Darren Warth, co-owner of Smokey D’s BBQ, recently qualified for the Sam’s Club National Championship barbecue competition by winning the Las Vegas regional final. The Sam’s Club National Championship in October will be the largest barbecue competition of its kind. Darren’s partner at Smokey D’s, Shad Kirton, won the $100,000 BBQ Pitmaster’s competition on TLC last year, which, at the time, was the biggest prize in barbecue. Smokey D’s partners have combined for well over 400 local, regional, and national barbecue awards.
Also in the national spotlight are 2 Des Moines fanwiches (sandwiches devoted to athletes). The “Adam Emmenecker Special” and the “Zach Johnson #3 Hoagie” are both nominated in ESPN’s Fanwich contest to crown America’s greatest sports sandwich.
The “Adam Emmenecker Special” is currently leading the voting ahead of such sandwich giants as “The Rothlisburger” and the “Bo Knows Big Burgers”. The sandwich is named after clutch Drake basketball star Adam Emmenecker, and features a huge pork tenderloin, beef brisket, an Angus steak burger, bacon, 2 large fried cheese cubes, buffalo chicken tenders, melted cheddar cheese, a white cheddar cheese sauce, and a spicy pickle. This 5-pound monstrosity comes with a mound of waffle fries, a 15-minute challenge, and, I am guessing, a complete disregard for one’s own health. It can be found at either of the Des Moines area Jethro’s BBQ locations and was featured on an episode of the Travel Channel's "Man v. Food" with Adam Richman.
The “Zach Johnson #3 Hoagie” is currently third in the voting. It is the brainchild Des Moines’ Manhattan Deli. The “Zach Johnson #3 Hoagie” is ham, hard salami, pepperoni, provolone, hot pepper cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and oil dressing on a hoagie bun. It, too, is a beast of a sandwich, and was named after Iowa’s biggest contribution to the current PGA Tour, Zach Johnson. Zach Johnson is also a Drake alum.
Fans are able to vote for their favorite Fanwich on ESPN’s Facebook page. This means that Des Moines diners have a chance to ensure that Iowa can win at something national and sports related, even if their favorite in-state sports teams haven’t been able to do so in recent years. Log on and vote, Des Moines!
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