First of all, lets not let this thread turn into an argument, bashing or anything like that. Feel free to voice your opinions. BBQ is very subjective, and everyone has their own preferences.

I'm definitely not an expert, and have only ate at 10 or maybe 15 bbq spots in the metro. However, I'm really a fan of how they make them at Billy Sims. Easily my favorite so far, however they are a little inconsistent at least at several locations I've been at, however overall I've always liked the flavor and tenderness.

Who has your favorite ribs?

Boneyard Grill, Guthrie Oklahoma.

The best pork ribs I have had in the metro are from Rudy's Country Store along West Memorial. The best beef ribs I have had are from Kens Steakhouse in Amber, OK.

Your question is a little more specific but you might find many opinions here.

http://www.okctalk.com/food-restaurants/29564-best-bbq-okc-metro.html

And here.

http://www.okctalk.com/food-restaurants/26200-favorite-bbq-spot.html

First of all, lets not let this thread turn into an argument, bashing or anything like that. Feel free to voice your opinions. BBQ is very subjective, and everyone has their own preferences.

I'm definitely not an expert, and have only ate at 10 or maybe 15 bbq spots in the metro. However, I'm really a fan of how they make them at Billy Sims. Easily my favorite so far, however they are a little inconsistent at least at several locations I've been at, however overall I've always liked the flavor and tenderness.

Who has your favorite ribs?

Good question. Much different than the other BBQ threads because this is specifically about ribs. It's important to me because I've come to the point that I don't even bother ordering ribs at a BBQ restaurant because I've had so many bad experiences and bad ribs are an expensive mistake. I've not had a great rib experience in OKC but I and the only good ribs that I've had came from Oklahoma Station on 50th. I have no idea if they are consistent because I've only ordered the ribs once. In Tulsa I know exactly where to go to get very good - great ribs and that's at Elmer's BBQ on S. Peoria. I need a "go to" ribs place in OKC that is consistent and I'm not talking about Chilli's either. If your version of great ribs is "falling off the bone" they're automatically disqualified..lol

I have never been disappointed by the (pork) ribs that hit the plate at Oklahoma Station BBQ on 50th at Meridian.
(i'm not sayin' they are "the best" . . . i'm just sayin' what i said. Iron Starr's ribs were surprisingly good too. snooty maybe, but good)

I have never been disappointed by the (pork) ribs that hit the plate at Oklahoma Station BBQ on 50th at Meridian.
(i'm not sayin' they are "the best" . . . i'm just sayin' what i said. Iron Starr's ribs were surprisingly good too. snooty maybe, but good)

For some reason Iron Starr is never "top of mind" to me when I think BBQ but I've got to try it someday. Is it actually upscale (as in quality and technique) or just snooty service and small portions in a nicer setting?

Since we are speaking ribs only -
Sooner Legends, then Van's, then Ray's in Norman.
Bubbas in OKC

The best pork ribs I have had in the metro are from Rudy's Country Store along West Memorial. The best beef ribs I have had are from Kens Steakhouse in Amber, OK.

It has been a couple of years since I ate at Ken's but unless something has changed with the ownership.... Ken's ribs are pork spareribs.

When we go looking for ribs I like it when we end up at Leo's or Iron Star. I personally prefer Iron Star (Good Egg Group restaurant) so its usually very consistent and their sides are good and it doesn't look like your typical BBQ joint. Lately though my favorite has been Bedlam off Lincoln Blvd. I really like Leo's (when its good its very good), but it can be inconsistent and you always smell like you've been to Leo's for the rest of the day. Bedlam is great for ribs, but it can be packed at lunch.

That said, I've probably eaten ribs more often over the years at Earl's or Texas Roadhouse because it was close to something else we were doing or others in our group wanted to go there. Not great ribs, but I've never had 'bad' one's at either place.

I've personally been disappointed with the Rudy's ribs in OKC and Norman (Love the Austin location's ribs).

Back in the day, the late, great "Oklahoma Line" had awesome, monster beef ribs, but they're gone to the annals of history.

I, for one, really like Earl's ribs. The ol' diet has put off a big splurge like that for a loooong time, but it sure sounds good :) Ribs are a tough one to do consistently, because cooking them just right can come down to just a few minutes either side of a long smoking/cooking time.

Have to agree about Billy Sims' places. Very inconsistent from place to place.

My favorite ribs in OKC are now just a memory because Mr. Tee's has closed for business.

At one time I would have declared Leo's ribs to be the best in OKC but unfortunately the last few times I have been there they have been inconsistent.

