While doomscrolling through social media the other day, I learned that the BBQ chain RibCrib is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, which I did not know.
What I did know is I was really craving ribs. But in Oklahoma, as I have learned over time, the self-appointed Sooner state BBQ mavens Swadley’s, Bedlam BBQ, and other saucy extremists are all in the back pockets of big MAGA brisket.
Desperately wanting to learn about the company, I did my limited research to see how politically dystopian they are and discovered nothing too problematic. If you find something, send me a message, but, until then, RibCrib it is!
Nerves settled, I went in with a clean slate in regard to their well-loved meats.
I trekked to the lone location in Oklahoma City at 401 West I-240 Service Road. With my sweet girlfriend—also an ardent BBQ rib enthusiast—in tow, we walked into the small dining room and immediately we were greeted a big smile from our server.
As our drinks were brought out—an unsweetened iced tea for her, a black cup of coffee for me—without further questions, I ordered our dishes.
We started by sampling the Smokey Queso ($9.29), feeling the Redneck Nachos were too on-brand. The simple dish featured white queso topped with pico and chopped brisket, served with chips and a side of salsa.
And you know, as a general appetizer, it wasn’t too bad. It hit the right cheesy and beefy spots, but, truthfully, I would get the Redneck Nachos next time.
After licking the queso cup clean, the "Righteous Ribs" Big Rib Dinner ($28.29) paraded it's way to our table. Photos don't do it gargantuan justice.
Big enough to share with my girlfriend, it was composed of ten juicy ribs served “Okie style” with a signature taste and a promise to be “sticky, sweet, and awfully good.” Tapered with the two chosen sides of mac and cheese and smoky and sweet beans, it was a meal fit for a low-level king.
The charred ribs were meaty, thick, and done to get the friction on. So some people don’t like tender meat, I do, and RibCrib’s ribs were falling off the bone, with a squirt of their various sauces. With every bite, every morsel is truthfully measured with the pile of undressed bone on the plate.
If you ever have the chance, head to their crib and try the ribs!
After this filling meal, as I was paying the check our server asked if we wanted to try their new dessert and how could I refuse? I got RibCrib’s lastest sweet treat, the Fried Blackberry Pie ($4.99) and, like most desserts in orbit around me, it was sinfully good.
So, in the end, if you want a localized chain for all your rib needs—and there are a lot of them—check out RibCrib. Not only do they make good ribs, but you can wipe them and your political conscious clean with one big bite off the bone.
Cómpralo ya!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.