Rib Rack
2100 Tyson Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19149
Rib Rack Menu
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Address :
2100 Tyson Ave
Philadelphia, PA, 19149 - Phone (215) 338-9399
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Opening Hours
- Mon :3:30 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Michelle C.
I usually just get the cheeseburger & fries but it's so good. The burger is huge & they give you a mound of steak fries. My Mom gets the ribs & always says they are the best.
(5)Sean D.
Saw someone on my facebook post a pic of some ribs from some other bbq place and I instantly said "I need to log into yelp and write a review for rib rack" Hands down the best ribs in Philadelphia and all the burbs. Small and almost hidden location. Always packed. Onion loaf, wings, and ribs are all awesome
(5)Josh S.
Wow, my first trip back here after a couple years ... The food was incredible. Each and every item was 5 star.. My wife and I stopped in to grab dinner to go,she got 1/2 BBQ chicken w/ sweet potato & corn muffin. I went for the boneless BBQ chicken w/ steak fries and stuffing on the side. The portions are huge. The BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy and flavorful. The chicken was moist and tender,stuffing was probably the best stuffing I've ever had(sorry mom) it was just too damn good ... And what's up wit that gravy that goes on top of it ?? That is over the top... I mean stuffing and gravy .. That's genius. The Corn muffins were not the best I ever had but damn close and the baked sweet potato (brown sugar included), which I usually don't mess with, I tried it and loved it. It's been a while since we've eaten somewhere where each and every item was good. Rib Rack knocked it outta the park. It was the best $30 we've spent for dinner in a long time!
(5)Kelly G.
I've enjoyed every experience here and I always want to go back. The food is phenomenal. Their wings are the best I have ever had, and the ribs are to die for. There is not a full bar but you can order bottled beer and wine. The place is small and pretty dark. It is pricy but completely worth it. They're not open for lunch but make sure you try it out some time. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Tracy B.
rib rack right now is the place i go to for my beef ribs. the ribs are tender and hav just enough burnt on the ends.. i love it.. it's a little drive for me but it's worth it
(3)Mike D.
After reading a few reviews mentioning the "best wings in the city" I started thinking about all the places I need to try(now along with cheesesteaks...Steve's is across the street) because apparently there are a ton of the best out there. Growing up in the NE I lived on these wings almost weekly and got a chance to indulge recently one late night after returning home from a night out. My dad got 100 wings for a family party the next day and in my drunken stupor I managed to put a rather large dent in that 100 and I could not stop eating! This wings are amazing but I will be the first one to mention the STUFFING. This is the craziest, largest, most amazing, better than yo mama's stuffing you have ever had with enough gravy to clog all three branches of your aortic arch. It's funny, I have never eaten in and remember as a kid looking through the dark dining area wondering if anyone actually ate there instead of bringing it home. Oh well, go try the stuffing!
(5)Jason R.
Perfection!!!! The BEST Baby Back Ribs and Buffalo Wings ever!!! You will go home full and happy!! Now to the food...Corn bread muffins are given to everyone with a side of butter to give it that Southern appeal. The muffins are on the dry side but that's what the butter is for and/or your beverage of choice. The muffins come with your order so I can deal with a dry corn muffin. The Buffalo Wings are AMAZING! The best you will ever eat, no doubt. I ordered mine well done for that extra crispiness needed to avoid "the sog" where you feel like you are biting into loose slimy chicken skin. Nasty! You won't experience that at Rib Rack! It's all about high quality comfort foods. You can order the wings mild, medium, or hot. I ordered mild today in an 18 denomination. The wings have a nice mild heat and break off nicely with each bite. The blue cheese dipping sauce is a bit overly blue cheesy for my liking. I found that I scooped up more pure blue cheese than sauce which is annoying when you want to marry the two. The quality of the wings are top notch. They at not overly large nor chewy. The size is perfect with just enough high quality meat per bite. Order these even if you are a casual Buffalo Wing fan as you will never look at another wing the same again after you try them from the Rib Rack. I have come here many times and I order the same thing. I can't get away from the moist and lean baby back ribs. Not overly saucy and well charred for added texture and an authentic smoky taste. The cole slaw can be ignored as it is overly mayo'd as the cabbage is swimming in the mayo juice. Not appealing! The watermelon slice can be ignored too, especially if it brushed up against the BBQ sauce from your ribs. Watermelon and BBQ sauce is not a combo worth trying. Trust me! On another positive note, the thumb fries are really good. Firm, crispy, and hot that pair well with the Baby Back Rib platter. Well worth each calorie. Anyway, this place rocks. They even offer early bird rib specials under $10. Be prepared that the restaurant is overly dark and seems dungeonesque. If you can get past the ambiance elements you will simply experience awesome quality food! You're welcome :)
(5)Dennis B.
