year of serving up succulent BBQ in Cedar Rapids this summer. They travel between 10,000 and 15,000 miles a year competing in cities scattered from St. Paul, Minnesota to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They make their way to Cedar Rapids all the way from Port St. Lucie, Florida. The southern hospitality and Gulf flavor have won them many votes at the BBQ Roundup over the years. Owner Dennis Carrino and his Porky 'N' Beans team are no stranger to national success on the cooking tours. They've competed all over the country and are owners of several titles for best ribs, best sauce and people's choice.
Sgt. Oink's Pit BBQ
The Sgt. Oink's BBQ Co. cooking team, coming to us from Tiffin, OH, has competed nationally for over 12 years. Gary and Teresa Stephens first started in the catering business, and then decided to hit the circuit and do national rib cook-offs. They have fared pretty well at the national level - bringing home more than 40 awards for their fabulous BBQ. They have competed for several years in Naperville, IL, and their travel schedule includes multiple stops in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. They will be making their 3rd visit to Cedar Rapids at the 21st Annual BBQ Roundup this summer. Along with their crowd pleasing set up, they offer exceptional service that always brings a saucy smile to the customers face.
Texas Thunder
The 2008 BBQ Roundup marks the sixth year Joey Sutphen and the Texas Thunder cooking team have competed in Cedar Rapids, bringing to us the Lone Star taste of the Texas panhandle. The story goes that Joey's mamma dipped his pacifier in the family's secret barbecue sauce when he was just three months old. Joey hasn't stopped smacking his lips since. The family has been in the barbecue business since 1950, bottling and selling it themselves. The Texas Thunder cooking team rates as one of the top award winners in the world, and Joey's reputation for great barbeque even led to an invitation to cook at the White House for former President Bush and his guests.