NORTH CENTER — For three days every year, North Center becomes the focal point of the smoked meat universe.
Ribfest is back, Friday through Sunday, with more ribs, an eclectic music lineup and new features including Culinary Fight Club.
The event runs 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The fest is centered on Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road and Berteau Avenue. Cost of entry is a $5 suggested donation.
What to know before you go — let's break it down by day:
• Friday tends to be the least crowded, especially in the early evening. A highlight of the fest's first night is the annual rib-eating contest, RibMania, set for 6 p.m., which never fails to entertain. For the last three years, Miki Sudo and Michelle Lesco have finished 1-2 — can anyone break their stranglehold on the title?
• Saturday's forecast calls for beastly temperatures, so what better day to indulge in burnt ends? Q BBQ Lakeview, which nabbed the People's Choice award in 2015, is serving up the delicacy.
Other menu items to keep an eye out for: Porkchop's fried ribs, The Piggery's bacon-wrapped jalapeno pepper "firecrackers," Feed Your Head's vegan options and anything from Rub's Backcountry Smokehouse, which won Best Ribs in 2015.
A number of neighborhood restaurants are participating in Ribfest: Dos Riccos Mexican Fusion will be serving up a Korean barbecue steak taco; Via Lima will have Peruvian-style mac 'n' cheese; Taco In A Bag is cooking up the BBQ Beast (pork with mustard slaw); and Mr. B's BBQ, which didn't open in time for last year's fest, will make its debut in 2016.
• Sunday is not remotely a day of rest at Ribfest. Judges will be gnawing on samples to choose the Best Ribs winner and attendees will be busy stuffing ballot boxes to decide the People's Choice competition.
New this year — Culinary Fight Club is hosting one of its epic challenges at Ribfest from noon to 2 p.m. The special ticketed event costs $40 in advance (click here) or $50 starting Friday. The price includes entrance to the fight club, three drink tickets, food samples and more.
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