Lock In Your Summer BBQ Cuts Before Chicago’s Big Festivals

Temperatures are rising, and outdoor celebration season is here. Ribfest Chicago returns next month & Taste of Chicago soon follows. Demand will be high, so should your supply. Finalize your orders from your favorite wholesale BBQ meat supplier in Chicago early so you’ll be ready to serve the mouthwatering barbecue plates that hungry locals and tourists crave. Continue reading for dates, locations, and ordering info.

Festival Calendar & Demand Spikes

Use the Windy City’s large summer parties to showcase your restaurant and food truck’s best barbecue skills:

• Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8, in Millennium Park, is a can’t-miss opportunity to celebrate the city’s musical and culinary heritage.
• Northcenter’s Ribfest Chicago marks its 25th anniversary this year, June 6-8. This festival draws huge crowds on Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road and Berteau, promising live entertainment and high demand for our premium wholesale Pork and Beef Rib lineups.
• Country music fans love the Windy City Smokeout July 10–13, 2025, at the United Center parking lot. There’s nonstop music, dancing, plus savory smoked Brisket and Shoulder for every appetite.
• Chicago Jazz Festival (August 28-31), also in Millennium Park, features many local and national acts. It produces four days’ worth of hungry concert-goers waiting to enjoy your best recipes.
• Our premier food festival, Taste of Chicago, attracts a diverse audience to Grant Park from September 5-7. There are also “pop-up” locations in Marquette Park (June 28) and Pullman Park (July 19).

The busy festival season means certain cuts sell out quickly, and prices climb when supply tightens. Order now and save!

What Sells Out First?

Ribs are obviously the undisputed hot-ticket summer menu item, spiking demand citywide. You’ll find every variety at Taste of Chicago and Ribfest, such as Pork Spare Ribs and tender Beef Back.

To ensure an adequate supply of St Louis Ribs, plan for 1.2x your usual weekly volume during festival season. Order now for delivery by May 30.

Whole Briskets (wet-age for tenderness) run about 1x weekly sales, and supplies start dwindling as the larger events approach. Early orders deliver by May 23.

Pork Shoulder is a workhorse behind-the-scenes, essential for bulk preparation in high-volume venues inside and near special events. Plan for 0.8x your usual volume, and order now for delivery by May 30.

Current Boxed-Beef Price Trend & Forecasts

Due to tight supplies and rising demand, beef prices are rising. The US cattle herd is currently at a 70-year low, leading to ground beef averaging $5.80/lb, up 11% from last year.

According to the USDA’s National Daily Boxed Beef Cutout report, as of May 16, 2025, we see Choice listed at $353.08 per 100 pounds, and Select currently at $343.04.

Herds are in rebuilding mode, but expect a slow process and persistent supply tightness throughout the third quarter.

Order-Window Guide

With multiple special events driving demand for wholesale meat in and around Chicago, early preparation may mean the difference between stocked coolers and empty prep lines.

When should you order, and how many units should you anticipate?

• For early June events (like Ribfest), order by mid-May.
• For July/August festivals (Windy City Smokeout, Lollapalooza): Order by early June.
• For September events (Taste of Chicago): Order by late July.

Minimum Case Sizes

Are you unsure what you’ll need? Give us a call. Our team will help you estimate the volume based on serving sizes and cover counts so you don’t over- or undersize your order.

In the meantime, here are some general guidelines:

• Pork Ribs (St. Louis or Baby Back): ~30–40 lbs per case
• Beef Brisket (Packer Cut): ~60–80 lbs per case (2–4 pieces)
• Pork Shoulder (Bone-In): ~65–70 lbs per case (2–3 shoulders)

Storage & Thaw Best Practices for Kitchens With Tight Space

Venues equipped with small freezers and coolers must make every square foot count, especially when stocking supplies for special events.

Manage your meat inventory using these tips for maintaining safety and quality:

Stack boxed meat vertically, labeled with the cut type and delivery date using bold writing. Use the FIFO method (first-in, first-out) for stock rotation.

Remember, smaller packs are easier to store and thaw. Break down the larger bulk cuts immediately after delivery, portioning them into vacuum-sealed units.

Use a batch-thawing system where you’ll plan 48-72 hours in advance. Pull enough meat for 1-2 days of service, using sheet pans and drip trays which contain juices and prevent cross-contamination.

Order Now for Ribfest Chicago & Taste of Chicago

Northwest Meat Company has the highest-quality, humanely-raised wholesale meat product lines you’ll need for unforgettable barbecue meals.

We anticipate a busy quarter. Locking in your summer meat supply is easy, just plan ahead and contact us soon! We look forward to serving you.

Visit our website to browse our products, order directly through our app, or get personalized assistance by calling our sales team on the contact details on our website.

