Guy at a comp told me my brisket was 'too clean' and I still don't know if that's a compliment

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and honestly that sounds like the highest compliment you can get at a comp. I had a judge tell me once my ribs were "too polite" and I spent a whole weekend trying to figure out if that meant they were bland or if I was just not messy enough. Turns out he meant the smoke ring was too even and the bark was too pretty, like I was trying to win a food photography contest instead of a cookoff. That's when I learned some folks out there genuinely believe if it ain't ugly and dripping, it ain't real BBQ. I'd take "too clean" any day over "needs more salt" or "overcooked". Now I just nod and say thanks, even when I have no clue if they're roasting me or praising me.