Best BEEF ribs in Dallas (BBQ)?

[toejam]

Just moved to Dallas from NYC and I am looking for (the best) beef ribs, dry, no sauce. All I can seem to find is pork.

I have been to:
Sonny Bryans
Red Hot and Blue
Dickey's

Where's the beef?!

[Scott]

Try Big Al's on Inwood (near Cedar Springs). Just be sure to request that they not sauce them.

Scott

[toejam]

Thanks for the tip Scott. Can't wait to try them.

[toejam]

I stopped by Big Al's yesterday, but they were closed :(
When I catch them open, I will post my review. Happy New Year!

[toejam]

Went to Big Al's again today and they didn't have beef ribs! (arrrgh...) The guy behind the counter said that they will have them tomorrow, or definately by Thursday when they are the daily special. Hurry up and wait, I guess... I am beginning to think that there aren't really any cows in Texas.

[buck]

Also beef ribs at Riscky's in the FW Stockyards.

[irodguy]

Most of the Sonny Bryan's locations should have beef ribs. It was always a weekly special. It depends on the part of town you are in, I believe that Ye Old Butcher shop in Downtown Plano also has them as a special during the week.

[spinach]

sonny bryans are my favorite. i lived near the inwoood rd location for 13 years and the smell was so good i wanted to lick the building. they used to have irregular hours tho....closed once they sold out. which was just about every day. it looks like a total dump,,,once again ya can't judge a book/

[toejam]

I live near the Inwood location too, but when I was there last week, they only had pork ribs on the menu. I didn't think to ask them about beef. Next time I will.

[kimih1226]

Angelo's in Ft Worth - white settlement. da best!

[toejam]

I have been wanting to head over to Ft. Worth. Now I know where I am going to have lunch (and dinner?)! Thanks to you and Buck for the tips.

[buck]

Guys, I don't think Angelos has ever had *beef* ribs. And I don't remember seeing them at Sonny Bryan's.

[irodguy]

Sonny Bryan's used to have beef ribs as their special on Monday's all you could eat. We used to go to the location Frankford location every week before they kind of went downhill.

[TexSkills]

The Sonny Bryan's near Coit and Campbell in Richardson used to do that all-you-can-eat beef ribs special on Mondays. They were pretty damn good too but that place has gone downhill. If I want ribs in Dallas, I'll go to Dickey's or Randy White's BBQ (in Frisco) before going to Sonny Bryans.

[spinach]

i guess sonny's has changed, when i lived nearby BEEF was their primary rib and sliced bbq meat offering...then pork, sausage (kielbasa) and turkey. texas had been mostly a beef bbq kind of state.

[toejam]

I lived in Dallas in the early 80's and it seemed like beef ribs were everywhere then too. Now beef seems to be the exception rather than the rule...

[HalleyP]

It's hard to find beef ribs worth your time or trouble. Pork are far superior.

Cousin's BBQ in Fort Worth has them, and they're OK.

Buck's right - no beef ribs at Angelo's.

[Chicago Native]

I have been lurking for a while - but wanted to help out. I just had all you can eat beef ribs at Riskys in FW Stockyards last week. They had a GREAT flavor but they are hit or miss with how much meat you get on each bone. But for all you can eat it was awesome!

[toejam]

Yeah, its funny. BBQ got really trendy in New York City over the past few years, and most of the places there have "Texas Style" beef ribs (dry rub, no sauce), and some of them are pretty darn good. As you say, the quantity of meat on the bone can really vary...

[4th Generation]

As a Dallas native, I am almost ashamed to say that this is not the best place to go for real Texas 'Cue. For that, you have to hit the Central Texas smoke ring (Lockhart-Luling-Elgin-Taylor-Bastrop). That is the center of the BBQ universe. Throw in Cooper's in Llano-Mason-Junction for good measure.

Now, the ones you mentioned I would certainly not recommend. Red Hot & Blue is a Memphis chain. Most Texans (myself included) don't care for pig. COW is where it's at.
Like Sonny Bryan's, Dickey's is an old local chain. Most of the branches are simply not serviceable, but people who move down here don't know the difference.

