IARN — Starbeck’s Smokehouse has been on the Pulled Pork Madness bracket for 5 years in a row. This year, the Cedar Falls restaurant finally earned the sweet (and smokey) taste of victory by receiving the most votes in the social media contest, presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).
Pulled Pork Madness, the annual contest to find Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich, follows a bracket-style narrowing process similar to the NCAA’s college basketball tournament. Starbeck’s beat The Roadhouse in Orange City in the championship matchup.
“The competition really heats up during Pulled Pork Madness!” Hannah Spurr, IPPA’s consumer outreach director, said. “We love the friendly camaraderie and watching restaurants get creative to rally the most votes.”
Last month, 622 pork fans nominated 62 Iowa restaurants for the top honor. The two restaurants with the most votes in each of IPPA’s eight districts made up the starting “Sweet 16” bracket. Voters then decided which advanced to the “Elite Eight,” “Final Four,” and championship round, which wrapped up March 31.
“Pork is Iowa, so what an honor for us to be part of one of the greatest things in the state,” Jeff Starbeck, who owns the business with Cindy Herman, said. “It means a lot to us. It means a lot to our employees. And it means a lot to the farmers who provide us with the meat.”
Starbeck’s goes through 1,000 to 1,200 pounds of pork shoulders (commonly referred to as pork butts) each week. The meat is thoroughly rubbed with a house blend of seasonings that include salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, cumin, granulated garlic, onion, and cocoa powder. The butts are then slow roasted over cherry, hickory, or oak wood for about 12 hours, until they reach 195 degrees. The meat is served between two slices of authentic San Francisco sourdough bread, a recipe the owners developed with Hy-Vee. Homemade barbecue sauces are available on the side.
Prior to Starbeck’s, Starbeck had about 30 years of experience running restaurants in California, while Herman had been a waitress at a local chain restaurant. Neither knew much about barbecue, so they turned to Internet tutorials and tips from family. Starbeck and Herman opened the original Starbeck’s location, with a seating capacity of just 25, in August 2017. Last fall they moved to a much larger space nearby.
Along with bragging rights, Starbeck’s will receive $250 and a Pulled Pork Madness plaque.
If you want to experience this year’s winning sandwich yourself, head on over to Starbeck’s Smokehouse at 6607 University Avenue in Cedar Falls. For the full list of 2022 Pulled Pork Madness competitors, click here.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Photo courtesy of the Iowa Pork Producers Association
