Spare Ribs Question

[Tarlam!]

I am doing some research on BBQ spare ribs for a client of mine and am looking for some benchmarks on quality and value.

My question to my fellow rats is which chain has the best ribs in America and why??

Any tips and insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Fosco33]

I've travelled and lived in many parts of the country - been to some of the best steakhouses and had the pleasure of eating at Jack Stacks a few times in Kansas City.

To me - they had the best flavor overall. And I think they ship somehow...

http://www.jackstackbbq.com/info.asp?ii=2&sid=&eid=&tid=&bhcd2=1253378275

[Tyrone Bigguns]

The concept of bbq ribs and chains is an anathema to anyone who loves good Q. Also, nobody, cept chinese joints, uses the terms spare ribs.

You can't even get americans to decide what type of Q is the best as we have regional variations. Off the top of my head you have Texas style, KC style, Memphis, Carolina (North vs. South), Kentucky, Alabama, St. Louis.

Ribs are just a small portion of what a bbq joint serves...and to try and compare is impossible...different sauces, meats, wood, etc.

For example in the Carolinas, pork is the dominant meat, but North prefers a ketchup type sauce while the South prefers a mustard sauce.

Darden (olive garden, red lobster) started a chain called Smokey Bones in 99. Around 70 in 20 states. Famous Dave's is another. Dickey's is in Texas. The former is a full service place, the other two are fast casual.

P.S. Fosco, he said chains...multiple outlets isn't a chain. Fiorella's JS is good, but the most famous is Arthur Bryants. JS is way to upscale, white linens. Ty prefers the more humble BB Lawns or Oklahoma Joes...but, i can see your choice if you are with clients.

[Scott Campbell]

I have yet to have ribs out that are as good as can be made at home. And they're so messy, I'm not all that excited to eat them at a restaurant anyway.

Sorry that's not much help T.

Cajun is the food that needs to be exported to the rest of the world. And they can start by exporting it to Utah.

[Little Whiskey]

best place to get bbq is from a small mom and pop. with the cooker smoking out front.

[retailguy]

Re: Spare Ribs Question

I am doing some research on BBQ spare ribs for a client of mine and am looking for some benchmarks on quality and value.

My question to my fellow rats is which chain has the best ribs in America and why??

Any tips and insights would be greatly appreciated.

Might help if we knew where you were going. Chains don't have the "best" ribs, and typically it isn't even comparable to a local joint.

[GBRulz]

Cajun is the food that needs to be exported to the rest of the world. And they can start by exporting it to Utah.

You can start by exporting your fry sauce, too! Can't find that stuff anywhere else but Utah!

[GBRulz]

I'm not a BBQ expert...hello, look where I live....but I would think a chain having the best ribs is like saying Red Lobster is the best place for seafood.

However, I did eat at a Smokey Bones before and I must say, their ribs were freaken fantastic. You can order them online, too.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

I'm not a BBQ expert...hello, look where I live....but I would think a chain having the best ribs is like saying Red Lobster is the best place for seafood.

However, I did eat at a Smokey Bones before and I must say, their ribs were freaken fantastic. You can order them online, too.

Their ribs are passable, but their onion rings are the bomb.

[SnakeLH2006]

Snake has lots of experience in restuarants.....yet the sauce is not the answer. Who cooks it is it. Don't burn it. Answer to any cooking question. Pre-rub/pre-soak......that's another answer. These cooking answers are pretty easy. Just don't burn it. Pre-something...it's gotta be good.

[MichiganPackerFan]

I don't eat at chains ever if I can help it. Good ribs should stand on their own without the sauce. Good rub and marinade and slow smoky grill. The sauce is a nice finishing touch.

Can't wait to get the brats going in a couple of hours!

[MJZiggy]

I don't eat at chains ever if I can help it. Good ribs should stand on their own without the sauce. Good rub and marinade and slow smoky grill. The sauce is a nice finishing touch.

Can't wait to get the brats going in a couple of hours!

And you didn't invite me. What's wrong with you????

[MichiganPackerFan]

I don't eat at chains ever if I can help it. Good ribs should stand on their own without the sauce. Good rub and marinade and slow smoky grill. The sauce is a nice finishing touch.

Can't wait to get the brats going in a couple of hours!

And you didn't invite me. What's wrong with you????

Guess Im a sonofabitch this morning

After I get through tax season (10/15) would be fun to catch a game somewhere for sure!!!

[MJZiggy]

I'm just giving you shit. Enjoy!

[Scott Campbell]

Cajun is the food that needs to be exported to the rest of the world. And they can start by exporting it to Utah.

You can start by exporting your fry sauce, too! Can't find that stuff anywhere else but Utah!

Fry sauce is ketchup with a secret ingredient mixed in. (mayo)

The food here is truly awful. They know their way around dutch ovens, but other than that, it's not a place that any foodie would put on their bucket list.