Barbecue pros helps grow CasaBlanca Rib Fest in Mesquite

The CasaBlanca Rib Fest welcomed three of the nation's best barbecue teams — Chicago BBQ, Austin's Texas Lightning BBQ and Texas Outlaws — to Mesquite this past weekend for the second annual event.

Chicago BBQ, Austin's Texas Lightning BBQ and Texas Outlaws served up their award-winning food to hungry patrons Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Family-friendly music blasted through the CasaBlanca Events Center and live remotes from radio stations drew people from all over the Virgin Valley.

The restaurant teams, fresh off competition in Reno the previous weekend, made their way to town in part to help the nascent Rib Fest grow.

"I love the Rib Fest because if gives us a chance to show the people of Mesquite what we do and what we've got," Texas Outlaws manager Steve Vaughn said. "Hopefully we can help grow with this event where one day it will be as big as Reno."

The competition to which Vaughn referred, the Best in the West Rib Cook-Off, is the premier event for barbecue rib cookers in America.

Texas Outlaws placed fifth in the event in 2016 and 2015, with its best finish of second place coming in 2013.

Chicago BBQ, which won the Best in the West Rib Cook-Off in 2017, shared a similar sentiment about building the image of Mesquite's event.

"Usually in the first year of a show, it isn't as busy but then people tell their friends that they remember us from the year before and decide to come back in the second year and we've seen that today as it's been much busier than the first year," the restaurant's Katie Hogan said. "First years can be hit or miss, so it's nice to contribute and see more people back from year to year."

Fun activities and new friends

The Rib Fest was not just about ribs, though. Venders sold funnel cakes and other goodies, a DJ offered people bold enough to go on-stage the chance to do karaoke, and competitors stepped up for a watermelon-eating contest.

Some of the barbecue competitors said the traveling and activities that surround the events are more exciting to them than the ribs themselves.

"I now have friends all over the country," said Jon Apelt of Austin's Texas Lightning BBQ. "I love it. I've been doing this for 20-plus years and it's awesome out here in Mesquite. Everyone has been super nice and friendly both years we've been here."

Vaughn said: "It's just beautiful country down here, the casino is just top-notch and all the staff in the casino go above and beyond to make sure we have what we need. Great place to have an event like this."

Not only does the event delight Mesquite residents' taste buds, it benefits the city as a whole.

"We just love seeing this thing grow," said Mesquite Gaming corporate sales manager Christian Adderson. "I think with the quality barbecue, the live entertainment and the family-friendly activities we have, we will achieve an influx of people and vendors to really make this big down the road."