Fall Off The Bone Rib Perfection

There are people out there that say you can't make great ribs on a gas grill. I am here to now tell you differently. These ribs that I made today were every bit as good as those smoked on a charcoal grill, or dare I say a Big Green Egg (BGE). Only difference were that these ribs lacks some of the smokiness that you will find with those latter methods. These were prepared and cooked the same exact way as you would via charcoal, but instead was cooked over indirect heat on a gas grill.

I prepared these ribs by first removing the silver skin on the back and trimming away some of the excess fat. Once that was completed, I then rubbed down the pork ribs in a little honey mustard before applying the the dry rub to every inch of the rack. The honey mustard was an experiment, since I was out of regular mustard, and it proved to be a nice compliment to the spicy bite of the dry rub.

After a lot of tinkering with the heat on the grill I was able to get it set to just a little over 250 degrees. This was barely having on the flames on the 2 outer burners. I then places some soaked apple wood chips in the middle in hopes that I could get that flavor up to the ribs. I knew I wouldn't get the smoke that I normally would get with a charcoal grill, but that didn't matter as I got tons of flavor into the ribs as is. The smell from the ribs and the apple wood chips were amazing and this couldn't have worked out better. I also sprayed down the ribs every 30 min or so with a 50/50 combo of apple juice and apple cider vinegar.

Cooking time was pretty easy as well thanks to the heat being perfectly regulated. I let these go 2 hours on the top rack, 2 hours wrapped up in foil, and then one more hour back on the rack as I applied the sauce. Two applications of the sauce did the trick and these ribs were done.

As you can see by the pics these ribs were not only a thing of beauty but were also cooked to perfection. The meat fell right off the bones, was moist, and had flavor for days.

If you are one that has been afraid to try and cook ribs on a gas grill, I am here to tell you that it can be done and be done easily.

Spiced Right BBQ in Suwanee, GA. The Challenge for Best Ribs (in the state, county, country?) is On.

This is the 3rd location for the Spiced Right BBQ family. I remembered eating at the one in Lilburn when I was a young pup many many years ago and was excited to see this location pop up. (In an old Shane's Rib Shack location, nonetheless).

This is based on my 2 visits there in the past 2 weeks. The first time my wife and I stopped in she got a pulled pork sandwich and I had a 1/2 rack w/ side of stew. The pulled pork was pretty good - not sauced before hand (GREAT sauce here) and nice big chunks. Stew was fine, even better with some sauce in it. These ribs though. Holy mother of pig Jesus. They were excellent.

Went back with the in-laws this past weekend and did what I suggest everyone reading this does. Go straight for the ribs. Forget everything else, except maybe some bread to make a rib meat sandwich.

Here's a list of awesome things about these ribs:

1. Meat fell off the bone. And not in a mushy way either. Tender tender rib meat.
2. Smoky crust on the outside. Awesome flavor. Very smoky with just a hint of sweetness. 
3. Ribs didnt even need sauce. I used some, of course, because it's awesome. Not necessary though. If you're a glutton like me, the sauce also helps the ribs go down easier when you're approaching the fill level. 
4. I love animal fat. These ribs had the most delicious pieces of animal fat on them. It wasn't all over the place and not so prevalent that my wife was disgusted by it, but enough for me to taste and savor all the gooey goodness. 
5. Throw these things on some white bread with some sauce and say hello to an amazing sandwich. 

Also, they have very bangin banana pudding. So go get ribs, white bread and banana pudding. Maybe a drink too.

BBQ Pork Sandwich at Dillards BBQ in Suwanee

Another late lunch. My wife and I went to Dillards BBQ for a quick 2:30pm meal before meeting someone in Suwanee. I had a BBQ sandwich and mac and cheese on the side. It was good, but I know the main complaint from a lot of people would be that bbq sauce is already mixed in with the pulled pork. Luckily the sauce at dillards isn't a sweet sauce, otherwise it would suck, but I like the sauce and added more anyway, so it wasn't a big deal to me. 

