Way Out West BBQ Championship puts
the ‘Q
in RHYTHM, BREWS and BBQ’s !
Annual Taste of San Joaquin and Way Out West BBQ Championship bring BBQ teams, local restaurants, and thousands of visitors to Downtown Stockton every year since 2008.
The Fifth Annual Taste of San Joaquin in 2012 featured a wide variety of food at affordable prices, top-flight local entertainment and Way Out West BBQ Competition —
a “Food-Network-Style” barbecue cook off.
In addition to live entertainment and excellent food, visitors had the opportunity to meet some of the best BBQ competitors on the west coast including “Slap Yo’ Daddy” stars of the recent TLC’s “BBQ Pitmasters,” and the three-time winner of the People’s Choice award, Stockton’s own, “Smokin’ Yankees.” They tasted hot off the grill: pork ribs, beef brisket, chicken, pork candy, loaded baked potatoes, and more. Many teams have sauce for sale and love to share grilling tips. Past events have seen large crowds and less food, this year’s BBQ teams are staffed, stocked and ready to feed all visitors.
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Visitors are able to sample BBQ
hot off the grill |
Kids activities include face painting |
Many BBQ teams like to share their grilling tips |
New in 2012, Taste featured a Chili Cook-Off. Tastes of chili, sold in 2 oz. samples, afforded chili fans award winning flavors from savory to scorching.
New to the event in 2011 and returning for 2012, Taste of San Joaquincontinued to offer $1 wine tastings of local wine varietals in a tree lined waterfront outdoor tasting area. The ever popular craft beer and soda stations returned as well.
Strollers, blankets or low chairs are welcome, tall chairs and coolers are not permitted. A dress code is strictly enforced to ensure a pleasant atmosphere for all visitors. ATMs are available on site, only tasting tickets are accepted for food and drink.
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ENTERTAINMENT AND VENDORS in 2012
Live entertainment features local bands performing
classic hits of the Beatles, Van Halen, and Pink Floyd:
Highway 4 - Classic Rock Band
The 209 All Stars - Classic Rock Band
Childrens Area will feature arts and crafts
VIEW PARTICIPATING BBQ TEAMS
PARTICIPATING LOCAL RESTAURANTS: |
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J&J Kettle Corn
Lagorios Grill & Bar
Wayne’s Cool Ice
Delroy’s Deli
J.B. Marcelino
Cafe Acacia
Twisted Vine Catering
Rustic Oven
Las Tapatias
Las Tapatias (food truck)
Morada Eats (food truck)
Tacos, Doña Tere (food truck)
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Click on the map to view an event guide with a map
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Transportation & Parking 2012
Parking: Surface lots on Oak Street and throughout Downtown Stockton are FREE on August 18. Parking in
the Stewart-Eberhart garage between Center and El Dorado Streets is $2/hour with a maximum of $10/day. Street parking is also available throughout downtown.
Bikes: Bike and skateboard area will be available
at the event.
Boating: Stockton Marina boating reservations can be made through Westrec at (209) 462-4200. Click here for more.
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ABOUT THE BBQ CHAMPIONSHIPS
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Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ from Diamond Bar, CA, were
the winners of WOW Contest in 2009 and 2010 |
1st Annual Way Out West BBQ Championship fired up Stockton in 2009! More than 20 talented cooks from all over the Western United States competed for a California State Championship. Downtown Stockton was filled with overwhelming aromas as the BBQ teams went to work. Cooking lasted 18 hours!
Watch a video about Way Out West BBQ on Comcast Channel
30 BBQ teams from across the country came to Taste of San Joaquin 2011 to complete in the KCBS sanctioned Way Out West BBQ Championship (WOW). Visitors had the opportunity to meet some of the best BBQ competitors on the west coast including “Slap Yo’ Daddy” stars of the recent TLC’s “BBQ Pitmasters” and 2009 People’s Choice winner, Stockton’s own, “Smokin’ Yankees.”
Click here to see Slap Yo’ Daddy's performance on TLC
The Way Out West BBQ Championship is sanctioned by the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association. To join as a competitor in the BBQ competition click here.
TICKETS 2012
Pre-sale admission and tasting tickets are available at the Downtown Stockton Alliance office.
ATMs will be available on site, only tasting tickets will be accepted for food and drink at the event. All proceeds benefit locally owned restaurants, local charities, and the improvement of Downtown Stockton.

- General Admission: $3
- Kids 12 and under: Free
- Family Packs: $40 include
thirty (30) tasting tickets,
two non-alcoholic drinks and two souvenir cups
(while supplies last).
- Goupon Deal: up to 55% off
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BEER AND WINE 2012
The following wine varieties will be available in $1 tasting:
| Chardonnay
Red Zinfandel
Cabernet
Moscato Rose
Merlot |
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Main stream and craft brews will be available for 4 and 5 tasting tickets (1 ticket = $1):
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WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
This event is organized by the Way Out West BBQ Championship and the Downtown Stockton Alliance. The goals of this event are to stimulate the local economy, raise money for area non profits, create a business opportunity for locally owned food service businesses, and to draw visitors to Downtown Stockton. All proceeds from Taste benefit locally owned and operated restaurants, local charities and the improvement of Downtown Stockton. For each $1 tasting ticket that is redeemed at the event, $0.80 go to the locally owned food business and $0.20 go to local nonprofit organizations. In the past four years, Taste has donated over $10,000 to local charities and sold over 100,000 tasting tickets.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN 2012:
Gospel Center Rescue Mission
James Monroe Elementary School PTO
Edison High School Cheer
Stockton Sister Cities Association
Tibons Goju Ryu Fighting Arts
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TESTIMONIALS
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| Free activities for children will be provided at Taste by local non-profits |
“Even though the city of Stockton cancelled our annual fireworks show due to the current budget crisis, there was still reason to be down at the waterfront on Independence Day. The second annual Taste of San Joaquin was held along with the first annual Way Out West BBQ Championship was held at the Weber Points Event Center on a perfect July day.
As soon as we paid our $1 admissions we could hear an '80s rock band playing on the main stage. We made our way back and hung out and watched Aquanett perform songs from Ratt, Metallica, Poison, AC/DC and other rock bands. (...)
After listening to Aquanett for a while we ventured out to try some of the BBQ prepared by the 20 or so competitors. (...) After a few samples of BBQ we tried some specialties from local restaurants (...).”
— Matt Beckwith, Podcast Stockton (2009)
SPONSORS 2012
Click here for sponsorship opportunities.
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Duarte Accountancy
Corporation
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