Butcher BBQ massive barbecue championship

David Bouska's taste for competition was developed in archery, but he hit the biggest bull's-eye of his career two weekends ago leading the Butcher BBQ team to victory at the 30th Annual Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbecue cook-off.

Bouska has done battle in Lynchburg, Tennessee, a number of times, and gained tons of notoriety appearing on "Pitmasters," but for the first time in his years competing he brought back the overall championship by placing second in sauce (one point from perfect), third in chicken and fourth in pork. The Butcher team's ribs and brisket scores tallied high enough to earn the team the overall championship.

Bouska's son Levi owns and operates the Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston where lines have been very long since David brought home the gold. Butcher BBQ stand now sports a large pavilion that covers seating and enough portable heating to stay open year-round.

Levi is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday until 3 p.m.

Previous champs include Donny Teel, Bart Clarke, Paul Schatte and Joe Davidson.

Bouska's team topped a 66-team field to claim a $10,000 purse. For the year, Bouska's team finished in the top 10 out of more than 4000 competing for points in Kansas City Barbeque Society competitions in 2018.

So, before the year ends local diners can choose between Food and Wine's Best New Restaurant in America (nonesuch) or take the short drive out to Wellston for 2018's first family of barbecue.

Congratulations to the Bouska family, and local foodies on the emerging excellence of dining options. Dave and Levi are passionate pitmasters who love to talk shop, and I anticipate doing just that with them very soon to mine some more details about this mountaintop moment for their family.

Thanksgiving

Between Wednesday and Nov. 14, the 10th anniversary of the very first Food Dude column will pass. To commemorate that occasion, I've got some special coverage planned in next week's section.

The lowest moment in the last decade was losing my son, Luke, to an accidental drug overdose when he was only 19. That will be two years ago come February.

I am very proud and humbled by a request by Peter Schaffer to lend Luke's name to the free Thanksgiving dinner his Kaiser's Grateful Bean will offer on Thanksgiving Day.

Pete met Luke and my daughter, Kate, years ago at the ice cream counter of his iconic property on the NW 10 circle. He happened to be on the verge of leasing the space to Shaun Fiaccone and his partners and I happened to be a guy who covered such things. The fact my children loved ice cream was happenstance, or so it seemed.

I had only recently been back by to cover the latest chapter in Kaiser's storied history, a change to Kaiser's Grateful Bean, when Luke passed away. We had just been talking about that first visit, and he was thrilled to hear Luke was a passionate young chef working down the street at Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes, who also liked to volunteer his time at the Homeless Alliance.

Luke's passing weighed heavily on Pete, and ultimately moved him to make the request.

So, when Kaiser's Grateful Bean opens its doors to people in need for free on Thanksgiving, it will be under the banner of the inaugural Luke Cathey Memorial Thanksgiving Day Meal. The meal is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the cafe, which is at 1039 N Walker Ave.

If you'd like to volunteer, call 848-3313.

When the volunteering is over, my family will be dining out for Thanksgiving this year. More and more people appear to be making that choice these days, that is if my email is to be believed.

New to the roster of restaurants offering Thanksgiving Day service this year is McClintock Saloon and Chop House, 2227 Exchange Ave., which will be doing a special holiday menu from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for $45. Make reservations by calling 232-0151.

Bellini's Underground, 6305 Waterford Blvd No. 100, Thanksgiving menu, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., reservations required, call 848-1065.

Bricktown Brewery, Remington Park location only, all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., must be 18 or older, call 419-4449.

Cafe Cuvee, 1200 N Walker Ave. (Ambassador Hotel); special Thanksgiving options availabie, 600-6200.

Chequers, 1009 S Air Depot, Midwest City; 10:30 to 3 p.m., serving regular menu, plus traditional Thanksgiving feast of turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie; 736-6944.

E.S. Founders, 741 N Phillips Ave. (Embassy Suites Hotel), 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thanksgiving buffet including turkey, ham, dressing, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green-bean casserole and dessert, 239-3900.

Flint, 15 N Robinson Ave. (Colcord Hotel), open regular hours with regular a la carte menu plus special Thanksgiving menu including turkey, ham and prime rib, 605-0657.

Grand House, 2701 N Classen Blvd., special Dim Sum service, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 524-7333.

