Rib City Grill serves up signature BBQ

Why: Rib City Grill is a nationwide franchise that started in 1989 as a small, family-style barbecue restaurant out of Fort Myers, Fla., and grew into a franchise opportunity in 2004. The Vancouver location has been in business for 13 years, serving choice cuts of meat basted with Rib City’s signature barbecue sauce and smoked over select hardwoods. 

Atmosphere: The restaurant provides casual, comfortable dining for the whole family. Walls are painted red and tan under a black ceiling. Whimsical livestock decor and various tools one might find in a barn decorate the walls and keep with the country barbecue theme. The dining space consists of three main areas providing tables and chairs and booth seating. Red pendant lights bring a warm glow to each table, and halogen spots accent the ceiling. Tables are set with baskets of napkin-wrapped silverware and individual wet wipes for fingers, sauces, salt and pepper.

What I tried: To start our meal, my dining companions and I tried the buffalo chicken tenders prepared with medium spice. I settled on the half-order of baby back ribs with sides of mac and cheese, potato salad and coleslaw. My dining companions had the ribs with a baked potato and a salad, as well as the beef brisket with baked beans.

The deep-fried chicken tenders are doused in sauce before arriving to the table. They were piping hot and tender without being overly cooked or stringy. The mild sauce was delicious.

The ribs were meaty enough and possessed an overall caramelized character. The meat was moist and fell from the bone, making them very easy to eat. The macaroni in the mac and cheese was overcooked for my liking — there was no distinguishing from the cheese sauce and the pasta in the texture, but the flavor was pleasantly cheesy. The coleslaw was similar to others I have tried, with a fair amount of dressing. I found the potato salad pretty heavy on the mayonnaise spectrum with firm cubes of skin-on potatoes. It reminded me of some homemade salads that I have eaten.

My dining companions enjoyed their selections. The brisket had the distinct pink ring on it that comes from the smoking process, and the meat was tasty, tender and lean. The beans had an original, appetizing flavor.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: In addition to smoked pork, beef, chicken, turkey and sausage, Rib City offers traditional sides for pairing, including green beans, mac and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, corn, barbecued beans, baked potato, applesauce, sliced tomatoes and french fries (or tots). Salads topped with meat and housemade dressings (blue cheese, ranch, thousand island, honey mustard, oil and vinegar, spicy ranch, light Italian) are served with garlic toast.

Sandwiches include a steakburger and variations of barbecued meats complemented with tomato, onion, lettuce and cheese. Some are served on buns and some on garlic toast.

Starters include fried okra, onion rings, three-cheese fries and buffalo shrimp. Among dessert options are a chocolate fudge in a chocolate cookie crust, marionberry cheesecake, key lime pie, pecan pie and coconut cream pie. Beverages include Pepsi products, iced tea, coffee, milk, draft and bottled beer, and house wine.

Other observations: The wait staff was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was comfortable. The food was good and what I expected from a franchise restaurant as opposed to having a chef in the kitchen. Rib City Grill also specializes in last-minute catering.

Cost: Starters cost $4.99 to $9.29. Sandwiches are $7.99 to $9.99. Smokehouse selections range from $10.99 up to $39.99. Lunch specials cost $8.99 to $9.99. Salads are $7.99 to $10.49. A la carte items cost $5 to $25. Sides are $2.09 to $4.09. Desserts are $3.50 to $5.49. Kids meals (under 4 years old) eat for $4.49 and $6.99. Beverages range from $2.29 to $5 and a pitcher of draft beer is $12. Picnic packs may be ordered to-go only and serve two to four or up to eight to 10 people for $21.99 up to $89.99.