Smokestack Lightning Interview Tape

The Smokestack Lightning Interview Tapes: Cleveland Rib Mafia

Interview by Lolis Elie & Frank Stewart

Transcribed by Michael Quessenberry

Jim Quessenberry tells the story of locking horns in Cleveland over ribs — and how his ribs went missing like Jimmy Hoffa.

Jim Quessenberry and teammates with a multi-tier competition trophy
Night team photo: Jim in denim overalls holds a tall multi-tier trophy among smiling teammates in red shirts and paper cups.

1 / 7

Here we have another segment from the Smokestack Lightning interview tapes. Jim Quessenberry tells the story of locking horns in Cleveland over ribs, and how his ribs went missing like Jimmy Hoffa.

This one is best heard in Jim’s own voice — press Film in the player above, or flip to Photos for stills from the competition years.

A short story from Jim’s competition years — the time he hauled the Arkansas Trav’ler up to Cleveland, threw down against the local rib outfits, and learned the hard way that championship ribs and unattended coolers don’t mix. Like a lot of Jim’s stories, the punch line involves missing meat, suspicious circumstances, and a wink that says he’s not naming names.

2× World Champion 2× World Champion Irish Cup World Champion 1985 Irish Cup World Champion 1985 Irish Cup World Champion 1987 Irish Cup World Champion 1987 BBQ Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist 2019 BBQ Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist 2019 Arkansas Trav'ler Cooking Team Arkansas Trav'ler Cooking Team Memphis in May 1978–1994 Memphis in May 1978–1994