Table 58: Big Denver BBQ Block Party a Success!

This past weekend, Jim 'N Nick's folks from all around the country followed the BBQ rig to Denver, Colorado to participate in the very first Big Denver BBQ Block Party. A western version of the annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party, hosted by the Union Square Hospitality Group, seemed to make a lot of sense and provided an opportunity for some new pitmasters to participate in the family of events.

Taking place in beautiful and lively Downtown Denver, bands, beer and barbecue was abundant and the Jim 'N Nick's team was able to fraternize with old friends like Ed Mitchell from North Carolina, 17th Street BBQ from Illinois, Martin's Bar-B-Q from Tennessee and Blue Smoke from New York. But they were also happy to make new friends like the good folks from The Hitching Post in Buellton, California.

All of the event proceeds went to local charities in that community and Jim 'N Nick's provided additional support by staging a raffle to win a signed Peyton Manning Broncos jersey. Proceeds from the raffle went to Judi's House, an organization based in Denver that provides trauma counseling to those (mostly children) who are working through traumatic experiences like the recent tragedies that took place in Aurora, CO, a neighborhood in Denver.

Jim 'N Nick's stores around the country also collected "Thoughts and Prayers" as well as donations for the victims and families that were directly impacted by the shootings in Aurora.

The weekend started off with a pitmaster's and press event at the Northfield location of Jim 'N Nick's. Paul Bestofka is the Jim 'N Nick's partner in Denver and has two locations in the area--Northfield, located at 8264 E. 49th Avenue and Southlands in Aurora at 24153 E. Prospect Avenue.

Check out the photos from our great time in Denver!

Blake! Superstar server at the Jim 'N Nick's Northfield location.

L-R, Paul Bestofka of Jim N Nick's Denver, Roy B. Ray, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Nick Pihakis, of Jim 'N Nick's

Pitmasters gathered to kick off the weekend at Jim 'N Nick's bar.

Drew Robinson, Executive Chef of Jim 'n Nick's demonstrates the art of smoked beef brisket.

Jim 'N Nick's famous cheese biscuits were baked fresh at the festival.

The rig and servers, ready for folks to line up.

The crew from Jim 'N Nick's and the Hitching Post in Buellton, CA became good friends.

The pigs grow antlers in Colorado!

Football great Peyton Manning generously donated a signed Bronco's jersey to raffle off for Judi's House in Denver. www.judishouse.org

Thoughts and Prayers were collected at the event and at Jim 'N Nick's restaurants to distribute to the victims and families associated with the tragic Aurora shootings last month.

The BBQ team!

Mike Mills (4th from the left) of 17th Street BBQ gathers his crew. It is great to be able to catch up with dear friends like Mike and his daughter Amy Mills (2nd from right) at events like this.