As far as I know, my teammate Neil of BigMista’s BBQ is the second BBQ business to have a music video.

The first “video” came out two weeks prior. It’s a Saturday Night Live spoof that features Fred Armisen, who I know from my childhood. What is it with these friends of mine and their BBQ videos?

There’s restaurant quality barbecue and there’s competition grade barbecue. Most restaurant BBQ is pretty mediocre, and you wouldn’t even know it unless you’re lucky enough to know someone who wins contests.

In the greater Los Angeles area, several of my contest buddies have opened up businesses where you can taste their award winning BBQ.

My teammate Neil Strawder runs BigMista’s BBQ, a mobile catering company that sells at farmer’s markets all over greater Los Angeles. In less than a year, he’s surpassed old school stalwarts like Woody’s and Phillip’s and earned a reputation as the city’s best.

This month, two new restaurants have opened. In Huntington Beach, Chris Rocke of Rancho Rocke BBQ and Brian Zalewski of the Four Kings Q team have partnered up and run the kitchen in a sports bar called Octane Alley. What used to be a barely functional kitchen before their arrival now puts out serious brisket and pulled pork under their capable hands. While the bar atmosphere is better suited to casual dinners, lunch is served to those unafraid to eat by the glow of giant plasma screens and neon beer signs.

How good are Chris and Brian at contests? In the last one where my team cooked against Chris’, they spanked almost everyone else with their pulled pork.

2009 Que’n for Kids BBQ contest Costa Mesa, CA
2nd place pork

Octane Alley
5874 Edinger Ave
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
714-840-2129

Just this week, Phil Carter has  opened 7 Kinds of Smoke in the City of Commerce. Like these other friends of mine, the Carter family has catered events for many years. Now they have a storefront where you can stop in for a meal for one, or take out enough for your company’s sales meeting.  Carter will focus on catering gigs during week’s end, but those of you working near Commerce can stop by for lunch during the week.  Dinner service is expected to start after some of the inevitable opening kinks are worked out.

At the same 2009 Que’n For Kids contest, Phil did exceedingly well in every category. Every team strives for consistent scores from the judges:
1st place chicken
7th place ribs
5th place pork
3rd place overall out of 33 teams

7 Kinds of Smoke Competition BBQ Team and Restaurant
4838 S. Eastern Avenue
Commerce, CA 90040
323-786-6519

Yes, you too can make great BBQ at home, and there’s a class coming up next month in Yorba Linda where you can learn those skills. But if you’re looking to scratch that BBQ itch without all the work, these just might be the best BBQ  joints you never knew about.

Last Friday, New York State authorities temporarily shut down H&H Bagels, the renowned bagel baker on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The New York Times reports on the story here.

The shutdown affected both the retail store and a second production facility.  Opinions vary on how “good” H&H’s bagels are within the New York City bagel bubble, but H&H is among the few producers that sells authentic bagels (parbaked and frozen) wholesale to restaurants and bakeries across the country. A permanent shutdown of the bagel production plant will have a far reaching effect on customers such as Barney Greengrass in Los Angeles, where expat New Yorkers go for their bagel mit schmear.

This Saturday, the Orange County Fairgrounds will host the third annual Que’n For Kids BBQ Contest. It’s the only contest on this year’s calendar that’s inside the county lines, so it’s the most local event for folks in OC and L.A.

My team, Four Q, returns as the reigning People’s Choice Champion, so come out, and uh, vote for us your favorite BBQ team. At last weekend’s Stagecoach BBQ Festival, we were narrowly dethroned in that event’s People’s Choice contest. I’m not above stuffing the ballot box in Costa Mesa with votes from you, my people, m’kay?

A People’s Choice contest means that you, the public, can buy sample tickets, taste competition grade BBQ, and vote for your favorite. The best time to arrive is between 11am and 1pm,  as the chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket come off the smokers in that sequence..  Come earlier than 11, and the BBQ won’t be ready. Come any later than 1, and there won’t be any food left.

Why would you want to go to a BBQ contest, when there’s a perfectly good location of Lucille’s down the street? The quality of BBQ cooked at contests far exceeds what’s cooked at most BBQ restaurants. I’ve been to my share of the country’s best BBQ shrines in Texas, Memphis, the Carolinas and elsewhere, and I’ll still stand by that claim.

There is a $10 entry fee, and sample tickets to the BBQ will cost extra, but you’re supporting a great cause in addition to tasting great food. Que’n For Kids is a fundraiser for Kristie’s Foundation, which provides terminally ill children and their families a hospice for their most challenging time. There will be live music, a butterfly release for your kids, and this year, a car show.  Come down, bring the family, and eat some of the best BBQ made in So Cal.

Saturday May 9 ,2009
Que’n For Kids BBQ Contest
Orange County Fairgrounds
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Enter the event from the West gate (Fairview Road side) of the massive Fairgrounds.