Best In The West: Rib Cook Off!

Happy Friday all!  It was really fun reading all your guesses on where we went on this week’s Wordless Wednesday.  I couldn’t make the pictures “too easy” or you all would’ve guessed it right away.  Laura got it right ~ we were in Reno, Nevada yesterday and Lake Tahoe today.  Harrah’s actually offered up FREE nights for us for being members of their rewards program so we couldn’t exactly pass that up.

My day started off with a BIG Iced Coconut Coffee (2 points+) and Starbuck’s Perfect Oatmeal.

I always ask for every topping but only use what I want.  My bowl works out to be 8 points+.

* Oatmeal ~ 4 points+

* All of the dried berries – my favorite part ~ 3 points+

* About 1 tsp of the nuts for a little crunch ~ 1 points+

* Sometimes a small 1/2 tsp sprinkle of the brown sugar. 0 points+

The banana I picked up for a snack later but never ate it.

Every year the Nugget hosts this annual Best In The West Rib Cook-Off and we have ALWAYS wanted to go.  It actually goes on all week but, we decided to go on Day 1 to beat the crowds (translation, um, we both LOVE BBQ too much to wait)

There were so many “fancy” barbecues and smokers everywhere.

I think one of the COOLEST parts is that just about every competitor has bottled t heir own sauces, rubs, etc. and you can buy them at the cook off too.

Each competitor is given the same type of Pork Rib to put their special touches on and grill up for the competition.

However, they still BBQ up everything from these gigantic turkey legs to sausages, pulled pork, brisket, tri tip and with all the sides and fixin’s.

I pretty much decided at this point that I would eat intuitively live, enjoy the day and get back on track tomorrow.

I may or may not have squealed when I saw the Frickles Trailer since I fell IN LOVE with Fried Pickles & Green Tomatoes at BlogHERFood11 this year!

FRICKLES = FRIED PICKLES!!!

The Frickles peeps actually fry up GREEN TOMATOES TOO…..

I LOVE that they gladly let me mix & match so we could try it all.  What makes their Frickles incredibly tasty ~ they use Panko on the outside for extra crunchiness & they give you TWO dipping sauces made with Straus Organic Yogurt for fun.

* Cukaracha Sriracha ~ A Spicy Frickilicous Sauce!

* Reno Ranch ~ An American Tradition (that you could taste the cucumber in – YUM!)

On the left FRIED GREEN TOMATOES and on the right FRIED PICKLES.

We decided the BEST way to figure out which “ribs” to try was to walk around and ask everyone which vendors they loved the most.

Recommendation #1 ~ Chicago BBQ

Each vendor offered up a Sampler of 3 ribs to try and most used a rub with optional sauce on the side you can add. 

We tried the Chicago ones by themselves for the first rib, then, added their sweet and chipotle sauce to the other two. 

The smoke flavor and crust were definitely the BEST parts of the Chicago Ribs.

Recommendation #2 ~ BJ’s Barbecue.

They served them up with their warm homemade bbq sauce.  These were probably the most tender and juicy ribs we had all day long.

RECOMMENDATION #3 was our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ~ Texas Outlaws.

Their rub made them slightly crispy, cajun like and sweet, but, the smoke and sticky BBQ totally put them over the top good!

I am pretty sure we looked “Saucy Faced” ALL DAY long LOL.

The Husband wanted to check out a few sides to go with his ribs and went straight for the corn.

They had a whole line up of toppings you can add, but, he picked garlic salt & butter.

The FUNNIEST part was watching him walk around eating and carrying his corn like this.

Then, of course, asking if I am going to post that picture

The COOLEST potato chip bundle things I’ve ever seen.  We didn’t try these but probably should have.

Instead he picked mac n cheese.  It was so creamy (think Velveeta like) and super cheesy.  I was too full at this point so I only had  two bites.

All washed down with the sweet & slightly tangy fresh lemonade.

After all that delicious, we walked around the craft fair that is part of the cook off too.

He hung with his two new friends.

While I found a NEW FOOD that I am absolutely IN LOVE with.  I have a feeling I am going to wish I bought more than one bag (or maybe not because I’d eat it all!)

Golden Caramel Corn Nuts from Sin City Delights ~ they are ONLY 3 points+ a serving.

Salty, crunchy & sweet ~ they melt in your mouth and sort of remind me of captain crunch in the corn flavor…..Probably TOO GOOD and definitely more addicting than Kettle Korn.

We spent the afternoon checking out all the antique shops he had planned on checking when I whisked him away to the Atlantis   Then, we drove over to Lake Tahoe.

When dinner rolled around all he wanted was pizza…….

And all I wanted was salad ~ it works!

Some days are totally worth it to indulge a little and enjoy life.  Today I am back on track and we are definitely getting out for a hike or bike ride in Lake Tahoe.

Last chance to enter to win StonyField Organic Yogurt!

Have a FUN Friday all!