Best BBQ Ribs in the Metro?

[SSEiYah]

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?

[boscorama]

Boneyard Grill, Guthrie Oklahoma.

[Dustin]

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.

[ljbab728]

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

http://www.okctalk.com/food-restaura...okc-metro.html

And here.

http://www.okctalk.com/food-restaura...-bbq-spot.html

[IBLEEDRIMSON]

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

[RadicalModerate]

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)

[IBLEEDRIMSON]

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?

[kevinpate]

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

[Roger S]

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.

[BBatesokc]

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).

[SoonerDave]

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.

[Roger S]

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.

[pickles]

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.

[IBLEEDRIMSON]

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.

[Roger S]

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.

[Dustin]

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!

[barrettd]

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.

[Roger S]

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.

[BBatesokc]

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

[RadicalModerate]

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)

[Roger S]

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.

[G.Walker]

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

[WilliamTell]

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.

[OKCRT]

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.

[barrettd]

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.