Temperatures are rising, and outdoor celebration season is here. Ribfest Chicago returns next month & Taste of Chicago soon follows.

Demand will be high, so should your supply. Finalize your orders early so you’ll be ready to serve the mouthwatering barbecue plates that hungry locals and tourists crave. Continue reading for dates, locations, and ordering info.

Festival Calendar & Demand Spikes

Use the Windy City’s large summer parties to showcase your restaurant and food truck’s best barbecue skills:

• Chicago Blues Festival, June 5-8, in Millennium Park, is a can’t-miss opportunity to celebrate the city’s musical and culinary heritage.
• Northcenter’s Ribfest Chicago marks its 25th anniversary this year, June 6-8. This festival draws huge crowds on Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road and Berteau, promising live entertainment and high demand for our premium wholesale Pork and Beef Rib lineups.
• Country music fans love the Windy City Smokeout July 10–13, 2025, at the United Center parking lot. There’s nonstop music, dancing, plus savory smoked Brisket and Shoulder for every appetite.
• Chicago Jazz Festival (August 28-31), also in Millennium Park, features many local and national acts. It produces four days’ worth of hungry concert-goers waiting to enjoy your best recipes.
• Our premier food festival, Taste of Chicago, attracts a diverse audience to Grant Park from September 5-7. There are also “pop-up” locations in Marquette Park (June 28) and Pullman Park (July 19).

The busy festival season means certain cuts sell out quickly, and prices climb when supply tightens. Order now and save!

What Sells Out First?

Ribs are obviously the undisputed hot-ticket summer menu item, spiking demand citywide. You’ll find every variety at Taste of Chicago and Ribfest, such as Pork Spare Ribs and tender Beef Back.

To ensure an adequate supply of St Louis Ribs, plan for 1.2x your usual weekly volume during festival season. Order now for delivery by May 30.

Whole Briskets (wet-age for tenderness) run about 1x weekly sales, and supplies start dwindling as the larger events approach. Early orders deliver by May 23.

Pork Shoulder is a workhorse behind-the-scenes, essential for bulk preparation in high-volume venues inside and near special events. Plan for 0.8x your usual volume, and order now for delivery by May 30.

Current Boxed-Beef Price Trend & Forecasts

Due to tight supplies and rising demand, beef prices are rising. The US cattle herd is currently at a 70-year low, leading to ground beef averaging $5.80/lb, up 11% from last year.

According to the USDA’s National Daily Boxed Beef Cutout report, as of May 16, 2025, we see Choice listed at $353.08 per 100 pounds, and Select currently at $343.04.

Herds are in rebuilding mode, but expect a slow process and persistent supply tightness throughout the third quarter.

Order-Window Guide

With multiple special events driving demand for wholesale meat in and around Chicago, early preparation may mean the difference between stocked coolers and empty prep lines.

When should you order, and how many units should you anticipate?

• For early June events (like Ribfest), order by mid-May.
• For July/August festivals (Windy City Smokeout, Lollapalooza): Order by early June.
• For September events (Taste of Chicago): Order by late July.

Minimum Case Sizes

Are you unsure what you’ll need? Give us a call. Our team will help you estimate the volume based on serving sizes and cover counts so you don’t over- or undersize your order.

In the meantime, here are some general guidelines:

• Pork Ribs (St. Louis or Baby Back): ~30–40 lbs per case
• Beef Brisket (Packer Cut): ~60–80 lbs per case (2–4 pieces)
• Pork Shoulder (Bone-In): ~65–70 lbs per case (2–3 shoulders)

Storage & Thaw Best Practices for Kitchens With Tight Space

Venues equipped with small freezers and coolers must make every square foot count, especially when stocking supplies for special events.

Manage your meat inventory using these tips for maintaining safety and quality:

Stack boxed meat vertically, labeled with the cut type and delivery date using bold writing. Use the FIFO method (first-in, first-out) for stock rotation.

Remember, smaller packs are easier to store and thaw. Break down the larger bulk cuts immediately after delivery, portioning them into vacuum-sealed units.

Use a batch-thawing system where you’ll plan 48-72 hours in advance. Pull enough meat for 1-2 days of service, using sheet pans and drip trays which contain juices and prevent cross-contamination.

Order Now for Ribfest Chicago & Taste of Chicago

Northwest Meat Company, pot of the line wholesale BBQ meat supplier in Chicago, has the highest-quality, humanely-raised wholesale meat product lines you’ll need for unforgettable barbecue meals.

We anticipate a busy quarter. Locking in your summer meat supply is easy, just plan ahead and contact us soon! We look forward to serving you.

Visit our website to browse our products, order directly through our app, or get personalized assistance by calling our sales team at (312) 733-1418.