They have been doing this for quite sometime. .......whether you like wings, ribs, sandwiches or burgers.........they keep doing it right.......
(4)Tanya B.
I saw a sign that said early bird special for $7.99. So I went to 7elven and came back but they didn't open tell 3:30pm and cars was lined up in front of the store. This my first time here and picking up ribs for my mom because she love them. But if you take out the ribs special is $8.99. I had two platters to go. I hope their good and if they are I will be back.
(2)Parker C.
One word AMAZING ribs would definitely comeback. It's a hole in a wall place and dark inside but food here is great. I will try the chicken next time with the ribs too.
(4)Alyssa C.
Baby back ribs are super good, bbq sauce is amazing. I also had the salads which are good and their hot wings are pretty decent. Lost points bc service can get pretty slow if you dine in and the lighting situation is a joke inside.
(3)Peter P.
Grew up in the area and had tons of experience here. Dining in is really strange. Always has been. The lighting is so dark it makes one wonder why they keep it that way. I always get the baby back ribs. ("Dinner" rack now..."He-Man" rack in my younger days) Always really good. You get two full racks with the "Dinner" portion. Three with the "He-Man" portion. Comes with a salad and cornbread. Salad is average. Cornbread is good. Grilled chicken breast is also good. Try the stuffing as well. I wouldn't call this authentic bbq but the taste is good. (Not smoked ribs with pink ring...boiled ribs that fall off the bone) The key to their success has been the sauce. It's just awesome. Prices are high for the area and with the awful décor. Service is average. Ill be there again but if you're looking for real bbq head to Zachary's in Norristown (BEST) or Sweet Lucy's on State Road.
(3)John M.
Listen and listen good. The best most flavorful wings ever. The blue cheese is perfect with the right clump and chunkiness. Go have wings
(5)David C.
Normal ribs but big sides
(3)Brad P.
It isn't usually my style to comment on ambiance but the lighting in here must be the outcome of a bet or an inside joke on the part of the management. I have never been fed in a darker place since that time I was kidnapped and tortured by Roland Emmerich, who forced me to watch all of his awful disaster movies in his basement before I chewed through my restraints and escaped...but that's a story for another time. I'm serious. They need to work on their lighting. While we ate, a father came in with his two kids, sat down, exclaimed "man it is dark in here!" and left before ordering. I'm sure he was concerned that the darkness would consume a child if he stayed for too long....just like it always does. anyhow, the food- Rib Rack is good. The baked beans are OK but nothing to write home about. The wings were unsatisfactory when compared to the current king of Philly hot wings(Moriarty's). I was pleased with my meal, but underwhelmed in the face of the many 5-star reviews I read here on yelp. The Ribs are very good but they are not the best in Philadelphia(in my opinion). I really appreciate the hot sauce they give you on the side so that you can give the ribs a little more kick. They are devoid of fatty chunks and the meat slides off the bone easily. I am giving Rib Rack a 3 star review because their wings and baked beans kinda dragged things down. I've been methodically trying Philly BBQ places in search for the best and I don't think Rib Rack lived up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind going here again. I just wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)David C.
Very good eats! I love the food served here, it was delicious! I came with a group of 4 and we were quickly seated on a Friday evening, which is good. We got ribs, burgers, fries, chicken, more ribs... I liked it all. Portions were very generous too. Included with all of our meals was a slice of watermelon...that's cool. The outside appearance of this restaurant always kept me away but I wish that hadn't been the case since the service and food was spectacular. I look forward to coming back. P.S... did anyone else think it was kinda dark inside? I thought their lighting was a bit too dim lol
(5)Mindalah B.
