Charlie McKenna, pit master at Lillie's Q in Bucktown, placed 12th in the pork shoulder competition at the Memphis in May barbecue championship this weekend. (Chris Sweda/Tribune)By Phil Vettel Tribune restaurant critic
Charlie McKenna, chef/owner of Lillie's Q (1856 W. North Ave., 773-772-5500) is back from last weekend's Memphis in May World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest with a 12th place finish under his belt.
For most 'que specialists, finishing 12th out of 70 entrants (in McKenna's preferred Pork Shoulder category), at the most prestigious barbecue cook-off in the country, would be high-five time. McKenna and crew, however, are a bit bummed.
"The top 10 finishers get to walk up (at the awards ceremony) for their trophy." McKenna says. "We've never not walked."
Last year, McKenna finished fourth, as he did in 2006, and he has three other top-10 finishes, including his first-place title in 2007. The guy aims high.
"It was disappointing to our team," he says, "but it's a fun time. And this year's Grand Champion (Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur, AL) came out of the shoulder category. There was a lot of good meat out there."
This is just the beginning of the competitive-barbecue season, however. From March through November, McKenna estimates that between 30 and 40 barbecue contests take place across the country, and McKenna will compete in nearly 20 of them.
"I compete on the circuit year-round," he says. "I go out twice a month. I think the next trip is mid-June. It's a great thing, plus it helps get Lillie Q's name out."
For most 'que specialists, finishing 12th out of 70 entrants (in McKenna's preferred Pork Shoulder category), at the most prestigious barbecue cook-off in the country, would be high-five time. McKenna and crew, however, are a bit bummed.
"The top 10 finishers get to walk up (at the awards ceremony) for their trophy." McKenna says. "We've never not walked."
Last year, McKenna finished fourth, as he did in 2006, and he has three other top-10 finishes, including his first-place title in 2007. The guy aims high.
"It was disappointing to our team," he says, "but it's a fun time. And this year's Grand Champion (Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur, AL) came out of the shoulder category. There was a lot of good meat out there."
This is just the beginning of the competitive-barbecue season, however. From March through November, McKenna estimates that between 30 and 40 barbecue contests take place across the country, and McKenna will compete in nearly 20 of them.
"I compete on the circuit year-round," he says. "I go out twice a month. I think the next trip is mid-June. It's a great thing, plus it helps get Lillie Q's name out."
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