The off season

Man did we have a busy season. Full time jobs and 23 comps is quite the handfull. Whats strange is that after the season is over, all I want to do is compete again. Give me 2-3 weeks and I become one with my couch (which is where I am now!).

That said, gimme another couple weeks and planing for next season will be well underway. Not to say we haven't done anything, just been ssssllllloooowww. We have a new sponsor, Huntington Customs, a new Sponsored team, Whiskey Bent BBQ and a couple new retailers too. Plus, its true, this season we WILL have A/C and heat in a bigger trailer. Thats living large to us, well, as long as we don't look at Black Cat BBQ's rig, lol.

So, bear with us, things will get active around here again soon. For now, enjoy your time with the family and the Holidays!

I just like this pic

Smithfield, VA

3Eyz @ Smithfield, VA Thanks to Mike Fay for the pic!

Another season down

As my grandmother used to say..."well, thats it then!". Another season done and in the books. We finished with a total of 21 contests for 2010 and 14 of those were top ten finishes. We are thrilled with those stats but there is always room for improvement. And thats what the offseason is for, dreaming, scheming and practicing!

For now though, time to watch some football!

A weekend off

Well, thats 7 comps in a row and I'm pretty beat up. My arm hurts from trimming, injecting and lifting, my feet hurt from standing so much, my back is tight from driving, my legs are still scraped up from wearing shorts all weekend, every weekend. Still one more comp next weekend in Smithfield, but have one weekend off to recover. So what do I do?

Cook and judge BBQ of course! I'm cooking some ribs now and judged my first comp last night at the Galvinells Hog Fest. It was a great experience and made me want to judge a KCBS contest. The presentations and food ranged from "sucked real bad" to "outstanding".

So....more next weekend after 3Eyz competes in a MBN contest!

Sorry

I know, I know, lack of posts recently. For that I am sorry. Just finished contest number 5 in a row and there isn't much time to anything other than work and compete. We still have Chambersburg next weekend (Chris and Dan going head to head again), going to the Jack (Big Ugly's team) and then Smithfield, VA MBN contest.

And then? Try and forget BBQ for a couple months. No practice, no new recipes, no packing, just nothing. At least, thats the plan........ we all know I can't do that.

Once we are done with this year, I'll post my thoughts from our marathon season and trust me, I have many!

In the mean time, "good smoking luck", lol. :)

Check it out

3Eyz BBQ to appear this Thursday on TLC's BBQ Pitmasters season 2. Check it out!!

3Eyz Hits Saudi Arabia!

3Eyz BBQ sent a care package to Major Brian Clark in Saudi Arabia to say thank you for all they do for us. Here is a pic, I take it they like the rub!

Turning the corner

At least that's what we hope we just did. After having things on auto pilot the first half of the season, we've been less than stellar this summer. But at Dover this weekend we pulled out a 1st in ribs and a 3rd in pork. It was nice to do some walking at the awards ceremony.

Big congrats to Tuffy of Cool Smoke for kicking our butts two weeks in a row!

Also, thank you to all our rub customers. Sales have really been going up, especially at competitions! THANK YOU!

BBQ Pitmasters season 2

OK everybody, its time for season 2 of BBQ Pitmasters. This time with 3 Eyz BBQ!!!

It starts tomorrow (Thursday) on TLC at 10 Eastern / 9 Central. Please post a comment to tell us what you think!

Want a sneak preview? Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVa7an1WaA8

A Fantastic night

Tracy and I met my parents at a restaurant in the inner harbor of Baltimore on Friday night. Started out with some seared Ahi Tuna, then moved onto a Veal T-bone with some Lyannaise potatoes and finished it all off with some chocolate sin cake. Damn was that a good meal! That veal T-bone was truly amazing. And the price was right too, as my pops picked up the bill, awesome!

A break....... A what?

Yep, a couple weeks off. Some time off is feeling pretty good after a very busy first half of the season. Heading to Ruths Chris tomorrow with my parents and a seeing a ball game on Saturday.

Not to fear though as another 3 in a row is on tap. Bel Air, Dover and New Holland. And I'm ready, cooling vest and cooling bandana in the comp supplies which means it will be 70 degrees. I'll start the rain dance on Monday, cause we need some crap weather for these comps. I'm about sick of the heat.

Oh, and be sure to check out BBQ Pitmasters next week on TLC. The premier is set for Thursday at 10pm EST. And check out future previews. Ya never know when you may catch a glimpse of the 3eyz guys :)

BBQ Pitmasters Season 2

TLC has posted some new videos for season 2 of BBQ Pitmasters. Looks like Diva Q is cooking gator! Check em out!

http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/bbq-pitmasters/

Louisa

Well, thats not Louisa, but it did feel like that! Friggin hot, again. Where the hell is the rain? Thundrstorms, tropical storms, cold, snow, you know? 3Eyz Weather!

