2011 Ribfest Offers Ribs and a Whole Lot More

It is easy to see why Naperville’s Ribfest has been voted the Best Fest in the Midwest by top rib venues and national publications for the past fifteen years in a row. It’s the delicious ribs. After all, it is called Ribfest.

Sponsored by the Exchange Club of Naperville, this year’s Ribfest features 14 of the best rib-grilling, sauce-slathering vendors from around the nation, all vying for top honors in both the rib and sauce competitions.

With names as different as their recipes, this year’s fest includes entries from Porky ‘N’ Beans, Rasta Joe’s B-B-Q, Desperado’s BBQ & Rib Company, Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue (Wood Dale), Johnson’s Barbecue, Texas Outlaws, Mojo’s Ribshack, Uncle Bub’s Hickory Smoked BBQ, Smoking Joe’s Hog Wild Barbecue, Pigfoot BBQ, Armadillo Rib and Que Company, Howling Coyote Southwest BBQ, Two Fat Guys Bar-B-Q and Sgt. Oinks Pit BBQ.

While the atmosphere at Ribfest is, for lack of a better word, festive, make no mistake, there is serious competition between vendors for the top prize.

I had the opportunity to sample several slabs of ribs and other tasty treats at Ribfest and while I am not a food critic, I do love ribs. With that said, here is my take on a few delicacies offered.

First up, Desperado’s BBQ & Rib Company.

“We sell a lot of ribs,” Donna Rice, owner of Desperado’s, said. “We try to make every slab one we’re proud of and one you’ll enjoy.”

Desperado’s ribs were very tender and meaty. The sauce was somewhat spicy but not overpowering. Rice succeeded in her mission as these ribs were very enjoyable.

Next in line, Pigfoot BBQ.

Kevin Gift, of Pigfoot BBQ, didn’t mince words stating that his ribs are “simply the best.”

“We’ve won here before for both best sauce and best ribs and in all we’ve won more than 300 awards.”

Pigfoot’s ribs were tender, juicy and perhaps the meatiest of those I sampled. The sauce was hearty with a strong flavor but did not override the flavor of the meat. I thoroughly enjoyed these ribs.

Sweet Baby Rays Barbecue was next on my list.

The folks at sweet Baby Ray’s preferred to let their product speak for itself. The ribs were full, juicy and fell off the bone. The sauce was plentiful and hinted a bit on the sweet side. Having used Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce in my own attempts to barbecue, the flavor was a familiar one, but tasty nonetheless.

Rasta Joe’s B-B-Q was next.

As the name suggests, Rasta Joe’s ribs had a strong Jamaican influence.

“I use Jamaican rum and other seasonings from Jamaica in my recipe,” Joe Alexander, the “Joe” in Rasta’s Joe, said.

The Jamaican influence in Rasta Joe’s ribs is unmistakable. The meaty ribs fell off the bone and the sauce had a definite Caribbean spicy taste. Rasta Joe’s offered very tasty ribs done with a slightly different twist to traditional grilling.

The final sampling was done at Texas Outlaws.

“We are the only team to have won at Ribfest four times,” Steve Vaughn, of Texas Outlaws, said. “There are a lot of good ribs out there but we’re a little bit better.”

That fifth win may be in sight for these very tasty ribs. The meat was plentiful and very tender. The sauce was probably the spiciest of those sampled but still allowed the flavor of the meat to come through.

Ribfest is, of course, all about the ribs. There are however other delicious offerings at Ribfest as well. The corn on the cob offered by Caney Creek Corn was sweet, crisp and among the best I’ve ever had.

Additionally, fest-goers could treat themselves to bratwursts, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, onion rings, french fries and even crab cakes, among other things.

For thirst-quenching on a hot summer day, nothing beats a cool glass of lemonade, which really hit the spot after several hours in the 90 degree sunshine.

Monday is the final day for Ribfest 2011. There still is time to get out and enjoy some of the best ribs offered throughout the country all at one convenient location.

If you do venture out, which I highly recommend, don’t forget to bring sun screen and most importantly, your appetite – you’ll need them both.

Ribfest Winners Announced

Best Ribs:
1. Johnson's
2. Armadillos
3. Sweet Baby Rays

Best Sauce:
1. Johnson's
2. Porky N Beans
3. Armadillos/Desparados (tie)

Kid's Choice - Sgt. Oinks