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As soon as the grills roar to life, you know summer has officially arrived, so why not dive in headfirst? The Eater-applauded Rib King NYC 2026 Food Festival returns bigger, bolder, and dripping with flavor. This all-inclusive Memorial Day Weekend bash gathers over a dozen of the region’s fiercest pitmasters, all battling for the coveted Rib King crown. Endless drinks will flow, ribs are set to be stacked high, and it all kicks off Saturday May 23, 2026 at 1:00pm.
Grab your $39 GA Ticket (a $56 value) that lets you enjoy 3 Hours of Delicious Foods from Meat & Rib Stations crafted by Top Chefs & Restaurants (think beef, pork, ribs, brisket, and then some), a 3 Hour Open Bar Featuring A Selection Of Cocktails, Spirits, Wines, Craft Beers, & Hard Ciders, plus Sides, Grilled Vegetables, a Selection of Desserts, and more tasty fun planned for the day!
You’ll dig into bold bites from defending champion (2025 and 2024) Vincent Mangual of Empire BBQ, Anthony Scerri of Smoke Sweats BBQ (2025 Brisket King NYC Champ, 2025 Rib King NYC Runner-Up), Gavin, Jamie, and Chris Farella of Brothers BBQ (2025 Rib King NYC Friends of Firefighters People's Choice Award), and Oak Marprasert of KAM RAI THAI (2x winner of Pig Island Best in Show). Will the champ retain the title? Or will an underdog steal the prize?
Meanwhile, the flames keep going with legends and rising stars, from Mike Hazen of Michelin Guide-praised Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Samuel Alleyne of Fire & Smoke BBQ to Richie Holmes of Juicy Lucy BBQ (2019 and 2021 Brisket King NYC Champion), Fefe Anggono of Taste of Surabaya, and Vincent Degennaro of the Friends of Firefighters Team. Fresh contenders are stepping up to the pit too, ready to shake things up, so expect surprises, bold flavors, and serious competition in every bite.
Think global BBQ passport on a plate. From Texas low-and-slow to Thai spice, Caribbean heat, and Indonesian flair, every rib tells a different story. Wash it all down with pours from Brooklyn Gin, Fort Hamilton Distillery, Sauvage Beverages, Bed Stuy Brewing, Round Table Brewery, and Piñaq, plus plenty of zero-proof sips to keep things cool.
By the time the DJ starts spinning sun-soaked beats, you’ll be fully locked into summer mode at Industry City’s open-air courtyard. Between bites, cool off with sweet treats from Tipsy Scoop, MuMsKitchens NYC, and Mike’s Hot Honey, or explore plant-based bites from Jimmy's No. 43. Add in fiery tastings from Achilles Heat and Coney Island Saucery, and you’ve got a full-on flavor playground.
So grab your crew, bring your appetite, and step into summer's official start...
The Rib King NYC 2026 Food Festival is your ultimate summer kickoff, bringing smoke, heat, and serious flavor to Memorial Day Weekend. This isn’t your average backyard BBQ! It’s a spectacular, open-air feast where top chefs and restaurants go rack-to-rack in a fiery battle for the coveted Rib King crown.
Past events have turned the heat all the way up, with pitmasters pushing BBQ creativity to the edge. Think Cherry Wood-Smoked Porkstrami Ribs with rye bread crumbs, St. Louis Pork Ribs glazed in banana pudding stout sauce (and finished with gold leaf), and Apple Honey-Smoked Jerk Ribs paired with peach cobbler cornbread. Every plate came with a twist, every bite with a surprise. And the competition? Absolutely relentless.
As the sunshine lingers and the smoke drifts through the air, this year promises even bigger flavors and bolder bites. From the team behind cult-favorite food fests like Brisket King NYC, Bowl of 'Zole, and Ciderfeast, the party takes over Industry City’s sun-drenched courtyard. It’s all about sunshine, great energy, and that unmistakable scent of barbecue in the air.
Picture trays piled high with glistening ribs, melt-in-your-mouth brisket, juicy pulled pork, and flame-kissed veggies, all calling you back for “just one more bite.” Reigning champ Vincent Mangual of Empire BBQ returns to defend his 2024 & 2025 title, facing off against heavy-hitters like Oak Marprasert of KAM RAI THAI and Cenobio Canalizo of New York Times-celebrated Morgan’s Brooklyn BBQ. And with more challengers stepping into the ring, expect plenty of smoky sensations.
Between bites, wander through a flavor-packed paradise of artisanal hot sauces, seasonal sides, and sweet treats, and yes, that includes boozy ice cream to keep things cool. And when the sun’s beating down, the open bar has your back with chilled wines, craft cocktails, smooth spirits, crisp beers, hard ciders, and refreshing zero-proof options.
By the time the DJ starts spinning those sun-soaked tracks, you’ll be fully in summer mode...
A full list of chefs, foods, and more may be viewed here.
Your $39 GA Ticket (a $56 Value) Includes:
May purchase as many tickets as you like for personal use or for gifting.
Event runs from 1:00pm until 4:00pm.
Valid only for event on Saturday May 23, 2026.