We finished 18th out of 59 teams, not our best showing, but respectable. We'll have a chance to do better soon as we are signed up for Easton, MD nxt weekend.

Big thanks to Big Ugly, little Ugly, Tracy and Brian for helping me get things done. I almost scratched this one due to logistical issues.

Also, congrats to Black Cat on the win. Here is to hoping you get the DE draw to get you out of the VA draw :)

Washington, DC

Sucked wind, choked, got creamed, ate some humble pie, tanked, screwed the pooch, you pic the phrase. How about, we just sucked......

That about sums up this weeks performance! See you all in Louisa :)

Look who came to visit!

Its Casey Vader

More Marietta pics!!

The First Brick! 1st place Brisket!

Dan, Lucas, and Aunt Diana with the Reserve Brick!

Waiting like sardines for awards....

Booyah!




Thanks for the pics, Patsy!

Marietta, OH!

We got a visit from a new team member at this comp! A lucky praying mantis, I named it Beatrice...lol. It started out on Dan's shoe, and then continued to bless the rest of our site, guess it worked!

I wanted to make sure that I took a few minutes to thank everyone who showed at the comp in Marietta, Ohio this weekend! Tommy, Sasha, Rhonda, Grant, Pam, my Dad Rick (who also let us stay at his house), My Uncle Donnie and Aunt Diana, my cousin Patsy, her husband and their son Lucas (who clapped for the first time ever at the awards ceremony!) , Scott and Rachel.

I promised my Uncle that I would make a little "Ode to Uncle Donnie", for the delicious Long John Silver's he delivered prior to turn ins. He truly saved the day!

It was great to be close to where I was born and to get to hang out with my family, and still compete and bring home the RGC "brick". We had a good time, even though the heat was brutal, and I swear I lost 10 lbs in sweat alone.

I also got to meet a really cool fellow min pin lover and I was able to get a pic with them!

Reserve Grand Champions!

Just back from our first Ohio competition. We walked 4 times, 9th ribs, 9th pork, 1st brisket and was awarded reserve grand champions!

Dan H and Chris with their bricks

Our good luck Mantis

Now for a short break and onto DC.

Behind the scenes - Tracy

You folks have been really lighting it up lately in rub purchases and for that, we at 3Eyz BBQ say thank you!

But ever wonder how you get that rub? Especially when everybody on the team works a full time job and we are signed up for 20 competitions this year. Well the answer is Tracy Hixon.

She wears many hats. Banker, shipper, saint (she is Married to Dan H after all), and box maker specialist at the comps she comes to.

So I guess my point is, while Chris, Dan Mc, Jason and Dan H get recognized at the awards ceremonies, she does not, so please say thank you when you place an order and say hi when you see her at a comp.

I speak for the team when I say "thank you" to her via this post. Here is a pic of Tracy from DC.

Repeat! Upper Marlboro, MD

Our very first repeat GC at a contest and our (well Dan H's at least) first 1st place brisket award! Feels good. Special thanks to Chris for riding the red eye from LAX to join us and Dan Mc for busting his butt to be there. No one could ask for better teammates!

Roc City Ribfest

Back from Roc city. What a competition. Sun, beach, beer, friends - just amazing. Oh yea, and there was a competition. Actually 3. KCBS BBQ on Sunday, Ribfest on Saturday and NEBS grilling on Saturday. We entered all but the grilling.

I'm still tabulating the scoring, but I do believe this competition will get an "A" from us and MAYBE the designation as the best event we have ever done. Our site was top notch - front row beach access. Shade, lots of room. Close to fresh coffee (free), catered dinner (free), delivered ice (free), bathrooms (free of course) and far enough away from the main stage.

If the organizers of Roc City Ribfest are reading.....We are in for next year if you promise to hold that spot! Looking forward to it already.

Results? Ribfest - 6th out of 104 teams. KCBS - 5th out of 69 teams with a 2nd in pork and ANOTHER 6th place rib call. As Chris Hart (I-Que) said, "just sooo consistent!". Thanks Chris and congrats on a great weekend for you and your team.

Twitter

Hey folks,

For those of you that don't know and would like occasional updates, 3 Eyz has a Twitter account. Simply enough, it's 3eyzbbq. Go figure. Stop on by and be sure to "follow" us for updates and news. Thanks!


-- Jason 3 Eyz

Middletown, DE

Well, taking about 2 hours to recover from this weekend, and will then start prepping for next weekend. Maybe 5 in a row wasn't such a great idea.....NOT. Lovin it.

1st place ribs pic below btw.

Ribs

-- Jason 3 Eyz

Middletown, DE

-- Jason 3 Eyz

Reserve Grand!!

Dan H and Chris took home RGC honors at Green Lane, PA this weekend!

Special thanks to Chris for getting the bad luck out of the way on his trip to the comp. Job well done!