Decent Dickey's locations: Henderson & N Central Expwy(NE corner). And the one on E 14th Street in Plano.
Sonny Bryan's: Original on Inwood Rd. But, even then, it is still overpriced.
Colter's is another big chain here.
I prefer Sammy's and Baker's over any of the ones listed if you are going to eat locally.

The 3 biggies in cowtown are: Angelo's (already mentioned and my pick), Railhead and Risckeys. Angelo's is the closest thing you can get to Central Texas BBQ in Ft Worth. Both Angelo's and Railhead also serve 33 degree beer in a big schooner that is cold enough to give you hypothermia.

If you are in the Mid Cities, give North Main BBQ in Euless a shot. http://www.northmainbbq.com/ You'll know you're there because of the HUGE armadillo-shaped smoker. I think they are only open on weekends though.

I think Baker's http://www.bakersribs.com/ has pork ribs only. Deep Ellum or Upper Greenville. I almost always get their sliced beef, and have never had their ribs, but they got good reviews.

MY PICK: David's BBQ in Pantego (a very small suburb of Arlington). This is the best BBQ in the metroplex. A few people DO know about it however, and they WILL run out. I'll be honest, I haven't ever had their ribs, so give 'em a shout and see what they can do.

Hope this helps. I want a full report!

[David Pearlman]

Don't know of any beef ribs in the DFW area, but if you travel to the other major cities in Texas you should give the ones at County Line a try.

[dinobob]

The Feedstore in Southlake on S. White Chapel has exception ribs.. pork and beef alike.

[toejam]

I have been out of town, and busy at work, but I finally made it to Big Al's on Inwood for their beef ribs. I actually went three times, since on my first two visits, they only had pork. The third time was the charm and I am happy to report that they were pretty decent. Not great, but good, and the ONLY beef ribs I have had so far in Dallas.

The quality of the meat was good and there was a good amount of meat on the bone by beef rib standards. I almost always go sauceless, so I ordered them dry.

In terms of the preparation/cooking, they were not dry rubbed, but looked to have been brushed with sauce and smoked. The results were slightly sweet for my palate, but not overly sweet, and the flavor was good. Tasted like they had a good, long smoking.

In terms of body, they were a bit on the moist and tender side. My preference is for a bit more body and chew. Not very good at describing it, but I like the beef ribs that are both a bit stringy/chewy and melt in your mouth at the same time. These were more like your typical pork ribs in terms of body.

While not my favorite "style" these were good ribs. I will go back for more.

I have posted a couple of pics (sorry, all I had was my crappy cell phone camera).

Can wait to try some of the other joints recommended. Thanks again to all for the tips...

[adkim]

never had the beef ribs at county line...but everything else there is decent and/or above average. does anyone know if the lubbock location closed down?

County Line Harbor Point - NOW OPEN
4821 Bass Pro Drive
[phone]

Set right on Lake Ray Hubbard next to the Bass Pro Shop the County Line at Harbor Point has a huge patio/deck where you can take in the great Lake view and enjoy an ice cold beer or margarita and some of County Line's legendary slow-smoked barbeque. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week so you can "Get it all over ya'" anytime!

[Shalley]

has anyone been to Peggy Sue's BBQ on Synder Plaza?

[twinwillow]

Once. And I'll never return. I can't believe there are people out there that rave about Peggy Sue's. the BBQ is absolutely, H-0-R-R-I-B-L-E!

[Mysistahgirl]

Don’t know yet about the best, but here’s the beef! We’re Texas newbies too, and my guy eats no pork. So, began my quest for “Texas Cue” beef ribs. Today 8/22/07, I called all the restaurants listed in this board’s thread and this is what each one told me as to whether or not they served beef ribs:
Riscky’s bbq – yes
Coopers bbq – yes
Big Al’s bbq – yes
County Line Harbor Point, Bass Pro – yes
Sonny Bryan’s bbq – no
Red Hot & Blue – no
Dickey’s bbq – no
Ye Ole Butcher Shop – no
Randy White’s bbq – no
Sammy and Baker’s bbq – no
David’s bbq in Pantego – no
Peggy Sue’s bbq – no
Railhead Smokehouse – no
Cousin’s bbq - no
North Main bbq, Euless - no

[toppertx]

If you go to Austin for business or fun try the Iron Works BBQ on Cesar Chavez at Red River downtown. They have the biggest and best beef ribs I have ever eaten on their daily menu.

[Mysistahgirl]

09/15/07 - Just an update. OH MY GOODNESS!!! Riscky’s bbq in downtown Fort Worth. While I have not tried the other's yet, I think I have found the winner!!!! I can't even image any others tasting better. They were simply, fall off the bone, no sauce needed, flavorful, and juicy, best beef (better than any beef or pork) ribs I've ever had the pleasure of tasting ... and I've been on a quest for good beef and pork ribs where I travel. AND, they have an all-you-can-eat special, to boot. "Now, THAT's! a meal," said my guy, when we finished. I totally agreed.
............................................
Don’t know yet about the best, but here’s the beef! We’re Texas newbies too, and my guy eats no pork. So, began my quest for “Texas Cue” beef ribs. Today 8/22/07, I called all the restaurants listed in this board’s thread and this is what each one told me as to whether or not they served beef ribs:
Riscky’s bbq – yes
Coopers bbq – yes
Big Al’s bbq – yes
County Line Harbor Point, Bass Pro – yes
Sonny Bryan’s bbq – no
Red Hot & Blue – no
Dickey’s bbq – no
Ye Ole Butcher Shop – no
Randy White’s bbq – no
Sammy and Baker’s bbq – no
David’s bbq in Pantego – no
Peggy Sue’s bbq – no
Railhead Smokehouse – no
Cousin’s bbq - no
North Main bbq, Euless - no

[r.walters]

Tony Roma has good beef ribs.

[gamese7en]

Tony Romas has been out of this market for quite some time.

[Dallassooner]

I believe "Love and War in Texas" has an all you can eat Beef rib special sometimes during the week. I have never eaten there but it seems busy every time I go by.

[stricken]

Dude. I've lived here all my life. Beef ribs are extremely hard to find. I've had awesome beef ribs in New Orleans and NYC...honest to God. I'm thinking about driving to Austin on Friday just for beef ribs because Dallas BBQ sucks. Pork ribs suck also.

[toppertx]

Pappas Brother's BBQ on Northwest Highway in Dallas has beef ribs, all you can eat specials on some days. Cant recommend them very highly though. Iron Works on Red River in Austin has the best I'v eaten.

[Maurelle]

Y'all are awesome - just yesterday I was complaining about the very fact that one can't seem to find beef ribs anymore - just pork and more pork.

Don't get me wrong - I don't mind a pork rib done well (Red Hot & Blue comes to mind) but nothing beats stuffing your face with a beefy rib.

The best I have ever had probably came from Texas Roadhouse in Waco when I was in school - I literally would be craving those juicy, fall-off-the-bone goodness once a month. It became an excellent positive reinforcement after a test, ;)

I figured that since Texas Roadhouse is a chain - surely smaller businesses would do even better things to a beef rib?

No. That was sadly the answer I discovered when trying a few local places. I've got a few places I'm still thinking (FW native here) so if I try something successful I'll let y'all know.

[stricken]

find anything yet?

[twinwillow]

I guess I'll jump in here on this older post. Aside from having the best BBQ in Texas, Louie Mueller's BBQ in Taylor, not far from Austin has not only the very best BBQ but, the very best beef ribs, anywhere!

[twinwillow]

Went to "Smoke" at the Hotel Belmont in Oak Cliff tonight and had their, "Big Rib". Excellent!!!

[eulogite]

Take a nice drive south of Sulphur Springs toward Lake Fork. There is a shack on the east side of the highway called Big Smith's. They serve ayce beef ribs when they are open. It's their staple. The decor alone is worth the trip.

[JethroSpanks]

Maybe not the best but VERY VERY VERY solid and consistently good are the beef short ribs at the Whole Foods in Lakewood. Hardly ever any available after 5pm. Their in house bbq shop is very underrated.

[twinwillow]

I have to agree. Actually, surprisingly good and, much better than all the so called, BBQ joints in town.