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What
Smokin’ Showdown
When
6-9pm, June 27
Where
Hotel Congress
311 E Congress St
Cost:
$30 advance/$35 day of
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What better way to celebrate the summer than with a good old-fashioned BBQ challenge? The inaugural Smokin’ Showdown takes place Saturday, June 27, from 6-9pm on the Hotel Congress patio.

Seven of Tucson and Southern Arizona’s best pit masters will be vying for the title of best beef brisket barbeque. There is even a boxing championship-esque BBQ belt involved, so the stakes are high. The competitors will be judged on a scale of one to ten for appearance, taste, and tenderness.

The judges include newly crowned Tucson Iron Chef Danny Perez of JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, On The Menu Live’s Matt Russell, and Tucson Foodie’s C.J. Hamm.

Sponsor Merit Foods specializes in sourcing and distributing prime cuts of meat, particularly of the 1855 Black Angus beef variety. With local brewery Pueblo Vida as the official beer sponsor, it is sure to be a great first event.

Participating Restaurants:

• Chillin n’ Grillin BBQ
• Edge Catering
• Rusty Truck BBQ
• The Cup Café
• Acacia Food & BBQ
• Brushfire BBQ
• Gary Ray’s Smokehouse

Delightfully nicknamed “Que for a Cause”, the showdown benefits the Steele Children’s Research Center.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 day of, and include 2 oz. of BBQ from each vendor, two sides, one 16 oz. draught beer, and a vote for People’s Choice.

To purchase your tickets, click here.