"Best in the West" Barbecue Ribs
Updated: Oct 3, 2018
For you carnivores that love barbecue, this free event is not to be missed. At the annual Reno Nugget Rib Cook-off you can "Grip 'em and Lick 'em", or get the "Best Butt in America" while you have "BBQ So Good You'll Cry Uncle". Maybe you'd like "Barbecue with Attitude" or "America's Most Wanted Ribs". These are just some of the slogans you'll hear at this annual event on Labor Day weekend where National and International Award-Winning Barbecue houses come together and compete to win the sought-after title "BEST IN THE WEST" at the Reno Nugget Rib Cook-off.
Contestants are provided the same bones to cook, grill, or smoke, and those lip-smacking barbecued ribs are [blind] tasted and voted on by notable select judges who award the the highly-esteemed title "BEST IN THE WEST" barbecued ribs.
This year's Nugget Rib Cook-off "Best in the West" 1st Place Winner is 'Montana Q Barbecue House', and the Best Sauce is awarded to 'Uncle Bub's.' The People's Choice for ribs is 'Back Forty'.
In 2nd Place for ribs - 'Checkered Pig', and 3rd Place - 'Just North of Memphis',
4th Place - 'Blazin' Bronco', and 5th Place - 'Awesome Aussies'.
Try the 3-rib sampler, a full rack of ribs, or other tasty menu selections from one of the rib competitor booths. Then beat the heat with a tall lemonade, a quenching shaved ice, or an icy cold beer. All sorts of unique food merchants offer a variety of mouth-watering accoutrements... classics like mac 'n' cheese, corn on the cob, beans and cole slaw.... or for more adventurous foodies, try tempting tidbits like chocolate covered bacon or liquid nitrogen ice cream balls that make you breath "smoke" like a dragon! There's plenty to delight and amuse all of your senses.
Make a day of it! A line up of great concerts on two stages keep you entertained while bountiful arts and crafts vendors provide abundant shopping for souvenirs.
Be sure to wear suncreen, and bring a hat or a parasol!
"Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start",
Anthony Bourdain
***Best bet: Buy a ticket or a table for ten at a lunch or dinner seating in the "Nugget Rib Village". They serve all you can eat ribs from each of the competitors with all the 'fixens', beverages including beer and wine, and, if you still have room, ice cream bars from the self-serve freezer for dessert! Check the Nugget Box Office for tickets.
The "Best in the West"
Nugget Rib Cook-Off
is the best place to celebrate
all things barbecue!