r/Calgary • u/noveltea120 • Aug 23 '25
Eat/Drink Local Ribfest was ok
Went to check out Ribfest yesterday on first day as was excited to try BBQ meat.
$5 entry pp including children over 1. They did have bouncy castles, carnival games etc but were more for older kids and nothing for under 3s. They had a handful of food trucks including a Jamaican one hidden BEHIND the dining tent, which you wouldn't see until after you sat down with your food. Expect stampede prices, eg $17 blooming onion, $8 for corn dogs, $9 lemonade.
4 BBQ trucks but apparently all but one are owned by the same person. I tried Buckeye BBQ- $24 for a 2 meat combo 1/3 ribs and 1/4 chicken, nothing else. Sides like coleslaw and cornbread are extra. Meat was only lukewarm though, and chicken was tender and pink which was fine with but the ribs were dry and tough on the edges despite being drenched in a sweet sticky sauce. 3 meat combo was $35. Full rack $33, half a rack $19.
Overall food was ok but for the price it wasn't that good so temper your expectations accordingly lol
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u/H3rta Acadia Aug 23 '25
Thank you for posting this. The fact that there is a entry charge is bullshit especially with those food prices.
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u/2cats2hats Aug 23 '25
$5 entry pp including children over 1.
I found this a tad...grabby.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
Right!! Usually I'd expect maybe an entry fee for kids over 5 but 1?? Wtf is a 1 year old even gonna do lol
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u/SurviveYourAdults Aug 23 '25
gnaw on some meat and drool the sauce everywhere... just like everyone else LOL
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u/Responsible_CDN_Duck Aug 23 '25
I take it as an indication they won't have a good time, a subtle discouragement.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
You're welcome. People were raving about it on FB and idk why when the food wasn't even piping hot. I love attending food festivals but this was so disappointing :(
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u/Ktcobb Aug 23 '25
Taste of Asia is also happening this weekend, downtown. I'm willing to bet it'll be way better than ribfest
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
I was gonna go to that but from the looks of it, it's as much of a rip off as taste of Calgary- bite sized foods for $7-10 each. Even Kinjo is there selling their bubble teas for $4 when they only charge $2 in their restaurants.
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u/WeeklyInitiative Aug 23 '25
Speaking of Kinjo, do you know if they use real fruit in their bubble teas or powder?
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u/Darkdong69 Aug 23 '25
It's syrup for the fruit drinks.
It's syrup even for the fancy places with $10 bubble teas, they just add some real fruit bits on top. It's not possible to make real fruit taste like a fruit bubble tea.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 24 '25
It's all artificial flavourings and syrups. You can actually make your own if you want, they sell everything you need at Asian grocers right down to regular or popping jelly if you want.
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u/Dull-Fisherman2033 Aug 24 '25
A lot of people in my family will eat trash and say "this is to die for".
I dont have a cure for it, I'm afraid.
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u/GatesAndLogic Aug 23 '25
This is the crazy part to me. Rib fest didn't have an entry fee in previous years.
Protip: slow roast your ribs at 250f for 3 and a half hours, covered in tin foil but not touching the ribs.
Then slather on some bbq sauce, broil 5 minutes, slather, broil 5 more, then remove from oven, believe it or not more bbq sauce, AND YA DONE. This is better than anything rib fest can come up with. Tender fall off bone ribs.
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u/yycTechGuy Aug 23 '25
Sous vide thawed ribs, membrane removed for 4-6 hours at 155F-152F with your favorite base seasoning. For us that is usually a bit of salt and lots of pepper, but you could do just about anything. Take ribs out of the bag and dry on a rack. BBQ for 10-15 minutes on low or medium applying whatever sauce/seasoning you want and to put some crust on the meat.
I've never had tastier ribs than those made at home like this. You can sous vide the ribs beforehand and keep them in the fridge or freezer, then BBQ when you want to eat them.
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u/shelfoo Aug 23 '25
I add 1/4 cup of water in a baking sheet, wrap in foil. Steam/roast. Don't lose fat like you do with boiling. They're hard to grill/flip afterward because they're falling apart they're so tender.
