Kim and I headed to St. Paul for the Rockin’ Ribfest which was held on Harriet Island.
The featured artist tonight was the ever so worthless Rick Springfield. Sad thing is that today when asked by my co-worker what I was doing tonight she almost wet herself with excitement over Mr. Douchebag himself.
Sorry, I’m Sahara dry over here…
Being that this is a ribfest we came to eat ribs so our first food stop was Pigfoot which claimed to be a multi-award winner at numerous ribfests all over the country throughout the years. Perhaps being a casual rib eater leaves me without a true understanding of how ribs should be but I was left completely unimpressed with Pigfoot’s ribs, sauces, and extras.
Not only were their ribs tough, fatty, and meatless, they were nearly tasteless. Their sauces were boring and predictable. Their baked beans might as well have come straight from a can and their cole slaw, while obviously not your standard cabbage, carrots, and runny sauce left me wanting more. Luckily their grilled chicken was moist and tender. If it wasn’t for the sauce, which I unknowingly slathered all over it before understanding the true suckage factor, would have been their sole acceptable item.
Our next stop was a drink. Their only soft drinks were imitation colas, lemon lime, and diet cola drinks by some name I can’t even remember three seconds after walking away. We decided to go with a large lemonade from Bob’s Lemonade. “Bob” spent quite a bit of time shaking the mixture of cavity creating liquid but I still ended up with sugar crystals itching the back of my throat. Better than nameless pop.
We finished up our eating at Cowboys Barbeque and Rib Company. Winners of quite a few State ribfest competitions and bold claims such as “1 Million People Can’t Be Wrong” and “So good you’ll moan”. We decided on their 1/2 slab which left us with enough for a desert item!
Kim, along with nearly every other person standing in the obnoxiously long and slow moving lines, chose this stand only because of the vast number of BBQ loving douchebags waiting their turn. We almost had to leave the line because of the sign at the front that read, “No cussin’, spittin’, or fartin’ in this line!” I was already two for three before I even saw the sign. I figured out that I best just toss some spit to make sure I wasn’t half-assing it. They had chosen to play some decent blues which was loud enough to drown out Rick Douchefield so it wasn’t all bad…
To be fair we only had ribs from this place so I am not able to compare their side items to Pigfoot. After the long line we were handed our ribs, no choice of sauce, and went to sit down to let the extremely hot food cool for a bit. Kim took the first taste. Her immediate reaction? A nasty grimmace. I could only agree. The ribs themselves were meatier but other than that they sucked.
In all honesty, as much as I despise chains, Famous Daves has these guys beat. I still believe that the best ribs in the world (along with BBQ sauce) is at the Montgomery Inn in the Cincinnati suburbs.
Overall we rate the Ribfest thumbs down. Don’t bother. If you are really looking for tasty ribs check out any of the numerous rib places around. They are a billion times better than what you could find on Harriet Island this weekend.
In my opinion, as with any food item, no matter how awful, it’s gotta be better than Divinci’s Pizza.
As a side note, the top people watching pwnage was the pink afro guy walking hand in hand with the girl dressed in a school girls outfit.
See all the pictures from today here.
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April 23rd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Have you ever found ribs in the Twin Cities that you actually DO like? You mentioned that Famous Daves was better than what you ate at the Rib Fest, but surely you are not incinuating that the crap they serve at Famous Daves are good ribs.Are You?
don
April 23rd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
In the Twin Cities? No, I haven’t but I am biased as it’s really hard to beat the offerings at the Montgomery Inn in Ohio.
The Rib Fest’s offerings were utter shit overall and it was unfortunate that I had to say that Famous Dave’s ribs were the best they had on hand.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:07 am
I got an e-mail asking about this year’s ribfest. The reader couldn’t find out what bands were going to be playing. I took a look and couldn’t find anything either.
Perhaps they finally came to their senses and canceled this pointless and god awful event?
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:32 am
When is the 2008 Rib Fest?
Thanks
Gregg
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:48 am
As far as I know they don’t have it anymore. Consider it a good thing.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Near as I can tell from internet research, they stopped having ribfest in the Twin Cities the same year they started having Ribfest in Des Moines. I always went to ribfest for the bands, not the food, but I’m not going to drive 4 hours for that.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Even if they offered it in St Paul again, it wouldn’t be worth the 20 min drive from Apple Valley.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
wow from what I have read here I wouldn’t want to party with all you complainers anyway. I always thought ribfest was alot of fun and will miss it. I understand some of you are experts on the fine cuisine of meat. But loosen up a little.
May 11th, 2009 at 8:35 am
I also enjoyed the event for the bands, and thought for the most part it was a good time. I especially enjoyed it when it was downtown Minneapolis and I could just stay down there after work and hang out. I couldn’t find anything on it last year and was sad to see it was held be wasn’t apparently advertised. Hopefully they’ll have it again this year and get the word out so we know about it. For those that don’t enjoy it, stay home, it’ll leave more room for those of us that want to be there……
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
My wife and I always had a great time at this event. The bands alone made it worth the drive. Yes, the food was very very expensive, but we always ate at home so you just buy samples of ribs, onion blossom and some great lemon aid and this way you don’t spend so much money. I, myself, have been to 4 in downtown Minneapolis and 2 in St. Paul. I
do miss the women, I MEAN people waching that the ribfest is great for. Who gives a flying FUCK if the cuisine is not at gourmet standards, my goodness, it’s a ribfest, so loosen up man enjoy life….. I guess you can pay 50 to 150 or more for a seat at a indoor concert and enjoy the fine cardboard pizza !!!!
P.S. I hope like hell that they bring this great summer event back to the twin cityies. HOLLY SHIT fargo and bismarck ND now have this event . People like you should stay the fuck home and let the rest of use enjoy are fun !!!!!!!!!
June 8th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Well, you can still get your free music and overpriced food needs met at the Taste of Minnesota in a few weeks.
June 21st, 2009 at 11:52 am
To whom it may concern. please notify me of the dates for the ribfest in saint paul. thank you
June 21st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Dante, please inform us when you gain viable reading comprehension skills. Thank you.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:16 pm
dante, mankato, fargo anywhere else in the tri state area should have a ‘ribfest’09′ but i think st. paul learned their lesson. it sucked. for those of you who liked it, _________________, you fill in the blanks.
bb
June 26th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Sadly Taste of Minnesota now charges for seats to the shows. They say there is still open seating to the side and behind the paid seats (Golden Seats as they call them), but it looks to be pretty minimal. I’m not going to spend $200 at $50 a seat to take my kids out for a night of music on top of the parking, food and drink. Always have to find a way to make a buck at these events, it’s a shame as I have enjoyed bringing the kids out for a night of music just sitting on the grass and enjoying the music and people-watching.
June 26th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
when is rib fest?
June 27th, 2009 at 3:11 am
kyle, read comment #13 and 14!
bb
June 29th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
so Tim where is this free music you were talking about??? what the hell is wrong with our state our we now part of canada?? bring back rock’n ribfeat PLEASE lets rejoin the rest of the USA. FARGO has three dog night. CHICAGO has heart,BLUE OYSTER CULT. FLORIDA has styx,black foot,doobie brothers,asia, and little river band. MINNESOTA has a big fat 0 have a great summer a
June 29th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Part of Canada? I wish. I’d trade Ribfest for single-payer health care, even if meant no BOC.
July 14th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
I look forward to the ribfest every year, just to see what the rest of the country has to offer. I come from the Bar-B-Que capital of the United States, Kansas City, Mo. , but it is good to taste and sample the goods from elsewhere around this fine nation.
July 14th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
I wil never know TOM LEE but I miss him already.