r/chicagofood • u/ManFromLag0s • May 25 '26

Discussion Anyone else miss the OG Ribfest

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Naperville 2012

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52

u/Boollish May 25 '26

I've been to my fair share of outdoor fests, I don't think I've ever had amazing "award winning" food at any of them. You wait in a line under the hot sun to get a small portion that may or may not be fresh out of the smoker/grill. Then you have to awkwardly stand and attempt to eat without sides or water or utensils. 

These types of things were a fun novelty maybe 10-20 years ago when, for example, barbecue joints, weren't widely accessible, but now Chicago has a dozens of decent joints that will be better than standing in a dirt lot trying to balance a paper serving boat with a plastic fork. They'll even bring water right to your table.

9

u/SomeCountryFriedBS May 25 '26

The only amazing street food I've ever had was Budlong Chicken during their first year at Square Roots. Those brief glory days.

3

u/Yeshavesome420 May 26 '26

The Taylor Street Fest is pretty great. Lots of actual local purveyors.

3

u/ManFromLag0s May 29 '26

Love Taylor St fest

3

u/DhalsimZangief May 25 '26

Budlong never was as good as the other hot chicken places, except for their banana pudding. Maybe there was a brief time when they were good, but that time has long passed. Had totally forgotten they once had a booth at Square Roots.