We normally eat in but this time we took out three orders of the baby back ribs ($67 for 3 racks and extra sauce). There is a charge for extra sauce so just order them extra wet. The ribs were tender and delicious, you will lick your fingers. The corn muffins are perfection. The fries are steak fires, large and great for dipping into the bbq sauce, I did not really enjoy the cole slaw but the baked beans are good and sweet. We usually eat in but we were driving through the area. If you eat in you need to remember it has been there for a very long time, the interior has not been updated in many years and is very dark inside but well worth the food. Not many places have baby back ribs, Rib It closed down and Famous Dave's does not serve baby backs except for the one located outside of Atlantic City. So if yu want finger licking good baby back ribs this is the place for you.
(5)Hieu P.
What's there to say that hasn't been said? Baby-back ribs are done well, nice level of moistness and enough crisp from the grill to give it that charred, smokey flavor on the surface. Meat comes right off the bone, and the bbq sauce is pretty good. The wings are standard fare [which is to say, excellent], the steak fries were thick and crispy, the 'slaw was made with a bit too much mayo, and the mashed potatoes were nothing to write home about. Got the dinner plate of ribs, came with a sizable portion with sides that proved to be a good amount for two people to leave abundantly full. The wings made it uncomfortably so, but that's the price you pay to be a fatass, I'm afraid. It's a mistake I make early and often. Disappointed about how "bright it" was in there. They must have turned the lights up, because it's nowhere near as dark as the reviews make it out to be :D
(4)Jessica S.
My dad's favorite wings in Philadelphia, and they are pretty darn good. I am a meat lover, but I really like the grilled chicken salad here! The vinaigrette is yummy and its a huge portion ~ you can even split with a friend. So the corn bread here is pretty good, so are the ribs. I used to work at the one in Elkins Park that shut down and it was BYOB. So I showed up at this one over Christmas time with a big old bag of beer and learned they do sell beer at this one. O, and they have IBC Rootbeer and other cool sodas. It is a bit dark in there (lighting). However, not open for lunch :( Hours are ~ 3:30 to 10ish P.S. What a silly photo that's up there. Go out and take some more pics Yelpers! (Don't worry I'm not hatin' Eric)
(4)Christy C.
When my soon to be mother in law suggested this place for dinner during one of our visits back home. I was like uhhh- seriously? But dang- what' a plesant surprise! Location- it's looks rough from the outside- but you just have to just open that door and walk in.. and see what they have to offer. Their Baby Back Ribs! Holy cow! It was so delicious! I had their wings- absolutely yumminess! Their servings are healthy and just awesome! They have their "special" sauce LOL ... and my soon to be mother in law love it! She loves the corn bread too! The ONLY ONLY ONLY reason why I didn't give them 5 stars would be because of the lighting there. The darkness there made me feel very comfortable... I hated the plants thats just right above my head.. I was fearing that something will just drop into my food or my head from the plants (but it didnt) ... and the seats were a bit small.... i am a tiny girl, and I was sharing the booth with my fiancee... and I had to keep asking me to move over LOL! Whoopsy! LOL!
(4)Christine A.
My first instinct when I walked into the the dim lit, dark wood wall paneled dining area was to turn around walk back out into the sunlight. I'm glad I didn't. Once my eyes got used to the light level, I really enjoyed the experience. The BBQ chicken is so OMG-I've-died-and-gone-to-heaven good that it made everything else (Buffalo wings, Baby back ribs, french fries) feel like a waste of stomach space. But everything else was exceptionally good and can hold their own. Next time, I'll go straight for the chicken. The waitress was so pleasant, helpful and the attentive w/out being annoying - just added to the whole experience. The Rib Rack is the type of dining experience I love discovering: 'hole in the wall', neighborhood digs only locals know that serve mouth-wateringly delicious food. I am ashamed to say that I've driven by the Rib Rack for decades and the first time I went in was a couple weeks ago. That's decades worth of fine food that I've denied myself. I'll just have to play catch-up now!
