The American Royal edition

Every team, every meat and every score from the 2023 American Royal Invitational.

Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests

The Smoke Ring

Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record

The Index

The Champions A2
American Royal 2023 in Brief A3
Meat by Meat A4
Perfect 180s A5
Final Standings B1
The Record Book B2
Back Issues C1

Vol. XII · No. X Wednesday, September 27, 2023 Price: One Coffee

The 2023 American Royal Invitational

706.8572 winning score, out of 720 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY

211 teams invited

0.5828 points, first to second

8 perfect 180s

10th American Royal on record

7 past champions in the field

73 teams at a first American Royal

The 2023 American Royal Invitational

FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY Wins the American Royal on Debut

Their 706.8572 beats Damn Fine Beef & Swine by 0.5828 points, in a field of 211 invited teams.

By The Smoke Ring Staff

5th-highest winning score of 10 American Royals on record

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY won the 2023 American Royal Invitational in Kansas City, Kan., with 706.8572 out of 720, 0.5828 points clear of Damn Fine Beef & Swine, the reserve grand champion. 211 teams were invited.

It was their 1st American Royal. On the way they finished 77th in chicken, 33rd in pork ribs, 7th in pork and 3rd in brisket.

The meats went to GETTIN' BASTED in chicken (178.8800), Hot Cole's BBQ in pork ribs (180), CHINGON BBQ in pork (180) and LOVE 2 Q in brisket (180).

The winning score is the 5th-highest of the 10 American Royals on record. The field included seven past champions and 73 teams at their first American Royal. Judges handed out eight perfect 180s. The full standings run on B1.

211 teams
Reserve: Damn Fine Beef & Swine
Kansas City, Kan.
Sept. 27

Section AAmerican Royal ChampionsA2

Every American Royal on record to 2023, newest first. Each year has an edition of its own.

FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY 2023 — this edition 706.8572 · 211 teams · Kansas City, Kan. · Reserve: Damn Fine Beef & Swine
QUE U The 2022 edition 711.9656 · 249 teams · Kansas City, Kan. · Reserve: Bushmaster BBQ
TRIPLE H BBQ The 2021 edition 708.5372 · 185 teams · Kansas City, Kan. · Reserve: SIN CIRCLE BBQ
MUDVILLE BBQ The 2019 edition 706.2516 · 135 teams · Kansas City, Kan. · Reserve: GETTIN' BASTED
BUNCH OF SWINES The 2018 edition 705.1200 · 164 teams · Kansas City, Kan. · Reserve: ONE2BBQ
CLARK CREW BBQ The 2017 edition 708.5600 · 129 teams · Kansas City, Kan. · Reserve: HOGLINE
913 BBQ The 2016 edition 705.0740 · 180 teams · Kansas City, Kan. · Reserve: SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ
THE SMOKING HILLS The 2015 edition 707.9888 · 187 teams · Kansas City, Mo. · Reserve: PELLET ENVY
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA The 2014 edition 701.7028 · 165 teams · Kansas City, Mo. · Reserve: DIRT ROAD BBQ
COOL SMOKE The 2013 edition 700.5256 · 174 teams · Kansas City, Mo. · Reserve: T-MAC SMOKIN

Section AAmerican Royal 2023 in BriefA3

The defending champion

Defending Champion QUE U Finishes 74th

The 2022 winner falls out of the top ten.

74th of 211, after winning in 2022

QUE U won the American Royal in 2022 and finished 74th this time, with 687.3368.

The finish

The Closest American Royal on Record

FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY over Damn Fine Beef & Swine, by 0.5828.

0.5828 points between first and second

FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY beat Damn Fine Beef & Swine by 0.5828 points, the narrowest margin of the 10 American Royals on record. The closest before it was 2018, when BUNCH OF SWINES won by 1.0968.

Perfect scores

Eight Perfect 180s at the American Royal

Six judges, every card a nine.

8 perfect 180s

Hot Cole's BBQ in pork ribs, PIGLITICALLY INCORRECT BBQ in pork ribs, Meat Candy Q in pork ribs, GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS in pork ribs, CHINGON BBQ in pork, LOVE 2 Q in brisket, Fergolicious BBQ in brisket and FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY in brisket scored a perfect 180.

Also at the 2023 American Royal

Seven Past Champions Come Up Short

913 BBQ (won 2016) finished 24th, SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA (won 2014) finished 34th, CLARK CREW BBQ (won 2017) finished 46th, TRIPLE H BBQ (won 2021) finished 49th, QUE U (won 2022) finished 74th, MUDVILLE BBQ (won 2019) finished 131st and BUNCH OF SWINES (won 2018) finished 161st.