And an update. We have actually signed up for 5 in a row, not 3. Woohoo, back to back to back to back to back comps. And once we are done with that, on week six, we'll probably be grilling at home. We need help......

Gearing up for a triple header!

Yep, the years first 3 in a row. Green Lane, PA, Wilmingon, DE and Roc City, NY starting next Friday. Insanity? Maybe, but we are hoping to hit our stride soon. I'll be updating the website after each comp so check back weekly!

Gallbladder special

Well, wound up in the ER on the last day of vacation in FL last Friday. Flew home Saturday and saw my local doctor. 2 days later and a visit to the surgeon and my gallbladder is now history. Just got home today. Hello percoset.


-- Jason 3 Eyz

New Podcast

Check out Dan Mcgrath and Dan Hixon's podcast from Salisbury at:

http://hotsauceweekly.com

Its official

That's Chris Hall on the left, better known as "Big Ugly" to many. This pick was taken at the Front Royal competition last October when Chris was helping 3Eyz. He also cooked with the team in Talledega and this last weekend in Salisbury (where we finshed 10th overall btw).

And, you'll be seeing MUCH more of him in the 3Eyz camp because he is now officially part of the 3Eyz team and business. Please feel free to haze him at future comps, congratulate him or offer your condolences.

We are very happy to have Chris on the team and look forward to another 17 or so comps this year!

Big D's Pizza and BBQ

Check out the link on the right hand side to our leading retailer of BBQ rub. This place is selling it like hotcakes. And damn well they should, because its Dan Mc's shop. Stop over to get a pizza, try some great BBQ or just pick up some rub.

If you want a special treat, ask fr the 3Eyz BBQ platter!

Enjoy :)

"THE INCIDENT"

So let me paint the picture.......



We drove 18hrs to get down to North Little Rock Arkansas. 3 of us, Chris, Daniel P and Dan H took 2 days off of work to go and compete against the best BBQ cooks in the world. And this wasn't just for bragging rights, this was the worlds richest bbq competition..... $100,000.00 in total prize money. This was, for lack of a better description, the shit. This was THE event, the time you want to shine.



So fast forward to Saturday morning. Everything was going ridiculously smooth. The smoker, hit its stride after 5 months of inactivity flawlessly. Temps were rock solid, meats were on target. The weather? Simply amazing. Chris and Daniel were well rested after a night in the hotel, Dan H, not in bad shape without having to fight the smoker. In a word, things were PERFECT.



So, it was quite the shock when a bit after 10am, the chicken (which had been meticulously trimmed, marinated, rubbed and shaped) hit the ground. All of it hit the ground, every piece. And the ground, no, it wasn't grass, nor dirt, nor pavement, but gravel! Without missing a beat, Dan H (who had been the one loading the chicken int the smoker) called for water, lots of it. In perfect sync, the members of 3eyz bbq rinsed, scrubbed, rinsed, scrubbed, rinsed, washed, dried, rubbed, shaped, and replaced the chicken on the rack. Time from ground to smoker? 12 minutes flat.



And it actually turned out good. 84th of out 238 teams. Overall, we finished 34. The lesson on this one? No, I'm not telling you to drop your chicken. But do not freak out, don't give up, don't throw in the towel. Make it work, no matter what.



The best part? Our neighbors gave us a bottle of rub. Written on the duct tape label was "3eyz chicken rub". In the bottle? You guessed it........gravel. I love BBQ people :)

2009 MABA Team of the Year!

A terrible discovery....

For those of you that haven't tried top shelf liquor - DON'T. Why? Well, once you taste a tequila like Patron, its impossible to go back to Cuervo. I tried last night, you know, to save money.....

Next time I think I'm going to do that, I'll save money by not buying anything. Ugghhh, nasty.

So, the lesson is, only go for those higher price bottles if your going to stay with those, otherwise, everything else is going to taste like crap.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.....

Wow

OK, so there has been a lack of posts recently. My bad. But what do you expect? I mean, it is the off season after all. That will soon be changing though as Little Rock is only a couple weeks away!

We are gearing up and will be ready to roll soon. And the team is restructured. What the heck does THAT mean? Hmmm, not ready to say. But rest assured, its a good thing! I will say this, the "official" unvailing will be in Salisbury, MD.

I've updated the website, and have 75% of the 2010 season listed. Looking like a total of 18 contests, man thats a lot of work.

So.....check back for updates, they will be rolling again!

Team of the Year Trophies!

Dan Mc and Dan H with the awards from the KCBS Banquet in Philly. Thansk to VA BBQ Pirates for the pic!

Que and Cruz Video

Check out this teaser from the guys at dM Works!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boJdA5tThLE&feature=player_embedded

New Retailer

We are proud to announce our newest retailer - Ruff's Barbeque! Please check out his website and if in CO be sure to stop into his store.

http://ruffsbarbequeshoppe.com/index.html