Fun fact: I put some of the sauce on my mac and cheese toward the end of the meal just for fun and it was pleasantly surprising. 

The Pit Stop Bar-B-Q & Catering Express

This place is just what it looks like, a hole in the wall joint. The Pit Stop is owned by a couple that are just down home southern pleasant and put all their love into their food. Sweet tea is made in giant pots on the stove top. You can see the pic of the kitchen which is as basic and old fashioned as it gets. The pork, ribs, and chicken are all smoked out back. There are a couple of picnic tables outside on the porch and inside there is just a counter to sit at with a few open spots. The decor is just old knick knacks like die cast race cars, books, and family military memorabilia. The food was very good and the pork and sauce had a flavor that is unique to The Pit Stop. I enjoyed my lunch there and will gladly go back for more of the food and the atmosphere.

Recent Sandwiches Eaten

The first sandwich is a "Cheese steak" from Publix. They use roast beef for their cheese steaks, so I use that term loosely. It was very good and had provolone, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and jalapeno's on it with a little mayo.

The 2nd sandwich was from one of the vendors inside Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC at the UGA-SC game. It was hot and decent for a BBQ sandwich in the stadium.

The last sandwich is a Bahn Mi from Saigon Flavors here in Savannah.

Beef Brisket from The Smoke Station

Served with cole slaw and sweet potato fries.

BBQ at The Smoke Station

Got me some pulled pork with a little cole slaw and mac-n-cheese. We also got some fried pickle. These were sick, and sick in a good way! But the story of the night was this little kitten we saw in the "garden" outside the front door of the restaurant.

Sandfly BBQ

Just some good ole pulled pork, mac-n-cheese and potato salad.

BBQ Pork Bahn Mi

My first time ever eating a Bahn Mi and I have to say, that was a pretty darn good sandwich. Spicy, fresh, and healthy. Can't go wrong with this one. Fresh jalapeno's, cilantro, carrots, and onions on top of BBQ pork and placed on a fresh baked sourdough roll. You got to eat it with the spicy red sauce...and lots of it. Stuff is like the devil spitting fire onto the sandwich and I loved every drop of that saliva!

4th of July Lunch at The Crab Shack

Decided to have lunch at The Crab Shack on Tybee Island today. Wasn't that bad. I mean how bad can it really be...they have live alligators there and holes in the table to throw your crap in when you are done! We sat outside and had a great view right on the water. Being it was the 4th of July, I decided to go with the BBQ and it was good. Not outstanding, but good. Next time I am getting the low country boil. It looked outstanding with the addition of crab legs on the plate as well.

Rico's world kitchen

Gave this place the pepsi challenge for lunch today. Had the spicy BBQ sandwich special with sweet potato chips (desert-like).

Good stuff. I'll go back.

Ken & Candi's BBQ

This time it was actually pretty good. Less fatty than normal, but their sauce is still not much to be desired.

How much for 1 Rib?

I have been wanting to try this place for the longest time and today was the day. Sometimes the best BBQ around doesn't come from a restaurant, but from a guy on the side of the road. This place, Emerald City Car Wash and BBQ on Bull St here in Savannah, has their smokers out everyday and long lines during lunch hour. It just kept calling out to me to stop and eat and I am glad I answered the call. I got the "pork sandwich" which was some pork ribs & sauce thrown on two pieces of bread for $5.00. This was very tasty and well worth finally stopping there and grabbing some grub.

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

Made a grilled chicken BBQ pizza with jalapenos, onion and wheat crust on the grill last night for dinner. It was pretty simple to make and very appetizing.

Papa's BBQ in Wilmington Island...

I didn't enjoy this plate at all. The Brunswick Stew was very pasty and lacked flavor. I am not a fan of chopped pork to begin with and this chopped pork was very, very, dry. Then to top it off, the only sauce they have...other than hot sauce...is their own mustard based sauce. I am not a fan of mustard based sauces to begin with and this one didn't help the cause to earn my love. The sweet potato fries were decent, but nothing that made me want to have them again. All in all I probably wouldn't go back there for the BBQ.