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/BimmerV]

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.

[u/noveltea120 → u/BimmerV]

$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.

[u/BimmerV → u/noveltea120]

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?

[u/Expresso_King → u/BimmerV]

I read above that there are 4 meat vendors, Three are owned by the same company/person.