Sunday afternoon visit: Pros: Been to the Naperville Ribfest and this is one is waaay smaller. But, that has it’s perks: less crowds, shorter lines, no fighting for a seat in the precious shade, and the city has a better skyline. The sponsors give away free pop by the can because… they can. Every so often you could hear the air and water show. Cons: since there were less people, the stands were not cooking up fresh stuff. There was only one place selling drinks and they were six dollars. Very few dessert options.(That’s important to me and many others I am sure.) It’s still ten bucks with less vendors and no carnival. After all, it looks like a glorified parking lot. Oddly enough, some vendors had packed up and left by 2pm. Still a great option for ribs though, it had a good variety of local and not so local rib vendors. Winner: Texas Thunder ribs, in which the meat fell of the bone and *shock* didn’t need no sauce. Johnson’s came in second, but it was slathered in sauce and really… could you go wrong with bbq sauce on grilled meat? Jacks and Rasta in third for taste. However, Rasta gave me a large slabs of jalapeño cornbread and they had the best sauce overall. They had plenty of bands and two stages, and that does give it a nice fest-feel to it. Also, there was a VIP area, but it would have only been useful when Good Charlotte was there on Friday night or if I was going to spend a lot of time there under the bridge.
Allan M.
Classificação do local: 5 Chicago, IL
Great event, packed last night before the rain. If I was a single guy, I would really like it — lots of single girls around!
Wesley R.
Classificação do local: 4 Chicago, IL
Ribs? On the river? I’m in! Normally a $ 10 admission, I took advantage of a early family hours special(free until 3 pm on Friday). It looks like they are going try and utilize the Freedom Center(so that’s what it’s called) as an event space more and more. They had used it for a haunted house last October, and now it makes for a relatively accessible event space with some degree of parking. There’s 12 places that are serving ribs, a mixture of local places, and a number of out of state places(even one from Ontario, Canada!). Given that I was trying to try this during lunch, I could only have so much, so here’s what I tried: Texas Thunder: Pork Sandwich for $ 7 The pork was tender and juicy, but in a way that was somewhat unremarkable despite my choice in adjectives. There were 3 sauces you could add to taste: Mild, Sweet and Spicy. Although there was spicy to their spicy, it just tasted like they added black pepper to one of their base sauces, versus blending something differently. The sweet was average at best. Famous Dave’s: ½ slab rib for $ 12 Given a light brush of original sauce, you’ll also have the option of adding some additional original or spicy. These sauces were a bit more distinctive and the meat was thrown back on the grill before serving. The meat was juicy and fatty in the right spots, almost cleanly off the bone. A good way to cap off my rib eating for lunch. There was a 1⁄3 slab option which I probably should have done instead, and dinner options with bread and beans. Original Rainbow Cone: Small on a Waffle Cone $ 4. Yes, yes, I know there’s one on State Street now, but I couldn’t resist. There are two main stages for music, plus a lounge area that I didn’t get to check out. There’s pop, water, lemonade, wine, and beer as well. This is cash only everywhere with ATMs outside the event space and inside as well. I selfishly would like these events to do well, so that they continue to hold events so close to me.
Christina r.
Classificação do local: 5 Chicago, IL
Our family loves going to concerts and festivals around chicago. this one worked for ages 4 – 50 yrs. old and that never happens. younger kids loved inflatables, driving police cars, tattoos, hoops and friendliness of vendors and workers at the event. tween/teens had fun too and were able to wander off safely. food was delicious; beer selection great. this was no sausage-fest. we all had a blast! Layout was open and great with bands on each end. No sound system overlap and room to move despite 4000+ there on FRIDAY!!! Pork Sandwich for $ 7 The pork was tender and juicy; kids loved it and the buns were great too Famous Dave’s: ½ slab rib for $ 12 we went back for 2nds… and 3rds. Lemonade $ 6 seems high, but cup is huge and servers very friendly. worth it! There are great booths advertising vacations and whatnot with REALDEALS on your way in. Pop, water, wine, and beer as well. This is cash only everywhere with ATMs outside the event space and inside.
