If you are looking for the perfect way to celebrate Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, it is time to bring your appetite to Brooklyn.
Rib King NYC is back and bigger than ever. It’s taking over Industry City’s Courtyard 1/2 this Saturday, May 23.
Presented by Food Karma Projects and NYC BBQ, this all-inclusive meat-lover’s paradise is bringing together the city’s top pitmasters for an epic holiday weekend showdown.
What to expect at the ultimate BBQ battle
This isn’t just your average cookout. The festival features an incredible roster of chefs, restaurants, and BBQ experts. They will be smoking, saucing, grilling, and glazing their absolute best ribs.
All of these talented cooks are vying for the highly coveted 2026 Rib King crown, and you get to taste the results.
The deliciousness doesn’t stop at the ribs. You will also find a huge selection of standout bites. Highlights include specialty side dishes from Kin’s Kitchen, crisp bites from Glick’s Pickles, and a fiery lineup of award-winning hot sauces.
If you need something sweet after all that savory barbecue, Tipsy Scoop and MuMsKitchens NYC will be serving up mouth-watering desserts.
To wash it all down, the event pays homage to local NYC drinks producers. You can enjoy unlimited pours of craft beer, hard cider, wine, and spirits.
Look out for local favorites like Brooklyn Gin, Fort Hamilton Distillery, and Bed-Stuy Brewing. Zero-proof options will also be readily available all afternoon.
A sizzling lineup for a great cause
The competition is going to be fierce. You can expect mouth-watering ribs from top-tier talent like Cenobio Canalizo of Morgan’s Brooklyn BBQ and Jamal Bland of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. You’ll also see returning heavyweights like Anthony Scerri of Smoke Sweats BBQ.
A massive panel of expert judges will decide who takes home the ultimate title. The lineup includes discerning palates ranging from food journalists and podcast hosts to professional chefs.
Best of all, you are eating for a great cause. Rib King NYC has partnered with Friends of Firefighters for 2026. This incredible nonprofit provides free, confidential mental health counseling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families.
Snag your all-inclusive tickets
Every single ticket to the event is all-inclusive. This means you get unrestricted access to the incredible food and drinks until 4:00 p.m. You just have to choose how you want to experience the festival:
- General Admission ($50 + fees): Grants you full, all-inclusive access to the food and drinks starting at 1:00 p.m.
- VIP Admission ($75 + fees): Gets you in an hour early at noon for the exclusive VIP Hour. You get the first bites and sips, time to mingle with the chefs, and a commemorative Rib King NYC T-shirt.
Because this is an outdoor summer kickoff, the event is strictly 21+ and rain-or-shine. Be sure to grab your tickets before they sell out, and get ready to eat your heart out!
📍 Industry City, Courtyard 1/2 (635 2nd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232)
📆 Saturday, May 23, 2026
🕐 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Noon entry for VIP tickets)
💸 $50 for GA, $75 for VIP