AMERICAN HEROES BBQ Climbs From 225th to 23rd

AMERICAN HEROES BBQ finished 23rd, up from 225th in 2022: the most places gained by any team that cooked both.

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ Cooks Their 10th American Royal

IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ has cooked 10 of the 10 American Royals on record, starting in 2013 with a best finish of 5th, and finished 21st this year.

Section AMeat by MeatA4

Chicken

The top ten, out of 180

Pl.	Team	Score
1	GETTIN' BASTED	178.8800
2	WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ	178.8572
3	PADDY MCQ'S	178.8572
4	PARTS 'R' SMOKIN	178.8572
5	OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE	178.8572
6	REDNECK SCIENTIFIC	178.8572
7	BLUE & GRAY BBQ	178.8572
8	Eggspert BBQ	178.2972
9	Bleacher Bums BBQ	178.2972
10	TNT Explosive BBQ	178.2972

Pork Ribs

The top ten, out of 180 · 4 perfect 180s

Pl.	Team	Score
1	Hot Cole's BBQ	180†
2	PIGLITICALLY INCORRECT BBQ	180†
3	Meat Candy Q	180†
4	GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS	180†
5	JL Smokers	178.8572
6	ANGRY JACK BBQ	178.8572
7	Bushmaster BBQ	178.8572
8	MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ	178.8572
9	InTheRedZoneBBQ	178.8572
10	RUB MY RACK	178.2972

Pork

The top ten, out of 180 · 1 perfect 180

Pl.	Team	Score
1	CHINGON BBQ	180†
2	YES, DEAR BBQ	179.4400
3	ALL FORKED UP FOR Q	179.4400
4	GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQ	178.8572
5	FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX	178.8572
6	SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ	178.2972
7	FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY	177.7372
8	RIO VALLEY MEAT	177.7144
9	PORKRASTINATORS	177.7144
10	SMOKIN SKULLIES	177.7028

Brisket

The top ten, out of 180 · 3 perfect 180s

Pl.	Team	Score
1	LOVE 2 Q	180†
2	Fergolicious BBQ	180†
3	FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY	180†
4	SMOKE THIS BBQ MO	179.4400
5	BIG RED BBQ	179.4400
6	TINY E BBQ	179.4400
7	RUB MY RACK	178.8572
8	HIGH i QUE	178.8572
9	LUCKY'S Q	178.8572
10	CHICKEN FRIED BBQ	178.8572

Section APerfect 180sA5

8 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.

Section BFinal StandingsB1

Every team on the 2023 board, 211 in all: the overall out of 720 and each meat’s place. ★ a past American Royal champion; ◆ a first American Royal. Click a column head to sort.