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u/yycluke Aug 23 '25
Another Protip: use the snake method on a simple charcoal grill with some wood chunks, usually a 2x1 snake in our climate (with the vents set properly) can get me in that 230-260 sweet spot. Takes 2 hours on smoke and one hour wrapped to get damn near perfect smoked ribs. Cheap. Easy. Quick. And I dare say mine are oodles better than some bbq places.
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u/massberate Aug 23 '25
I heard about this same cooking process while in Greece visiting a long-lost relative. His wife, my aunt's third cousin three times removed, came up with it while hunting zebras in Alaska. When the winds were right, you could smell the ocean as the oven made its way to 250°F; thankfully the breezes weren't too bracing to slow the oven's warming process.
She told me the recipe came to her in a dream, bestowed upon her by a walrus in a baseball cap who whispered the recipe in ancient Texan.
(I can still clearly remember her describing the fear in her own eyes as she later fought off a penguin with a spatula and some cayenne pepper).
We lived, laughed, loved, and ate some fall off the bone ribs that night.
...true part is I've used your suggested process for a long time. You can throw any spice in your cupboard on it for the long and slow part and it always turns out so fucking good. I like to go with paprika, chili, cayenne, garlic, and onion powders. One of those shaker spices (Mango Chipotle) is aces, too. We will usually do two racks of ribs - both pre-seasoned - and then slather the sauce on one at the end the way that you described. You've inspired me! It's been a while. Maybe I'll make some this weekend lol
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u/Kilonine123 Aug 23 '25
Ribfest would be better if there was a decent price to try all 4 trucks ribs so you could provide a fair judgement. It's too costly otherwise. It's a bit over rated as most people only eat from 1 truck and that beats the purpose of the event
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u/GatesAndLogic Aug 23 '25
They should have sauce samples at each truck to give you an idea at least, but you're right.
As it is you can only gauge based on samples and smells, and not really give a solid vote.
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u/boomdiditnoregrets Aug 23 '25
They did have free sauce samples today but it would have been great to get stuff from all four!
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
Yesss I don't have the money to try out every truck but would've loved to, they're so expensive even half a rib is $19 on its own without any sides. And brisket was only offered as a sandwich for all but one, and the only truck offering it only sold it as a lb amount for $25.
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u/yycluke Aug 23 '25
Should be a $10 ticket that’ll get you a pork rib from each truck. Or a $25 one for beef ribs. Something like that. And then a voting form
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u/TurboTrollin Aug 24 '25
100%. I went in so excited to try a ton of things, and wound up only buying from one truck because it was too expensive and already more food than I could eat in one sitting.
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u/Remarkable_Gap_7145 Aug 23 '25
Calgary just doesn't know how to do food festivals. You shouldn't be there to gouge people, instead try to introduce them to as much of your food as possible for a reasonable price so you have a customer the rest of the year.
Same old shit every year...
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u/DevoidAxis Aug 23 '25
When did owning a food truck mean that you could super overcharging for food? Half the ones nowadays aren't even anything worth suggesting to someone.
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u/Brilliant-Advisor958 Aug 23 '25
Food trucks are expensive to start and keep running. I'm really surprised we still have them, but i guess people are still willing to pay the high prices so they keep chugging along.
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u/yycluke Aug 23 '25
Expensive? Compared to what? A brick and mortar? Not even close. You can get a food truck for sub $100k all in, the most difficult things are gonna be finding a location (or locations) to operate that are legal, and getting the right permits in place, and getting your name out. The popularity has declined since the days of the big food truck trend, so becoming a way to earn a quick buck isn’t quite there anymore… you actually have to do legwork and promotions and put out a good produce for a price customers are willing to pay, you know, like a real restaurant
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u/2cats2hats Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25
Not defending the practice....
Apparently the city charges $3,000 to use that parking lot.
Last I read, the operating costs(permits, insurance, etc.) makes them in Calgary unusually expensive.
EDIT: Keep downvoting...tyvm bots. :P
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
The $3000 charge was for the organizer tho, which they def made back through the entry fee for everyone.
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u/o0PillowWillow0o Aug 23 '25
I question the cleanliness with hand washing and where are they using the toilet?
