Welcome to the Louisville Restaurants Forum, a civil place for the intelligent discussion of the local restaurant scene and just about any other topic related to food and drink in and around Louisville.
no avatar
User

JimDantin

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

56

Joined

Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:29 pm

Searching for ribs

by JimDantin » Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:19 am

For some reason we've been unable to find consistent quality (or even passable) ribs at restaurants for the last few months. Even our go-to places (which shall remain nameless) have occasionally served us slabs of dried-out, overly-salted product that I would have been ashamed to serve at home. We dine at locals and chains both here and while travelling - the issue is widespread.

Is it the weather, some mysterious affliction of pigs, brown sugar supply chain interruptions, universally-miscalibrated thermometers, or what?

We know the difference between competition-quality and what's reasonable for commercial products, and we understand the difference between under-cooked, overcooked, and steamed-into-mush ribs. What we're getting everywhere is closer to jerky than pork ribs. Doesn't seem to matter if we order spare ribs or baby-back. Doesn't seem to matter if it's a mid-priced chain, hole-in-the-wall, or a upper-scale local eatery. Something bad is happening!

So -- who serves you a consistent product that you keep going back for?
no avatar
User

Dan E

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

254

Joined

Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:35 am

Re: Searching for ribs

by Dan E » Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:15 am

I too have sought out consistent, quality ribs in Louisville, and have come up empty.

So I have nothing of value to add, but I share your pain, Jim.

I HAVE enjoyed well-prepared ribs at a couple of places, but in each instance, the next time I returned, back the product was highly variable. Sometimes even the rubs/seasoning seem drastically different..

Given the timing issues, I have pretty much given up on finding consistently high-quality ribs.

I will say that I had extremely passable ribs at the Moe-licious food truck last summer, but it was only once, and given past experiences with various places, I am hesitant to make any recommendations. I do plan on trying them again soon when they return to st. matthews in the next couple weeks.

If you find a place, please let the forum know.
no avatar
User

JimDantin

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

56

Joined

Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:29 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by JimDantin » Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:23 am

Years ago, Staten's in Prospect served up very consistent product. Not the world's best, but you always knew what you would get. Sadly, they're gone.
User avatar
User

JustinHammond

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

3335

Joined

Wed Jul 09, 2008 6:26 pm

Location

Lyndon, KY 40222

Re: Searching for ribs

by JustinHammond » Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:31 am

I really enjoyed the rack of ribs that I had at Stoney River last week. Close to/slighty falling off the bone with nice smoke and a sweet bbq sauce. They come with chips, but they let me sub a great baked sweet potato.
"The idea is to eat well and not die from it-for the simple reason that that would be the end of your eating." - Jim Harrison

https://www.facebook.com/Louisville-Eat ... 129849554/
no avatar
User

Adam C

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

761

Joined

Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:43 pm

Location

Camp Taylor aka Louisville's food desert

Re: Searching for ribs

by Adam C » Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:15 am

Hammerheads? Feast BBQ (New Albany)?
no avatar
User

JimDantin

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

56

Joined

Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:29 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by JimDantin » Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:22 am

Haven't been to Stoney River in quite a while. Never think of them for ribs!

Last time we were there I was rather turned off when the server tried to explain why their "wet aged" steaks were better than the dry ageing that other steak houses do.

We had good experiences at Feast - are they consistent?
User avatar
User

Robin Garr

{ RANK }

Forum host

Posts

22984

Joined

Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:38 pm

Location

Crescent Hill

Re: Searching for ribs

by Robin Garr » Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:55 am

Feast, Hammerheads and Game seem to be setting a high threshold for barbecue in general these days. I'd certainly audition them if I were in the mood for ribs.
no avatar
User

Will Crawford

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

957

Joined

Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:51 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by Will Crawford » Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:16 pm

Shack in the Back
Will Crawford
User avatar
User

Carol C

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

484

Joined

Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:26 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by Carol C » Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:22 pm

Texican in Crestwood. http://texicansbbqpitt.com/
User avatar
User

Ed Vermillion

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

1764

Joined

Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:32 pm

Location

38 degrees 25' 25' N 85 degrees 36' 2' W

Re: Searching for ribs

by Ed Vermillion » Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:27 pm

Consistent and excellent ribs: Big R's in LaGrange.
no avatar
User

JimDantin

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

56

Joined

Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:29 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by JimDantin » Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:38 pm

Carol C wrote:Texican in Crestwood. http://texicansbbqpitt.com/

Disappointed there a couple weeks ago.
no avatar
User

JimDantin

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

56

Joined

Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:29 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by JimDantin » Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:41 pm

Ed Vermillion wrote:Consistent and excellent ribs: Big R's in LaGrange.

Only been there once - will give them another shot. Thanks
no avatar
User

JimDantin

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

56

Joined

Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:29 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by JimDantin » Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:44 pm

Will Crawford wrote:Shack in the Back

25 miles away! We'll check them out, though.
no avatar
User

Will Crawford

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

957

Joined

Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:51 pm

Re: Searching for ribs

by Will Crawford » Thu Mar 14, 2013 12:54 pm

JimDantin wrote:
Will Crawford wrote:Shack in the Back

25 miles away! We'll check them out, though.


The ribs are good.
The drive is a bit out there but they do it the old fashioned way and are really nice folks. Small dinning room with an enclosed carport in winter and opened up in good weather.
Will Crawford
User avatar
User

Robin Garr

{ RANK }

Forum host

Posts

22984

Joined

Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:38 pm

Location

Crescent Hill

Re: Searching for ribs

by Robin Garr » Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:02 pm

Blind Pig!
Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 37 guests

Powered by phpBB ® | phpBB3 Style by KomiDesign