North Jersey BBQ Showcase Coming To Garden State Plaza

PARAMUS, NJ — North Jersey's best pit masters, chefs and restaurants will compete for culinary supremacy this month.

The North Jersey BBQ Showcase will be at Westfield Garden State Plaza March 15 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

The barbecue restaurants participating in this tasting event are:

• Mighty Quinn's, Paramus
• Handsome Devil, Newburgh, New York
• Smoked, Ridgewood
• Red, White and Que, Kearny
• Fink's BBQ, Dumont
• Hamilton Pork, Jersey City
• Kimchi Smoke, Westwood

Entrants will compete to win in one of three categories: Experts Panel, Bloggers Choice and People's Choice.

Empanada Mania of Bergenfield and Carlito's Trailer, a new food truck from Jersey City featuring homemade tortillas, are also participating.

For those looking for something sweet, Glaze Donuts and Mr. Cupcakes will be there too.

Robert Cho, pit master and owner of Kimchi Smoke in Westwood organized the event. He wants to bring more "barbecue awareness" to North Jersey.

"We now have some very good ‘Cue options here and I wanted to bring the the barbecue community together," Cho said. "We can all brag we’re the best but at the end of the day, we support each other. We want to eat, hang out and have a great time while we’re at it. And of course, take some good pics for [Instagram]."

The showcase will be at the Garden State Plaza's lower level near the concierge desk. Tickets are $50 for adults, $20 for kids 12 and younger. Limited tickets may be available at the door. Entry gets people samples from all the restaurants. A cash bar will be available.

To purchase tickets, click here.

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Some food from some of the restaurants participating in the North Jersey BBQ Showcase at Westfield Garden State Plaza March 15. Courtesy of Robert Cho