A new contest record
706.8344
highest overall ever cooked here
706.8344 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 705.6916 Que U set in 2022.
- old record 705.6916
- set 2022 by Que U
Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown 2025
Jun 27–28, 2025 · Eureka, IL · 📍 1448 County Rd 800 N · State championship
Reps: Charlie Brinza, Jeanne Titus · Prize money: $7,000
Can Country Outlaw BBQ won Grand Champion at the Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown on June 27, 2025 in Eureka, IL at 1448 County Rd 800 N, scoring 706.8344 in a field of 26 teams. TRIPLE H BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 701.1088. Category winners: Chicken — Take It Easy BBQ (178.8572); Pork Ribs — DB BBQ (180.0000); Pork — Can Country Outlaw BBQ (178.8572); Brisket — JaBs (179.4400). The Backyard Series standings were won by Rudes BBQ with 348.5372. This is the 6th of 7 editions of this contest on record; the 2023 edition was won by Smokinghostbbq; the next was held in 2025.
The contest at a glance (read off the scored boards)
How the field scored
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
591.77
median 683.88
706.83 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Master Series — Chicken 178.86
- Master Series — Pork Ribs 180 🔥
- Master Series — Pork 178.86
- Master Series — Brisket 179.44
- Backyard Series — Chicken 175.44
- Backyard Series — Pork Ribs 173.75
139.91
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2019 to 2025 — this edition picked out.
Entries
26
6 judged meats
Top score
706.8344
Winning margin
5.7256
GC over RC
Field average
678.70
591.77706.83
median 683.88 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork Ribs
1.2004 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
687.8968
591.77706.83
10th place overall
Field spread
115.0636
winner to last place
Prize money
$7,000
on the line
Double threats
9
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 9%
beats 91% of 4714 Master Series wins in the data
Form held
Moderate
ρ = -0.5 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,616
avg power rating going in · stronger than 86% of contests
Storylines (7 found in this contest's numbers)
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
An upset on the books
24-in-100
shot on pre-contest ratings
The ratings favoured the top seed the other 76 times in 100
Can Country Outlaw BBQ came in rated below the field's top team, TRIPLE H BBQ, and took the Grand Championship anyway — roughly a 24-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings.
- champion 1729
- top seed 1933
A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 7 tracked editions
Triple H BBQ has won this contest 2 times across its 7 tracked editions.
- 2022
- 2023
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 26 calls decided inside half a point
Master Series — Chicken places 1–2: Take It Easy BBQ and TRIPLE H BBQ tied on 178.8572 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 2–3: TRIPLE H BBQ and Can Country Outlaw BBQ tied on 178.8572 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Master Series — Chicken places 5–6: RUSTY PIG BBQ and Mulkey's BBQ tied on 175.4056 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Master Series — Chicken 1–2 · tie
- Master Series — Chicken 2–3 · tie
- Master Series — Chicken 5–6 · tie
- Master Series — Chicken 9–10 · tie
How the title was won
4 of 4
meats called to the stage
Can Country Outlaw BBQ took the title on 4 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was brisket at 8th.
- Chicken 3rd
- Pork Ribs 4th
- Pork 1st
- Brisket 8th
Back to defend
3
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: Que U (won 2022), Triple H BBQ (won 2022, 2023), Smokinghostbbq (won 2023).
