There is a lot to like and not a thing to dislike about the Joe Lamb Jr., & Associates BBQ & Wings Showdown. The concept is simple—invite 16 Outer Banks restaurants to whip up their finest barbecue, ribs and chicken wing recipes and throw in some great music from Jonny Waters & Company.
It also helps to move the event from the parking lot at Sea Ranch Resort to the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head, include some great weather and, Voila (!)—a perfect way to spend a few hours on a Friday afternoon.
Part of the Outer Banks Taste of the Beach, the BBQ & Wings Showdown really stepped it up a notch this year. More great food to sample and a larger space with plenty of parking all added up to a fantastic experience.
If there is a complaint it is that even a nibble of food samples from 16 booths is enough to add 12 pounds of weight in three hours; nonetheless, the effort had to be made.
The results are in, and like anything having to do with taste, it is a bit subjective, but it’s tough to disagree with anything on the list.
There’s not enough space to review everything we tried, but there’s no disagreement here for the People’s Choice award for best ribs—incredibly meaty, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.
Judges Awards:
Best BBQ – High Cotton
Best Ribs – TIE – Jolly Roger and Sooey’s BBQ
Best Wings – Jolly Roger
People’s Choice:
Best BBQ – High Cotton
Best Ribs – Aqua Restaurant
Best Wings – Lucky 12 Tavern
Participating Restaurants
AQUA: BBQ & Ribs
Lucky 12: BBQ, Ribs & Wings
Roadside Grill: BBQ
The Blue Point: Ribs & Wings
Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar: BBQ
Café Pamlico: BBQ & Wings
Beachside Bistro: BBQ
SaltyDawg Smokehouse: BBQ, Ribs & Wings
Sooey’s BBQ: BBQ, Ribs & Wings
High Cotton: BBQ & Wings
Pigman’s Barbeque: BBQ, Ribs & Wings
Cravings: Wings
Chilli Peppers Coast Grill: Wings
Jolly Roger: Ribs & Wings
Frogman’s Barbecue: BBQ
Outback Steakhouse: Ribs
