GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS IA
Rating
1578
peak 1587
Contests
50
in the data
First seen
2019-02-08
latest 2026-05-08
Best ToY finish
#112
Master 2018
Grand champs
1
0 reserve
Category wins
4
15 podiums
Overall top-10s
8
of 50 contests
Avg finish
top 47%
overall standings
Perfect 180s
2 🔥
Current form
682.88 ▲
last 5 vs career avg 664.28 (+18.60)
Walk rate
70%
contests with a top-10 call
Top-10 streak
2
best run (overall)
Best single call
180.0000 🔥
Consistency
±75.99
std dev of overall scores (lower = steadier)
Strongest meat
Pork
avg 169.79 · weakest Pork Ribs (167.99)
Road miles
8340
mi across 50 mapped stops · furthest 1007 mi
Storylines
🎯 The one to beat
WE WILL ROCK QUE has finished one call ahead of GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS 3 times — their closest competition in the data.
👀 Looking over their shoulder
HOME FARM BBQ has landed one call behind them 2 times.
⚔️ A tough matchup
HOT DADDY'S BBQ has come out ahead in 24 of their 26 shared contests.
⚔️ A strong matchup
They've finished ahead of Chillin N Grillin N Iowa BBQ in 13 of their 18 shared contests.
🗡️ Giant slayer
Took the Grand Championship over a 47-team field at Iowa State BBQ Championship.
📅 A March team
Something about March: average finish in the top 29% across 4 contests, versus top 47% the rest of the year.
🃏 Against the odds
Their Grand Championship at Iowa State BBQ Championship (2023-03-31) came as the ratings underdog — roughly a 17-in-100 shot against the field's top-rated team, Fergolicious BBQ.
Teams like this (closest power rating, IA first)
By meat
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 44 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 180.0000 🔥 | 157.6340 | 169.68 | top 49% |
| Pork Ribs | 47 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 180.0000 🔥 | 154.2400 | 167.99 | top 52% |
| Pork | 45 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 179.4400 | 157.1200 | 169.79 | top 46% |
| Brisket | 44 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 178.2972 | 152.5144 | 168.05 | top 46% |
“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.
By state / province
| Where | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| IA | 21 | 1 | top 43% |
| MO | 9 | 0 | top 55% |
| KS | 8 | 0 | top 39% |
| NY | 2 | 0 | top 55% |
| MN | 1 | 0 | top 55% |
| NE | 1 | 0 | top 53% |
| WI | 1 | 0 | top 53% |
| IL | 1 | 0 | top 24% |
| AR | 1 | 0 | top 84% |
By contest size
| Field | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (20–39) | 24 | 0 | top 50% |
| Large (40+) | 20 | 1 | top 43% |
The story so far
- Busiest season: 2023 (10 contests)
- Cooks mostly in IA (21 of 50 contests)
- Most-entered category: Pork Ribs (47 entries)
- First Grand Championship in the data: Iowa State BBQ Championship (2023-03-31)
- Wins it all in 2% of contests
- All-time average overall score: 664.28
- 2 perfect 180s on the books 🔥
Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)
Category scores over time
Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)
Where they finish (overall)
Best vs average (by meat)
Team of the Year rank by season
Season by season