(5)Benjamin B.
I have been coming to the Rib Rack off and on for like 25 years. Everybody here is claiming how dark it is - my wife and I love it! Who wants to look across the table and see half a jar of rib sauce on somebody's face? Last time we went was yesterday for my birthday. All of the food was delicious! We got the wings which were a little overdone but not enough to hinder their deliciousness. I got the Dinner Rack of Beef Ribs and I was full and smelling my hands from the BBQ for the rest of the night. My wife got a Chicken Caesar salad which also was delicious. The only reason this doesn't get five stars is because they make 0 substitutions and the service was a little inattentive. I actually didn't want to order an entire order of wings with the meal - shear gluttony. When I asked if I could replace the chicken of the ribs and chicken platter with wings, I was quickly rebuked. So quickly that it was obvious that I wasn't the first, fifth or even tenth person who had asked that. Perhaps that means something Rib Rack! Also, not really an extensive bar menu. If you don't want Wine or Beer, you are screwed. The waitress wasn't really into explaining the Wine list either, which is weird because you would think she would want to add more alcohol to the check. In any event, Rib Rack still gets 4 stars due to the quality of the food.
(4)Jeffrey F.
Excellent food! The ribs were juicy and fell off the bone.The steak fries and onion rings were fried perfectly.the BBQ chicken was tender and moist. The wings were dome perfectly, The wait staff were attentive and very cordial, easy parking on the street made this little gem a big hit with my family group.
(5)Jenna G.
We love rib rack! We always order the he man baby back ribs. It's always delicious. The good is a little pricey but worth it. We usually get take out, so I'm not sure how the service is, but the food is great!
(5)Howard C.
Being allergic to wheat and gluten I called to find out whether the ribs are gluten free. First time my wife called, the gentleman answering the phone had no clue what gluten free meant. Told us to call back today. Upon calling today, the gal that answered had no idea what I was talking about either. She is the manager and had no idea. It's 2012 people - find out if there's wheat or gluten in the food you serve.
(1)Philly D.
I finally tried this joint out, after years and years of passing by and wondering if it was really as good as the signs claim. If I told you that the ribs were the best around, the chicken was the best around, and the steak was the best around, would you think that I was just being ridiculous? Well, you should, because that's how good it all is, ridiculously good. My date had the ribs and chicken platter, and I had the NY Strip. It was all so good, people, I can't even begin to tell you how good. Oh, and the chicken soup is definitely fresh and delicious. The corn muffins too, they're just frickin wonderful. There are a couple other BBQ joints in Northeast Philly that hold their own weight, but they're just not as good as Rib Rack. Simple, good food coupled with attentive service. This place will soon have a new regular. Can't wait to try the wings.
(5)Amy K.
Everything I got from here was fantastic. Wings, bbq chicken sandwich, stuffing, mashed potatoes, the beans, I also tried someone else's ribs and they were awesome as well. The wings were the perfect crispiness with the perfect amount of sauce, the blue cheese dressing was even great, The sandwiches were large and the buns were even larger. The sides were all plentiful and delicious. It's nothing fancy but that's its appeal. You should go for the food, solely, not the ambiance.
(5)Jim G.
I've been coming to Rib Rack for over 20 years and this is hands down the best "bar like" food ever! My family and friends love it just as much too! I've never heard a negative thing ever! The "lighting" issue is nonsense. It is on the dark side but so what! The reviews are for the restaurant not the lighting! I've tried everything. From their corn bread, to their grilled chicken salads, to their dressings (honey mustard) best around, to their wings and ribs....everything is outstanding! Traveled the world and their wings are the most addicting. I live 90 minutes away and nothing will ever keep me away.
(5)Helen Z.
Growing up only a few blocks away, I've passed this place a million times. I finally tried this place out with a few friends from the neighborhood and boyyy am I sorry I did! Everyone on yelp seems to be in love with the food, but everything we ordered was only okay. We had 3 racks of the Baby Back ribs and somehow they were all cooked to a different doneness. Some ribs were moist and some were tougher and dry. The wings were only typical, I've definitely had better and the "special" ranch sauce that came with the onion rings was just a mixture of ranch and hot sauce. What's worst than the mediocre food was the disgusting atmosphere of this establishment. The tables were extremely sticky (I can only image its caked in layers of grease over the years) and it was so dimly lit in there that we could barely see the menus (probably to disguise the dirtiness of the tables). I am definitely not coming back. This place is the reason why I fear restaurants in Northeast Philly.