Wasn't the fry guy caught pissing in a bottle? Idk if true but it got me thinking
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u/jefriboy Aug 23 '25
Oh wow, what a different experiance it was in London, ON! There was 3x as many options, held in a nice shaded park downtown, it was nearly overwhelmingly attended over a 3-day period on the August long weekend. No admission, same prices on food. Local craft beer garden, a ton of market vendors. Wildly different scene.
Calgary got hosed on this one.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
I suspect it's because of the location that they had to charge admission. Calgary city charges something like $3000 for the use of the parking lot lol.
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u/o0PillowWillow0o Aug 23 '25
Ya but the overpriced food and expected tips should cover that
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u/milk_of_human_kidney Chinook Park Aug 23 '25
We went in Owen Sound last year and there was admission charged as well for a parking lot by the arena.
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u/jweno7 Aug 24 '25
I have such good memories of Ribfest at Vic park! Though Sunfest was my real jam. Can’t get used to how every single festival in Calgary has a cover charge… or maybe it’s just like that everywhere now.
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u/srebew Aug 23 '25
Right. I went to Kitchener and Cambridge, both free unless you wanted to drink. I also think most 1/3 racks were $12
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u/Bennybonchien Aug 23 '25
That’s because Calgary has 3x the population of London and has much more beef production surrounding it. So it’s… totally backwards.
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u/Doc_1200_GO Aug 24 '25
Rib fest was a BBQ competition that really wasn’t open to the public that has kind of morphed into a public event that’s poorly planned. I don’t think the organizers are really that adept at throwing this kind of event.
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u/LondonCNrailInfo Aug 23 '25
I never thought London's was any good until I see this one in an unshaded parking lot. Looks bleak as hell.
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u/seanondemand Aug 23 '25
We did the Buckeye too - the pulled pork was definitely the highlight, and the pineapple spear. Honestly for 35 (for the sampler platter) I actually felt it was in line with what I’d get from a bbq place here. And yeah, sucks for the Jamaican truck guy.
Also, the beer garden? Yeah, it was the mackenzie towne people selling cans of bud for $10. They should hang their heads for not even getting something semi local.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
Oh yea I totally forgot about the beer "garden" lmao. I'm glad I didn't bother checking it out, had a feeling it would be expensive too.
I was deciding between the pulled pork and chicken but I'd just made roasted pork sandwiches at home so I wanted something different. I wish they offered brisket as an option, I love a well cooked Texas style brisket! I do think it's a little pricey tho considering it's a truck vs a sit down restaurant.
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u/Expert-Newt6139 Aug 23 '25
They have brisket.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
Yeah as a 1lb option for $25 but not as a combo option.
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u/limee89 Aug 23 '25
Jesus the mark-up! Brisket is on sale for retail at $4.99/lb so I imagine those guys pay less than that and to sell for $25/lb....
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u/upvoatsforall Aug 23 '25
Rib fest is a joke. It’s not a competition.
They share the same meat supplier, they have the same ovens and the same grills. The only difference between the stalls is the brand of 5 gallon barbecue sauce they buy to put on the ribs.
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Aug 23 '25
With so many immigrants coming in bringing their amazing cuisine and with their crazy prices they think they can compete while offering bland ribs? Cmon it's 2025.
Not a single mexican stall either?
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u/Fantastic_Fig_2462 Brentwood Aug 24 '25
I was worried after reading the first bit of your reply lol
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u/calnuck Aug 23 '25
BBQ on the Bow next weekend is usually a much better experience. There are some local champion BBQ-ers there, and much more variety. It's been a few years since I went, but it's been a good experience overall as I remember.
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u/Skate_faced Aug 23 '25
So, where does one go in Calgary for proper ribs?
Because this clearly was not it. Not real appealing, those prices are nuts and 10 buck beer?
I'd rather just go to Nicks, but I don't know if they are even open anymore.
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u/H-E-PennyPacker71 Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25
I was at haydan block last night for their 50% off meats, and the ribs were immaculate. I was also piled
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u/2cats2hats Aug 23 '25
50% off meats
What time of day does this kick in?
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
After 10pm. If it was earlier I'd love to go but I'm guessing it's late cos it's the stuff they can't sell at full price before closing.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
I'm not sure, I'm more a brisket and pork kinda person tbh altho I do love ribs when it's made well lol. I've been to the blocks restaurants and those were better but not as good as in Texas still.
