Patrick TrautfieldThey must be tender and definitely meaty. Juiciness is a main factor along with flavor but overall satisfaction is the most important.
These were the five categories of criteria used in the 22nd annual Rib Cook-off hosted by San Luis Obispo’s Downtown Association at Farmers’ Market on Thursday night.
Mother’s Tavern and F. McLintock’s Saloon stacked the top of the list with two wins each. Mother’s won for the Chief’s Choice and Cal Poly’s Choice. F. McLintock’s won Judges’ Choice Beef and People’s Choice Pork.
There were seven different award categories: Judges’ Choice Beef, Judges’ Choice Pork, Chief’s Choice, Cal Poly’s Choice, Eve’s Choice, People’s Choice Beef and People’s Choice Pork. The judges blindly tasted the barbecue so they didn’t know which ribs they were trying.
The Chief’s Choice was represented by San Luis Obispo Police Department Chief Deborah Linden, and Associated Student Inc. President Todd Maki was in charge of the Cal Poly vote. Eve’s Choice was the combination of all female judges. The Judges’ Choices were made by a panel of San Luis Obispo representatives from the mayor to a City Council member to a representative from the Downtown Association.
The People’s Choice vote came from anyone at Farmers’ Market whose mouth was watering for ribs.
“The people’s choice were people who tasted the ribs on the street, and then there were ballots that were given to each barbecuer,” said Katie Hollingsworth, promotions coordinator for the Downtown Association.
Other winners were Downtown Brewing Co. with Judges’ Choice Pork, Marti’s Bar and Grill beef ribs for Eve’s Choice and Old Country Deli with People’s Choice beef ribs.
While no restaurant can claim complete rib domination, certain judges definitely had their favorites.
“The criteria were flavor, meatiness, tenderness, juiciness and overall satisfaction,” Maki said, who chose the beef ribs from Mother’s Tavern. “There were some ribs that were fantastic in a few of the criteria, but fell short in others. Overall, I felt the beef ribs outperformed the pork ribs, though that may be because I’m a beef rib type of guy.”
With good weather and enough ribs to go around, the streets were crowded with people and the event seemed to be a success.