Round Rio Rancho

Oktoberfest (or Oktoberfestival) has been a long-standing tradition in Rio Rancho. For the last three years it has been picked up and revitalized by a new organizer, who has been able to generate more volunteer participation, more vendor participation, and who has attracted a world class Petanque competition to the event. Teams from 20 countries came to Rio Rancho to compete and to spend money locally at hotels and restaurants. The “Miss Oktoberfest” competition welcomed a half dozen young Fräuleins in hand made costumes to the beer garden as well.

Over 20 local restaurants and cafes dished out thousands of samples of their product at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

The 8th Annual Pork and Brew BBQ State Championship was held over the Fourth of July weekend at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM. What was once a relatively small event has grown to be a three day celebration of fun, music and barbeque! There were dozens of competitors vying for top prize in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket BBQ.  You could buy samples from most vendors, and if you found one you really liked, you could buy a meal-sized portion to enjoy. For the kids and teens, the carnival rides beckoned. The music from the bandstand filled the whole area and dancing while you enjoyed a cold beer or lemonade was optional. The band performing in the video is “Wrestlin with Jimmy”.

Winners by Category

Overall
1st: Grand Champ: Mad Dawqz BBQ
2nd: Reserve Champ: Mad Max BBQ

Chicken
1st: Mad Max BBQ
2nd: Sweet Peppers
3rd: Thesmokering.com

Ribs:
1st: Sweet Peppers
2nd: Mad Dawqz BBQ
3rd: Mad Max BBQ

Pork:
1st: Oh Kay Cees
2nd: Sweet Peppers
3rd: Taste Bud’s BBQ

Brisket:
1st: Mad Dawqz BBQ
2nd: Thesmokering.com
3rd: Oh Kay Cees

Sometimes you find good things where you least expect to… Most weekends at the Idalia Road Marketplace in Rio Rancho you will see a small, mint-green trailer on the South side of the grounds. This is Geo’s Mobile Bistro – a small business run by George and Jan Menza. Visit early in the morning and you might see a line of hungry patrons lined up waiting to order or pick up one of their freshly made breakfast burritos. I seem to be addicted to the one made with turkey sausage, 2 eggs, green chili and cheddar cheese. Note that I did not say shredded potatoes. You won’t find cheap filler in these burritos.

George and Jan’s menu extends well beyond breakfast burritos. They draw on their years of experience running Geo’s Restaurant on Southern Blvd. to decide what their customers might enjoy.  They sold the restaurant some time ago, and now with their fully equipped trailer they can provide food service almost anywhere in the state.

Consider a visit to the Idalia Road Marketplace to check out their great food. It’s open weekends through Oct. 30. Saturdays 9-2, Sundays 10-2. Located at 1320 Idalia Rd, just north of Northern Blvd. in Rio Rancho.

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