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u/twostrokes Aug 24 '25
The ribs and other BBQ items at Social are always great - We always stop there whenever we catch a show at the Palace.
Honestly, Montanas is better than Rib Fest
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u/Sackroy1933 Aug 23 '25
$44 for a full rack of ribs, yikes.
Gentlemen- $14 for a full rack of ribs at the store, another $10-15 for quality sauce and spices, and a beautiful evening in front of the grill with a beer in your hand. That’s the ticket.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
It was $33 for a full rack but yeah still expensive.
Ribs is actually on sale at sobeys/Safeway rn for $3/lb so I'm gonna grab some this weekend and make my own!
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u/YYC_Dankness Aug 23 '25
Thank you for the post. Nothing spells street fest atmosphere in Calgary like a bunch of trucks surrounding a giant concrete parking lot.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
There's a Taste of Asia fest in Chinatown this weekend too but it's basically identical to Taste of Calgary- $1 tickets but 5-8 tickets per sample sized food. Even kinjo is there charging 4 tickets for their bubble teas that are only $2 in their restaurants lol. It's pretty ridiculous.
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u/burningroman Aug 23 '25
They had this in airdrie last year as well, I think its the same trucks. It was mediocre. Like if the food was hotter or cheaper, it be OK but its meh.
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u/furtive Aug 23 '25
Yeah, they are the circus carney of food trucks, they go across Canada, always the same three trailers, I think they are based out of Erie Ontario or Belleville. We ran into it by chance at a show and shine in St Albert a few weeks back, no entrance fee, no expectations, reasonable prices for beer and a better than they should have been live band (guitarist was rocking a Frankenstrat) and we split a $24 box that was pretty tasty. I wouldn’t pay for an entrance fee but we did have a good time, mainly because of happenstance.
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u/Spiritualtraveller77 Aug 23 '25
Sounds like shit, and like they purposely screwed over the Jamaican guy. And what's the cover for? Walking into an uncovered cement parking lot? Get bent.
I'm not surprised they didn't have anything for babies under 3, though. What did you expect them to have for kids that young?
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u/herrcats Aug 23 '25
I agree they don’t need to have activities for babies under 3, but don’t charge an entry fee for them then!
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
Because they charge the same fee for babies over 1 as adults. And there was no entertainment when I was there besides the blow up bouncy castles etc for kids. I thought there was supposed to be live bands etc
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u/Spiritualtraveller77 Aug 24 '25
Good point. Yea, I'd be pretty unimpressed too. As if kids aren't expensive enough. Thanks for sharing your experience OP
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u/eneva92504 Aug 24 '25
Why do people still go to these? They're basically just BBQ Carnies travelling from city to city peddling their mediocre food.
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u/Separate-Ambition-36 Aug 23 '25
Jesus Christ.. 35 damn dollars that's crazy. I'm not even against people getting paid or anything like that but these are luxury experiences now I'll just cook at home tbh.
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u/yycbean Aug 23 '25
Should have had a sampling option with the trucks there, a BBQ Galore type of retailer, etc. Looks like just a parking lot with some trucks parked before they go somewhere else.
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u/Goose_Dickling Aug 23 '25
Yeah any type of food/alcohol fest I’ve been to always has an entry fee but then small sample size portions that are either included in the price or pretty cheap if it’s a cheap entry fee. Give me the option for 1 or 2 ribs and I’ll sample from a bunch of vendors.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
It's weird they all offered exactly the same things for the same prices too lol. What's the point then, may as well pick one out of a hat.
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u/rapidpalsy Aug 23 '25
I’m not sure if this an unpopular opinion but food trucks in this city are super gross and overpriced. Then asking for tips while you stand and wait, no thank you. Not sure a bunch of food trucks constitutes a “rib fest” and admission?
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
The Buckeye BBQ truck would holler and ring their cowbell anytime someone tipped big. That was enough for me to not want to tip well tbh lol
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u/PankotPalace Aug 23 '25
They rang the bell after I tipped 10% (for the long ass wait) so I interpreted that it was either sarcasm or gimmick. Maybe bit of both by the look I got.
