A new contest record
698.8460
highest overall ever cooked here
698.8460 is the highest overall score this contest has ever produced — past the 697.6572 The Bbq Bus set in 2022.
- old record 697.6572
- set 2022 by The Bbq Bus
All American BBQ Throwdown 2023
Aug 4–5, 2023 · Westland, MI · 📍 6440 N Hix Road · State championship
Reps: Kent Schuetz, Rachel Schuetz · Prize money: $8,500
PIGGIN' WHISKEY won Grand Champion at the All American BBQ Throwdown on August 4, 2023 in Westland, MI at 6440 N Hix Road, scoring 698.8460 in a field of 44 teams. Bad Habit BBQ took Reserve Grand Champion with 694.2512. Category winners: Chicken — B&R SMOKE (178.2972); Pork Ribs — PIGGIN' WHISKEY (174.8572); Pork — Shiggin aint easy (180.0000); Brisket — TIRE SMOKE BBQ (176.5600). This is the 6th of 13 editions of this contest on record; the 2022 edition was won by The Bbq Bus; the next was held in 2023.
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.
510.82
median 671.33
698.85 🏆
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 174.86
- Pork 180 🔥
- Brisket 176.56
20
180
Winning score by edition
What it has taken to win here, 2016 to 2026 — this edition picked out.
Entries
44
4 judged meats · 1 ancillary
Top score
698.8460
Winning margin
4.5948
GC over RC
Field average
662.53
510.82698.85
median 671.33 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork Ribs
1.7144 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
678.1600
510.82698.85
10th place overall
Field spread
188.0232
winner to last place
Prize money
$8,500
on the line
Double threats
3
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 37%
beats 63% of 4715 Master Series wins in the data
Came back for more
66%
33 of 50 teams from the previous edition returned
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.68 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,588
avg power rating going in · stronger than 69% of contests
Storylines (6 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 16 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 2–3: iBQ'n and Bad Habit BBQ tied on 177.1428 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 8–9: Q-JITSU and JMB BBQ tied on 174.8456 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork Ribs places 6–7: KEVLAR BBQ and BO B Q BBQ tied on 171.9772 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 2–3 · tie
- Chicken 8–9 · tie
- Pork Ribs 6–7 · tie
- Pork Ribs 9–10 · tie
How the title was won
3 of 4
meats called to the stage
PIGGIN' WHISKEY took the title on 3 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was chicken at 14th.
- Chicken 14th
- Pork Ribs 1st
- Pork 2nd
- Brisket 2nd
A contest record in pork
180.0000
best pork ever cooked here
Shiggin aint easy turned in 180.0000 in pork — past the 178.8572 that had stood across 5 earlier editions.
- old best 178.8572
- across 5 past editions
Back to defend
3
past champions back in the field
Past winners of this contest cooked this edition: Kevlar BBQ (won 2020), Aww Hell (won 2021), The Bbq Bus (won 2022).
- Kevlar BBQ · 2020
- Aww Hell · 2021
- The Bbq Bus · 2022
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.
- Shiggin aint easy · Pork
This contest's own records (1 in the KCBS record book)
Records held by every edition of this contest put together, not just this one afternoon.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 2016 | Westland, MI | 36601 Ford Rd | 16 | 685.6572 | SLIPPERY PETE'S BBQ | PB&J'S BBQ TEAM |
| Aug 4, 2017 | Westland, MI | 1901 N Carlson St | 29 | 689.1428 | iBQ'n@TheBBQSuperStore.com | MAC ATTACK BBQ |
| Aug 7, 2020 | Westland, MI | Westland, MI 48185 | 42 | 685.2000 | Kevlar BBQ | TIRE SMOKE BBQ |
| Aug 6, 2021 | Westland, MI | 6440 N Hix Road | 32 | 690.2400 | Aww Hell | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES |
| Aug 5, 2022 | Westland, MI | 6440 N Hix Road | 50 | 697.6572 | The Bbq Bus | Outlaw Smokers |
| Aug 4, 2023 ← this one | Westland, MI | 6440 N Hix Road | 44 | 698.8460 | Piggin' Whiskey | Bad Habit BBQ |
| Aug 4, 2023 | Westland, MI | 6440 N Hix Road | 37 | 178.8572 | Matty B | — |
| Aug 2, 2024 | Westland, MI | 6440 N Hix Road | 40 | 698.2400 | Janky Leg BBQ | BAD HABIT BBQ |
