A dynasty in the making
2×
wins at this contest
2 of 7 tracked editions
THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ has won this contest 2 times across its 7 tracked editions.
- 2014
- 2020
Shotgun Fred BBQ Showdown
2020-02-14 – 2020-02-15 · Huntsville, TX · 📍 3925 State High Way 30 · State championship
Reps: CAROLYN WELLS, RALPH WILLIAMS
Grand Champion: The American Dream BBQ (704.0344) · 42 teams
Reserve Champion: 🥈 FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX
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.
473.05
median 669.34
704.03 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 178.30
- Pork Ribs 179.44
- Pork 180.00 🔥
- Brisket 178.86
136.02
180.00
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2014 to 2020 — this edition picked out.
Entries
42
4 judged meats · 4 ancillary
Top score
704.0344
Winning margin
3.5088
GC over RC
Field average
655.38
473.05704.03
median 669.34 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork
3.4400 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
680.4800
473.05704.03
10th place overall
Field spread
230.9828
winner to last place
Double threats
4
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 16%
beats 84% of 4707 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
21%
7 of 33 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.69 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1623
avg power rating going in · stronger than 89% of contests
Storylines (5 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.
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 15 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 9–10: TEXAS-CAR-B-QUE and Latin Gringo Cookers tied on 173.1200 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork places 5–6: Old Man Jeff and BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX tied on 176.5600 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Brisket places 2–3: THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ and LONESOME DOVE KOOKERS tied on 177.7372 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 9–10 · tie
- Pork 5–6 · tie
- Brisket 2–3 · tie
- Brisket 6–7 · tie
How the title was won
3 of 4
meats called to the stage
THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ took the title on 3 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was chicken at 13th.
- Chicken 13th
- Pork Ribs 6th
- Pork 1st
- Brisket 2nd
Back to defend
2
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ (won 2014), RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ (won 2018).
- THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ · 2014
- RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ · 2018
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.
- THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ · Pork
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-02-27 | Huntsville, TX | Huntsville, TX | 37 | 689.1316 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | BUTCHER BBQ |
| 2015-02-26 | Huntsville, TX | Huntsville, TX 77320 | 61 | 689.2228 | Lucky Dawg BBQ | KOSMO'S Q |
| 2016-02-25 | Huntsville, TX | Huntsville, TX 77320 | 42 | 685.1316 | MEAT @ SLIMS | Smokin Hot J's |
| 2017-02-16 | Huntsville, TX | Walker County Fair Grounds | 41 | 705.6568 | CLARK CREW BBQ | Smokie Okie & Company |
| 2018-02-16 | Huntsville, TX | 3925 Hwy 03 W | 38 | 694.8572 | RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ | BOOMERANG BBQ |
| 2019-02-15 | Huntsville, TX | 3925 Hwy 03 W | 33 | 704.5256 | Rio Valley Meats BBQ | Tiny E BBQ |
| 2020-02-14 ← this one | Huntsville, TX | 3925 State High Way 30 | 42 | 704.0344 | The American Dream BBQ | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 178.2972 | 173.7372 | 173.1200 |
| Pork Ribs | 179.4400 | 174.8456 | 172.5600 |
| Pork | 180.0000 | 176.5600 | 172.5600 |
| Brisket | 178.8572 | 175.4056 | 172.5484 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
42 entries · top 704.0344 · median 669.3370
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 2 | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX | |
| 3 | BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX | |
| 4 | Texas Oil Dust | |