| Season | Contests | GCs | Category wins | Best overall | Avg overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 692.5140 | 682.00 |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 678.7540 | 674.33 |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 696.5372 | 682.20 |
| 2023 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 699.4288 | 679.69 |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 687.8968 | 607.54 |
| 2021 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 690.1596 | 671.43 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 693.6916 | 675.89 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 675.3372 | 667.80 |
Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-08 | Minnesota in May St. Peter, MN | 42 / 77 (678.1940) | 56 (168.5256) | 8 (176.0000) | 68 (163.9656) | 35 (169.7028) |
| 2026-05-02 | Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT) New Paltz, NY | 31 / 59 (678.1368) | 26 (173.1084) | 45 (166.8228) | 53 (162.8000) | 10 (175.4056) |
| 2026-05-01 | Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) New Paltz, NY | 25 / 43 (683.9084) | 4 (177.7028) | 19 (171.9656) | 30 (169.1200) | 31 (165.1200) |
| 2026-04-17 | Knox Co. 4-H/FFA Ring of Smoke Edina, MO | 11 / 25 (681.6456) | 10 (172.5828) | 21 (166.2400) | 17 (166.2628) | 3 (176.5600) |
| 2026-04-10 | Smoke in the Spring (OPEN FORMAT) Osage City, KS | 28 / 101 (692.5140) | 34 (175.4056) | 2 (179.4400) | 42 (172.5484) | 78 (165.1200) |
| 2026-04-03 | Iowa State BBQ Championship Altoona, IA | 22 / 42 (677.6116) | 39 (163.9772) | 13 (171.9888) | 18 (170.8228) | 15 (170.8228) |
| 2025-11-05 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Sides Kansas City, KS | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025-11-05 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest Kansas City, KS | 193 / 401 (678.7540) | 226 (169.1084) | 360 (157.6456) | 8 (179.4400) | 101 (172.5600) |
| 2025-04-04 | Iowa State BBQ Championship Altoona, IA | 23 / 49 (675.8740) | 20 (170.8456) | 43 (159.3484) | 23 (169.6800) | 2 (176.0000) |
| 2025-01-24 | SJV Winter Rub Omaha, NE | 17 / 32 (668.3768) | 5 (175.4056) | 18 (168.5372) | 21 (162.7884) | 24 (161.6456) |
| 2024-10-30 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Sides Kansas City, KS | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024-10-30 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest Kansas City, KS | 19 / 169 (696.5372) | 4 (179.4400) | 71 (171.9884) | 124 (168.5372) | 19 (176.5716) |
| 2024-10-30 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest Kansas City, KS | 289 / 444 (665.0168) | 328 (163.4056) | 223 (169.6800) | 238 (167.9656) | 290 (163.9656) |
| 2024-05-17 | King of the Corn Ottumwa, IA | 8 / 36 (686.7656) | 25 (169.6800) | 16 (169.1200) | 19 (169.6684) | 1 (178.2972) |
| 2024-03-29 | Iowa State BBQ Championship Altoona, IA | 11 / 42 (680.4800) | 15 (172.5600) | 17 (168.5372) | 18 (171.9772) | 22 (167.4056) |
| 2023-09-27 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest Kansas City, KS | 152 / 487 (681.6344) | 23 (177.7144) | 327 (164.5600) | 236 (168.5256) | 138 (170.8344) |
