The National Barbecue Festival Returns to Long Island with Sizzle and Support

For the first time since 2011, the National Barbecue Festival made its highly anticipated return—bringing smoke, flavor, and community spirit to Eisenhower Park in Nassau County (Long Island), New York. Set on a sprawling 930-acre landscape—larger than Central Park—the venue offered guests world-class amenities including three 18-hole golf courses, an Olympic-sized aquatic center, athletic fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails, an ice rink, and the scenic Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.

This long-awaited revival was made possible through the incredible support of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Government, whose leadership and commitment brought the vision to life.

A heartfelt shoutout goes to NBBQA member Kathy Pullin and her husband Ronnie, who brought the heat and heart to the Live Fire Experience, making it a crowd favorite throughout the weekend. Deep gratitude also goes out to the NBBQA family and friends including Tuffy Stone, the BBQ Pit Boys, and Norris Technologies with Tribal Fire Grillsand Cotton Gin Smokers, who brought their passion, skill, and signature flavors to the forefront.

It was especially meaningful to welcome Carlene Phelps, NBBQA founding member and one of the original founders of the National Barbecue Festival, who joined us on-site—bringing the event full circle and reminding all of us of its deep roots and proud legacy.

This wasn’t just a cookoff—it was a celebration of barbecue heritage, community, and the unmatched hospitality of Nassau County’s premier park. We’re already counting down to 2026!

CHICKEN
1st – Smoke Central BBQ
2nd – El Jefe Loco
3rd – Stuey’s Smokehouse Barbecue
4th – Rum Runners BBQ
5th – Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ
6th – SniffinGriffinsBBQ by Warren G
7th – Lil Gringa BBQ
8th – FatKids BBQ
9th – Steak Princess BBQ
10th – Rough Cut Q

RIBS
1st – Rough Cut Q
2nd – Rusty’s Smoke BBQ
3rd – Steak Princess BBQ
4th – I Like to Rub My Meat
5th – Stuey’s Smokehouse Barbecue
6th – Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ
7th – Smoke Central BBQ
8th – Rum Runners BBQ
9th – Good Googly Goo BBQ
10th – Moe Cason

PORK
1st – Smoke Central BBQ
2nd – Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ
3rd – Kam Rai Thai
4th – Aces Wild BBQ
5th – Phil The Grill
6th – Sticks & Stones BBQ
7th – Moe Cason
8th – Dos Deputies BBQ
9th – Steak Princess BBQ
10th – I Like to Rub My Meat

BRISKET
1st – Rusty’s Smoke BBQ
2nd – El Jefe Loco
3rd – Rum Runners BBQ
4th – Moe Cason
5th – SniffinGriffinsBBQ by Warren G
6th – FatKids BBQ
7th – Meat Street USA
8th – Rough Cut Q
9th – Good Googly Goo BBQ
10th – Stuey’s Smokehouse Barbecue

WHOLE HOG (Limited Entry)
1st – Good Googly Goo BBQ
2nd – Aces Wild BBQ
3rd – Rusty’s Smoke BBQ
4th – Sticks & Stones BBQ
5th – Phil The Grill

OVERALL TOP 10 TEAMS
(Calculated from each team’s selected 3 categories)
1st – Smoke Central BBQ
2nd – Smokin’ Hoggz BBQ
3rd – Rusty’s Smoke BBQ
4th – El Jefe Loco
5th – Rum Runners BBQ
6th – Stuey’s Smokehouse Barbecue
7th – Rough Cut Q
8th – Moe Cason
9th – Steak Princess BBQ
10th – Aces Wild BBQ