| 5 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G | |
| 6 | Texas Smoke Whisper | |
| 7 | First Class BBQ | |
| 8 | RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ | |
| 9 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 10 | BUTCHER BBQ | |
| 11 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 12 | Pop's Que-Bob | |
| 13 | LA PASADITA | |
| 14 | DAD'S GRILLIN CREW | |
| 15 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 16 | DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OK | |
| 17 | FIRE DANCER BBQ | |
| 18 | Old Man Jeff | |
| 19 | Race Crew BBQ | |
| 20 | LC BBQ | |
| 21 | LONESOME DOVE KOOKERS | |
| 22 | OLD 99 MEAT CO. | |
| 23 | B-S BBQ OUTLAWS | |
| 24 | TEXAS-CAR-B-QUE | |
| 25 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 26 | The BBQ Store | |
| 27 | Latin Gringo Cookers | |
| 28 | TEXAS SMOKE | |
| 29 | THE BBQ GURU | |
| 30 | WIne A Bit | |
| 31 | Bottoms Up BBQ | |
| 32 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 33 | Old Buzzard BBQ | |
| 34 | Smoke Sergeant | |
| 35 | Wholey Smoked Cookers | |
| 36 | CRS BBQ | |
| 37 | HUMBLE PIT CREW COOKERS | |
| 38 | Foggy Morning | |
| 39 | Backdraft Cookers | |
| 40 | Sigma Chi | |
| 41 | SHCA | |
| 42 | BBQ Protect |
Chicken
41 entries · top 178.2972 · median 166.8456
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BUTCHER BBQ | |
| 2 | FIRE DANCER BBQ | |
| 3 | Race Crew BBQ | |
| 4 | Old Man Jeff | |
| 5 | OLD 99 MEAT CO. | |
| 6 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 7 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 8 | First Class BBQ | |
| 9 | TEXAS-CAR-B-QUE | |
| 10 | Latin Gringo Cookers | |
| 11 | The BBQ Store | |
| 12 | DAD'S GRILLIN CREW | |
| 13 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 14 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 15 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 16 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G | |
| 17 | Texas Oil Dust | |
| 18 | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX | |
| 19 | DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OK | |
| 20 | RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ | |
| 21 | LA PASADITA | |
| 22 | BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX | |
| 23 | B-S BBQ OUTLAWS | |
| 24 | Texas Smoke Whisper | |
| 25 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 26 | Pop's Que-Bob | |
| 27 | LC BBQ | |
| 28 | Old Buzzard BBQ | |
| 29 | Bottoms Up BBQ | |
| 30 | Smoke Sergeant | |
| 31 | TEXAS SMOKE | |
| 32 | Backdraft Cookers | |
| 33 | LONESOME DOVE KOOKERS | |
| 34 | CRS BBQ | |
| 35 | Wholey Smoked Cookers | |
| 36 | WIne A Bit | |
| 37 | THE BBQ GURU | |
| 38 | Sigma Chi | |
| 39 | Foggy Morning | |
| 40 | HUMBLE PIT CREW COOKERS | |
| 41 | SHCA |
Pork Ribs
42 entries · top 179.4400 · median 165.6916
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX | |
| 2 | Pop's Que-Bob | |
| 3 | DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OK | |
| 4 | BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX | |
| 5 | LC BBQ | |
| 6 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 7 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G | |
| 8 | Texas Oil Dust | |
| 9 | OLD 99 MEAT CO. | |
| 10 | B-S BBQ OUTLAWS | |
| 11 | RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ | |
| 12 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 13 | Texas Smoke Whisper | |
| 14 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 15 | TEXAS-CAR-B-QUE | |
| 16 | First Class BBQ | |
| 17 | BUTCHER BBQ | |
| 18 | Race Crew BBQ | |
| 19 | LONESOME DOVE KOOKERS | |
| 20 | FIRE DANCER BBQ | |
| 21 | DAD'S GRILLIN CREW | |
| 22 | Old Man Jeff | |
| 23 | Smoke Sergeant | |
| 24 | WIne A Bit | |
| 25 | Bottoms Up BBQ | |
| 26 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 27 | The BBQ Store | |
| 28 | THE BBQ GURU | |
| 29 | LA PASADITA | |
| 30 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 31 | BBQ Protect | |
| 32 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 33 | Old Buzzard BBQ | |
| 34 | HUMBLE PIT CREW COOKERS | |
| 35 | Backdraft Cookers | |
| 36 | CRS BBQ | |
| 37 | Wholey Smoked Cookers | |
| 38 | Latin Gringo Cookers | |
| 39 | TEXAS SMOKE | |