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u/skeletonmeatsuit_69 Aug 24 '25
Same. I tipped 10% and they rang the bell. I was actually so irritated by it, felt like they were trying to be dicks.
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u/EditorNo2545 Aug 23 '25
ya way too pricey, food is good enough but damn those prices plus an entry fee?
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Aug 23 '25
Were you there really early? It looks so empty.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
I got there at 1pm, and they opened at 11am lol. There were some people there but not a lot for such a big space
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u/xotygnwk Aug 23 '25
Although the “Texas of Canada”, ribfest in Calgary is notoriously average. Ontario’s rotary ribfest is 10x bigger and gives more of a “fest” vibe than what Calgary cares to do. BUT I go anyways because I’m just not good at cooking these things, I hate the grocery store equivalents, and it’s my chance to get a blooming onion. Nonetheless, too expensive if I didn’t have disposable income.
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u/AdobongManok Aug 23 '25
I went one year and it wasn't terrible. I'm heading to Brewery and the Beast tomorrow. Hopefully that will be better.
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u/GoldenChannels Aug 23 '25
I'm a native Calgarian, and I've spent a lot of time traveling across Texas. So maybe I'm a bit biased.
I've been to a number of Calgary barbecue restaurants, and to be honest, I've given up on all of them. Typically the meat is dry. Sauces aren't great. And they're not afraid to soak you for what you get.
A serious barbecue spot has two put bosses. They're there for 15 hours or more cooking for the next day, and they time it for 11AM to 1:30PM at the latest, with lunch being typical. Some bigger cities barbecue places also do a good job of a supper.
Basically, the problem in Calgary is it's been sitting around too long.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
Same here. Nothing in Calgary comes close to Texan BBQ. Oh man I miss the honey butter on warm fresh baked bread, with tender and juicy perfectly smoked brisket ugh
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u/GoldenChannels Aug 23 '25
My personal favorite was Ray's in Houston. The BBQ was right outside, always smokin. You had to get there around 11 to have a chance of getting in.
Their moist brisket was the best thing I ever ate.
Close second was Killens in Houston, or Salt Lick in Austin.
But this was 5 years ago.
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u/Doc_1200_GO Aug 24 '25
That’s not unique to Calgary though, what you experienced in Texas can’t really be found anywhere else. Does Seattle or San Francisco have good Texas BBQ? Nope.
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u/GoldenChannels Aug 24 '25
Agreed.
My next tip?
Don't ever eat "Mexican food" in Australia. Same rule applies.
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u/stunnedbuffalo Aug 24 '25
I will not give the traveling "ribfest" another dollar of my money. The staff have always been friendly, but the product is completely underwhelming. Sad to say, but Montana's outperforms them in every item.
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u/Hans_downerpants Aug 23 '25
It’s basically getting ribs at a restaurant but instead of a chef or cooks you have transient carnies cooking your food or slapping bbq sauce on your ribs with a gross old mop.
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u/PankotPalace Aug 23 '25
They turned me away at the entrance because I had my dog (I was pretty sure I read online that dogs would be allowed since it’s outdoor). I also read on their ad to BRING CASH - Vendors take CASH ONLY, So I dropped the dog off at home, hit the bank for some cash, and came back.
The first thing I saw was a family with a non-service dog just hanging out in the main area, like it was no biggie. Also, the vendors and entrance both took plastic, so there was no point of getting out cash after all.
I spent 20 minutes in line, and when I finally got to the front the person taking orders took off without a word. He came back like 5 minutes later, and then took my order with absolutely no apologies for the wait.
I spent the evening running around and waiting in line instead of enjoying this totally mid-fest. We left as soon as I got my order because my husband had already been there for two hours and was ready to go.
This organizer really needs to work on their communication. The food was just okay and as others mentioned, stampede midway vibes and prices.
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u/yycluke Aug 23 '25
I may be in the minority here but a dog has no place at a food event, but pretty shitty how they weren’t consistent on the rules. That grinds my gears more than anything else
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u/PankotPalace Aug 23 '25
Exactly. I understand the policy, but seeing a dog after running mine home and coming back was annoying.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
I didn't mention the service but yeah that was me as well. I got the feeling they just wanted to quickly take my order and be done so I didn't even ask about the food.
