Rudy Davila runs a barbecue restaurant in Sinton. Just about everyone demands his brisket.

"It's tender, mesquite smoked. It's typical South Texas barbecue."

"The brisquet is very tender, very tasty.

Davila is now in the running for the best brisket in the nation. It's a grilling competition being put on by the Live with Regis and Kelly TV show, but the Sinton native was surprised to learn his recipe was submitted anonymously and thought the call from show producers was a joke.

"I hung up the first time," said Davila. "I thought it was one of my friends playing a prank call. This is the Regis and Kelly Show. I said man I am busy right now."

Davila cooks his brisket for 16 hours with mesquite wood. He adds spices leaving people wanting more.

"The spices I use melt into the meat," Davila said "They just don't stay on top of the meat. They melt into the meat. Pepperika and stuff tends to melt in the high heat. It penetrates the brisquet and it's just a good taste."

Davila is hoping he can win this competition.

"It would mean a lot for myself, but it would mean a lot to Sinton to say I am from Sinton, Texas, way down deep South Texas to New York," said Davila. "It's just overflattering.

But first he must get into the next round of five contestants that will be named on the Live with Regis and Kelly Show on Friday. If he's one of them, then an online vote over the weekend will determine if he'll appear on the show next Friday.

"This would be wonderful to be center stage man in New York City at Times Square. It would be great man,"  Davila said.

The Regis and Kelly Show is the most-watched program at 9am in the Coastal Bend. Tune in friday to see if he makes the cut.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com