(2)Boris Y.
Went to a party in which they got the ribs and wings. Both were excellent. Ribs impressed this Yankee-turned-southern boy.
(4)Cccc B.
I've gone here once, and never returned. They claim to have the best ribs in Philly, but they certainly didn't taste that way. First of all, the place was so dark we could barely see each other across the table. It's a super tiny place that looks run down. It was totally dead when we went in there, and it was dinner time! I think the dark lighting was designed to hide the bad decor and horrible food. I guess if you can't see what you're eating, you can't tell how bland and dry it is...? Based on all the positive reviews on here, I feel like I should give it another try. Maybe they were just having an off night. Hmm, maybe.
(1)Kelly C.
I am going to keep this short and sweet, The Rib Rack has the best ribs in Philly! I recently visited Sweet Lucys and there is no comparison! If you want good ribs go to The Rib Rack!
(5)Latrell C.
For all of those complaining about the ambience: the place is called "The Rib Rack" and it is located in what looks like a basement of a residential home. You knew WELL before you walked in that it was far from the Four Seasons. So, the place isn't the classiest. Hell, neither is the neighborhood. However they give large portions and the food is great. Priced a little high, but well worth it.
(4)Carla H.
No one has better wings. no one.
(5)Moira M.
Good food, horrible ambiance, decent servers.
(3)Joe W.
People complain about the lighting, I think it's perfect for a steak/rib house. I always have trouble deciding with their menu because everything from the burgers to the steaks to the ribs are great. The corn muffins and watermelon are a great touch. No beer on tap, but a selection of domestic bottles.
(5)Aday F.
Dark, so dark that I think that it is to hide bugs crawling around. Best item is onion loaf, rib sauce tastes like jar sauce from save alot. Wish I could love this place but no way...and it's expensive! No thanks!
(2)Daniel Z.
Good food. Large portions. It's not that expensive because you can share their portions. Fresh corn muffins are extremely tasty. Very dark ambiance.
(4)M. C.
My favorite BBQ restaurant in Philadelphia. The ambiance is pitiful and the lighting is terrible, but you are there for the food. The cornbread is amazing, the wings are perfect and the baby back ribs and sides are truly the best. For my side item I usually go with the steak fries or the stuffing. My wife loves the grilled chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes. Don't forget you get a slice of watermelon to cleanse the pallate. You must try it.
(5)Allen I.
The Ribrack is a great place. I love it. I go as frequent as my wallet lets me. It's a pretty expensive place if you're ordering ribs, however they are worth it. Smoked crisp to perfection glazed with amazing homeade BBQ sauce. I love the cornbread, watermelon, steak fries.. You name it. The wings are actually good also. Very comparable to Chickies. They are definitley a tad too saucey for me. The sandwiches are amazing. The 2 piece combo is a sweet deal. The only thing that sucks about the rib rack is that a "Just Casear" is 8.99...Might be worth it, I just think that's a tad much for a little salad. This place is amazing.
(5)Nelson S.
This place is like Phil's BBQ back home in San Diego... I drive 20 minutes each way for this place. Ribs will not disappoint.
(5)Cindy G.
Never liked ribs until I had Rib Racks baby back ribs!!! They are amazing!! Fall right off the bone!!! You can't go wrong with this place. All their sides are delicious too! I recommend trying the stuffing also. Their wings and corn muffins are also great. Can't go wrong with this place.
(5)Kate M.
I have fondly renamed this place the Meat Cave due to the cavernous, dark interior and the abundance of meat. The ribs were amazing. Even my northeast Philly hatin' boyfriend said they were the best he's had in this city. Loved the wings. The mashed potatoes I got as my side were pretty forgettable, but I tried the stuffing and found myself wishing my mom would buy it for Thanksgiving! Also, the corn muffins were out of this world. Rib Rack, you'd get one more star if you bought light bulbs brighter than 10 watt, but then I'd have to change your nickname from Meat Cave to something less likely to be confused with a south Jersey strip club.