Place	Team	Chicken	Pork Ribs	Pork	Brisket	Overall
1	FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY ◆	77	33	7	3	706.8572
2	Damn Fine Beef & Swine ◆	24	35	26	16	706.2744
3	LOVE 2 Q	78	29	50	1	703.3944
4	TINY E BBQ	11	31	116	6	702.8688
5	GETTIN' BASTED	1	86	12	64	701.1200
6	Hot Cole's BBQ	171	1	14	13	701.0972
7	RUB MY RACK	49	10	144	7	700.5488
8	Dirt Bag Barbeque ◆	99	30	16	24	699.3944
9	HOT DADDY'S BBQ	18	28	24	119	699.3828
10	TILLMAN'S BBQ ◆	36	45	86	25	698.8344
11	GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQ	28	100	4	84	698.2632
12	MUTTLEY CREW BBQ	21	60	30	101	697.6800
13	Fergolicious BBQ	92	67	93	2	697.6688
14	REDNECK SCIENTIFIC	6	102	32	70	697.6572
15	Meat Candy Q	68	3	92	92	697.0856
16	4 LEGS UP BBQ	79	17	74	60	696.5144
17	YES, DEAR BBQ	19	37	2	171	696.5140
18	HAT CREEK Q	47	74	88	27	696.4912
19	Bushmaster BBQ	80	7	80	85	695.9656
20	CHINGON BBQ	125	91	1	45	695.9084
21	IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ	23	93	33	98	695.3600
22	Colorado Bulldawg BBQ	69	46	35	91	694.8228
23	AMERICAN HEROES BBQ	59	42	119	37	694.8228
24	913 BBQ ★	51	12	155	38	694.8116
25	KEEPIN IT SMOKIN BBQ ◆	16	121	85	43	694.8000
26	DROPTINE SMOKE ◆	87	134	48	14	694.2516
27	BAD ROOSTER BBQ ◆	37	119	46	52	694.2516
28	Smoke Central BBQ	85	14	150	26	694.1940
29	Ash Kickin' BBQ	114	77	78	17	694.1824
30	WHO CARES BBQ	144	19	18	76	693.6800
31	PIGLITICALLY INCORRECT BBQ	112	2	13	156	693.6456
32	Shiggin aint easy	48	80	122	23	693.1320
33	TEXAS SMOKE WHISPERER	17	135	44	83	693.1200
34	SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA ★	52	81	34	120	693.0628
35	BULLHORN BBQ	83	43	21	130	693.0512
36	RIO VALLEY MEAT	81	127	8	69	692.5028
37	MACHETE BOYS BBQ ◆	22	20	178	58	692.4800
38	SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ	167	72	6	62	691.9084
39	SMOKIN SKULLIES	72	167	10	61	691.9084
40	PARTS 'R' SMOKIN	4	143	47	110	691.3716
41	Mulkey's BBQ	107	117	19	57	691.3600
42	HIGH i QUE	136	38	147	8	691.3484
43	Can Country Outlaw BBQ	55	163	70	33	691.3140
44	MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS	42	200	15	22	690.8228
45	LC BBQ	46	82	140	44	690.7884
46	CLARK CREW BBQ ★	93	32	141	42	690.7656
47	SMOKIN' OUTLAWS ◆	187	88	40	11	690.7656
48	Hogline BBQ ◆	75	115	75	56	690.7656
49	TRIPLE H BBQ ★	67	79	72	103	690.7540
50	CHICKEN FRIED BBQ	161	107	71	10	690.2060
51	GETTIN' SAUCED	194	48	20	30	690.1944
52	FAT BOYS BBQ - TEMPLE, TX	152	125	5	53	690.1944
53	THE BBQ BUS	131	101	51	36	690.1940
54	Barbecue Boi ◆	14	90	158	63	690.1828
55	MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ	39	8	106	177	689.6684
56	One Eyed Pig BBQ ◆	82	54	59	124	689.6572
57	MAD MUTT'S BBQ	122	51	29	115	689.6572
58	TEAM CHUPACABRA	137	21	60	106	689.6572
59	PIGS & COWS GONE WILD	64	153	11	122	689.6340
60	WE WILL ROCK QUE ◆	70	73	57	128	689.6224
61	PETIE'S SMOKIN PITS BBQ	126	15	89	113	689.0972
62	Kith n' Kin	71	16	110	149	689.0284
63	ZIPS BBQ ◆	62	131	139	29	688.5028
64	WOOD HOOK BBQ	149	34	69	87	688.4912
65	BARTON BBQ	146	26	41	132	688.4568
66	BLUE & GRAY BBQ ◆	7	47	137	153	687.9428
67	REDMULE'S BBQ	133	136	49	35	687.9200
68	RUSTY PIG BBQ ◆	164	36	153	12	687.8856
69	LUCKY SMOKE ◆	153	22	87	107	687.3828
70	Organizer Portal	196	25	17	88	687.3828
71	SMOKE N' ASH BBQ ◆	29	52	62	184	687.3604