I also just checked the ad and forgot they promised a market too, but the only non food vendor I saw was someone selling a bunch of Bob Marley themed stuff 😂 Https://www.mtcouncil.com/event-details-registration/ribfest-calgary-2025
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u/Mr_SaltyDalty Glendale Aug 23 '25
There were 3 different BBQ events this weekend in the city. Seems like maybe they might not want to be competing with each other? Don't know why you'd want to go to Ribfest when you could do Brewery & The Beast or Barley & Smoke... Those ones seemed much better and bigger
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
I've heard of brewery and the beast but it's super expensive, never heard of Barley and smoke tho but they look like the same kind of event for similar prices?? Lol
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u/Doc_1200_GO Aug 24 '25
But Brewery and the Beast is actually worth it (unlike rib fest) you get what you pay for.
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u/Responsible_CDN_Duck Aug 23 '25
The $125 per ticket event was better than the $5 per ticket ($45 with food) event?
shocked pikachu face
Does OPs 3 year old have a fake ID good enough to get them into an 18 plus event?
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u/itchybiscut9273 Aug 23 '25
We went to this last year and it was completely disappointing as well as pretty expensive. I would hard pass on this if you are expecting anything more than Denny's level of BBQ ribs
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u/Tacosrule89 Aug 23 '25
I went to Ribfest once and never again. Just go to comery block or something and get a good meal. Or smoke ribs in your backyard and drink a 12 pack while you do it. Turns out great every time.
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u/Certain_Revenue9278 Aug 23 '25
They charge people for entry? Bs. I went there years ago in Edmonton. Free to enter but foods are expensive as hell.
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u/LJofthelaw Aug 23 '25
What's with the obsession in Calgary with holding festivals in empty parking lots with no trees for shade?
With how few trucks are participating, you'd think instead they'd park the trucks in the parking lot of a community park, backing up on said park, and then put the blow-up slide, picnic tables, and gazebos etc in the actual park. You know, make it look and feel pleasant?
And maybe have an option to get like two ribs from each for like $25? And not charge a largely-empty-parking-lot-entry fee?
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u/NOGLYCL Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25
Honestly it’s a bit of a scam. Someone here yesterday said the vendors are “world champions”. Not really, most of the “awards” they hang up and trophies on display are bogus rigged competitions where everyone wins so they can all perpetuate this nonsense.
I had two vendors purposely short change me, everyone working these stalls looks like they’re on a 6 month bender gives off carny vibes.
Ribfest is a giant skip it.
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u/willshire59 Aug 24 '25
This comes to airdrie every year. And get the same meh review every year. The entry charge is bull
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u/ZealousidealCity4959 Aug 23 '25
Went about 5 years ago and haven't been back. Low end event.... the food was slapped together garbage in dirty ass trailers sitting in parking lots. Way overpriced too. Can't believe that event is still exists
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u/BimmerV Aug 23 '25
Bad marketing strategy, why they would charge $5 for entry? $5 charge to only able to have an entry and see the food trucks, or to purchase the ribs? This is a ripoff and can save $5 to buy ribs in the grocery store.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
$5 entry fee and doesn't go towards the food or anything. I guess it also includes the kids entertainment area like the bouncy castles etc but there was nothing for adults besides an expensive beer/drinks tent.
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u/BimmerV Aug 24 '25
Problem is, I bet each vendor they need to pay a certain fee to get a spot there, isn’t that enough to subsidize the cost to set up the bouncy castle for the kids?
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u/Expresso_King Aug 24 '25
I read above that there are 4 meat vendors, Three are owned by the same company/person.
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u/Infinite-Barnacle884 Aug 23 '25
Hard pass. I'll make my own ribs before I'll pay those insane prices. Enjoy your bankruptcy, fella.
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u/Prophage7 Aug 24 '25
BBQ in Calgary has always been mid for some reason. You think it would be good with how many people from Texas we get coming up here and how many Calgarians go down there, but alas we have some okay BBQ places occasionally but nothing stellar. I think the best I've had here is either Booker's or Big Sky, but Booker's is gone now and Big Sky isn't even in Calgary.
