Tired of all those food competitions that leave you salivating and hungry – because you can't eat what they're cooking? Well, there's a summer-long series of barbecue burn-offs – excuse me, cook-offs – that offer food, drink, music and a sense of higher purpose.
What began as a good-natured argument a couple of years ago between Tom Coghill of Iron Barley and his pal Mark Gray of The Famous Bar and turned into a rib-off that's become the stuff of legends has evolved into a series of charity events hosted by various food and drink establishments.
Now officially known as St. Louis Occasional Barbecue Society – that's SLOBS, for short – they're hosting the opening event at Iron Barley on Memorial Day, May 26, at Iron Barley. The following events go like this:
– June 21, Saturday: Doc's Harley Davidson, 930 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood (Guess this doesn't qualify as a food and drink establishment, come to think of it.)
– July 27, Sunday: Keeton's Double Play, 4944 Christy Blvd.
– August 24, Sunday – Kilderkin's Pub, 108 Hilltop Village, Eureka
– September 21, Sunday – Dylan's Sports Bar, 674 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold
– October 12, Sunday – PM BBQ, 121 Long Road, Chesterfield
– November 2 , Sunday – Highway 61 Roadhouse, 34 S. Old Orchard Ave., Webster Groves
For more information – times, costs, and who each shindig benefits, go to www.slobsbbq.com or their Facebook page.