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Summer starts when the grills fire up, so kick off your season with a sizzling celebration that’s juicier than a rack of ribs straight off the pit - the Eater-applauded MDW Rib King NYC 2025 Food Festival is back, bigger, and hotter than ever. Memorial Day Weekend means it’s time to crank up the heat, pour those endless drinks, and feast like BBQ royalty, so set your calendar for Saturday May 24, 2025, starting 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!
The chef and pitmaster lineup is stacked with heavy-hitters. You’ll feast on creations from Garth Caruso of the Michelin Guide-celebrated Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, reigning Rib King Champion Vincent Mangual of Empire BBQ, 2024’s runner-up Anthony Scerri of Smoke Sweats, fan-favorite Darlene Lawrence of Sands Jerk Hut, the Mike’s Hot Honey Team, and more. A whole new wave of challengers will also be firing up their smokers to compete for this year’s Rib King title - come hungry for it all!
And it’s not just about the meat - this party brings the perfect pairing. Sip your way through pours from The New York Distilling Company, Upstate Vodka, Brooklyn Gin, Gun Hill Publick House, Piñaq, Round Table Brewery, Fort Hamilton Distillery, and more. Whether you're into bold bourbons or crisp ciders, there’s something cold and refreshing with your name on it.
As the DJ spins sun-drenched anthems, you’ll be soaking in the scene at Industry City’s open-air courtyard. Mix things up at the Masienda’s Station, featuring fresh-made sopes and tortillas made with the chef-favorite heirloom corn masa harina, not to mention desserts from Tipsy Scoop boozy ice cream, plant-based options by the famed Jimmy's No. 43, hot sauce tastings - are you drooling yet?
Come hungry - this is your official summer starting line...
Fire up your appetite and jumpstart the season with smoke, sizzle, and serious flavor at the Memorial Day Weekend Rib King NYC 2025 Food Festival! The dream summer feast for meat lovers and flavor chasers alike, this is no ordinary cookout - it’s a full-blown, open-air BBQ bonanza where top chefs and restaurants bring their flame game and go head-to-head to claim the coveted Rib King crown.
Last year’s Rib King NYC showed just how far chefs and restaurants will go to win the title of Rib King. From Cherry Wood-Smoked Porkstrami Ribs with Rye Bread Crumbs, to St. Louis Pork Ribs with Finback Brewery’s Banana Pudding Stout Sauce topped with real gold leaf, to Apple Honey-Smoked Jerk Ribs with Peach Cobbler Cornbread, the competition was fierce.
With every bite more tender, smoky, and crave-worthy than the last, this is a carnivore’s dream. And this year, it gets even juicier! Brought to you by the minds behind legendary events like Brisket King, Bowl of 'Zole, and Ciderfeast, this BBQ bash takes over the sun-soaked courtyard at Industry City. It's your chance to bask in the glow of good weather, better company, and unforgettable eats.
From glistening racks of ribs and melt-in-your-mouth brisket to juicy pork and flame-kissed vegetables, the food will have you going back for seconds, thirds, and maybe even fourths. Vincent Mangual of Empire BBQ returns to defend his Rib King 2024 title, facing off against fierce contenders like Oak Marprasert of KAM RAI THAI, and Cenobio Canalizo of New York Times-praised Morgan’s Brooklyn BBQ. And that’s just the beginning!
Beyond meaty treats, the flavor trail leads you to grilled cheese stations, artisanal hot sauces, veggies, fresh-made sopes and tortillas at the brand new Masienda’s station, and sweet delights (hello, gelato!) that cap things off. And when the heat turns up, the open bar is your oasis, serving up chilled wines, handcrafted cocktails, smooth spirits, flavorful zero-proofs, crisp craft beers, and thirst-quenching hard ciders to keep the vibes flowing.
All this, soundtracked by DJ Alex Corporan spinning the jams that’ll keep you grooving in the summer glow. With fellow food lovers all around and the smoky scent of barbecue in the air, this is a taste of summertime paradise...
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 24, 2025.