I would have to say at this current point and time that Smokey's BBQ & Diner probably has my favorite in OKC but it's also been awhile since I was at either JT's or Bedlam and I remember both of them having good ribs but it's been several years since I was at either.

Bedlam is okay, and in my opinion the best in the city right now. Oklahoma City has a glut of really bad barbecue restaurants. There are five to 10 places in Tulsa better than anything you can find in Oklahoma City. At most places you're getting oversauced sugary wet stuff with no bite so people can get their diabesity spike. As far as I can tell, the meats at Billy Sims, for instance, are not even cooked on site and spend all day steaming in hotel pans, imparting the texture of baby food. How this can be a successful chain is a mystery to me. Sorry for the bashing, it's just a pet peeve.

Since we are speaking ribs only -
Sooner Legends, then Van's, then Ray's in Norman.
Bubbas in OKC

How could I forget Ray's in Norman? That's the only place other than Oklahoma Station that I'd order ribs when I am in the mood for BBQ. I need to remember to try Sooner Legends but again, it's another place that isn't top of mind when I think BBQ.

How could I forget Ray's in Norman?

Same here.... Ray's ribs have always been consistent the times I have been there.

Good Ol' Jim Ross of WWF/WWE fame is a patron of Ray's too. I saw him in there picking up a to go order one night before a basketball game.

It has been a couple of years since I ate at Ken's but unless something has changed with the ownership.... Ken's ribs are pork spareribs.

It's been about 7-8 years since I've eaten there, so you could be right. All I remember is they were delicious!

I really liked the ribs at the place where Custino's is on Britton. Before it was Custino's, it was a bbq place, but before that it was another bbq place. That earlier one had good ribs, in my opinion.

Earl's tends to be hit or miss for me, which is understandable when they cook fresh all the time. Some days it's really good, others it's just good.

That being said, I need to get to some of these other places around here.

I really liked the ribs at the place where Custino's is on Britton. Before it was Custino's, it was a bbq place, but before that it was another bbq place. That earlier one had good ribs, in my opinion.


That was the BBQ Chop Shop. As far as I know they still have a place at Frontier City. Unfortunately that means you have to pay to get in the park to eat their BBQ.

Did Leo's today...... Light Lunch Rib Dinner and it was really good.

I really liked the ribs at the place where Custino's is on Britton. Before it was Custino's, it was a bbq place, but before that it was another bbq place. That earlier one had good ribs, in my opinion.

Earl's tends to be hit or miss for me, which is understandable when they cook fresh all the time. Some days it's really good, others it's just good.

That being said, I need to get to some of these other places around here.

Well said. And accurate too. (it was KCBBBQ . . . then it was something else and it was good too... then gone)
Is Mr. Tee's out on The 23/62 to Harrah really gone? (that is a little sad)
(and it isn't custino's anymore, its something else.)

Why am I suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of Deja Q?
(OKCBBQea? =) (not trying to argue . . . nor convince)

Well said. And accurate too. (it was KCBBBQ . . . then it was something else and it was good too... then gone)
Is Mr. Tee's out on The 23/62 to Harrah really gone? (that is a little sad)
(and it isn't custino's anymore, its something else.)

Why am I suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of Deja Q?
(OKCBBQea? =) (not trying to argue . . . nor convince)

You are right it was called something with KC in it, Kansas City Blues BBQ I think, and after that it was Boneyard Grill for awhile. I didn't even pay attention to the street name so I was thinking the new Custino's (formerly Divine Swine) on May which used to be BBQ Chop Shop.

Yeah, sad to say Mr. Tee's is closed and has a for sale sign out front.

Leo's BBQ...nobody else comes close....

leo's depending on the day, im a big bbq fan (have an offset smoker, on a bbq messageboard, family members have owned pit bbq's,traveled long distances to try out places), and i honestly think that billy sims ribs arent all that bad for a chain the last few times ive had them.

with that said you can get on a few bbq messageboards and get tons of free tips from people and make better bbq than you can get at most places in state or out for the fraction of the price.

the key with bbq is timing, thats why alot of well known places in texas make a certain amount for the day and when they sell out thats it for the day. its really hard to get 'good' bbq (especially ribs) from a chain that has set business hours.

do yourself a favor and put into storage that shiny gas grill and get something that you can actually make good food on.

So did you have the aroma of Leo"s with you all day? And if so,what's so bad about that? I could think of a few worse things to smell like.