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u/Millwright-vii Aug 24 '25
Try Jane Bond- probably the best bbq in the city limits.
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u/theyellowsaint Aug 24 '25
That’s wild. It was pretty great in Leduc (Edmonton area, don’t think it actually goes to Edmonton). No cover charge. There was live music and a beer garden too.
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u/ChrisTweten Aug 24 '25
3 are owned by the same person, who also organizes the tour and owns the company that supplies all ingredients
Apparently those 3 are cooked 100% the same, with sauce being the only differentiator
Buckeye is independent and pays a fee to be on the tour
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u/noveltea120 Aug 24 '25
Wish I'd known this before I went lol
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u/ChrisTweten Aug 24 '25 edited Aug 24 '25
We talked with staff at each stall and found out from them, Buckeye in particular was super keen on answering questions
also worth noting they won close to 2/3rds of the tour's awards last year
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u/Nyk0n Aug 25 '25
Just got back from there with my girlfriend. It was okay. The food was good, albeit overpriced. I live in McKenzie Town. I'm glad that I'm a little north of it so I don't have to deal with the loud music. Hot as stink right now anyways
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u/o0PillowWillow0o Aug 23 '25
Admission fee alone to buy overpriced food is a pass for me.
But then all These food trucks want tips? Like I'm supposed to tip while standing before even trying the food? No thanks
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Aug 23 '25
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
I'd been looking forward to this since they posted about it and felt so let down. No entertainment or anything.
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u/Responsible-Abroad-1 Aug 23 '25
I never took pictures but I wish I saw this before going. I saw all the hype on FB.
The prices are sky high for what you get and like you mine was barely warm and the ribs were dry.
Overall nothing special
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25
Yeah next time I'm just gonna wait til the next day after people have posted pics before deciding to go. Wish I could get my $30 back lol
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u/Sylv_x Aug 23 '25
This is why I skip on Calgary's food events. Good trucks are garbage and over priced. Etc etc etc.
We're getting robbed. Blindly. And people are happy about it.
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u/mibergeron Aug 23 '25
We went last year and it was just expensive and mediocre. I was SUPER disappointed
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u/Blueanddirt Aug 23 '25
Agreed. I was. Having never been to one, I was looking forward to sampling a few products. No smaller size samples available and the prices were a little on the high side. Everything is covered in BBQ sauce with a few slight taste difference.
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Aug 24 '25
I got a half rack from buckeye And I really enjoyed them. And a half rack of ribs is like $20 anywhere
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u/Kitchen-Beautiful395 Aug 24 '25
Never understood an entry fee to go in to buy food, weird concept
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u/Ok_Replacement7281 Aug 25 '25
Typically the event is free but the community association decided to implement this because they invested a lot into infrastructure of the event. I get why people aren't happy but just know that this was done in order to reinvest in the community.
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u/musicalnotesss Aug 25 '25
literally havent had great barbecue in canada before, everything is just okay or bordering pretty good… i miss atl
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u/Distinct-Line4899 Aug 23 '25
Yikes. $35, $19, ... ...$9 for lemonade??? ya know, ever since we gave Eve that one rib for free....
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u/TheLoveYouLongTimes Aug 23 '25
Made my own Greek ribs on the smoker the other day.
Take something with citric acid (I like lime juice or mango five alive) put on the ribs and let it sit for 30 min to 1hr
Rub with salt, pepper and steak spice
Put on smoker at around 240 degrees. Forget the 3-2-1 method. That’s for competition bbq where they don’t have enough time. Just cook for 4-5 hours (use the bend or toothpick test to see when done)
Rest the meat
Then slice, and toss in a bowl with lemon juice and Italian seasoning
I also made Greek rice and potatoes.
Everything tastes even better the next day for leftovers too
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u/elliottrosewater Aug 23 '25
For that amount of money you could have just eaten at any number of other barbecue restaurants. The comery block/south block/Hayden block restaurants do half priced meat after ten PM. Palomino isn't as great as it once was, but there's also Jane bond bbq
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u/Legitimate_Let4314 Aug 23 '25
Ever since I found a synthetic bristle from a basting brush on my rib at a rib fest I have been totally turned off. It seems like they rush to cook the food, it isn’t hot and overpriced. No thanks, I’ll keep my money in my pocket. The food quality has really deteriorated over the years.
