World Champion BBQ Right here in Poplar Bluff!!!
In 1987, Mike Clark and Bud Furguson started planning for their first-ever BBQ contest. Success was nearly instant, winning Grand Champion at the Black River Festival BBQ Cook-off in 1989 and 1990. Just 3 years later, in 1993, they won Grand Champion in shoulder at the Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest. This award landed them in the prestigious Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational BBQ Contest, where they placed overall 1st in Chicken.
They continued to compete as a team for 11 years across 5 states in nearly 100 contests. Six times in nine competitions at Memphis in May, Mike's team placed in the top ten! In 1995, Mike started a BBQ catering service and built the first Ole Hickory BBQ Pit in an enclosed trailer. After years of catering with his son Zach, Mike opened up Mike & Zach's BBQ To-Go in Poplar Bluff, MO. in February 2007.
Grand Championships & First Place Finishes
Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest - Shoulder
Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational BBQ Contest - Chicken
Arkansas State BBQ Contest - Shoulder
Black River Festival BBQ Cook-off - Ribs & Shoulder
Kennett Show-Me Cook-Off - Shoulder
Murphysboro Illinois State BBQ Contest - Ribs
