Los Fresnos Cowboy Cook-Off Brings Out Best Chefs

by Tony Vindell/LFN

The third annual Los Fresnos Cowboy Cook-Off brought out some of the best outdoor chefs from throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Some 30 teams did their best trying to out do each other in the three meat, frijoles and pan de campo categories.

A couple of teams were from right here while others came from Mercedes, Pharr, and Raymondville, but it was a team from La Feria, named BBQ-Holics, that went home with the top prize.

Beer Belly BBQ of Los Fresnos took the people’s choice award. This was the first time such award was given and it was based on the most tickets garnered during the event and given out by people who were at the cook-off.

They also took first place with pan de campo, while JC of Rio Hondo got second and first place with fajitas.

Some of the cooking teams were here before while other, such as Deep South BBQ of Mercedes, competed for the first time here.

“We have participated in other cook-offs.” Priscilla Bernal said. “This is our fourth time doing so and took the reserve champion spot last month in Weslaco.”

Up to $5,000 were given out in payout, the proceeds from the cook-off go into a fund that gives $1,000 scholarships to about a dozen high school students.

Besides the cook-off, the Buckin Good Time Market, a car show and a concert were also part of Saturday’s 16 activities.

Dozens of vendors participated in the market, selling an array of merchandise including food, clothes, jewelry, fragrance soaps, mesquite wood items, plants and paintings.

Hilda Montalvo described the market as something neat.

“We live nearby but this is the first time we are here,” she said. ”We drive by when the market is held but had not stopped until now.”

Montalvo said she was impressed on how the market is doing and plans to be back at the next one.

The market started earlier this year and it’s usually held twice a month.

The next outdoor markets will be held Dec. 14 and 15 and Dec, 28 and 29.