Ingrid's Kitchen, 3701 N Youngs Blvd.; Thanksgiving buffet seatings at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; 946-8444.

Legend's, 1313 W Lindsey St. in Norman, traditional Thanksgiving meal with multiple seatings. Call for availability, 329-8888.

Mary Eddy's Kitchen and Lounge in 21c, 900 W Main St., noon to 8 p.m., special Thanksgiving menu, 982-6960.

Nic's Place Diner and Lounge, 1116 N Robinson Ave., traditional Thanksgiving dinner with options, multiple seatings, call 601-9234 for details

The Pump Bar, 2425 N Walker Ave., 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., serving turkey dinner and craft cocktails, 702-8898.

R&J Supper Club, 320 NW 10, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Regular menu plus Thanksgiving specials, 602-5066.

Rococo Restaurant and Fine Wine (Northpark location only), 12252 Northpark Mall, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 212-4577.

Saltgrass Steakhouse, locations in Norman and Oklahoma City, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Springs at The Artesian, 1001 W First St. in Sulphur; Regular menu 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with special Thanksgiving meal for $25, including Orange-glazed turkey or Thyme-Honey Ham, plus sides and Pumpkin Cheesecake with whipped cream and Pecan Praline for dessert.

Skirvin Hilton Hotel Park Avenue Grill, 1 Park Ave.; breakfast buffet 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.; 11 to 2 p.m. prix fixe menu; 5 to 9 p.m., complete meal at a fixed price and regular menu. Grand Ballroom: buffet, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 702-8444.

Sooner Bowling Center, 550 24th Ave. NW, Norman; 6 p.m. to midnight; burgers, pizza and regular snack bar menu. Bowling reservations recommended.

Szechuan Bistro, 1010 W Memorial Road, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., dinner menu all day, 752-8889.

Vast, 333 W Sheridan Ave. (Devon Tower); 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thanksgiving buffet, 702-7262.

Western Sizzlin'/Mackie's Steakhouse, locations in Oklahoma City, Moore and Chickasha; 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Serving regular menu plus traditional Thanksgiving fare: turkey, dressing, ham, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, cranberry salad, pumpkin pie and pecan pie.

This is not a comprehensive list, but a running one. If you own a restaurant that will be open Thanksgiving and would like it added to the list, email dcathey@oklahoman.com.

Lucky 13

Cafe Do Brasil, 440 NW 11, will celebrate its 13 years of operation in Midtown this month with some specials you won't want to miss.

Chef/owner Ana Davis will offer guests a chance to hop in her time machine for lunch for throwback prices starting Nov. 11.

Enjoy 2005 price points for brunch on Nov. 11 and at lunch all week long. Between Nov. 13 and 15 you can enjoy a three-course meal with wine pairings for $30 (including vegetarian/vegan options) and those who buy a bottle of wine on the weekend will be entitled to a free appetizer.

And of course, all meals should be preceded by Caipirinhas upstairs at the Bossa Nova Lounge and concluded with apple cake.

Sad news

Last week, Oklahoma lost a giant from the hospitality industry when Mike Samara passed away at the age of 94.

Samara was the longtime owner of Tulsa's Celebrity Club, which he opened in 1963.

He was introduced to the hospitality business by his brother Jake, who was Oklahoma City's pre-imminent nightclub owner for years.

Jake Samara partnered with one of his customers, Jack Sussman, to open Sussy's Italian Restaurant and trigger the pizza craze in the years following World War II.

Mike Samara got his start managing Jake's Jamboree Supper Club in the late 1940s. Mike was a mentor of Junior Simon, founder of Junior's, which turned 45 earlier this year.

Samara played an integral role pushing the first successful liquor-by-the-drink legislation in the early 1980s.

Chain reaction

The past 10 years have been a renaissance for local, independent restaurant owners, but that doesn't mean larger operators haven't been paying attention.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse put to rest two decades of rumors by at last confirming plans to open a local store in the First National Bank Building.

Perhaps the only surprise is that Ruth's Chris isn't opening in Chisholm Creek. Never fear, Chisholm Creek has lured another prominent regional chain to the neighborhood.

Dallas-based Razzoo's Cajun Cafe on Monday announced plans to open its first Oklahoma location in The Pointe at Chisholm Creek next summer. Construction is set to start in February.