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AIBU?

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AIBU to think street food festivals are a bit overrated?

80 replies

brightonbabe86 · 24/04/2026 15:03

There is a street food festival on locally to us this weekend. We’ve been before a number of times and to some other ones else where. Some of our crowd want to go again but I’m getting a bit fed up of them. I think the food the vendors make is often really nice but under street food festival conditions things go down hill fast. It’s either really hot and sunny with no shade or raining with no cover. It’s crowded, the queues are massive, quality control under the pressure goes down quickly so your food is a bit undercooked or things are missing, there isn’t enough seating, the food can be restaurant prices and the bars are also crowded and expensive.

So I know you are thinking just don’t go then and I’m probably not going to go. I did go to one that started at lunch time and we went at about 2pm, it was really quiet and that was actually quite nice. But am I being unreasonable to think that they are a bit overrated and to wonder if there are only really worth it if you enjoy big crowds?

OP posts:
MiddleAgedDread · 24/04/2026 15:12

We’ve got one locally about to start for the summer. The problem is that when it’s a nice enough day to want to sit outside to eat and drink every man and his dog heads down there and you have to queue to get in, but half the time it’s shut or dead because the weather is too bad. it’s also really expensive given you’re eating out a cardboard container sitting on the grass!

KnickerlessParsons · 24/04/2026 15:09

It's the same vendors at every street food festival round here: food sellers, flavoured rum sellers, jewellery sellers, clothes sellers, and the same man selling football stickers. Most of them never seem to sell anything,

GrueyTwoey · 24/04/2026 15:08

I'm not fussed about them either but I like markets with added food trucks.

brightonbabe86 · 24/04/2026 15:08

Ah no I’m not in Brighton anymore sadly, it’s in the Glasgow area. There are usually live bands and stalls selling artisan food and drinks which is nice again all very expensive.

OP posts:
Goditsmemargaret · 24/04/2026 15:06

I've actually never been to one! Is this in Brighton? I do love a Sunday market with good food vendors or ill be at a fitness festival with great food trucks.

If the food trucks were the whole event I don't think I'd be bothered.

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