| 40 | Foggy Morning | |
| 41 | Sigma Chi | |
| 42 | SHCA |
Pork
42 entries · top 180.0000 · median 167.4056 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 2 | LA PASADITA | |
| 3 | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX | |
| 4 | Texas Smoke Whisper | |
| 5 | Old Man Jeff | |
| 6 | BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX | |
| 7 | DAD'S GRILLIN CREW | |
| 8 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 9 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 10 | B-S BBQ OUTLAWS | |
| 11 | First Class BBQ | |
| 12 | TEXAS SMOKE | |
| 13 | RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ | |
| 14 | Old Buzzard BBQ | |
| 15 | LC BBQ | |
| 16 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G | |
| 17 | Pop's Que-Bob | |
| 18 | Texas Oil Dust | |
| 19 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 20 | WIne A Bit | |
| 21 | Latin Gringo Cookers | |
| 22 | The BBQ Store | |
| 23 | FIRE DANCER BBQ | |
| 24 | LONESOME DOVE KOOKERS | |
| 25 | OLD 99 MEAT CO. | |
| 26 | Race Crew BBQ | |
| 27 | THE BBQ GURU | |
| 28 | TEXAS-CAR-B-QUE | |
| 29 | Bottoms Up BBQ | |
| 30 | Foggy Morning | |
| 31 | DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OK | |
| 32 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 33 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 34 | BUTCHER BBQ | |
| 35 | BBQ Protect | |
| 36 | Sigma Chi | |
| 37 | Smoke Sergeant | |
| 38 | HUMBLE PIT CREW COOKERS | |
| 39 | CRS BBQ | |
| 40 | Wholey Smoked Cookers | |
| 41 | Backdraft Cookers | |
| 42 | SHCA |
Brisket
42 entries · top 178.8572 · median 164.5428
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BUCKSHOT BBQ - TX | |
| 2 | THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ | |
| 3 | LONESOME DOVE KOOKERS | |
| 4 | Texas Oil Dust | |
| 5 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY O.G | |
| 6 | BUTCHER BBQ | |
| 7 | First Class BBQ | |
| 8 | RIO VALLEY MEAT BBQ | |
| 9 | FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX | |
| 10 | Texas Smoke Whisper | |
| 11 | GETTIN' BASTED | |
| 12 | TEXAS SMOKE | |
| 13 | 4 LEGS UP BBQ | |
| 14 | THE BBQ GURU | |
| 15 | LA PASADITA | |
| 16 | DOUBLE BARREL BBQ - OK | |
| 17 | Pop's Que-Bob | |
| 18 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 19 | Wholey Smoked Cookers | |
| 20 | Race Crew BBQ | |
| 21 | DAD'S GRILLIN CREW | |
| 22 | Latin Gringo Cookers | |
| 23 | FIRE DANCER BBQ | |
| 24 | SMOKIN TIMBERS BBQ | |
| 25 | LC BBQ | |
| 26 | The BBQ Store | |
| 27 | TEXAS-CAR-B-QUE | |
| 28 | Smoke Sergeant | |
| 29 | B-S BBQ OUTLAWS | |
| 30 | Old Man Jeff | |
| 31 | OLD 99 MEAT CO. | |
| 32 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 33 | BBQ Protect | |
| 34 | WIne A Bit | |
| 35 | CRS BBQ | |
| 36 | Bottoms Up BBQ | |
| 37 | HUMBLE PIT CREW COOKERS | |
| 38 | SHCA | |
| 39 | Old Buzzard BBQ | |
| 40 | Backdraft Cookers | |
| 41 | Sigma Chi | |
| 42 | Foggy Morning |
Ancillary categories
Run by the organizers alongside the sanctioned contest. These are judged on their own terms and do not count toward the overall score, so they're kept out of the meat stats above.
Ancillary — Beans
9 entries · top 167.9884 · median 159.4400
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pop's Que-Bob | |
| 2 | THE BBQ GURU | |
| 3 | Wholey Smoked Cookers | |
| 4 | BBQ Protect | |
| 5 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 6 | Bottoms Up BBQ | |
| 7 | Foggy Morning | |
| 8 | Smoke Sergeant | |
| 9 | Old Buzzard BBQ |
Ancillary — Chef'S Choice
4 entries · top 175.4056 · median 169.1200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 2 | Foggy Morning | |
| 3 | HUMBLE PIT CREW COOKERS | |
| 4 | Old Buzzard BBQ |
Ancillary — Dessert
7 entries · top 180.0000 · median 167.4056 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BOOMERANG BBQ | |
| 2 | Pop's Que-Bob | |
| 3 | Backdraft Cookers | |
| 4 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 5 | Old Buzzard BBQ | |
| 6 | Bottoms Up BBQ | |
| 7 | Foggy Morning |
Ancillary — Jack Pot Sides
4 entries · top 175.4400 · median 173.1428
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavy's BBQ | |
| 2 | Old Buzzard BBQ | |
| 3 | THE BBQ GURU | |
| 4 | Foggy Morning |