I really miss Hanns ribs. I wish they were still around. I am a fan of Leo's but never seem to be in that area much. Ok. Station is OK. Not great but not bad. But nothing beats the old Hanns in OKC IMO.

You are right it was called something with KC in it, Kansas City Blues BBQ I think, and after that it was Boneyard Grill for awhile. I didn't even pay attention to the street name so I was thinking the new Custino's (formerly Divine Swine) on May which used to be BBQ Chop Shop.

Yeah, sad to say Mr. Tee's is closed and has a for sale sign out front.

Right. KC Blues. I discovered it about 2 months before it closed. I had never heard anyone ever talk about it before, but my buddy and I went to lunch there one day and we were both made very happy by their ribs. Full disclosure, though, I don't mind a rib to fall off the bone, and these certainly did.

I don't think I've been to Leo's in 25 years. I need to change that, I think.

I'm also beginning to think my parents abused me growing up by making me eat Crockett's. I have learned, in my adulthood, what good barbeque actually is, and that wasn't it.

So did you have the aroma of Leo"s with you all day? And if so,what's so bad about that? I could think of a few worse things to smell like.

I really miss Hanns ribs. I wish they were still around. I am a fan of Leo's but never seem to be in that area much. Ok. Station is OK. Not great but not bad. But nothing beats the old Hanns in OKC IMO.

We left our coats in the car on purpose - so they wouldn't smell like Leo's. Not a good thing to be smelling like a restaurant (or really anything distinguishable) in professional settings.

I like OK Station, but its out of our way. We do go some when we have a coupon from the Gazette (pretty good deal) and happen to be in the area.

The Boundary On 66 has some good Q as well.

Bedlam is okay, and in my opinion the best in the city right now. Oklahoma City has a glut of really bad barbecue restaurants. There are five to 10 places in Tulsa better than anything you can find in Oklahoma City. At most places you're getting oversauced sugary wet stuff with no bite so people can get their diabesity spike. As far as I can tell, the meats at Billy Sims, for instance, are not even cooked on site and spend all day steaming in hotel pans, imparting the texture of baby food. How this can be a successful chain is a mystery to me. Sorry for the bashing, it's just a pet peeve.

It's all about the Boomer-Q!


http://youtu.be/UsdtRFRMFNA

Actually, barrettd said "on Britton" which was KC Blues barbecue and before that, Jack's barbecue (owned by the same folks that owned Jack's on 39th expressway). KC Blues was opened by Chip of Chip's barbecue, North MacArthur and 122nd, but I think he sold the Britton location not long after it opened.
C. T.
That was the BBQ Chop Shop. As far as I know they still have a place at Frontier City. Unfortunately that means you have to pay to get in the park to eat their BBQ.

The best RIBS in OKC come from MY Smoker..............321 method with apple cider.......

I agree with OKCRT, Hann's was really good, but I also miss Tom's Oaklawn over on 10th near I-35. Not only great ribs but if you are into sauce, his sauce was always heated so you didn't pour cold sauce on hot food. I didn't care for Tom's brisket but it was OK. I have a drop down/offset smoker too and I have smoked some pretty good stuff but I never could get ribs done right. I think my favorite ribs now are JT's at 505 South Sunnylane. The problem with JT's is they are only open for lunch except for Friday and they are closed on weekends.
C. T.

The best RIBS in OKC come from MY Smoker..............321 method with apple cider.......

Ialways always use pecan wood.......

Actually, barrettd said "on Britton" which was KC Blues barbecue

Yeah, I corrected that in an earlier post.

The best RIBS in OKC come from MY Smoker..............321 method with apple cider.......

Well I would have to beg to differ on this one because the best are coming from my smoker.:wink:

But mine aren't available to the general public. :Smiley122

Well I would have to beg to differ on this one because the best are coming from my smoker.:wink:

But mine aren't available to the general public. :Smiley122

you selfish, selfish man . . . =)
why not start selliing them out of a truck or sumpin' . . . =)

When I used to smoke ribs at home--in my authentic "First Generation Cookin'Water Smoker" (not the Brinkman version) sometimes they were the best ever and sometimes just "meh" . . . What I always found most challenging was selecting a slab or two that would come out right. I never mastered the art of selecting the right pork. The cooking method never varied. I suppose even the pros, in the pits, at the restaurants have to deal with the same problem.

Sorry to hear that Mr. Tee's went away. It was like an institution out there on the NE side.
Sort of the Jim's Fried Chicken of BBQ joints.

