Sioux Falls Crowns Another Top Hog in The Exciting Pork Showdown

It was a saucy, smoky, month-long showdown, but after all the barbecue was devoured, and the last rib was licked clean, Sioux Falls crowned another top hog!

The 2025 Pork Showdown has officially come to a close, and this year’s champ is… drumroll, please… the same as last year! Crawford’s has done it again, claiming back-to-back bacon glory.

Dakota News Now reports that their winning dish, the “Bavarian Echoe,” snagged the crown for the second straight year, and with good reason.

Get our free mobile app

How do you even describe the “Bavarian Echoe”?

Imagine this: crisp-edged pork belly glazed in hot honey cozies up next to charred pork tenderloin, lounging on a bed of truffled potato purée. Autumn herbs, spiced vinaigrette, tomato jam, mustard caviar, and pickled onion relish all pile in for the flavor party, topped off with pretzel crumb and almond brittle for that perfect Bavarian wink.

And plenty of people once again pigged out, as more than 6,000 pork dishes were sold during this year's showdown, raking in over $140,000 in sales, a sizzling 20% increase from last year. Nearly 500 local foodies were apparently hypnotized by the tantalizing taste of the “Bavarian Echoe.”

This year’s judges weighed each dish using the following categories:

• Best use of pork

• Flavor

• Tenderness

• Presentation

• Overall experience

The highest average score took home the crown, and likely a long nap afterward.

While Crawford’s hogged the top spot again, several other downtown contenders brought their A-game to the table with these delectable dishes.

The top contenders included:

• Cascata – Cascata Pork Chop

• Pave – Fork Yeah

• In Maribella’s – Braciola di Maiale

• Chef Lance’s on Phillips – Pulled to Perfection Burrito

The annual DTSF Pork Showdown isn’t just about food comas and bragging rights; it’s about bringing people to downtown Sioux Falls and keeping the city’s culinary scene cooking. Judging by the turnout and the estimated 20% increase in stretchy pants sold afterwards, it appears to be working.

READ MORE:  South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota Hy-Vee Stores Extend Free Meals

And for all you meat lovers already mourning the end of the showdown, don’t worry. The next delicious duel is right around the corner. The 13th Annual Downtown Burger Battle kicks off January 1st.

So, get to the gym and start working out that hand you use to lift your fork; you’ll need to start using it again soon.