Local Yinzers ever do Ribfest kickoff

I unfortunately live in Northern Minnesota so it's always the hope and dream to do a home game in Pittsburgh. I was just looking at the info for the Ribfest and kickoff and was wondering if any one has gone to it before. This would be as close to heaven as I could get combining Ribs and Steeler football.

 

Never been. Don't know anything about it but I don't think you could go wrong with those choices.

 

Can't say that I have. I live in the 'burg, not the 'burgh, about a 3 hour drive. But yes, tailgating with ribs and a Steelers game is on the bucket list, more than once. I haven't tailgated at Heinz Field. My dad took me when I was MUCH younger to Three Rivers a number of times and I got to experience it.

 

Right about now I envy Northern Minn. Has to be cooler then where I am at right now. Although you can have those winters.

 

You can say that again.
It's 103 right now and it's just warming up were I live.

 

I do a tailgate at most Steelers games, about 75% of them. Getting harder and harder to tailgate for Steelers games, with as much commercial property that has been developed on the North shore not like it was in my early 20's when their where a lot more parking lots.

Getting parking spots to tailgate anymore is like a more holy grail than season tickets, sure you can get spots in the parking garages but the tailgate lots are getting harder each passing year.

You pay a good premium trust be to get spots in the tailgate lots.

 

I used to do ribfest when I had season tickets to Pitt. I'll definitely miss the event. Hopefully Portland has something remotely close to it. I love ribs.

 

In a non covid era it is fantastic.

 

Yes many times, but they changed it. The rib fest used to over lap the home opener. It hasn’t for years. The rib fest is 9/2-6. The home opener is 9/19. Using the word kickoff is misleading for Steeler fans. It may align with Pitt Football.

With that said there are a lot of rib vendors. They all have awards. But the awards come from the sauce and I like my ribs without sauce. They all can cook a rack of ribs. Therefore I would find a lesser known vendor with a shorter line. Then I would pick out half of the best rack they had.

I also learned that beer goes well with ribs.

 

You don't like any sauce?? Ever??? I like both Dry , and Wet. I usually get both. I don't feel like I've eaten ribs unless I get sauce all over myself

 

I’m a slob, I can still get something on me. Grease, beer, coleslaw, etc.

 

I’m with you. I find bbq sauce too sweet.

 

I don't get the sweet. I like the Hot Spicy Vinegar type.
Like I said I also get the dry, but I need both

 

Thanks Jeh that's what I was hoping for. The link on Steelers.com was kinda of light on details. I'm more of KC style BBQ sauce and style guy although I don't mind the Texas dry ribs either. I haven't been to a competition or festival with any Carolina or Memphis styles yet but not a huge vinegar or mustard based sauce fan. The one competition that we try to take in every year is in Fargo ND and the have like 6 vendors and some great food. There is a PA based vendor called Awesome Aussies that use Applewood for smoke and an apple based sauce that is sweet and mild.

I like wet ribs but just a light glazing before pulling them off, the sauce I'd prefer for pulled pork or chicken or dipping chicken off a whole bird.

With the dry I'm looking for it to be tender and juicy otherwise I'm drizzling sauce on it and just go wild

 

I think I know where you live...............

 

I think the Heat is close. LoL

 

Actually, I found Hell of all places on the end of Grand Cayman. They even have a post office if you want to mail a postcard from Hell.

 

Only topped of course by ............

 

Haven't tried any of that. I look at the ingredients and, if ketchup is in there anywhere, I'm out!

 

Hmm. I don't think I have ever looked at ingredients. Though I'm probably the least picky eater on the planet. I can't think of any food I won't eat. I have foods I don't buy , like Hotdogs, and Ham, but if others cook it .... I'll eat it.

 

I have a lot of things I won't eat. Ketchup being high on the list. I have things I can't eat, I'm allergic to soy. I'm going to look for a mustard based bbq sauce......

 

Do You eat tomatoes, or tomatoe sauce???
Milk is the only thing I can't have, but that's not been my whole life. I still eat dairy. I just have 2 suffer because of it. LoL.

 

I do eat tomatoes and tomato sauce, but not with sugar in it or on them.

 

I hear You. I don't buy Ketchup , but if let's say I'm at Your house and You made me a...Burger, and It was on there....I would eat it, and not say a word.
When I visit , or eat at my folks something that needs a dip . I mix Ketchup with Louisiana Hot sauce because they don't buy many kinds of condiments but they always have that.

 

Never hear

Try a cocktail sauce. Better than ketchup.