| Aug 2, 2024 | Westland, MI | 6440 N Hix Road | 26 | 175.4172 | Holy Cow BBQ | — |
| Aug 1, 2025 | Westland, MI | Bova VFW 9885 | 43 | 709.1428 | iBQ'n | Shiggin aint easy |
| Aug 1, 2025 | Westland, MI | Bova VFW 9885 | 29 | 177.7144 | Bo B Q | — |
| Jul 31, 2026 | Westland, MI | Bova VFW 9885 | 45 | 705.1544 | Bucked Up BBQ | JANKY LEG BBQ |
| Jul 31, 2026 | Westland, MI | Bova VFW 9885 | 32 | 178.8572 | Sailor Nicks BBQ | — |
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 178.2972 | 176.5600 | 174.3200 |
| Pork Ribs | 174.8572 | 173.1428 | 171.4172 |
| Pork | 180 | 173.1428 | 171.4172 |
| Brisket | 176.5600 | 172.5600 | 170.8572 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
44 entries · top 698.8460 · median 671.3260
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 2 | Bad Habit BBQ | |
| 3 | BooyaQ | |
| 4 | QUEFELLAS BBQ | |
| 5 | iBQ'n | |
| 6 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 7 | JMB BBQ | |
| 8 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 9 | KEVLAR BBQ | |
| 10 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 11 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 12 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 13 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 14 | THE BBQ BUS | |
| 15 | JAYBIRD'S BBQ | |
| 16 | Sailor Nicks BBQ | |
| 17 | Q-JITSU | |
| 18 | Blowing Smoke BBQ | |
| 19 | TIRE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 20 | FIREHOUSE SMOKE | |
| 21 | AWW HELL | |
| 22 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 23 | BAD WOLF BBQ | |
| 24 | PB&J's BBQ | |
| 25 | Smokin' Bones Barbecue | |
| 26 | The Yellow Rose Texas BBQ Company | |
| 27 | Bleacher Bums BBQ | |
| 28 | B&R SMOKE | |
| 29 | DETROIT PIGSKIN BARBEQUE | |
| 30 | BROTHERHOOD OF SWINE | |
| 31 | PapaDads BBQ | |
| 32 | DETROIT SIBLING RIVALRY | |
| 33 | LICENSE TO GRILL | |
| 34 | Heritage Q | |
| 35 | RAMSHACKLE BBQ | |
| 36 | S & G BBQ | |
| 37 | Backdraft BBQ | |
| 38 | Thin Blue BBQ | |
| 39 | TCB - Takin' Care of Brisket | |
| 40 | DAT'S BBQ | |
| 41 | Dude, Smoke This! BBQ | |
| 42 | Gorilla BBQ | |
| 43 | Just Porkin Around BBQ | |
| 44 | Tin Can Smokers |
Chicken
44 entries · top 178.2972 · median 169.1142
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B&R SMOKE | |
| 2 | iBQ'n | |
| 3 | Bad Habit BBQ | |
| 4 | QUEFELLAS BBQ | |
| 5 | BAD WOLF BBQ | |
| 6 | THE BBQ BUS | |
| 7 | AWW HELL | |
| 8 | Q-JITSU | |
| 9 | JMB BBQ | |
| 10 | JAYBIRD'S BBQ | |
| 11 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 12 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 13 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 14 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 15 | BooyaQ | |
| 16 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 17 | DETROIT PIGSKIN BARBEQUE | |
| 18 | RAMSHACKLE BBQ | |
| 19 | KEVLAR BBQ | |
| 20 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 21 | Sailor Nicks BBQ | |
| 22 | LICENSE TO GRILL | |
| 23 | Smokin' Bones Barbecue | |
| 24 | Backdraft BBQ | |
| 25 | Tin Can Smokers | |
| 26 | The Yellow Rose Texas BBQ Company | |
| 27 | TCB - Takin' Care of Brisket | |
| 28 | FIREHOUSE SMOKE | |
| 29 | TIRE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 30 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 31 | Dude, Smoke This! BBQ | |
| 32 | Bleacher Bums BBQ | |
| 33 | Blowing Smoke BBQ | |
| 34 | S & G BBQ | |
| 35 | DAT'S BBQ | |
| 36 | BROTHERHOOD OF SWINE | |
| 37 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 38 | Heritage Q | |
| 39 | PapaDads BBQ | |
| 40 | PB&J's BBQ | |
| 41 | Just Porkin Around BBQ | |
| 42 | DETROIT SIBLING RIVALRY | |
| 43 | Thin Blue BBQ | |
| 44 | Gorilla BBQ |
Pork Ribs
44 entries · top 174.8572 · median 167.9830
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 2 | BooyaQ | |
| 3 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 4 | Sailor Nicks BBQ | |
| 5 | Bad Habit BBQ | |
| 6 | KEVLAR BBQ | |
| 7 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 8 | The Yellow Rose Texas BBQ Company | |
| 9 | Bleacher Bums BBQ | |
| 10 | DETROIT SIBLING RIVALRY | |
| 11 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 12 | Blowing Smoke BBQ | |
