One of the nation's top grilling cook-offs featured competitors from barbecue meccas Chicago and Texas, but in the end it was a Minnesota company that took top honors.

Minnetonka-based Famous Dave's won the top-prize at the 25th annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, a well-attended event in Sparks, Nev.

About two dozen competitors vied for the top honor and $7,500 prize. About 500,000 rib lovers attend the event.

What's the company's secret?

“Love and kisses,” founder Dave Anderson said, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

Anderson called it "exhilarating" to beat out America's top pit masters, the Associated Press reported.

Famous Dave's brags that it is already pretty famous – "America's Most Awarded Restaurant."

Anderson just a few weeks ago was interviewed by BringMeTheNews CEO and founder Rick Kupchella, and they talked about how Anderson built his BBQ chain empire.