Florida Outdoor Expo 2025 People's Choice BBQ Comp Recap - May 3/4

What a weekend!!

This year's Florida Outdoor Expo was even bigger than previous years and the BBQ competition was extremely tough.

Some of Florida's top BBQ comp teams were in attendance and then there was us. We normally don't do competitions unless they're local to Palm Beach County. This was year 3 for us participating in the Florida Outdoor Expo BBQ Comp that took place at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, FL.

This competition is a "People's Choice" style comp where folks purchase a judging card and then go around and sample the meats from these amazing BBQ teams. This year there were 10 teams:

1. Sweet Smoke Q

2. Bull and Boar

3. Ugly Drum Smokers Florida

4. Deep South BBQ

5. Tillman's BBQ

6. Mike's Big BBQ Hut

7. Rum Runners BBQ

8. Third's BBQ

9. Tromp King

10. Morrow's Slammin' BBQ

Saturday, May 3rd was the Brisket portion of the comp from 11 am - 5 pm.

And it was absolutely GRUELING! But hey, this is BBQ, it ain't easy. If it was, everyone would do it.

Each team cooked up approximately 160 lbs of beef brisket and provided 2 oz. samples to be judged on.

The top 3 for brisket were:

1. Sweet Smoke Q

2. Trompo King

3. Tillman's BBQ

Third's came in middle of the pack at 5th place. And yes, our supporters were in disbelief. LOL. Some teams did chopped brisket and others opted to present small slices and "burnt ends". Nonetheless, we took home a $300 check for our 5th place effort.

Sunday, May 4th, was a different story. This was pulled pork day and we were able to bounce back and step into the top 3 at 3rd place. We've been the only team to be in the top 3 for pulled pork in each of the three years we've entered this competition! Getting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards over the past three years. And that's absolutely awesome!!!

If you're in the Royal Palm Beach area or passing through, check out our schedule to see when we're out in the Third's BBQ Food Trailer for public service.

We're typically out on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays unless we have a paid catering or Food Trailer event.

Cheers to great BBQ!!!

THIRD'S BBQ!!!