Ranking Summer’s Best BBQ TV Shows

This week’s guest article is written by Monk, a native of North Carolina and co-founder of the Barbecue Bros blog. Along with his friends and fellow Barbecue Bros Speedy and Rudy, Monk has traveled around eating, rating, ranking, and reviewing barbecue joints since 2012. If you would like to write a guest article for The Smoke Sheet, please get in touch.

I’ve spent the past two summers recapping Food Network’s BBQ Brawl on a weekly basis, and while I’m proud of those efforts, ain’t nobody got time for that this year. Instead, let’s take a holistic look at the four barbecue programs that have premiered in the past few months. And what’s more fun than power ranking them?

In reverse order:

Steven Raichlen’s Planet Barbecue (PBS)

“Barbecue” is in the name, but Steven Raichlen’s latest show is really more about showcasing the live fire cooking and grilling customs from around the world than the low-and-slow barbecue we all know. The format is a little bit of history of the barbecue tradition followed by cooking demonstrations of 3 dishes in the vein of a classic Cooking Channel show, oftentimes including a veggie meal or salad.

Confusingly, the “Texas Trinity” episode features grilled quail with pear salsa and blue cheese farrotto, a smoked, grilled rib-eye steaks with jalapeno horseradish butter, and a hot gut hero (beef sausage and pepper jack cheese sandwich).

Barbecue Showdown (Netflix)

Season 2 of this Netflix series (formerly titled The American Barbecue Showdown) premiered on May 26, 2023, and while it has a new host (Michelle Buteau replaces Rutledge Wood), it maintains the same judges (Melissa Cookston and Kevin Bludso), format, and setting from season 1. While the first season had a novelty factor for me, when it comes to the mostly unknown contestants in season 2, I found myself rooting for a couple of them while bemoaning the apparent skill level of the rest.

One season 2 improvement that I do like is that the show has introduced a presentation element to most of the challenges, such as a slicing reveal to show the viewer the doneness of the meat at the same time as the judges. This visual cue helps the viewer understand the quality of the food since current TV technology, unfortunately, does not allow us to taste the end product (much to our collective dismay).

BBQ Brawl (Food Network)

For me, BBQ Brawl is the more polished and entertaining version of the barbecue cookoff format than Barbecue Showdown. In addition to returning captains Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell, in season four, there is a new face in the form of Sunny Anderson (replacing Jet Tila), and they’ve also traded Austin, TX for Half Moon Bay, CA. The judges – Carson Kressly, Brooke Williamson, and Rodney Scott – remain the same as they have been since season 2, which is a plus for me. The cooking here appears to be at a higher level than Barbecue Showdown, which is why it ultimately edges it out for me.

BBQ USA (Food Network)

I noted that season 1 of Michael Symon’s BBQ USA was spiritually similar to BBQ Pitmasters season 1 in that it focused on a few teams at an actual barbecue competition and followed them through the competition and judging. It seems as if season 2’s philosophy is “more, but different” in that they are using the same format while visiting different events from season 1. 

In episode 1 (see Watch/Listen/Read below), they visited the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City, where over 500 teams competed in all categories. Future stops this season will take in competitions in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Washington, and NYC.

What’s your favorite barbecue show this summer?

Monk
Co-Founder, Barbecue Bro

—Discover everything that AmazingRibs.com's Pitmaster Club has to offer by getting your free trial now. The Pitmaster Club will help you improve your BBQ and grilling game this summer! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.—

—Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ was in the news in the past week following criticism of its tips policy.—

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Last week, an internal document from Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ circulated on various social media platforms. The document outlined the company’s tipping practices and caused a stir because it outlined how workers could lose out on tips, including “being late, getting written up, missing a shift without calling in, and quitting without giving two weeks' written notice,” according to MySA. In response, the owners of the popular barbecue joint (which makes incredible BBQ tacos) responded to the outcry, posting an updated document and a defense of the original one. "This document that was posted needs to be reworded and isn't properly explained," Miguel and Modesty Vidal wrote on social. "But, by no means have we ever kept an employee's tips that they have earned. … All employees are paid a minimum of $8+ tips when hired and training is complete. … We can only continue to learn, adapt, and try to do better as we grow.” READ MORE.

Popular pop-up Brix Barbecue, based in Fort Worth, Texas, opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant this past weekend. The restaurant will operate Friday-Sunday for now.  “What a day! Thanks for helping us break in the new digs! From the bottom of our hearts, the Brix Squad couldn’t appreciate the love and support more!” the owners wrote on Instagram. READ MORE.

ADDITIONAL READS

Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer will soon star in a TV show where they "learn the best techniques, flavors, and traditions while preparing to launch their brand, AC Barbeque."

Daniel Vaughn of Texas Monthly reports that Nashville-based Shotgun Willie’s is serving “praiseworthy” brisket, and it makes good pork as well.

John Tanner reports that Two Drummers Smokehouse in Toano, Virginia, is serving up some great BBQ and will soon serve whole hog.

The Free Press profiled Fernando Hicks, owner and head chef at Beary Smokey Smokehouse in downtown Kinston, NC.

