Best BBQ in Okc metro.

[Prunepicker]

Ken's is not open every day. I believe it's Thursday through
Saturday.

You are correct, sir!

I don't really consider it a barbecue restaurant but he does serve
ribs. As a matter of fact, while you are waiting in line (and you will
be), he brings you a rib to keep you happy.
C. T.

Good point. However the ribs and chicken are from his smoker and
they are fabulous.

The steaks are grilled and are very, very good. His beans, on the
salad bar, are incredible. He'll give you the recipe but you won't
follow it.

[ctchandler]

You are correct, sir!


Good point. However the ribs and chicken are from his smoker and
they are fabulous.

The steaks are grilled and are very, very good. His beans, on the
salad bar, are incredible. He'll give you the recipe but you won't
follow it.

Prunepicker,
I'm not a fan of fowl, so I didn't even know about the chicken, but yes the ribs are very good and I do remember the beans being pretty good as well. I'm also not a fan of marinated steak but with Ken's, all bets are off. I'm not sure what he uses, but it adds a very nice flavor. Kinda goes against my comment about sauces, but there's an exception to every rule.
C. T.

[Easy180]

Prunepicker,
I'm not a fan of fowl, so I didn't even know about the chicken, but yes the ribs are very good and I do remember the beans being pretty good as well. I'm also not a fan of marinated steak but with Ken's, all bets are off. I'm not sure what he uses, but it adds a very nice flavor. Kinda goes against my comment about sauces, but there's an exception to every rule.
C. T.

Speaking of Ken's...Did he sell it or is he still around?...Need to get back out there

[Prunepicker]

I'm also not a fan of marinated steak but with Ken's, all bets are off.
I'm not sure what he uses, but it adds a very nice flavor. Kinda goes
against my comment about sauces, but there's an exception to
every rule.
C. T.

His steaks remind me of Freddie's in Sapulpa. Not sure what it is.

[rcjunkie]

Speaking of Ken's...Did he sell it or is he still around?...Need to get back out there

Ken sold the restaurant over a year ago. The new owners kept most of the employees, but it's not the same.

[Easy180]

Ken sold the restaurant over a year ago. The new owners kept most of the employees, but it's not the same.

Thought I heard that darn it...We talking food ain't the same or just the atmosphere w/o Ken working the line?

[dskadoris]

I have been around BBQ since I can remember. The best BBQ ribs I have ever eaten was cooked by Han's BBQ, first on NE 23 just before MLK going east. My parents took me to the white house joint hundreds of times. Han's moved to NW 10th between Portland and Meridan Ave until they closed. By far, this BBQ was the best and the thin hot vinagar sause was the best BBQ sause ever made on earth. I remember one time back in the sixties when the movie actor Dale Robertson was eating at another table. My dad and Mr. Robertson both agreed that Han's was the best BBQ in the world. I'd give a mint if I could find the recipie of the sause.....I tried to make it but always come up a little short.

[bluedogok]

A former co-worker of mine at Han's ran into the former manager (and ex-husband of Han's daughter) at a concert in OKC a few months back so he is still around town.

[macfoucin]

Bedlam is my favorite place for ribs in OKC...I've never had any other meat there. The hot BBQ sauce was great. Sides were ok but nothing spectacular. The ongoing remodel on the outside seems a little strange when you're walking in, but inside it's a regular BBQ joint.

Smokin Joe's in Davis is tremendous if you're willing to drive a few extra miles for great BBQ.

Jack Stack is my favorite in KC...wish they would come to OKC!

[tsou89]

We drove to Amber last weekend to have ken's. The food was exactly the same as it's always been. The ribs were awesome. The salad bar and beans were fresh and fantastic and our steak was very good. the only difference was no Ken. Don't make the mistake and compare Ken's to some of the high dollar steak houses in the metro (Blvd, Red Prime, Mahogany, etc). Different target audience. But it's very good...just different.

[Easy180]

We drove to Amber last weekend to have ken's. The food was exactly the same as it's always been. The ribs were awesome. The salad bar and beans were fresh and fantastic and our steak was very good. the only difference was no Ken. Don't make the mistake and compare Ken's to some of the high dollar steak houses in the metro (Blvd, Red Prime, Mahogany, etc). Different target audience. But it's very good...just different.

Good to know!

[ctchandler]

Macfoucin,
I have enjoyed Bedlam for a long time, but Jack Stack's? Wow, what a good place. Isn't Jack an Italian?
C. T.

Bedlam is my favorite place for ribs in OKC...I've never had any other meat there. The hot BBQ sauce was great. Sides were ok but nothing spectacular. The ongoing remodel on the outside seems a little strange when you're walking in, but inside it's a regular BBQ joint.

Smokin Joe's in Davis is tremendous if you're willing to drive a few extra miles for great BBQ.

Jack Stack is my favorite in KC...wish they would come to OKC!

[bluedogok]

Macfoucin,
I have enjoyed Bedlam for a long time, but Jack Stack's? Wow, what a good place. Isn't Jack an Italian?
C. T.

It definitely has an Italian flavor to the name, Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue. It is my favorite in KC, I have only been to the Freight House location across the tracks from Union Station.

[boscorama]

Earlier in this thread I told of a bad turkey experience at Billy Sims. In fairness, I'm here to say that I have given it a "second" (and third) chance. Both times the turkey was as good as before. Happy to be happy with them again.

Still, the employee shouldn't have simply apologized for the crummy turkey before. Or offered a to-go box, lol.

Their excellent beans have never done me wrong.

My chief complaint, now, would be the TIP jar at the register. Tsk, tsk!