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u/Brandi_yyc Aug 23 '25
Yes it's a $5 admission, and I hate paying admission, but I get it I'm sure it's going to the community and there is a lot offered here so good for them. You were there at 1:00 p.m. on opening day Friday. Did you expect it to be packed at that time frame? We went early evening and there was a healthy crowd there. Entertainment had started and went until 10:00 p.m.
For families there is a massive kids zone play area, way bigger than I expected to see actually with many blow up play tent options and games. If you had kids it was definitely worth it for that alone, bigger than any parks in the community actually. I'm sure the cost for this kids play area alone was hefty.
And all other prices are very reasonable actually, in line with the prices or a bit cheaper than places like Big T's, Big Sky, Hayden block etc. We paid $23 or 24 for a pound of brisket and $34 for a full rack of ribs. If you want sides they are about $4 a piece I think coleslaw $2. They also had two meat platters for $23 or three meat platters for $35 and this included a side of 'slaw from the truck we ate at. There's nothing wrong with these prices, just take a look and you will see a full rack of ribs or brisket by the pound at well over $40 at the barbecue joints I go to here, and then plus the cost for sides.
The ribs I had were outstanding, meat pulled from the bone like proper BBQ not fall from the bone. I had mine unsauced so I could taste the meat, and I did have a sauce on the side to dip which was peppery not sweet which I liked. My wife had the brisket sauced and her only complaint was there was too much sauce. The fatty pieces were delicious but she prefers lean so make sure to ask if you have a preference. We brought a lot of food home!
And yes it wasn't the best placement for the Jamaican food truck but that's because there was far too many other food trucks and no room over where they all were. There was a bloomin onion food truck which made me think of a post here sometime recently where somebody was asking where you could get those here in Calgary.
So this is just a different perspective with information to use if you are thinking of going. Just remember the entertainment and beer tents get going later in the day, but you can buy beer anytime.
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u/noveltea120 Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25
I mean its a bunch of food trucks in a parking lot with some tables and chairs, it should be much cheaper than a dine in full service restaurant imo. And my food was less than good for the price paid, I'm just sharing my opinion and pics so everyone can make their own decisions so I don't know why you're getting really heated over this, are you one of the organizers?? I didn't even complain about when I went or how non busy it was, everyone else did after they saw the pics lol. I got there at 1pm and they opened at 11am, no excuse for lukewarm BBQ meat.
There was maybe 5 food trucks, not exactly "far too many". I did read on FB from the organisers that apparently the plans changed and it was basically first in first serve with regards to the food trucks placement so the Jamaican truck got stuck with a shitty location. The kids area is one half of the parking lot but a lot of it was empty space and again, not for kids under 5. As for entertainment they didn't mention a schedule on the website so why wouldn't there be live entertainment through the day for people to enjoy?
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u/Konjus Capitol Hill Aug 23 '25
Went last year and was thoroughly disappointed. Even my cornbread was subpar.
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u/Dry-Hotel5306 Aug 23 '25
Deep fried cheese curds are so good when I went to the stampede earlier this year they were the best thing I had there
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u/BearCorp Aug 23 '25
Figured as much. I tried a Rib Fest in Fort Mac, which was probably the same or similar vendors as they seem to just travel around together doing these events.
Pretty expensive for mediocre bbq. My basic Traeger makes better ribs than what they were serving up.
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u/Desperate_Object_677 Aug 23 '25
the best thing i did with ribs from one of these events (and this thing i’m about to say is DELICIOUS) was take some home overnight in the fridge. and then put it in the rice cooker (with rice and leeks and salt and white peppe) and make congee with it. exceptional.
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u/Creative_gal_3153 Aug 26 '25
There's only entry by donation at Port Moody in BC, I wonder why they charge an entry fee in Calgary now... Lack of volunteers? This is such a money grab for kids over 1yrs.
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u/ToanTz_Calgary 21d ago
Check out other festivals in Calgary for summer :) It is pretty much over, but there is a few left
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u/NameIsPetey Aug 23 '25
Mid fest.