andrewraff

I've got to admit, I was very surprised while looking through Jason Perlow's excellent BABB photos to see myself (In "Paul Kirk of KC Baron slicing up some brisket flat," I'm in the blue shirt carefully studying the brisket slicing with tickets ready in hand.) Seeing photographic evidence that I was in attendance, I guess I should write up a brief report: With a BBQ expeditionary force of only 2 and arriving around 3PM, in the thick of the crowd, we weren't able to use the divide and conquer approach to its full effect, but still did manage to sample 4 types of food from 3 different vendors: sausage and brisket from the Salt Lick, pork shoulder from Big Bob Gibson, and brisket from KC Baron. While the other vendors still had long lines after 4 PM, we were able to walk right up to KC Baron with no wait. I preferred the Salt Lick brisket to KC Baron's because it was much leaner (and I really liked the Salt Lick sauce which was not overly sweet.) All in all, this was an excellent, if overcrowded, event. It was managed pretty well by the time I arrived, with staff marking the end of each line with a sign. There was good music in the park and most everyone was friendly: The Salt Lick's pit master came by the line and apologized for the long delay. I'm looking forward to next year's event...