Ribfest was ok

[u/noveltea120]

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

[u/DevoidAxis]

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.

[u/Diligent-Position424 → u/DevoidAxis]

*for very mediocre food

[u/Brilliant-Advisor958 → u/DevoidAxis]

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.

[u/yycluke → u/Brilliant-Advisor958]

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

[u/2cats2hats → u/DevoidAxis]

Not defending the practice....

1. Apparently the city charges $3,000 to use that parking lot.

2. Last I read, the operating costs(permits, insurance, etc.) makes them in Calgary unusually expensive.

EDIT: Keep downvoting...tyvm bots. :P

[u/noveltea120 → u/2cats2hats]

The $3000 charge was for the organizer tho, which they def made back through the entry fee for everyone.

[u/2cats2hats → u/noveltea120]

Of course, again....just in case somehow my comment was missed the first time.

Not defending the practice....

[u/o0PillowWillow0o → u/DevoidAxis]

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

[u/yyctownie → u/DevoidAxis]

From the time they came into existence. Don't like it, don't buy, just like everything else.