Tournament madness taking over Moo’s BBQ

Moo’s BBQ is asking for everyone to get out the vote, but it’s not for a typical election. Moo’s was selected to participate in the Iowa Pork Producers 2018 Pulled Pork Madness competition pitting statewide selections against each other in a bracket format.

“The Iowa Pork Producers put it out there and we put in on our Facebook page and had to get voted in,” Moo’s owner Jeremy Biondi said.

To be selected, a nomination process was open from March 2 through 9. The “Sweet 16” restaurants were announced on Monday with Moo’s landing in the Southeast Iowa District 7. They are pitted against another local favorite Smokin’ Js BBQ of Lynnville.

“If we get to the ‘Elite 8’ we have to enter a sandwich for the rest of the competition,” Biondi said. “Right not I am doing an impromptu poll on my Facebook page between ‘The Iowan’ and ‘The Moo.’”

The Iowan is a bacon cheeseburger with pulled pork on top while The Moo is a pulled pork sandwich topped with brisket. Right now, Biondi said The Iowan is in the lead.

Voting for the round of 16 concludes on Thursday with the “Elite 8” restaurants to be announced later that day. Should Moo’s make the next round, voting will take place from 5 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Tuesday to narrow the competition down to the “Final 4.” Moo’s would be competing against District 8 winner Sweet ‘n Saucy of Fairfield or Big’s BBQ Brew Pub of Mt. Vernon.

The top four restaurants from each region will go head to head with voting starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday and running through 10 a.m. March 23. Voting for the championship round also begins on March 23 at 5 p.m. and lasts six days, closing at 10 a.m. March 28. The grand prize winner will be announced on March 29 and receive $250, a plaque and the honor of being the 2018 Pulled Pork Madness Champion, according to the Iowa Pork Producers.

To vote, Moo's has a link to the bracket on its Facebook page or you can visit http://woobox.com/jbrhmr.

Moo’s is also hoping to participate in the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest. In its ninth year, the contest aims to find the tastiest burger in the state of Iowa.

Voting has already closed to select the top 10 restaurants with an announcement of who was selected scheduled for Monday. Biondi said he hopes to make this contest because it brings a lot of name recognition to the restaurant statewide.

“The judges come out, eat whatever burger they want and pick the winner from there,” Biondi said. “One of the owners that were in the 10 top a few years ago said, just from being in the top 10, their sales increase 30 to 40 percent.”

Biondi said last year Moo’s finished 12th or 13th in the standing after only having burgers on the menu for two weeks.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com