| 2023-09-27 | American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest Kansas City, KS | 127 / 211 (680.4224) | 158 (167.9656) | 4 (180.0000) | 168 (166.2284) | 150 (166.2284) |
| 2023-09-15 | Tri City BBQ Fest Denison, IA | 11 / 32 (677.6344) | 19 (167.9888) | 15 (170.8228) | 9 (173.7028) | 18 (165.1200) |
| 2023-07-28 | 7th Annual E'burg BBQ Contest Emmetsburg, IA | 29 / 32 (666.1712) | 4 (175.4400) | 31 (161.6800) | 27 (165.6684) | 27 (163.3828) |
| 2023-07-21 | Shenandoah ShenDig Shenandoah, IA | 12 / 37 (685.6344) | 9 (173.1200) | 19 (169.7144) | 6 (176.5600) | 16 (166.2400) |
| 2023-07-07 | Art of the Que Spencer, IA | 13 / 28 (675.3604) | 13 (169.6800) | 14 (169.1544) | 9 (171.9772) | 20 (164.5488) |
| 2023-06-30 | Ditmars Red White & Blue BBQ Council Bluffs, IA | 5 / 22 (683.4060) | 10 (169.6800) | 11 (166.8344) | 5 (172.5600) | 2 (174.3316) |
| 2023-06-16 | Rose Festival 22nd Annual KCBS BBQ Competition State Center, IA | 17 / 27 (668.4572) | 10 (171.4056) | 15 (165.6800) | 1 (178.8572) | 26 (152.5144) |
| 2023-05-19 | King of the Corn Ottumwa, IA | 22 / 45 (678.7772) | 32 (167.4056) | 16 (170.2744) | 12 (174.2628) | 27 (166.8344) |
| 2023-03-31 | Iowa State BBQ Championship Altoona, IA | 1 / 47 (699.4288) | 1 (180.0000) | 15 (171.4516) | 2 (176.5600) | 16 (171.4172) |
| 2022-10-14 | King of the Corn Ottumwa, IA | 27 / 36 (661.6000) | 28 (167.9656) | 29 (162.8344) | 15 (171.9656) | 29 (158.8344) |
| 2022-04-29 | Masters in May Bancroft, WI | 23 / 43 (661.6456) | 36 (157.6340) | 21 (165.1316) | 7 (172.0000) | 15 (166.8800) |
| 2022-04-22 | WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest Washington, MO | 24 / 29 (649.5084) | 28 (158.2056) | 23 (160.5028) | 12 (167.9656) | 17 (162.8344) |
| 2022-04-08 | Smoke in the Spring Osage City, KS | 24 / 94 (684.5028) | 3 (179.4400) | 42 (169.6800) | 55 (167.9772) | 49 (167.4056) |
| 2022-04-01 | Iowa State BBQ Championship Altoona, IA | 9 / 48 (687.8968) | 21 (170.8228) | 29 (167.3828) | 6 (175.4056) | 8 (174.2856) |
| 2022-04-01 | Iowa State BBQ Championship (Steak) Altoona, IA | 11 (165.6916) | — | — | — | — |
| 2022-03-26 | Kickin It Route 66 Barbeque Challenge - Day 2 St. Robert, MO | 19 / 39 (673.5768) | 24 (168.5372) | 33 (161.6456) | 1 (176.5828) | 26 (166.8112) |
| 2022-03-18 | Qlathe BBQ Championship Olathe, KS | 29 / 71 (675.8856) | 58 (160.5256) | 14 (173.1316) | 2 (177.7028) | 38 (164.5256) |
| 2021-09-24 | Ottumwa 4th Annual Smoketoberfest Ottumwa, IA | 5 / 35 (688.4684) | 6 (175.4056) | 11 (170.8344) | 21 (167.9656) | 5 (174.2628) |
| 2021-09-17 | Tri City BBQ Fest Denison, IA | 5 / 20 (690.1596) | 7 (173.1084) | 4 (173.1084) | 9 (162.8456) | 4 (176.5600) |
| 2021-07-30 | 5th Annual E'burg BBQ Contest Emmetsburg, IA | 29 / 35 (651.8744) | 29 (161.6572) | 3 (173.7028) | 32 (157.1200) | 27 (159.3944) |
| 2021-07-16 | Real Squeal BBQ Smokeoff Cedar Rapids, IA | 17 / 26 (663.3484) | 21 (166.2972) | 25 (154.2400) | 5 (171.9656) | 7 (170.8456) |
| 2021-06-18 | Rose Festival KCBS BBQ Competition State Center, IA | 14 / 32 (663.2796) | 18 (166.2856) | 16 (165.0856) | 10 (169.6800) | 18 (162.2284) |
| 2021-05-30 | Helping U BBQ Triple Bone - One Meat Rib Contest C Omaha, NE | — | — | 9 (170.8456) | — | — |