There isn't even a grease stain on the pavement remaining of Tom's at 10th and The Three-Five.

you selfish, selfish man . . . =)
why not start selliing them out of a truck or sumpin' . . . =)

That would cut into my fishing time.




Sorry to hear that Mr. Tee's went away. It was like an institution out there on the NE side.
Sort of the Jim's Fried Chicken of BBQ joints.

Yep... I know they had changed management. I don't know the whole story. I think maybe the kids had taken over. I know they had done a lot of work on the building and what may have done them in was not having sweet potato pie any longer.

Did you ever see the episode of Married With Children where Al crashes a funeral to get the last Aunt Maddie's sweet potato pie? Well that's me and Mr. Tee's sweet potato pie. :)

My wife is the rib eater and in OKC she likes the ribs at Leo's. I am not much of a rib fan, I spent Friday and Saturday nights in 1979-80 cleaning them up by the bunches at Han's BBQ. The experience turned me off of ribs, I prefer brisket and other meats off the bone.

ck76, After my wife gave me the smoker (birthday present), I bought 1/2 rick of hickory but I learned that pecan was a milder form of hickory (pecan is in the hickory family) so I tried it and never went back to hickory. I never tried any fruit woods and I should have, I have heard that it works really well.
C. T.

Ialways always use pecan wood.......

George's is back open north of the medical center. Ribs as good as when George was still alive, pecan smoked and they don't fall off the bone!!!

ck76, After my wife gave me the smoker (birthday present), I bought 1/2 rick of hickory but I learned that pecan was a milder form of hickory (pecan is in the hickory family) so I tried it and never went back to hickory. I never tried any fruit woods and I should have, I have heard that it works really well.
C. T.
I use hickory as a base and add in either cherry or pecan for some balance.

Apple wood by itself is a nice change of pace
I use hickory as a base and add in either cherry or pecan for some balance.

I went to Leo's today. I had the Leo's Special Jr. The rib was really good. I have always liked Leo's ribs, hot links, chopped beef and bologna. I enjoy Steve's ribs as well as Jack's and Oklahoma Station. I think Billy Sims's is ok. They just opened their 30th location. Wow! Sooner Legends is underrated in my opinion. Their ribs are the old Bob's BBQ ribs. I have not been to Ray's in Norman but I used to like the ribs at TD Ray's in Midwest City. I eat a lot of BBQ. The best BBQ I have ever been to is Smitty's in Lockhart, Texas. I have been to most of the "known" BBQ's in Kansas City. I think OKlahoma BBQ is comparable, especially to Arthur Bryant's which is one of the most overrated restaurants I have been to anywhere. Ironically, the Kansas City BBQ a lot think is the best these days is Oklahoma Joe's.

Bigray in Ok

The best BBQ I have ever been to is Smitty's in Lockhart, Texas. I have been to most of the "known" BBQ's in Kansas City. I think OKlahoma BBQ is comparable, especially to Arthur Bryant's which is one of the most overrated restaurants I have been to anywhere. Ironically, the Kansas City BBQ a lot think is the best these days is Oklahoma Joe's.

Bigray in Ok
I preferred Black's in Lockhart, the whole Kruez/Smitty's family attitude turned me off. I always felt that Lockhart was overrated and preferred Louis Mueller's in Taylor on the area east of Austin. I never did make it to Snow's before moving away from Austin. In KC I like Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ but I also haven't been to a lot of the places up there.

I preferred Black's in Lockhart, the whole Kruez/Smitty's family attitude turned me off. I always felt that Lockhart was overrated and preferred Louis Mueller's in Taylor on the area east of Austin. I never did make it to Snow's before moving away from Austin. In KC I like Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ but I also haven't been to a lot of the places up there.

Wow, we are getting way off topic here but......

:ot:

On my one trip, so far, to Lockhart I thought Black's was the better of the 3 that day. However it wasn't a runaway by any means.

To date I have dubbed the first bite of brisket I took at Snow's (http://okbbqea.blogspot.com/2011/12/let-me-tell-you-what-i-like-about-texas.html) to be the best piece of meat I have ever put in my mouth. Even my wife who refuses to eat beef for breakfast loved it at 8:15 AM and asked if we could get more to go. We had several other BBQ stops on the itinerary that day so I had to decline.

Wow, we are getting way off topic here but......

:ot:

On my one trip, so far, to Lockhart I thought Black's was the better of the 3 that day. However it wasn't a runaway by any means.

