Red River BBQ Shootout Tonight

Leo's turned in the winning plate of ribs for Oklahoma at the Red River BBQ Shootout

DALLAS — If you’re headed for Dallas today and can’t wait until Saturday morning to get your Red River Rivalry on, you might happen to downtown Dallas for the first-ever Red River BBQ Shootout.

The Red River Shootout Party starts at 5 p.m. in the Main Street Garden, 1920 Main Street. Oklahoma City icon Leo’s BBQ will be on the pit today representing Oklahoma versus Cousin’s BBQ of Fort Worth, cooking for Texas.

Pitmaster Charles Smith earned the right to fight for Oklahoma in a preliminary competition on Thursday night, besting Elmer’s of Tulsa and Van’s Pig Stand of Shawnee. Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch and RV Park was scheduled to compete but had to drop out at the last due to an emergency.

Cousin's kept its presentation simple, but the ribs were perfectly cooked.

Cousin’s narrowly defeated famous Black’s Barbecue from Lockhart, Baker’s Ribs and Big Daddy’s from Wylie, Texas.