In a small rural community in Southern Illinois, a passion for barbecue stretches back over 100 years and houses two out of 18 total Barbecue Hall of Famers in the nation. In 2015, the Illinois House of Representatives designated this town, Murphysboro, as the “Barbecue Capital of Illinois” in recognition of their rich barbecue history and success.
Murphysboro not only hosted national competition teams and locally produces its own Cairo Bar-B-Q Sauce, but it also is home to two famous barbecue national competitors. The House resolution recognizes both hall of famers, Mike Mills and Pat Burke, as the inspiration for the 17th Street Barbecue and Pat’s BBQ. Both gained attention for their Apple City Barbecue Team, with Burke competing in over 255 competitions and winning 185 grand championships – “more than any other living person” according to the resolution.
This fall, the town kicked off their 37th annual Praise the Lard Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off, welcoming a record 119 teams from 20 states. This marked the ninth year of 17th Street BBQ’s successful partnership with the Steak Cook Off Association and expanded the competition to include taco and appetizer cook-off ancillaries.
Paying tribute to the memory of Mike Mills, who passed in 2020, competitors, volunteers and residents at the cook-off continue his legacy of promoting barbecue as the heart of the community.
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