| 13 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 14 | QUEFELLAS BBQ | |
| 15 | Heritage Q | |
| 16 | FIREHOUSE SMOKE | |
| 17 | LICENSE TO GRILL | |
| 18 | Backdraft BBQ | |
| 19 | PapaDads BBQ | |
| 20 | JMB BBQ | |
| 21 | iBQ'n | |
| 22 | JAYBIRD'S BBQ | |
| 23 | THE BBQ BUS | |
| 24 | RAMSHACKLE BBQ | |
| 25 | Tin Can Smokers | |
| 26 | Smokin' Bones Barbecue | |
| 27 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 28 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 29 | Thin Blue BBQ | |
| 30 | Q-JITSU | |
| 31 | S & G BBQ | |
| 32 | PB&J's BBQ | |
| 33 | DETROIT PIGSKIN BARBEQUE | |
| 34 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 35 | Gorilla BBQ | |
| 36 | B&R SMOKE | |
| 37 | AWW HELL | |
| 38 | DAT'S BBQ | |
| 39 | Dude, Smoke This! BBQ | |
| 40 | TIRE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 41 | BAD WOLF BBQ | |
| 42 | BROTHERHOOD OF SWINE | |
| 43 | TCB - Takin' Care of Brisket | |
| 44 | Just Porkin Around BBQ |
Pork
44 entries · top 180 · median 166.2630 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 2 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 3 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 4 | Bad Habit BBQ | |
| 5 | QUEFELLAS BBQ | |
| 6 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 7 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 8 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 9 | BooyaQ | |
| 10 | FIREHOUSE SMOKE | |
| 11 | Sailor Nicks BBQ | |
| 12 | iBQ'n | |
| 13 | TIRE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 14 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 15 | PB&J's BBQ | |
| 16 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 17 | KEVLAR BBQ | |
| 18 | THE BBQ BUS | |
| 19 | Q-JITSU | |
| 20 | PapaDads BBQ | |
| 21 | BROTHERHOOD OF SWINE | |
| 22 | Blowing Smoke BBQ | |
| 23 | JAYBIRD'S BBQ | |
| 24 | DAT'S BBQ | |
| 25 | Smokin' Bones Barbecue | |
| 26 | JMB BBQ | |
| 27 | AWW HELL | |
| 28 | BAD WOLF BBQ | |
| 29 | S & G BBQ | |
| 30 | Gorilla BBQ | |
| 31 | The Yellow Rose Texas BBQ Company | |
| 32 | Backdraft BBQ | |
| 33 | Heritage Q | |
| 34 | Dude, Smoke This! BBQ | |
| 35 | Bleacher Bums BBQ | |
| 36 | RAMSHACKLE BBQ | |
| 37 | LICENSE TO GRILL | |
| 38 | TCB - Takin' Care of Brisket | |
| 39 | Thin Blue BBQ | |
| 40 | Tin Can Smokers | |
| 41 | DETROIT SIBLING RIVALRY | |
| 42 | B&R SMOKE | |
| 43 | DETROIT PIGSKIN BARBEQUE | |
| 44 | Just Porkin Around BBQ |
Brisket
44 entries · top 176.5600 · median 165.1314
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TIRE SMOKE BBQ | |
| 2 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 3 | AWW HELL | |
| 4 | JMB BBQ | |
| 5 | PB&J's BBQ | |
| 6 | BAD WOLF BBQ | |
| 7 | DETROIT SIBLING RIVALRY | |
| 8 | DETROIT PIGSKIN BARBEQUE | |
| 9 | BooyaQ | |
| 10 | HOME FARM BBQ | |
| 11 | BROTHERHOOD OF SWINE | |
| 12 | B&R SMOKE | |
| 13 | Blowing Smoke BBQ | |
| 14 | iBQ'n | |
| 15 | BO B Q BBQ | |
| 16 | KEVLAR BBQ | |
| 17 | Bleacher Bums BBQ | |
| 18 | Bad Habit BBQ | |
| 19 | QUEFELLAS BBQ | |
| 20 | JAYBIRD'S BBQ | |
| 21 | Smokin' Bones Barbecue | |
| 22 | Thin Blue BBQ | |
| 23 | Q-JITSU | |
| 24 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 25 | THE REAL SMOKIN ACES | |
| 26 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 27 | FIREHOUSE SMOKE | |
| 28 | THE BBQ BUS | |
| 29 | The Yellow Rose Texas BBQ Company | |
| 30 | MEAN MOE'S BBQ | |
| 31 | TCB - Takin' Care of Brisket | |
| 32 | Heritage Q | |
| 33 | LICENSE TO GRILL | |
| 34 | Sailor Nicks BBQ | |
| 35 | PapaDads BBQ | |
| 36 | S & G BBQ | |
| 37 | MAC ATTACK BBQ | |
| 38 | RAMSHACKLE BBQ | |
| 39 | DAT'S BBQ | |
| 40 | Gorilla BBQ | |
| 41 | Just Porkin Around BBQ | |
| 42 | Backdraft BBQ | |
| 43 | Dude, Smoke This! BBQ | |
| 44 | Tin Can Smokers |
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 — Dessert
10 entries · top 180 · median 177.7144 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiggin aint easy | |
| 2 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | |
| 3 | PB&J's BBQ | |
| 4 | QUEFELLAS BBQ | |
| 5 | The Yellow Rose Texas BBQ Company | |
| 6 | DAT'S BBQ | |
| 7 | Sailor Nicks BBQ | |
| 8 | Smokin Bugatti BBQ | |
| 9 | Dude, Smoke This! BBQ | |
| 10 | Gorilla BBQ |