Pittsburgh's Rib Fest kicks off, continues through Monday

Art Rooney Avenue outside of Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh’s North Shore has been transformed into barbeque heaven for Labor Day weekend.

The annual Rib Fest kicked off Thursday evening with a dozen award-winning vendors vying for various trophies, including best sauce, best ribs and people’s choice.

The event runs through Monday. Admission is free.

Some have come as far away as South Carolina and Fort Worth, Texas to test their meat might against some of the best traveling competitors in the country.

‘We smoke our ribs so long they should go to rehab,” said grill master and frontman Marlin Thomas of Cowboys Barbeque & Rib Co. “All you need is fingertips and lips.”

The crew from the Lone Star state took home the trophy for best sauce last year.

Thomas said the secret to the sweet and tangy dressing is “nothing but love.” He likes his chances to become back-to-back champs.

“We travel state to state, city to city all summer long,” Thomas said. “We start in May through the end of September. As we get away from that Texas heat, I feel people come to us for some South in their mouth. We have a legacy.”

He called the Pittsburgh crowd high energy, generous and very friendly.

Ohio-based Off the Bone BBQ is coming off its recent New Jersey contest where it won best ribs and best sauce.

It’s signature rub is a sweet mixture of spices called “Alabama Dirt.”

They are also known for their big platter of ribs, brisket, cornbread and several sides.

When folks order it they say, “Hank, hook me up.”

It’s named after the company’s most noticeable personality, Hank “The Tank” McCracken.

The former After Hours Barbeque frontman has adopted an uncle persona this year. So he called multiple Rib Fest kickoff attendees “nephew.”

Regina Griffin of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty/Garfield neighborhoods is lending Off the Bone a hand this year.

She was at the booth with the big turkey legs and lemonades the past few years.

“I love it over here,” Griffin said. “I’ve seen the way they are. The guys have energy over here. Plus, the food is excellent.”

Griffin said the crowd has grown over the years and is excited to see what’s in store this weekend.

Other vendors include After Hours Barbeque, Carolina Rib King, Pigfoot BBQ, Ribbins BBQ and Johnson’s Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que — which makes the hottest sauce at the festival called thermo-nuclear sauce.

There’s a big white sign at the Johnson booth warning eaters what they are in for with the mixture.

“(It) will improve your cardiovascular system, sinus, colon and pancreas simultaneously. We’re talking Hot,” the sign read.

The sign also reads, “No Guts. No Glory.”

Local flavor

Representing the Steel City’s South Side is the multi-people’s choice award winner, Bad Azz BBQ.

It is owned by Stacy Bradley with ribs prepared by chef Marven Khalid.

“We use all hardwood to cook with,” Bradley said. “Everything is cooked in our smoker right over there. We really care about customer service, making sure we’re putting out the best ribs.”

Khalid said ribs are slow smoked and prepared between nine to 13 hours from start to finish.

“They are smoked properly. There is no skipping a step,” said Khalid, who has been a chef for 12 years. “This is the last stage right here.

“We love the competition. As we’re well-known here in Pittsburgh, we are very friendly. We love having people over here to compete against (and) to have business with. Everyone likes us. We like everyone, too.”

Bradley echoed the comments of camaraderie between the vendors.

“This is the best five days of the year,” she said. “The atmosphere is great. Even though we’re all in competition together, we’re all friends. … We actually forgot our can opener, so we’re using our neighbors.”

Jim’s Smokin Que in Homestead is also representing the Pittsburgh area at Rib Fest.

Something for everyone

Chicken on a stick, turkey legs, smoothies, ice cream, fried Oreos and other desserts can be found along West General Robinson Street in between the rib vendors.

Thursday was the first time Samantha McKelvey of Beaver County participated in Rib Fest.

She attended with her family, boyfriend Ray Kimble of Monaca and their kids Kobe Kimble, 2, and Bryant Kimble, 1.

McKelvey said she loved the funnel cakes.

“We just wanted to do something as a family,” she said. “I haven’t had funnel cake in almost three years, right before I had (Kobe). We went to Kennywood and that fall I was pregnant. I’ve never been to something like this. It’s good so far. We haven’t done too much year.”

Kimble said he was at Rib Fest years ago and was happy to share some family moments Downtown.

“I try to let her know how nice Pittsburgh is,” said Kimble, who grew up in the North Side. “To see everything right where it needs to be, perfect atmosphere, it’s a great day today. I love all the vendors so far. I didn’t get to eat any ribs, but believe me I’ll hit all the vendors.”

What’s in store

Parts of the stadium will be open all weekend for people to peruse, including the Fed Ex Great Hall.

The Clarks will perform Friday night. Black Ridge opens for them around 7:30 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Panthers play host to Kent State on Saturday afternoon in the university’s season home opener.

An interactive cooking show is planned for Sunday at the Bluespire Kitchen.

A street party is planned for that afternoon with DJ Petey C from 2-5 p.m.

A cornhole tournament to benefit Veteran’s Place is set for noon Monday at the stadium.

The Steelers will also host a 5K run and walk Monday morning and a youth mini-camp on the field later that day, according to Cecelia Cagni, the Steelers’ corporate communications director.

“It’s really exciting especially because we’re gearing up for football season,” Cagni said. “To be able to offer this community event were we can showcase to the region some of the world’s best rib vendors.

“To give folks of all backgrounds something to celebrate. There’s really something for everyone at this community event.”

More information is available at acrisurestadium.com/ribfest.