The Texas BBQ Forum

So, looks like I will be headed to Meridian in October.

Can some of you that have cooked it give me a run down on how it all works and what I should be prepared for

Be ready for 200 teams, and about 5 rounds of judging tables. $175 entry fee, and we start lineing up on wed to get in

We went for the first time last year. Pretty fun cook. They pack a ton of teams in there, like Jeff said get out there early. Big payouts.

I'm looking for more logistic info. How does the lining up work. Is it along the street highway? Do you have to stay with truck/ pit the whole time?

what happens if you get there late after most are already in? bad spot?

Once inside is it pretty much like any other comp?

Facilities? water, toilets, etc

and where exactly is Meridian?

We got there late on Friday and they were pretty organized. Brought us right to our spot. We were along the river. They give you your spot based on size requirements I think. They had plenty of port o potties that they cleaned out fairly often. Meridian is about 40 miles northwest of waco. Once going it's like any other comp except I think we had to submit a little more of our final product for judging. Like I said I've only been once so hopefully someone will be along to give you some good info.

All th spots are in a 100 acre coastal field. Some have water but we usually have splinters on th faucet so more can have water. There really are no bad spots, unless it rains then were all in bad shape!!!!!

so they assign you a spot? no picking your spot? what about those that want to be together?

They have a grid printed off of all th spots. You pull in th gate then pick your spot, if you want to be beside someone ,its best to be in line together, so yall can pick 2 spots side by side

so when you start lining up on Wednesday, when do they start letting people in

I'm looking for more logistic info. How does the lining up work. Is it along the street highway? Do you have to stay with truck/ pit the whole time?
Some of the locals get in line a week ahead of time and just leave their rig there; usually no more than 6 locals. Many 30 to 40 teams (varies) arrive on Thursday. You will be lined up in a costal field in front of the cook off grounds. A number will be placed on your tow vehicle windshield in the order you arrive. Friday morning they begin checking you in at the cook off grounds entry gate in the order you arrived, if paying at check in you must pay in cash, you can choose or be assigned a spot, escorted to your spot, and meat inspected once you arrive at your spot. Really no such thing as a good or bad spot being they are in the middle of a costal field; only thing about arriving late Friday is you mis-out on the Thursday party and get a late start on the Friday party. No electric, there are ample portor pots, and water at a few locations. Other than being large it's just like any other cook-off.
Meridian is located just east of HWY 6 approx 40 miles N/W of Waco. HWY 6 from Waco take FM 22 toward downtown Meridian for about 1/2 mile, cross the Bosque River and the cook off grounds are on your right.

3 star redneck wrote:Be ready for 200 teams, and about 5 rounds of judging tables. $175 entry fee, and we start lineing up on wed to get in

And this will be the time I get the "School's Out!!!!" shirt!!!!!!!

Deano wrote:

3 star redneck wrote:Be ready for 200 teams, and about 5 rounds of judging tables. $175 entry fee, and we start lineing up on wed to get in

And this will be the time I get the "School's Out!!!!" shirt!!!!!!!

Really!!!!! il:

I usually get there Thursday after work (I live in Waco so not that long of a drive ) and as a rule there's usually already 30-40 teams in line. They line you up in several rows and mark your windshield with your respective number in line. We normally have an idea whom we are going to pit around and map it out accordingly on the map Friday morning so everyone can camp around the people we usually cook around. Port o pottys get cleaned pretty regularly and like Jeff said water faucets are readily available (but bring a hose). If for whatever reason you can't make it out til later Friday you should still be able to get a decent spot just might have a further walk to the turn in tent......but they have event staff riding around on golf carts giving head judges rides to the turn in tents around turn in times if you can catch a ride with them. Meridian is very organized as a rule and they have their stuff together to move things smoothly.......hope this helps......

I've been the past 3 years and I think If my memory serves me correct they only had 200 last year........

'08-156 teams, '09-165 teams and '10-211 teams. We'll be there. Gotta use our vouchers from last year. It's always been a fun contest for us.