Being raised in western Colorado, I grew up on BBQ sauce that was tangy and peppery with a thinner consistency. So tangy it kind of makes your mouth pucker a bit when you first taste it. Then the peppery, slightly sweet body of flavor comes, and you could just drink it straight from the cup. I could eat it with a spoon. Sigh…..

Consequently, I have always been underwhelmed by the majority of BBQ sauces on the market. So disappointingly sweet and thick (no drinking it from the cup here). I know Texas think’s it’s hot stuff when it comes to BBQ, but I am forever in search of the sauce of my childhood still served at Zack’s BBQ & Smokehouse in Hotchkiss, CO. As far as I know they don’t bottle it yet.

This short list could change at any time but here’s may current top runners.

• A-1 Steak Sauce. It’s a good blend of spices and thickness. Not too sweet, but I crave a bit more of a peppery/vinegar bite. On the same lines A-1 has a marinade out now too. I also really like it.

• F&J Steak Sauce. Scaff Brothers is a local company out of La Junta. They make all sorts of wonderful products - but one my current favorites is their Steak Sauce. It’s more fruity than A-1, but again not too thick. It has a nice flavor profile with some unusual flavors like oranges and walnuts. It is definitely on the sweeter end of things for me, but the flavor makes up for it. F&J has a BBQ sauce as well that is pretty good, although its a bit sweet, it’s not nearly as sweet as many.

That’s it for now lol. I am sure there are others out there I’d like but I just haven’t tried or don’t have ready access to. I did get to try a sauce that was made by a gentlemen whom I attend church with a couple of weeks ago and it was very good. A nice peppery bite and not very sweet. I’d buy it - maybe we can convince him lol.

Feel free to suggest your favorite below. I’m on the hunt!