Rib City: Some of the best ribs and pulled pork around

Driving home to Vero from Melbourne on U.S. 1, we have remarked several times on how a new restaurant has taken over the old Grant general store – a historic landmark which had been there since the 1890s.

Last week, we decided to stop at what is now called Historic Grant Station and give Rib City, a 70-seat barbecue restaurant, a try.

The first surprise we had was that at 7:45 on a Tuesday night, the foyer of the restaurant was still filled with people waiting for a table. Hmm.

Fortunately, there was room for two at the bar, and we only had a 15-minute wait over wine before a table opened up on the far side of the eclectic room. (During season, you’re probably always looking at a wait; Rib City doesn’t take reservations.)

While sipping wine, however, we studied the menu and were struck by the promise: “If you have to pick up a knife to eat our baby back ribs, we will pick up your meal.”

So my husband and I both ordered Rib City combos. I chose the rib and rib combo ($17.99) – a plate of baby backs and St. Louis ribs – and my husband went for Tony’s combo ($17.99), a full rack of baby backs and a ¼ pound of pulled pork.

All entrées are served with garlic toast and a choice of two sides, so I picked the sliced tomatoes and the BBQ beans, and my husband opted for the corn cobette and French fries.

Let me take any mystery out of whether we scored a free meal under Rib City’s offer. The baby backs were just falling off the bone, and the St. Louis ribs – while meatier – were darn near as tender. No knives necessary.

This place – which turns out to be the lone East Coast outpost of a group of family owned rib joints by the same name over on the Gulf Coast of Florida – serves great flavorful ribs, and my husband’s pulled pork was sensational as well.

While the garlic toast was nothing to write home about, the BBQ beans were delicious and the French fries also a hit; the corn cobette, alas, at that hour of the night was simply tired.

By the time we finished our ribs, there was no room left for dessert – though several looked mighty tempting as they passed our table.

Rib City has a variety of other items on the menu that we would like to try as well – ranging from beef brisket to BBQ beef and pork and smoked turkey breast – and we will definitely be stopping by again to see if these measure up to the pulled pork and ribs.

In the meantime, if you are disinclined to drive there and wait for a table at night, they open each day at 11 for lunch – and their next-door neighbor, the Old Grant Creamery, serves homemade ice cream! Time to head for Historic Grant Station.

 

I welcome your comments, and encourage you to send feedback to me at tina@verobeach32963.com.

The reviewer dines anonymously at restaurants at the expense of Vero Beach 32963.

Rib City – Real BBq and Great Ribs

  • Hours: 11 am to 9 pm (10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
  • Beverages: Beer & Wine
  • Address: 5390 S. U.S. 1, Grant-Valkaria
  • Phone: (321) 241-6510

Photos by: Gordon Radford
Click HERE to see more or buy photos

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