| 2021-05-30 | Helping U BBQ Triple Bone - One Meat Rib Contest B Omaha, NE | — | — | 16 (166.2744) | — | — |
| 2021-05-30 | Helping U BBQ Triple Bone - One Meat Rib Contest A Omaha, NE | — | — | 15 (169.1084) | — | — |
| 2020-09-26 | West Bottoms Cameron BBQ Contest Cameron, MO | 28 / 36 (665.5656) | 25 (167.3944) | 16 (171.4056) | 28 (164.5256) | 30 (162.2400) |
| 2020-08-07 | Smokin' Trackside BBQ Bash Winston, MO | 6 / 30 (693.6916) | 12 (173.7144) | 2 (178.8800) | 21 (170.2628) | 15 (170.8344) |
| 2020-06-26 | Grillin and Chillin Chillicothe, MO | 25 / 34 (668.4000) | 10 (173.1200) | 30 (160.5144) | 26 (166.2284) | 15 (168.5372) |
| 2019-10-04 | Smoketoberfest Ottumwa, IA | 24 / 49 (670.8000) | 38 (159.9656) | 11 (173.1316) | 22 (167.4400) | 22 (170.2628) |
| 2019-06-21 | Ribs on the River Louisiana, MO | 18 / 26 (662.7428) | 17 (166.2628) | 19 (163.3944) | 9 (172.5600) | 18 (160.5256) |
| 2019-06-07 | Blues,Brews & Barbecue Beardstown, IL | 6 / 25 (665.5888) | 8 (168.5372) | 3 (171.4172) | 9 (168.5372) | 14 (157.0972) |
| 2019-05-03 | Apple Blossom BBQ Made with Uncommon Character St. Joseph, MO | 16 / 39 (669.0972) | 12 (168.0116) | 26 (161.6800) | 8 (171.9884) | 17 (167.4172) |
| 2019-04-26 | BBQ, Bikes and Blues Washington, MO | 15 / 39 (675.3372) | 23 (165.6800) | 25 (161.1316) | 14 (170.8228) | 3 (177.7028) |
| 2019-02-08 | KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Championship Little Rock, AR | 77 / 92 (663.2224) | 82 (165.0856) | 78 (162.8000) | 84 (161.0740) | 21 (174.2628) |
Team of the Year standings (rank per category by season — year links to the full board on kcbs.us)
| Year | Series | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ↗ | Master | #416 (240 pts) | #489 (245 pts) | #448 (285 pts) | #491 (210 pts) | #279 (420 pts) |
| 2025 ↗ | Master | #661 (227 pts) | #584 (327 pts) | #789 (212 pts) | #591 (302 pts) | #505 (382 pts) |
| 2024 ↗ | Master | #453 (435 pts) | #481 (440 pts) | #631 (325 pts) | #600 (305 pts) | #428 (510 pts) |
| 2023 ↗ | Master | #161 (1166 pts) | #135 (1276 pts) | #214 (1066 pts) | #99 (1466 pts) | #235 (916 pts) |
| 2022 ↗ | Master | #399 (549 pts) | #386 (614 pts) | #493 (499 pts) | #168 (1174 pts) | #391 (599 pts) |
| 2021 ↗ | Master | #377 (506 pts) | #432 (456 pts) | #222 (925 pts) | #453 (416 pts) | #341 (596 pts) |
| 2020 ↗ | Master | #378 (289 pts) | #376 (314 pts) | #302 (419 pts) | #534 (194 pts) | #431 (274 pts) |
| 2019 ↗ | Master | #618 (531 pts) | #699 (491 pts) | #622 (556 pts) | #567 (616 pts) | #563 (601 pts) |
| 2018 ↗ | Master | #112 (1828 pts) | #175 (1448 pts) | #74 (1888 pts) | #76 (1909 pts) | #252 (1212 pts) |
| 2017 ↗ | Master | #526 (732 pts) | #542 (732 pts) | #698 (577 pts) | #488 (807 pts) | #853 (452 pts) |
| 2016 ↗ | Master | #302 (1160 pts) | #261 (1249 pts) | #149 (1592 pts) | #262 (1266 pts) | #428 (935 pts) |
| 2015 ↗ | Master | #327 (1128 pts) | #240 (1298 pts) | #249 (1273 pts) | #221 (1323 pts) | #403 (928 pts) |
| 2014 ↗ | Master | #356 (1031 pts) | #345 (1051 pts) | #294 (1206 pts) | #226 (1321 pts) | #317 (1124 pts) |
| 2013 ↗ | Master | #242 (1231 pts) | #284 (1021 pts) | #297 (1006 pts) | #142 (1511 pts) | #210 (1291 pts) |