~

(And, get some BBQ-worthy napkins, Billy)

[OKCRT]

Hans was great and I sure wish they would come back. NW 10th & Tulsa was the only one I ate at and it sure was good. Some of the best ribs I have ever had to this day.

[WilliamTell]

Earlier in this thread I told of a bad turkey experience at Billy Sims. In fairness, I'm here to say that I have given it a "second" (and third) chance. Both times the turkey was as good as before. Happy to be happy with them again.

With all due respect, you ordered turkey at a bbq restaurant.Turkey and Chicken on a smoker or grill is almost inedible more than a few hours after cooking it. It just dries out so quickly.

So chances are the positive experience that you had was more to do with your personal timing in getting there within a few hours of it being cooked.

[bchris02]

I am wondering there the best place is for brisket. In Little Rock we had some great places, mostly Memphis style. Places like Corky's (a chain but good) and Whole Hog Cafe. Anywhere comparable in OKC? I tried Earl's Rib and I wasn't impressed. I do know Barbecue tastes are very personal though so Earl's Rib may be a great restaurant its just not cooked quite how I like it. Anywhere comparable to Famous Dave's?

[kevinpate]

My three favs on brisket are (in no set order)

OKC - Bubba's (700 block on NW 23rd)
Norman - Van's (300 block N. Porter)
Norman - Sooner Legends (W Lindsey and 24th SW)

[boscorama]

WT, I've had turkey at Billy Sims several times. The only bad time it wasn't about being dry but rather being unnatural, compressed garbage. After staying away for a while, I was glad to find it back to normal. I don't find it dry, at all.

Finally made it to ET's at Waterloo&Broadway recently. I was afraid to try the turkey after the aforementioned BS fiasco. The order taker at the counter couldn't show me the turkey. We just ordered some meats to go - sliced brisket, chopped brisket, and sausage. Didn't particularly care for the sliced, personally, but can't say it was bad. The chopped tasted fine but it was chopped so finely, almost like ground . Sausage (Polish) was pretty decent. I will go back for a dinner and try out some sides.

On a bummer note, Woody's in Guthrie has closed, without fanfare. That was, by far, my favorite Q.

[Roger S]

I've written OKC off for good brisket. Too many Okies seem to prefer sliced brisket to be void of all flavor, moisture, and fat. So that's how most places serve it.

Unfortunately you have to make a 6 hour drive south for good brisket, short of cooking it in your own backyard..... Well I have found a few exceptions outside the OKC Metro. Mud Creek BBQ in Ringling and Smokin' Joe's in Davis both serve some decent brisket.

[Larry OKC]

Had seen the commercials for Swadley's new Mom's Meatloaf and while not a typical BBQ dish it looked tasty. Same with the rest of the items on the online menu. Mom got it and I got the Ultimate sandwich. While the meats were plentiful in quantity, very little taste...didnt matter if it was the meatloaf or sausage, brisket etc.

The location we went to (SW 89th & Western, old A&W building) had all-you-can-eat salad bar on the menu board but no salad bar in sight. Asked about it and they said they have never had one and don't know where they would put it. Said the menu board comes from corporate. Suggested they at least cover that part of it up.

Sides were decent enough but overpriced for the quantity served.

[Debzkidz]

I am wondering there the best place is for brisket. In Little Rock we had some great places, mostly Memphis style. Places like Corky's (a chain but good) and Whole Hog Cafe. Anywhere comparable in OKC? I tried Earl's Rib and I wasn't impressed. I do know Barbecue tastes are very personal though so Earl's Rib may be a great restaurant its just not cooked quite how I like it. Anywhere comparable to Famous Dave's?

I would love to find a place like either of these. I love them both. Every time we go to visit our son in Fayetteville, we have to go to Whole Hog.

[Larry OKC]

Didn't know Little Rock had a Corkys...we had it inside the Sams Town casino at Tunica years ago and it was the best BBQ I have ever had. They had a buffet and it was all hot, fresh, tasty, juicy not requiring any sauce at all (like most places). Sure you could add it if you wanted to but it wasn't required.

[AFwife04]

Every time I order the 911 sauce, they always ask me if I'm sure I want it. :-) I've found Mr. Spriggs to be the best in the metro so far, but haven't eaten at tons of other BBQ places to verify. Earl's, Rib Crib, Billy Sims, OK Station are all adequate, but no more than that (and Earl's and Rib Crib are less than that). Mr. Spriggs' mini sweet potato pies are pretty good too.

Not sure if my memories are being viewed through rose-colored glasses or not, but I remember Piggy's in Bricktown as being really good BBQ, at least when they were still in that little cinder-block building, shame they're not still around....

Mr. Spriggs is our favorite place for ribs. We have tried ribs at Steve's, Billy Sims, Earls, Iron Starr, and Van's and Mr. Spriggs still wins.

[bchris02]

Didn't know Little Rock had a Corkys...we had it inside the Sams Town casino at Tunica years ago and it was the best BBQ I have ever had. They had a buffet and it was all hot, fresh, tasty, juicy not requiring any sauce at all (like most places). Sure you could add it if you wanted to but it wasn't required.

Yeah, Corky's and Whole Hog are among the best BBQ I've had, with the exception of a small joint out of a trailer in the middle of nowhere in rural Missouri. That was by far better than anything I've had at a traditional restaurant. I guess after you've been spoiled by Memphis style BBQ, most other places just don't quite do it. I honestly haven't found anything that compares this side of Little Rock, except for that little trailer in Missouri. Out in NC I didn't find a single BBQ place that I thought was decent, and couldn't stand their vinegar-based pork.