More Than Italian Being Served at Annual Festival - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

While traditional Italian favorites have any number of vendors, more than a few know that while everyone might have Italian spirit, they want something else.

Whether it is seafood or barbeque, those vendors take just as much pride in their food as an Italian might take in having "al dente" pasta.

"They are real delicious," said Shawn Ambrose of Laughing Crab Catering. "We've won 17 awards for these crab cakes, and I'm sure we're going to win some more this year as well."

Laughing Crab Catering traveled from Havre de Grace, Maryland in the Baltimore area to sell at this year's Italian Festival.  In their galley kitchen, the food keeps flowing as customers flock to the window.  Ambrose says his ingredients make the difference.

"We use real crab meat for one. 85 percent of our crab cakes are crab meat," he said. "We don't use too much breading, we don't use too much of what we call 'gook' as our batter."

Big Girl's Barbeque only had to make the journey to Wheeling from the Pittsburgh area to sell dry rub ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket.

"When you have a crowd of people, everyone loves barbeque," said Big Girl's Bar B-Q owner Lisa Coleman. "So, to fit it in, the Italians like the hot sausage which we have, but baby-back ribs, the barbeque grill goes everywhere."

Coleman has pledged to make Wheeling a regular stop.

"We were here for the rib cook-off in June.  We'll be back here for the rib cook-off in June.  So, come on out and see us.  Everyone's having a great time!"