BBQ Wars heats up downtown

The aroma of BBQ filled the streets of downtown Poplar Bluff on Friday evening as 21 teams fired up their grills and prepared to cook into the night.

The Downtown Poplar Bluff BBQ Street Wars tripled the number of teams in its second year from seven to 21, said DPB Director Jerrica Fox.

“We are thankful the rain held off and the event has really drawn a lot of people out,” she said. “This is what we want for downtown and events like this are what makes it a destination.”

Fox reminded only 150 tickets will be sold for attendees to taste test entries for a People’s Choice Award.

Tickets can be purchased from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday on a first-come, first-served basis at the DPB booth.

James Duncan of Broseley said he has been “on both sides of the fence” by judging and entering BBQ competitions with other teams.

“I enjoy barbecuing and have a passion for it,” he said.

This year, he decided to join forces with Buddy Allen to enter the competition as Kountry Boyz Que.

Allen said he entered the Black River contest several years ago and won first place. He then built his own smoker from a propane tank, started traveling and “went from there.”

He has traveled to Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and now in his own backyard in Poplar Bluff to compete.

“I enjoy meeting the different people that you stay friends with forever,” Allen said. “We have a good time and kid with one another.”

While on opposing teams, Phillip Frazier and JC Dicken are friends and even let one another borrow their grills when out of room.

“A clean fire is key,” Frazier said. “If you don’t have a clean fire then you will not have good BBQ.”

If the meat tastes bitter or too smoky then the fire is not clean, he added, and if the meat is dried out then it’s overcooked.

The Morton family decided to have an evening out by attending the Downtown Poplar Bluff BBQ Street Wars.

Mallory Morton said her three children, Maggie, Asher and Liberty, found lots to eat including BBQ, pizza, snow cones and more.

“This is pretty awesome,” young Maggie told her parents while making their way through the event.

While Mallory admits she was not sure what the event was all about, after seeing advertisements they decided to come out. The family has already decided to make plans to attend next year.

D.J. Overbey of team Montley Q from Poplar Bluff was a part of the event last year and was excited to see the number of competitors grow this year.

He has been barbecuing for 19 years and son, Cooper, has been asking to help his dad for a couple years.

This weekend, 11-year-old Cooper will have his first shot with helping dad at the grill.

“I’m going to let him help this year,” D.J. said. “I think he’s old enough.”

While maintaining temperature and seasoning to what you think judges will like are all important components of the BBQ world, Overbey shared another piece of advice with his son.

“Most important is to have fun,” he said.

Cooper said his favorite meat to cook is ribs and his secret is to add the right seasoning.

D.J. became hooked to the BBQ competition world by all the different flavors and techniques used.

D.J. Overbey instructs his son, Cooper, during his first time helping during a BBQ competition. Cooper said his favorite meat to cook is ribs. DAR/Denise Kinder

“Not everybody does it the same way and it’s fun to do,” he said.

This years Downtown Poplar Bluff BBQ Street Wars is now sanctioned by the St. Louis BBQ Society, which will judge the competition.

The Grand Champion of the event will earn an invitation to the Kansas City Royal Tournament, pitting 450 of the best competitors in the nation against one another.

Awards will be given out at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the event also help support DPB operations.