Texas Monthly BBQ competition in North Texas

The competition, hosted by Zavala's Barbecue, will be held Saturday in downtown grand prairie.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Every four years, Texas Monthly Magazine publishes its list of the state’s best barbecue.

“In my cul-de-sac, I’m number one,” Cody Crossland joked.

According to 90% of his neighbors and 100% of his wife, Crossland is a pit master.

And yet, Texas Monthly’s never written about him, but that might change soon.

“It’s very possible we’re gonna discover some of that talent here,” said Chet Garner, host of the TV show, “The Daytripper.”

Garner got together with Texas Monthly and Coca-Cola and concocted a novel idea: a competition for backyard barbecuers, people who just do it for fun at home.

They needed somewhere to hold the contest, so they took the idea to professional pit master Joe Zavala of Zavala’s in Grand Prairie.

“I said, ‘Uh, yeah! That’s amazing,’” Zavala said.

So, like electing a new pope, the smoke signal went out.

And out of their backyards they came.

“I was like, ‘What the heck. Why not?’” said Crossland.

Saturday, in downtown Grand Prairie, Crossland will compete against others just like him, people whose spouses and friends like to blow smoke.

Garner will host and emcee this inaugural cook-off classic.

“We’re gonna get to see them put their meat where their mouth is, so to speak,” Garner said. “That sounds dirty.”

Dirty? They’re cooking brisket. Moist is a better way to describe it.

Smell that? The competition is heating up for the first-ever Coca-Cola Cook-Off Classic! Join us in Grand Prairie as we...

Posted by Texas Monthly BBQ Fest on Friday, March 15, 2024

There’s never been a competition like this, which, in a state where barbecue is religion, is kind of shocking. Many pit masters on Texas Monthly’s list started in their backyard, including Joe Zavala.

“People love to barbecue at home,” Zavala said. “They feel like they can feed the masses, feed their family and they’re the hero. And that’s what we’re trying to do. This gives them the opportunity to show off their skills with other backyard barbecue people.”

Will they find a barbecue savant at the end of a cul-de-sac?

More than anything, they’ll discover a community who loves it just the same.

“Whether I win or lose, it doesn’t matter,” Crossland said. “I’m still going to fire up the pit the following weekend.”

And maybe one day we’ll all read about it.

Saturday’s event will also feature live music, refreshments and a cooking demonstration by Zavala.

The event is free and open to the public, but guests must request a free ticket.

NOTE: The following video was uploaded in Jan. 2024.

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