(4)Gandhus M.
The opinions of Yelpers vary far and wide on a great range of topics, as they should. However, based on what I've seen in a ton of comments and lists most seem to agree on one thing: Northeast Philadelphia is devoid of decent dining (...among other things). Enter Rib Rack - one of the few exceptions to this rule. You will leave here puzzled how you could have just had the meal you did from this dark pit of a converted row home. (Just because you found good food, don't expect ambiance. It is Northeast Philly, after all. Quit while you're ahead) When you do things with effort & attention, they are done better. A lesson to be learned from the fine proprietors of Rib Rack. It's clear that those are the keys to their success. They found a formula for their menu, it's proven to work, they stick to it and do it well. There is nothing bad on their menu. It's not that extensive of a menu, mind you, they cover all the main items you would expect: Chicken, stuffing, cornbread, wings, ribs (all varieties), etc....all great. One particular menu item worth noting is the salmon caesar salad. It's awesome. As long as you can see your fork, your food, your beer and the way out - who cares how dark the dining room is anyway? If it's that much of a problem just get take out. The crew manning the front of house are very professional and efficient. They have their act together....and the crowd gathered waiting for food is testament to that.
(4)S S.
I am 30yo and have been coming here since as far back as I can remember. I love everything on their menu. The wings are hand down the best I have ever had anywhere. Anytime I get wings elsewhere I compare them to the "The Racks" and none ever come close. The ribs are great but I advise not ordering to go if you live far. They tend to dry out. The salmon and BBQ chicken are all amazing and the chicken soup tastes just like grandmom made it. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)Rachel A.
Went to the Rib Rack last night for dinner. The dark lighting in the restaurant is purely for ambiance, it wasn't that hard to see in there. The ribs were awesome. I got the Beef Ribs, forgetting how big they are, but they were delicious!! My boyfriend got the Baby Backs that looked just as good. My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach though - I ordered a salad before the ribs, and wasn't able to finish my dinner. I had a doggie bag with my name on it! I would definitely go back here. Since the place was known for the ribs, that's what we got, and they were definitely worth it.
(4)Megan L.
We indulge on Rib Rack a few times a month . Wings for take-out, ribs eat-in. I cannot eat wings or ribs ANYWHERE else without being disappointed, they're that good. Prices are great for the quality of the food!!
(5)Robert J.
i like to say that the rib rack is a good restaurant that has good food , love the buffalo wings and the ribs is to die for i am not saying this cause i used to work there from 87 to 2002 i know good food so if anyone say different they just don't know good food and the owners they are good peoples
(5)Maria W.
Was looking for a place that had good ribs for my father in law Rib rack was a little distance from my house but proved to be worth the drive The rack of ribs was simply delicious Caesar salad with grilled chicken was amazing
(4)Francine L.
The best barbecue in the world AND sides from heaven. Stuffing and gravy is amazing. Baby backs are unbelievable.
(5)Rose M R.
I love this place! It's a very calm & nice atmosphere! The first waitress we had I did not like the service she provided, but that doesn't mean that it makes the place a BAD ONE! The waitress we had today was awesome she knew when we needed refills (WHICH IS A + in my BOOK) When your waitress has a positive attitude & if you are dining with kids & she or she interacts with the the kids is always a PLUS! The place is a bit tight as seating wise but I mean it not HORRIBLE! The pricing for the food is AFFORDABLE! The food is FRESH & DELICIOUS!! The wait time for the food is great, normal timing!! & I love that they serve all they're food with a side of WATERMELON (YUMMMMYYYYYYYY)
(4)Mike M.
Incredibly disappointed. The food isn't bad, it's just not that good, especially for the cost. I ordered take out, baby back ribs, with mashed potatoes, and it also came with a corn muffin and coleslaw. The ribs... There was very little meat on the bone, and the bbq sauce was OK. Mashed potatoes and corn muffin are exactly what you'd expect, plain but decent. The coleslaw tasted like someone dumped way too much pepper in it. Chances are I'll never eat here again, unless someone else pays.
