Desperado’s BBQ of Hinckley, Ohio, won "Best of Show" at the inaugural Rock ‘n Rib Festival being held in downtown Tulsa this week through Sunday. The four-day festival kicked off Thursday and is presented by Rib Crib BBQ & Grill.  

 “We’re thrilled to be part of the first ever Rock ‘n Rib Festival," said Desperado’s "pitmaster" Chris Glaser. " I’ve had the privilege of speaking to hundreds of Tulsans who have stopped by our tent and I must say that our first visit to Oklahoma has been an incredible experience for our entire cooking team.”

Desperado’s specialities include fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, meaty beef ribs, huge pork sandwiches, and chicken. Their trademark pink stickers with the phrase "Lick My Ribs" are given to each guest who stops buy their massive tent.

Their rib recipe was chosen as the best by a panel of nine judges comprised of representatives from the local media, festival sponsors, and the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau. Desperado’s has toured the country in "cook-offs" since 1989.

 Runner-up was Rasta Joe’s Jamaican BBQ from Plymouth, Indiana. Judges particularly liked “Rasta Joe” Alexander’s signature barbecue sauce, a blend of local spices and Jamaican rum that he brushes on his hickory-smoked pork ribs.

Seven professional rib "pitmasters’ from around the country are cooking at the festival through Sunday. Several large tents are set up along Third Street and Frisco Avenue with each featuring various barbecue styles; Southwestern and Memphis, St. Louis and Australian.  

The festival includes constant live entertainment from the ONEOK Stage.  Tonight at 7 p.m., “Live Bait,” a Jimmy Buffett tribute band from Tampa, will perform.

On Saturday, several red dirt musicians will perform including South 40, the Turnpike Troubadours, and the Red Dirt Rangers.

 A full list of bands and an entertainment schedule is available at www.bokcenter.com