To date I have dubbed the first bite of brisket I took at Snow's (http://okbbqea.blogspot.com/2011/12/let-me-tell-you-what-i-like-about-texas.html) to be the best piece of meat I have ever put in my mouth. Even my wife who refuses to eat beef for breakfast loved it at 8:15 AM and asked if we could get more to go. We had several other BBQ stops on the itinerary that day so I had to decline.
I just preferred Black's, they also offer more sides than the other and to me it is a whole meal rather than just the meat that I guess you would say is my "rating criteria". The others are good but just not the "worlds best" as some have seemed to proclaim them.

Have you tried Franklin's in Austin? Some of the people I know that have had both (and pretty much everything else in the area) think Franklin's is better. Those "reviewers" also do some pretty danged good BBQ themselves with their trailer smokers. We have had some motorcycle events where they did the meat for the event.

Have you tried Franklin's in Austin?

I drove by Franklin's on my last trip down there in December 2011. We had just eaten breakfast at Juan in a Million so I thought if there wasn't to long of a line I would pop in and get some brisket to sample.

Well when I drove by it was pouring down rain, mind you I said I was there in December, and there was a line that I would guess to be about an hour long standing in that cold Decemeber rain on a Sunday morning.

Had I been hungry I might have been tempted to wait in that line but I had 2 1/2 Don Juan Tacos in my belly and that persuaded me to keep on driving. :wink:

[QUOTE=Bigrayok;621364]I went to Leo's today. I had the Leo's Special Jr. The rib was really good. I have always liked Leo's ribs, hot links, chopped beef and bologna. I enjoy Steve's ribs as well as Jack's and Oklahoma Station. I think Billy Sims's is ok. They just opened their 30th location. Wow! Sooner Legends is underrated in my opinion. Their ribs are the old Bob's BBQ ribs. I have not been to Ray's in Norman but I used to like the ribs at TD Ray's in Midwest City. I eat a lot of BBQ. The best BBQ I have ever been to is Smitty's in Lockhart, Texas. I have been to most of the "known" BBQ's in Kansas City. I think OKlahoma BBQ is comparable, especially to Arthur Bryant's which is one of the most overrated restaurants I have been to anywhere. Ironically, the Kansas City BBQ a lot think is the best these days is Oklahoma Joe's.

Bigray in Ok[/QUOTE

Billy Sims (RIBS) has 30 locations? Certainly this must be a booboo :confused

I went to Leo's today. I had the Leo's Special Jr. The rib was really good. I have always liked Leo's ribs, hot links, chopped beef and bologna. I enjoy Steve's ribs as well as Jack's and Oklahoma Station. I think Billy Sims's is ok. They just opened their 30th location. Wow! Sooner Legends is underrated in my opinion. Their ribs are the old Bob's BBQ ribs. I have not been to Ray's in Norman but I used to like the ribs at TD Ray's in Midwest City. I eat a lot of BBQ. The best BBQ I have ever been to is Smitty's in Lockhart, Texas. I have been to most of the "known" BBQ's in Kansas City. I think OKlahoma BBQ is comparable, especially to Arthur Bryant's which is one of the most overrated restaurants I have been to anywhere. Ironically, the Kansas City BBQ a lot think is the best these days is Oklahoma Joe's.

Bigray in Ok

Billy Sims (RIBS) has 30 locations? Certainly this must be a booboo :confused
Nope, they have a ton of them including 2 in Missouri and 3 in Michigan.

Billy Sims BBQ - Locations (http://www.billysimsbbq.com/locations/)

Boundary is best BBQ I've had in OKC, which isn't saying much

Best ribs I've ever had are from Country Tavern in Kilgore, TX.

Franklin BBQ is worth the two hour wait. Best brisket on the planet. It's like nothing you've had before.

Okay so someone tell me more about th ribs at sooner legends. I grew up in Ada eating at bobs every week and many weeks more than once. Knew all th staff and they loved it until bobs family sold it and doug took over. To be honest he really messed th place up. Many on here say they have bobs ribs, that's a big statement. Do they have bobs sauce also, cause that sauce was th best bowl of drippings u could get as a sauce. If they truly do then i need to go, but thats hard to imagine. I know where th smokers are and sooners legends doesn't have them, I'm a firm believer that th cookers and th cook (who sadly has cancer now and isn't doing well) is what made those ribs great. He doesn't have either,he left that restaurant a mess and just locked it up. He did put it up for sale for like 300k, (no recipes included) more than anyone in Ada has to spend in these times. I kinda said I would never give him a dime, but if u folks think his stuff is that good then I'm open to give it a try. Thoughts?