The newest dining destination at the Iowa State Fair is humorously flaunting what might appear as basic functions of a restaurant: cold beer and properly compensated labor.
The Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery is selling shirts that advertise “Cold Beer & Paid Employees.” A Facebook post of the shirt garnered over 1,000 likes. While some people in the comments commended the marketing tactic, others didn’t quite understand the joke.
What is the story behind Blue Ribbon Bar’s ‘Cold Beer & Paid Employees’ t-shirt?
To those not apprised of Iowa State Fair eatery lore, the shirt is referencing Blue Ribbon Bar’s predecessor, Steer N’ Stein.
Regular Iowa State Fair attendees will notice the Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery replaced Steer N’ Stein at the fairgrounds. The new restaurant moved into the Grand Avenue location after Steer N’ Stein was accused of failing to pay employees, vendors and a portion of concession fees following the 2024 fair.
The Iowa State Fair Board discontinued the contract with the former Adventureland Resort CEO and owner Michael Krantz and his wife, Kimberly, according to previous reporting from the Des Moines Register. Steer N’ Stein was one of the fair’s most profitable concession stands. However, in 2024 the stand reported a decline in revenue, despite the fair shattering yearly attendance records, according to reporting from the Register’s Watchdog.
Steer ‘N Stein failed to pay more than $102,000 in fair fees, according to the fair. A Polk County civil lawsuit also claims Steer ‘N Stein owed another $218,582 to local businesses that provided them services leading up to the Iowa State Fair.
Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery moves into the Iowa State Fair with more than cold beer
In February, the Iowa State Fair Board announced Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery would take over Steer ‘N Stein’s contract. Owner Joni Bell also runs the Rib Shack and What’s Your Cheez, winning the People’s Choice for Best Food at the Iowa State Fair three times. She was the contest’s first-ever back-to-back champion in 2023, according to the Des Moines Register.
The Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery is serving up lunch, dinner, dessert and drinks. Dishes include brisket tenderloin, smashburgers, wings and more. Another shirt for sale states “Mom! The Meat Loaf,” as a can’t-miss item on the menu.
Watchdog reporter Lee Rood and entertainment editor Susan Stapleton contributed reporting to this article.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New Iowa State Fair vendor selling ‘Cold Beer & Paid Employees’ shirts. Here’s why:
Reporting by Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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