72	Eleven Thirteen Q ◆	27	64	173	79	687.3600
73	WHEN PIGS DIE	130	166	22	41	687.3600
74	QUE U ★	32	113	134	97	687.3368
75	PADDY MCQ'S	3	105	151	118	686.8116
76	Eggspert BBQ	8	180	103	74	686.8000
77	SMOKIN' BLISS BBQ ◆	127	97	73	65	686.7772
78	WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ	2	44	180	125	686.7768
79	PIRATES OF BAR-B-QUE BAY	101	69	28	158	686.7540
80	HEIFERS, BUTTS, & CLUCKS BBQ ◆	20	172	23	151	686.7540
81	JANKY LEG BBQ	102	96	96	86	686.7540
82	STRAIGHT BONES BBQ ◆	34	49	156	131	686.7428
83	YSB BBQ	118	41	136	68	686.2516
84	ROCKSTAR BBQ ◆	53	124	66	139	686.2168
85	Son of a Boar BBQ ◆	140	18	133	102	686.2056
86	LAST CALL HEROES BBQ	111	75	82	117	686.1828
87	iBQ'n	110	59	36	152	686.1712
88	OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE	5	169	152	50	685.7144
89	SmokinGhost BBQ	143	27	25	161	685.6916
90	SMOKE SHOW BBQ	162	98	58	48	685.6688
91	BIG RED BBQ ◆	117	185	105	5	685.6340
92	Smoke 'n Magic ◆	35	151	79	135	685.6228
93	SLAPS BBQ	115	175	94	18	685.6112
94	KEEP CALM & SAUCE ON	155	40	138	47	685.0972
95	KNR PIPELINE ◆	177	61	67	77	685.0856
96	TEXAS OIL DUST	185	156	27	21	685.0512
97	CHILLIN & GRILLIN TEXAS BBQ ◆	44	149	112	108	685.0512
98	TNT Explosive BBQ ◆	10	85	181	112	684.5256
99	THE REAL SMOKIN ACES	30	126	84	154	684.5028
100	LUCKY'S Q	172	150	111	9	684.4916
101	SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ	15	161	107	129	684.4688
102	DIRT ROAD BBQ	56	116	68	166	684.4452
103	THE AMERICAN DREAM BBQ	168	109	115	31	684.4224
104	BULL CREEK BBQ	25	95	205	28	683.9316
105	BIG OS BBQ	128	24	167	81	683.9084
106	KANNED HEAT	175	39	43	145	683.3596
107	MAN MEAT BBQ	50	141	101	137	683.3484
108	MEAT RUSHMORE BBQ	123	145	65	89	683.3372
109	BrewsCue ◆	89	184	100	40	683.3372
110	THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE	57	70	196	59	683.3256
111	InTheRedZoneBBQ	84	9	90	194	683.3144
112	PIGGIN' WHISKEY	134	11	128	160	682.7884
113	PORKRASTINATORS	104	65	9	193	682.7772
114	QBONES BBQ	95	62	182	66	682.7768
115	Regi-Q-BBQ ◆	100	196	129	15	682.7428
116	TIRE SMOKE BBQ	40	118	170	105	682.2288
117	Hickory Stick BBQ ◆	12	13	204	143	682.2172
118	BURNT TREES BBQ ◆	163	170	45	46	682.2056
119	Brisket Butts ◆	66	199	95	51	682.1600
120	SONS OF A BRISKET	116	76	81	147	681.6572
121	Sure Shot BBQ	113	23	99	180	681.6112
122	UP FROM THE PITS BBQ	13	164	113	157	681.5884
123	Smoked & Furious ◆	61	202	39	121	681.5652
124	SMOKIN' LEFTY'S BBQ	106	87	190	34	681.0516
125	Go Pig or Go Home	145	66	193	19	681.0172
126	Rogue Hog BBQ	74	189	121	67	680.5028
127	GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS ◆	158	4	168	150	680.4224
128	JL Smokers ◆	176	5	164	133	679.9084
129	BIG POPPA SMOKERS	179	112	104	73	679.9084
130	ELITE BBQ SMOKERS	98	133	159	94	679.3600
131	MUDVILLE BBQ ★	124	144	38	155	679.3256
132	PRAIRIE SMOKE & SPICE BBQ	138	84	108	140	679.3140
133	CHUNKY BBQ	132	99	143	111	679.3140
134	GOD'S COUNTRY BBQ ◆	86	197	114	80	678.7084
135	LOCAL YOKELS BBQ	150	110	160	72	678.1716
136	SHIGGIN & GRINNIN	178	83	157	75	678.1596
137	SMOKE N BREW ◆	60	108	175	146	678.1596
138	WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ	103	129	102	165	678.1368
139	Heavy Smoke BBQ	193	89	125	78	677.6116
140	ALE YEAH BBQ	142	187	53	114	677.5996
141	HIGH ON THE HOG OHIO ◆	26	57	145	197	677.0628
