The winners of this year's annual Rib Cook-Off have been chosen. The judge's choice goes to Chicago BBQ. Back Forty takes first place for people's choice ribs, and Uncle Bub's won the people's choice sauce.
The judging for the Nugget Rib Cook-Off is serious business, none of the judges are allowed to speak to each other during the process and even the cooks are a bit superstitious about it, "I just put a little extra rub on it before it goes off and that's it it goes to the judges," says Joe Alexandra, owner of Rasta Joe's BBQ.Â
The Nugget has a team of runners that are given the job of grabbing ribs and sauces straight from the booth, the cooks have just a few minutes to give the runners their ribs and sauces and of course give their finishing touches. After the ribs have been cut and set out the judges go around the room looking, smelling and tasting the 22 different styles of ribs, "They are all great ribs but you would be surprised that when you taste them all next to each other their are differences and some are better than others," explains Alan Zeman, the head judge of this years Rib Cook-Off.Â
The public can vote on their favorite ribs and sauces but this year all the voting is done online, which has some cooks a bit worried, "There is a lot of people that are not going to go on to the website we have been telling people to go inside and they have a little booth or do it on their phone," says Alexandra. Although some attendees think it might make voting easier, "After we eat the ribs I can go online and vote for the four that we are rooting for," says Reno resident, Genny Dierenga.Â
The top five winners for 2017 are:
First place: Chicago BBQ Company, Burr Ridge, IL $10,000
Second place: Uncle Bub’s, Westmont, IL: $5,000
Third place: Aussom Aussie, Pittsburg, PA: $2,000
Fourth Place: Carson City BBQ, Carson City, NV: $1,000
Fifth Place: Austin’s Texas Lightning BBQ, Burr Ridge, IL:  $500
Best Sauce: Uncle Bub’s, Westmont, IL: $500
People’s Choice: Back Forty Texas Barbecue, Pleasant Hill, CA: $500
The 30th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off is scheduled for Wednesday, August 29 through Monday, September 3, 2018. For reservations, and event information call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300.Â
(Nugget Casino Resort contributed to this report.)
