Eat stellar barbecue at this Des Moines restaurant, just inducted into the hall of fame

Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register
·3 min read
Rib, brisket and Texas toast from Smokey D's in Des Moines are just some of the items that helped American Royal induct co-owner David Warth into the Barbecue Hall of Fame.
Rib, brisket and Texas toast from Smokey D's in Des Moines are just some of the items that helped American Royal induct co-owner David Warth into the Barbecue Hall of Fame.

Darren Warth has more than 90 state barbecue championships under his belt and another 1,000-plus local, regional, and national awards to his name.

Now he can add inductee into the American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame to his trophy wall.

The organization announced that the co-owner of Smokey D's BBQ with locations in north Des Moines and downtown in the skywalk will be inducted into the hall of fame this fall.

The organization recognized that Warth "has become one of the circuit's most decorated pitmasters since his barbecue competition debut in 2003."

The judges noted "his barbecue consistency, quality and affordability" and called Smokey D's "central Iowa’s destination for championship barbecue."

“By demonstrating exceptional excellence, passion and unwavering commitment to the barbecue craft, this year's inductees have earned their place in the Barbecue Hall of Fame," said Jackie McClaskey, president and CEO of the American Royal Association, in a news release.

More: Want great barbecue? A new survey ranks Des Moines in the top 20 U.S. cities to eat smoked meats

How were the Barbecue Hall of Fame inductees selected?

Darren and Sherry Warth pose with one of their many trophies at the Kansas City Speedway.
Darren and Sherry Warth pose with one of their many trophies at the Kansas City Speedway.

This year, the organization culled through 90 nominees to narrow the field down to 10 finalists. Members of the Barbecue Hall of Fame nominating committee and living members of the Barbecue Hall of Fame selected the inductees.

Four inductees and three legacy inductees are among this year's honorees, recognized for "their significant contributions to ... barbecue cuisine."

The organization recognizes the seven 2023 inductees during the 43rd American Royal World Series of Barbecue Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in Kansas City, Kansas.

More: Who has the best pulled pork sandwich in Iowa? This little restaurant in Marshalltown

How did Smokey D's BBQ and Darren Warth become a barbecue kingpin?

Darren Warth cooks his award-winning chicken thighs before presenting them to the judges.
Darren Warth cooks his award-winning chicken thighs before presenting them to the judges.

Warth’s love of barbecue began in 2001 when he started barbecuing in his back yard. The next year, he visited American Royal in Kansas City and an addiction was born. Warth said on his website that he entered his first barbecue contest in 2003 in Sedalia, Missouri, earning two top 10 bids during “rain, hail, and 85 mph straight line winds.”

Darren and Sherry Warth founded Smokey D’s BBQ in 2006. The walkup location opened on Northwest 54th Avenue in Des Moines in 2007, followed by a location in the downtown skywalk in 2008 and a third in the Nationwide building in downtown Des Moines in 2009, according to a timeline on the company's website.

The couple closed the 54th Avenue walkup location in 2010 and moved to Northwest Second Street location with room for 400 diners in Des Moines.

Fame continued in 2013 when celebrity chef and Food Network star Guy Fieri stopped by to film “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” showcasing the restaurant’s barbecue pork nachos, Asian smoked chicken wings, and apple dumplings. Fieri called the 11,000-square-foot restaurant the “swine colosseum.”

That same year, Warth won his first world barbecue championship at the American Royal. Smokey D’s won a second world championship at the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational BBQ in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in 2014, a second American Royal Open Championship in 2016, a third in 2018, and the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Bar-B-Que Contest in 2017.Fieri again showcased the restaurant during the Food Network’s “Triple D Nation: Flavortown Favorites” in 2019.

Where to find Smokey D’s BBQ

Location: 5055 N.W. Second St., Des Moines

601 Locust St., skywalk level, Des Moines

Contact: 515-243-2747 or smokeydsbbq.com

Hours: Second Street location open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Skywalk location open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Smokey D's BBQ owner Darren Warth inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame