Tuesday, November 20, 2007

lunch review ribs & tips

okay, so i was looking for something different and new, but still on the edges of my neighborhood. i thought i had seen a place that was south of me, towards downtown. so, i went in search of. and i found it: ribs & tips. i almost feel bad about reviewing another place that's some sort of bbq...then again, i love bbq so i don't feel bad at all.

as i pulled up, the bbq outside was smoking away and it smelled nice. i came into the restaurant, which used to be some sort of chinese/thai buffet. it's a big space, with 10 or so booths and seats at least 40. it wasn't too busy, and it seemed that all the staff was in the back working. it took a moment to get helped. but after that things went smoothly. while i waited for service, one of the other customers told me how good the tri tip was. he wasn't sure if it was their marinade or what, but he said he really liked it. on his way out, he told another first time customer that they'll be back.

so, i perused the menu, and actually ordered the most expensive thing on the menu, the big sampler plate. i figured why not try all the meats o the menu and really get a good idea of their food. the sampler plate comes with chicken, ribs, and tri tip, along with 2 sides and bread. for my sides, i picked the potato salad and the ranch beans. i ordered @ 12:19 and my food was up by 12:26.

i started with the tri tip. wow. holy cow. this was good stuff. so flavorful. it was a tiny bit dry, and this made it just a little tough, but outside of that it was delicious.

the chicken, well, i'm not sure what piece i had. it looked like part of a breast & thigh. but the flavor was good. the sauce on it was a tangy, spicy sauce. good stuff.

the ribs were good and smoky. i'm glad i saved them for last to try, they were worth it. they were worth cleaning the bones as well as licking my fingers.

i appreciate that they had 3 different flavors of sauce & seasoning on the meats. or, at least they all didn't taste the same on each meat. because really, the sauce shouldn't be the same.

as for the sides, the roll was just a store bought type (i think) but it was good for soppin'. the potato salad was sorta bland, but not bad. the beans...now these were good. spicy, but not too hot, i ate them all.

for some, there may be some turnoffs to the restaurant. it's not a "classy" joint. it's not in the best neighborhood. but honestly, i've been to world famous (presidents & celebs eating there) bbq joints in kansas city that were in bad 'hoods. this place is totally manageable for everyone. others might be turned off by plastic silverware. i wasn't. and, most of their customers seemed to be to go orders. but, if this place stays open, it'll be a great bbq joint, right next to all the new downtown housing.

one final word, the website has an old address & phone # for them. and, yelp has an old address. not sure why, but they've been @ this locale since july 07.

ribs & tips
575 divisadero (at h street, next to the lampost)
222-4204

their hours are also sketchy. on the window they have 10am-2pm painted, their to go menu says 10-6 M-F. their website, i think, says something different.

go to my yelp review (which is exactly the same here & on fres fam because it's cross posted) and see pictures of the menu & food.

4 comments:

Lulu said...

The link to their website doesnt work. I was actually suprised they had a website, but I hate it when restaraunts don't. Just slap a menu up there with hours of operation and you are done.

By the way, they just opened a new restaraunt right at Maroa and Shields (I think those are the cross streets). It is right where the road spilts and the southbound lanes go under the train tracks. Anyway have you seen or heard anything about that place?

edluv said...

yes i have. we've actually tried to go there twice. but, they weren't open yet. marisol, i think is the name. i spoke w/one of the owners once, and they were getting ready to open.

it's my understanding that they've done a "soft" open this last monday. the person that mentioned that (tower district myspace) said it was good, and that their official grand opening will be in december. but they're open. and i'm ready to go.

i've heard that the family are transplants from new orleans area (katrina).

maybe the dice riff raff can go eat a meal there sometime.

(and i'll fix the link in this post)

Lulu said...

I drove by last niht and they had a banner outside that said "Now Open" so maybe they have now officially opened their doors. Do you know what kind of food it is? New Orleans style? I say we check it out!

edluv said...

yeah, cajun stuff. i'm totally in. maybe next week. or after the 1st for those that are payday hamstrung.