- Que U · 2022
- Triple H BBQ · 2022, 2023
- Smokinghostbbq · 2023
A perfect score on the table
1
perfect 180s
1 perfect 180 was scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
- DB BBQ · Pork Ribs
Score curves (score by finishing position — steep cliffs mean a spread field, flat lines a knife fight)
Category showdown (top / average / median score per meat)
Score distribution
Biggest rating movers (power-rating points won and lost at this contest)
Did form hold? (pre-contest rating vs overall finish — ratings called it if the dots climb to the right)
This contest over the years full contest page →
| Date | Where | Venue | Teams | High score | Grand Champion | Reserve Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 19, 2019 | Peoria, IL | 200 NE Water St | 40 | 704.5372 | Heavy Smoke STL | SMOKE FREAKS |
| Jul 15, 2022 | Eureka, IL | 112 N Main St | 25 | 705.6916 | Que U | TRIPLE H BBQ |
| Jul 15, 2022 | Eureka, IL | 112 N Main St | 19 | 177.7028 | Triple H BBQ | — |
| Jul 14, 2023 | Eureka, IL | 506 Reagan Dr | 25 | 690.7540 | Triple H BBQ | Heavy Smoke BBQ |
| Jul 14, 2023 | Eureka, IL | 506 Reagan Dr | 15 | 180 | Smokinghostbbq | — |
| Jun 27, 2025 ← this one | Eureka, IL | 1448 County Rd 800 N | 26 | 706.8344 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | TRIPLE H BBQ |
| Jun 27, 2025 | Eureka, IL | 1448 County Rd 800 N | 15 | 178.2972 | LEE LA Q | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Series — Chicken | 178.8572 | 175.4056 | 173.1200 |
| Master Series — Pork Ribs | 180 | 174.2744 | 171.9656 |
| Master Series — Pork | 178.8572 | 174.2744 | 171.9772 |
| Master Series — Brisket | 179.4400 | 173.7028 | 171.9772 |
| Backyard Series — Chicken | 175.4400 | 173.7028 | 170.2628 |
| Backyard Series — Pork Ribs | 173.7488 | 172.5484 | 169.6684 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
26 entries · top 706.8344 · median 683.8800
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 2 | TRIPLE H BBQ | |
| 3 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 4 | LOCAL YOKELS BBQ | |
| 5 | DB BBQ | |
| 6 | QUE U | |
| 7 | Mulkey's BBQ | |
| 8 | RUSTY PIG BBQ | |
| 9 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 10 | MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS | |
| 11 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 12 | JaBs | |
| 13 | SMOKE THIS BBQ MO | |
| 14 | Q MOON | |
| 15 | BrewsCue | |
| 16 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 17 | THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE | |
| 18 | Risky Brisket | |
| 19 | SmokinGhost BBQ | |
| 20 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 21 | WE WILL ROCK QUE | |
| 22 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 23 | IlliDueQue | |
| 24 | SAUCED N SMOKED | |
| 25 | Rub Runners BBQ | |
| 26 | Gone Tits Up BBQ |
Chicken
26 entries · top 178.8572 · median 171.4000
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 2 | TRIPLE H BBQ | |
| 3 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 4 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 5 | RUSTY PIG BBQ | |
| 6 | Mulkey's BBQ | |
| 7 | LOCAL YOKELS BBQ | |
| 8 | Q MOON | |
| 9 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 10 | SMOKE THIS BBQ MO | |
| 11 | MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS | |
| 12 | QUE U | |
| 13 | BrewsCue | |
| 14 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 15 | THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE | |
| 16 | WE WILL ROCK QUE | |
| 17 | SmokinGhost BBQ | |
| 18 | Risky Brisket | |
| 19 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 20 | Rub Runners BBQ | |
| 21 | DB BBQ | |
| 22 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 23 | SAUCED N SMOKED | |
| 24 | JaBs | |
| 25 | IlliDueQue | |
| 26 | Gone Tits Up BBQ |
Pork Ribs
26 entries · top 180 · median 169.9714 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DB BBQ | |
| 2 | LOCAL YOKELS BBQ | |
| 3 | TRIPLE H BBQ | |
| 4 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 5 | THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE | |
| 6 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 7 | SMOKE THIS BBQ MO | |
| 8 | SmokinGhost BBQ | |
| 9 | MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS | |
| 10 | Risky Brisket | |
| 11 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 12 | SAUCED N SMOKED | |
| 13 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 14 | QUE U | |
