Local Northcenter Restaurants Serve Up Sweet & Smoky Delights for Ribfest Chicago!

May 28

The temperature's going up, school's about to be out for summer and the days are getting ever closer to Northcenter's annual summer bash, Ribfest Chicago.

With the festival just around the corner, we're excited to share all the details with you and get the excitement going. One thing that brings everyone back to Ribfest every year is the food. Delicious BBQ is the main event, and this year, for Ribfest's Sweet & Smoky 16, we have a record 16 rib vendors, as well as eclectic chefs and stands serving up everything from octopus tacos to chocolate-covered bacon, veggie kebabs to made-to-order donuts.

We're especially excited that so many restaurants and businesses from right here in Northcenter have become such an important part of this festival. From those who have been there since the beginning, such as Smokin' Woody's, to last year's powerhouse Audience Choice winner, Mrs. Murphy & Sons, to newcomers like ROCKS Northcenter and groundbreakers like Browntrout and Lincoln Square Lanes, we salute and celebrate your culinary prowess.

Here's a look at all your local favorites participating in this year's Ribfest and what they're serving. We dare you to try to get through this list without your stomach growling and your mouth watering. Think you can do it?

Big Bricks: Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Iced Tea
Big Fork Brands: Bacon Sausage, Maple Bacon Sausage Corn Dog, Bacon Sausage Mac 'n Cheese
Black Rock Pub & Kitchen: Beer Cheese Fries, Pulled Pork Nachos, Bourbon Caramel Apple Donut Holes

In addition to bringing their delicious foodstuffs to the actual festival, Black Rock Pub & Kitchen will also play host to the amateur rib-eating contest and local beer Tap Takeover on Thursday, June 5th. Check the website for details.

Bo's Concessions: Funnel Cake, Hand-dipped Corn Dog, Cheeseburger with Curly Fries
Browntrout: Beef Ribs, Lake Trout Sandwich, BBQ Poutine
Byron's Hot Dogs: Ribs, Hot Dogs, Burgers
Lincoln Square Lanes: Fried Octopus Tacos, Spicy BBQ Pig Wings, Fried Brownie with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro: Ribs, Pulled Lamb Sandwich, Guinness Ice Cream

Mrs. Murphy & Sons won the People's Choice Award for best ribs at Ribfest 2013. Can they repeat this year?

The Piggery: Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Sliders, Jalapeno Pepper "Firecrackers"
Q-BBQ: Smoked Ribs, Chopped Brisket, Burnt Ends
ROCKS Northcenter: Mac 'n Cheese with Pulled Pork Sandwich, Mini Hamburgers, Chipotle BBQ Wings
Smokin' Woody's BBQ: Ribs, BBQ Potato Chips, Hot Links

In addition to the wide variety of delicious food from our local eateries and concession stands, Ribfest Chicago welcomes chefs and pitmasters from all over the city, the Chicagoland area and the region to showcase their goods at Ribfest Chicago.

Here's a sampling of some of their succulent offerings -- is your stomach grumbling yet?

BBQ King Smokehouse: Ribs, Pretzel BOMB, BBQ Nachos
Chase Root Beer: Chocolate Covered Bacon, Root Beer Black Cows, Walking Tacos
Chicago BBQ Company: Ribs, Pulled Pork, Smoked Sausage
Dinky Donuts, Inc.: Made-to-Order Dinky Donuts: hot and fresh with various sugar toppings/seasonings, Coffee
El Campeon: Pina Colada Acapulco Style, Fresh Pineapple Lemonade Water
Fit to be Fried: Fried Green Tomatoes, Funnel Cake, Maxwell St. Pork Chop Sandwich
Lee Concessions: Grilled Chicken or Orange Chicken with Vegetable Rice, Corn Dogs, Chicken Tenders with Fries
Real Urban Barbecue: Ribs, Tri-Tip Sandwich, BBQ Nachos
Robinson's #1 Ribs: Ribs, Corn-on-the-Cob, Jambalaya
Rub's Backcountry Smokehouse: Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Pulled Chicken Sandwich
Sergio's Cantina: BBQ Pork Carnitas Sandwich, Chimichurri Steak Tacos, Shrimp Avocado Tostadas
Teresa Mittons Concessions: Turkey Rib Tips, Turkey Pops, Veggie Kabobs
Texas Thunder: Ribs, Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket
The Smoke Daddy: Ribs, Pulled Chicken Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich
Uncle Bub's BBQ: Ribs, Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket

Celebrity Judges' Choice for Best Ribs at Ribfest Chicago 2013.

Uncle Tommy's Gourmet: Stuffed Burgers: Blue Cheese, Swiss Cheese/Mushroom, Feta/Olive/Spinach
Windsor Ice Cream Shoppe-Blackhawk BBQ: BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Boneless Rib Sandwich, Ice Cream-20 Flavors
Wrigley BBQ: Ribs, Pulled Pork, Chicken Sandwich