BBQ, Classic Cars, and Community: What Went Down at the HCA Cook-Off in Edinburg, TX

🔥 Food, Family & Flavor at the 7th Annual HCA BBQ Cook-Off in Edinburg, TX

The 7th Annual HCA BBQ Cook-Off was the place to be this past Saturday! Held at Harvest Christian Academy in Edinburg, Texas, this event brought together over 30 BBQ cooking teams, a vibrant vendor market, and even a classic car show—making it an all-in-one community event in the RGV.

The mouthwatering smell of smoked brisket and sizzling ribs filled the air as teams competed for the coveted Grand Champion title. With the heat cranked up by the Texas sun, attendees kept cool thanks to The Chill Stand, where a cup of ice-cold lemonade hit the spot. It was the perfect way to kick off the day!

🍪 Local Vendors & Tasty Treats
The vendor section, powered by Thrive Markets, was a big hit. From handcrafted home décor to sweet treats and creative gifts, there was no shortage of unique finds.

We couldn’t resist the homemade banana nut bread from Prissy’s Cookies—it was warm, moist, and absolutely addictive. Be sure to also try their carrot cake if you see them at your next market stop!

JC Vintage Signs brought rustic charm to the event with vintage patio signs and hand-crafted music boxes. Meanwhile, Luna Artistree Laserworks wowed us with laser-cut crosses and football stadium-shaped coasters—perfect for holiday gifts or RGV sports fans.

And of course, no food event is complete without a stop at Gordee’s Munchies for their famous espiropapas—a spiraled, seasoned, deep-fried potato delight that lived up to the hype.

🏆 BBQ Awards & Car Show Highlights
The day wrapped up with the BBQ awards ceremony, and the excitement in the auditorium was contagious. Congratulations to Gonzales Family Barbecue, who took home the Grand Champion Award, and to Lonely Bones BBQ for earning Reserve Grand Champion honors!

🥇 BBQ Category Winners:

Brisket

1. Gonzales Family Barbecue
2. Smoke-In D’s BBQ
3. Lonely Bones BBQ

Chicken

1. Lonely Bones BBQ
2. Smoke-In D’s BBQ
3. Smokin’ Kings BBQ

Pork Ribs

1. I’d Smoke That
2. Smokin’ Kings BBQ
3. Gonzales Family Barbecue

The car show also brought the heat! Congrats to the Show & Shine People’s Choice Award winners in both the Modern and Classic/Antique categories.

🎉 A Must-Attend Event in the RGV
With a mix of mouthwatering BBQ, local vendors, refreshing drinks, and classic cars, this was truly a community celebration that showcased what the Rio Grande Valley is all about. If you’re searching for family-friendly events in South Texas, mark your calendar for next year’s HCA BBQ Cook-Off—you don’t want to miss it!

Until then, we’ll be dreaming about banana nut bread, brisket, and espiropapas. 🍖🔥