142	GO TEXAN ◆	97	78	118	187	677.0284
143	PARROTHEAD SMOKERS ◆	151	147	161	55	677.0056
144	ALL FORKED UP FOR Q	188	130	3	185	676.9940
145	Blue Ribbon BBQ NC ◆	63	190	148	109	676.5256
146	East Texas Smokers	173	159	77	123	676.4800
147	MAYA JANE BBQ CO. ◆	199	103	55	134	676.4796
148	ROLLIN' SMOKE BBQ TEXAS	174	157	98	100	676.4796
149	CODE 3 SPICES	165	55	149	142	676.4340
150	MORE BETTER BARBECUE ◆	76	106	132	188	675.9312
151	ANGRY JACK BBQ	41	6	97	210	675.8972
152	STEVO'S BBQ TEAM ◆	180	122	183	32	675.8856
153	ATLANTA BBQ STORE	147	201	83	49	675.3944
154	RENEGADE BBQ	91	152	91	182	675.3372
155	PORKY BUTTS BBQ	160	111	165	95	675.3260
156	RODSTARR BBQ	43	128	184	163	674.7428
157	IRWIN'S PIT CREW BBQ ◆	157	148	109	138	674.7428
158	T-Rex BBQ ◆	166	195	37	126	674.7316
159	INSANE SWINE BBQ	54	173	198	82	674.7200
160	LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ	58	168	61	198	674.1484
161	BUNCH OF SWINES ★	207	71	130	39	674.1368
162	The Pitfather BBQ ◆	181	183	166	20	674.1368
163	Bubba's Blue Plate ◆	105	142	203	54	673.6228
164	SMOKIN DONKEYS BARBECUE	200	120	31	164	673.6112
165	BACKYARD BROS	121	198	76	136	673.6000
166	TRIPLE UP BBQ ◆	159	92	163	148	672.9940
167	RAZORRACKS	109	204	52	127	672.9940
168	Crossed Rifles BBQ	190	53	186	116	672.9596
169	Phoenix BBQ	96	140	179	141	672.4916
170	7 SINS BBQ ◆	183	94	187	71	672.4800
171	BUBBA FATZ BBQ	119	132	126	186	671.8624
172	CROOKED CROWN COOKERS ◆	94	171	135	172	671.3256
173	ACCUTECH BBQ ◆	33	58	162	207	671.2912
174	SWEET SMOKE Q FLORIDA	148	192	42	170	671.2912
175	SMOKE THIS BBQ MO	195	174	199	4	670.7312
176	COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ ◆	65	114	194	183	670.1372
177	Bleacher Bums BBQ	9	179	154	195	669.6228
178	BOSS BBQ ◆	204	68	174	96	669.5540
179	Double S Smokers	182	194	54	159	669.5540
180	TOTALLY BODACIOUS BBQ	141	158	142	168	669.1088
181	Going Yard BBQ	108	139	209	93	668.4452
182	SMOKIN' AXE BBQ ◆	135	104	177	181	667.9196
183	Grillbilly's BBQ	90	50	210	162	667.8972
184	Bearded Monkeys Twisted Q	198	193	63	144	667.8512
185	Smoking OCD	197	186	146	90	667.8396
186	Cow Creek BBQ ◆	129	63	123	205	667.8396
187	Darty-Q	88	160	171	190	667.3028
188	SWEETIE'S BAR-B-Q ◆	208	56	117	173	665.0284
189	WE DEM BOYZ BBQ ◆	73	182	120	206	664.4228
190	GRIM REAPER BBQ ◆	120	176	64	204	663.9432
191	Dr. Squealgood BBQ ◆	191	178	192	99	663.8400
192	HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ	31	137	169	209	662.0680
193	F-BOMB BBQ ◆	203	208	56	104	661.6456
194	RAILYARD BBQ ◆	156	155	201	169	661.5540
195	BLUEBIRD BBQ CREW	38	209	172	176	661.0284
196	RUSTY'S BBQ	189	181	131	196	658.6740
197	Cook the books ◆	45	207	200	174	658.1256
198	ELEGANTLY VIOLENT BBQ	139	123	191	202	657.0052
199	MOTLEY QUE ◆	184	191	127	199	655.8512
200	KYOTEE KOOKERS ◆	154	138	197	201	655.2684
201	SMOKIN LOS BBQ ◆	170	203	185	178	654.1144
202	GRILLBILLYS	186	177	195	192	653.5776
203	BITE MY BUTT BBQ ◆	205	162	189	179	653.5084
204	VERA'S KING-O-MEATS ◆	192	146	211	189	649.0172
205	Fantasy Q ◆	169	206	207	191	645.0172
206	XTREME TEXAS COOKERS	206	205	188	175	642.7656
207	HB BBQ	202	188	206	203	639.7828
208	BELEN GRILL & CHILL ◆	201	211	202	200	624.9144
209	BPOS ◆	—	210	124	167	486.8456
210	MAJIK SMOKERS	—	154	176	208	483.2568
211	SMOKIN STACHE BBQ	—	165	208	211	473.0400