Double D's BBQ, Prime on a Dime Won Chili Showdown
The local eateries took top honors in the commercial divisions of the Pueblo festival.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Double D's BBQ Shack and Prime on a Dime secured first-place victories in the commercial categories of the 2026 Chili & Salsa Showdown. The event featured 147 total entries across both commercial and non-commercial competitions.
Why it matters
Winning these categories highlights the culinary success of local businesses during a prominent regional festival. These accolades provide significant recognition for restaurants within the competitive Pueblo food scene.
Commercial category first-place winners were awarded $500 prizes, while non-commercial winners received $200. The competition drew a total of 147 entries, resulting in six winners across all categories.
The players
Double D's BBQ Shack
This restaurant secured first-place finishes in both the red and green chili categories at the 2026 competition.
Prime on a Dime
This business operates as a food truck and won the first-place title in the salsa category.
The details
Double D's BBQ Shack claimed top prizes for both red and green chili, with their red chili recipe featuring five ground chile varieties and steak. Prime on a Dime won the salsa category using a blend of roasted Pueblo chiles, jalapenos, and habaneros.
Timeline
Prime on a Dime began operations as a food truck in 2019.
Prime on a Dime previously won first place in green chili in 2022.
The 2026 Chili & Salsa Showdown took place in Pueblo.
Industry Dynamics
This victory follows other successes, such as Double D's BBQ Shack earning top honors at the 2026 Colorado State Fair's Governor's Harvest Table. These wins solidify the reputation of local vendors within the broader Colorado competitive food circuit.
Residents can sample the winning dishes directly from these local establishments. The recognition helps customers identify award-winning menu items at these specific food providers.
The takeaway
Culinary competitions serve as a key metric for food quality and restaurant reputation in the local community. Consumers can use these results to discover high-quality, award-winning dishes at local establishments.
Further reading
Explore more local culinary highlights on the Food and Drink page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Pueblo Chieftain Online.
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