Enter your sauce now for Sauce King NYC, an international competition to determine the best barbecue sauces, hot sauces, marinades, and more. A panel of expert judges from the NYC food and media community will taste each sauce, and select exclusive winners in each category who stand out for their bold flavors, excellent ingredients, and delicious tastes. Registrations must be received by August 20th! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

Chef Michael Symon is traveling across the country in the second season of BBQ USA on the Food Network.—

WATCH

The Royal Rumble of BBQ — BBQ USA
Michael Symon is back and heading to the largest, most thrilling barbecue competition on Earth — the legendary American Royal World Series of Barbecue. Over 500 BBQ pitmaster teams battle it out in two days for glory, bragging rights and a share of $85,000 in prize money. In addition to the big four categories — ribs, brisket, chicken and pork — these pitmasters have the added challenges of turkey and sausage. Plus, there's the largest Kids' BBQ Contest in the world. WATCH HERE.

LISTEN

West Texas BBQ Roundtable — Tales from the Pits
The West Texas barbecue landscape has experienced immense growth over the last several years with a great mix of regionality, history, and craft that have led to interesting menus and delicious food. For their 200th Tales from the Pits episode, hosts Bryan and Andrew gathered several of the BBQ business owners in West Texas who are leading the charge for a roundtable discussion on their careers, the industry, and some of the challenges they face. LISTEN HERE.

READ

The DIY BBQ Cookbook: How to Build Your Own BBQ and Cook up a Feast — James Whetlor
Whether you’re new to barbecuing and simply want to give it a go or are a BBQ aficionado keen for a new challenge, this book has something for everyone. Part one will walk you through the process of making 10 DIY BBQs with step-by-step instructions to suit all spaces, whether you’re barbecuing on the beach, in the park, in an urban backyard, on a balcony, or rooftop terrace, or if you’re on the road with a campervan. Part two will then move on to an array of 50 delicious recipes for everything from scallop skewers, BBQ monkfish, and a whole spatchcocked chicken, through to burgers like you’ve never had before, and even a whole pig. There will also be a chapter covering all the spice rubs, marinades, and dressings you can pull together to take your barbecuing to the next level. ORDER HERE.
 

—You don’t have to decide between steak or shrimp when you stuff your tortillas with both with this Surf and Turf recipe. (Photo by Nicole Stover)—

Surf and Turf Tacos

By Beach Girl Grills

Double up on flavor with these smoky, tangy, spicy, and bright Surf and Turf Tacos from Beach Girl Grills. There’s no need to wait until Taco Tuesday to fire up the grill and have your own fiesta. These easy-to-prepare tacos are an instant party that will satisfy whatever you’re craving. Combining bright citrus with a surprising kick of ginger, the marinade in this taco recipe brings out the richness of the beef while also enhancing the natural sweetness of the shrimp.

—There are a ton of exciting BBQ events happening this summer.—

August 19, 2023: Blues BBQ Festival 2023 — Manhattan, New York
Get ready for a fun music and food festival in Manhattan. The Blues BBQ Festival returns to Hudson River Park’s Pier 76 on Saturday, August 19. This free, day-long music festival invites exceptional blues artists to perform on our stage. Come for a Saturday filled with great food, great company, and great music. BBQ is typically available from multiple vendors throughout the fest. MORE INFO HERE.

Sept 1-3, 2023: Pinehurst Barbecue Festival — Pinehurst, North Carolina
The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival is a celebration of taste and tradition, featuring award-winning pitmasters from across North Carolina in one of the most picturesque settings in the entire state. Presented by Pinehurst Resort, US Foods, and Our State Magazine, the three-day festival, staged in the Village of Pinehurst, offers a unique culinary experience of various barbecue meats, seafood, and traditional sides, plus bourbon tasting and BBQ classes. MORE INFO HERE.

September 4-7, 2023: Barbecue University 2023 — Solvang, California
BBQ master Steven Raichlen will once again be hosting Barbecue University this year. This time, it will be held at Alisal Ranch in Solvang, California. You'll get a chance to experience Steven’s inimitable teaching style designed to help you take your grilling to the next level and much more. Get ready for Steven’s spontaneous improvisations, the Instagram-worthy presentation table, the final exam, and of course, the coveted Barbecue University diploma. MORE INFO HERE.

September 9, 2023: Pig Island — Staten Island, New York
Back for its 14th year, Pig Island NYC is returning to Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens on Staten Island for its third year in a row. More than 20 chefs will come together for this pork-laden festival and compete to see who has the most delicious dish. There will also be craft beer, hard cider, spirits, and other food offerings. BUY TICKETS HERE.

Sept 27 - Oct 1, 2023: American Royal World Series of Barbecue — Kansas City, Kansas
The American Royal World Series of barbecue is the largest BBQ competition in the country. On top of a massive KCBS competition with roughly 500 teams, this signature Kansas City event includes public-facing activities, including live music, delicious BBQ and local food, a lineup of kids activities, and a vendor fair authentic to Kansas City and BBQ enthusiasts. MORE INFO HERE.

November 11, 2023: Holy Smokes: A Lowcountry Barbecue Festival — Charleston, South Carolina
Holy Smokes BBQ Fest will be returning for its 3rd annual event with over 40 of the country's most renowned pitmasters and chefs gathering once again in North Charleston to celebrate the culture, history and traditions of American barbecue. MORE INFO HERE.

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