| 15 | BrewsCue | |
| 16 | Mulkey's BBQ | |
| 17 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 18 | JaBs | |
| 19 | RUSTY PIG BBQ | |
| 20 | Q MOON | |
| 21 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 22 | WE WILL ROCK QUE | |
| 23 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 24 | IlliDueQue | |
| 25 | Rub Runners BBQ | |
| 26 | Gone Tits Up BBQ |
Pork
26 entries · top 178.8572 · median 171.1200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 2 | DB BBQ | |
| 3 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 4 | JaBs | |
| 5 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 6 | QUE U | |
| 7 | Risky Brisket | |
| 8 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 9 | Q MOON | |
| 10 | TRIPLE H BBQ | |
| 11 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 12 | MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS | |
| 13 | RUSTY PIG BBQ | |
| 14 | Mulkey's BBQ | |
| 15 | BrewsCue | |
| 16 | SmokinGhost BBQ | |
| 17 | SMOKE THIS BBQ MO | |
| 18 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 19 | WE WILL ROCK QUE | |
| 20 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 21 | LOCAL YOKELS BBQ | |
| 22 | THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE | |
| 23 | SAUCED N SMOKED | |
| 24 | IlliDueQue | |
| 25 | Rub Runners BBQ | |
| 26 | Gone Tits Up BBQ |
Brisket
26 entries · top 179.4400 · median 170.2572
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JaBs | |
| 2 | TRIPLE H BBQ | |
| 3 | LOCAL YOKELS BBQ | |
| 4 | QUE U | |
| 5 | Mulkey's BBQ | |
| 6 | IlliDueQue | |
| 7 | MAN MEAT BBQ | |
| 8 | Can Country Outlaw BBQ | |
| 9 | RUSTY PIG BBQ | |
| 10 | MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS | |
| 11 | JANKY LEG BBQ | |
| 12 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 13 | DB BBQ | |
| 14 | BrewsCue | |
| 15 | SMOKE THIS BBQ MO | |
| 16 | Take It Easy BBQ | |
| 17 | Risky Brisket | |
| 18 | THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE | |
| 19 | SmokinGhost BBQ | |
| 20 | Q MOON | |
| 21 | Second Hand Smoke SLV | |
| 22 | WE WILL ROCK QUE | |
| 23 | AWESOME RACKS COOKIN CREW | |
| 24 | Rub Runners BBQ | |
| 25 | SAUCED N SMOKED | |
| 26 | Gone Tits Up BBQ |
Backyard Series
Overall
22 entries · top 348.5372 · median 332.2284
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 2 | LEE LA Q | |
| 3 | RUBY CREEK BBQ | |
| 4 | SMOKIN E'S BBQ | |
| 5 | HORMONAL ESCAPE COMPETITION BBQ | |
| 6 | Fire Pig | |
| 7 | Skinny Pig BBQ | |
| 8 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 9 | Slingin' Q | |
| 10 | UP FROM THE PITS BBQ | |
| 11 | Sugba Smokehouse | |
| 12 | Sermerstout BBQ | |
| 13 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 14 | Ishy Links BBQ | |
| 15 | Firehouse 51 | |
| 16 | Briar Ridge BBQ | |
| 17 | 309 BBQ | |
| 18 | Grillers Anonymous (Team 2) | |
| 19 | Grillers Anonymous (Team 1) | |
| 20 | Nothin But Good BBQ! | |
| 21 | Johnny's Smoke Show | |
| 22 | Shootas BBQ |
Chicken
22 entries · top 175.4400 · median 168.8342
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LEE LA Q | |
| 2 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 3 | UP FROM THE PITS BBQ | |
| 4 | SMOKIN E'S BBQ | |
| 5 | RUBY CREEK BBQ | |
| 6 | Skinny Pig BBQ | |
| 7 | HORMONAL ESCAPE COMPETITION BBQ | |
| 8 | Fire Pig | |
| 9 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 10 | Grillers Anonymous (Team 2) | |
| 11 | Slingin' Q | |
| 12 | Sugba Smokehouse | |
| 13 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 14 | Briar Ridge BBQ | |
| 15 | Sermerstout BBQ | |
| 16 | Ishy Links BBQ | |
| 17 | Firehouse 51 | |
| 18 | Grillers Anonymous (Team 1) | |
| 19 | Nothin But Good BBQ! | |
| 20 | 309 BBQ | |
| 21 | Johnny's Smoke Show | |
| 22 | Shootas BBQ |
Pork Ribs
22 entries · top 173.7488 · median 167.6800
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HORMONAL ESCAPE COMPETITION BBQ | |
| 2 | RUBY CREEK BBQ | |
| 3 | Fire Pig | |
| 4 | Rudes BBQ | |
| 5 | LEE LA Q | |
| 6 | SMOKIN E'S BBQ | |
| 7 | Slingin' Q | |
| 8 | All Smoked Up BBQ | |
| 9 | Skinny Pig BBQ | |
| 10 | Sermerstout BBQ | |
| 11 | Ishy Links BBQ | |
| 12 | 309 BBQ | |
| 13 | Too Sauced Guys Bar-B-Que | |
| 14 | Firehouse 51 | |
| 15 | Sugba Smokehouse | |
| 16 | UP FROM THE PITS BBQ | |
| 17 | Briar Ridge BBQ | |
| 18 | Grillers Anonymous (Team 1) | |
| 19 | Shootas BBQ | |
| 20 | Johnny's Smoke Show | |
| 21 | Grillers Anonymous (Team 2) | |
| 22 | Nothin But Good BBQ! |