(2)Jillian S.
Love this place. Food is great there. The wings are amazing and I highly recommend them. The service is great too but it is really dark inside. Maybe a couple of lights would help with the atmosphere. Even tho the setting inside is weird and non lit, I really enjoy it here.
(4)Marisa S.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE their baby back ribs & wings. I actually won't eat ribs anywhere else but here. The cornbread & coleslaw is also rally tasty. I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere. I like dim lighting but it's so dim in there that I feel like I have to strain my eyes to see the menu & what I'm eating. Other than that the food is great.
(4)Mason R.
This rating suffers not from quality of food, but of peculiarity of experience. It is sad too because I thought the food was FANTASTIC. I really mean it. I had the cowboy steak, now normally I wouldn't eat a steak with bbq sauce, but this place does it up right. I also enjoyed the ribs, fires, and cornbread...yee-haw! However, there were two strange events that occurred in the restaurant that made the experience, slightly unpleasant and uncomfortable. My sister ordered a salad and asked, "You don't have any parmesan cheese, do you?" The waitress replied, "no. we don't sorry." This struck me as odd. My Cesar salad came out with freshly grated, or what appeared to be freshly grated parmesan cheese. So I said, "Excuse me? What kind of cheese is this?" She replied, "Cesar Cheese." There is no such cheese. But I went with it. "Ok, can she have some of that on the side for her salad as well." The waitress obliged. Very peculiar. I'm not sure if she was being rude, funny, or what? Either way, there's an issue there. A few moments later my mother was punched by a young boy sitting in the booth next to her. The father yelled at the boy and said nothing to my mother. It was very odd. So basically the food is great, but the whole dining part is a little whack. I recommend take-out, but if you're on your own, I imagine it's a much smoother experience.
(3)Mary S.
I love the rib rack! Not the best atmosphere but the food is delicious! I wish they'd brighten the place up a bit. Makes me wonder what their hiding. But as I said before delicious food!
(5)E W.
The best ribs I ever ate. Hands down. The hot wings, stuffing, cole slaw and corn muffins are also excellent. Don't let the outside fool you, this place is clean and worth every penny.
(5)Eboni F.
Extremely poor customer service and this was my experience on a take-out order so based on that I would not dine in. I walk in and there are three people behind the counter, none of whom opened their mouth to say hello. Not even after they ceased their conversation. And one was obviously the manager while the other two were young girls, so I don't expect to much from them. As I stood in front of the counter I had to ask if someone would take my order. Then had to ask for it when it was done. Now finally onto a review of food! Lol.. So I got the half baby back ribs/half chicken platter with fries & coleslaw. It also came with cornbread. The cornbread is a dead ringer for ShopRite corn muffins. Not great, not bad but nothing special. The best thing....the chicken! It had a great smoky flavor. The ribs were tough. The fries were plain, but that's how I like them and the coleslaw was blah. I wouldn't take the drive to go here, and would maybe dine in if someone else was paying..lol
(2)Ryan B.
Love this place, it's been here as long as I can remember. Good- Food is awesome Wings are my favorite in Philly Ribs fall off the bone Sides are great Bad- it's really dark in there, like really dark It kind of feels like they are closed or they are hiding something. Low lighting is good in strip clubs not restaurants Get it TO-GO
(5)Katie N.
They have the absolute BEST wings in Philly. But they also have terribly slow service and we are always waiting when we go here...even if it's just to pick up an order we called in. The wait is usually annoying enough to make us go some other place. Go on a week night if you don't want to stand/sit around waiting.
(3)Chassity R.
Food and service were wonderful. The only complaint I have is the lighting. Strange...
(5)Ryan G.
Amazing! I have gone to five star restaurants and don't like them as much as I love this place. I tell everyone this is my favorite restaurant. I have been going here since I was a kid and can't say enough a out the place. The food is great, the portions are huge, the prices are decent and the service is usually pretty good as well. It seems like a little dive BBQ joint in the NE from the outside. But trust me, go in and order the ribs and chicken with stuffing. You won't regret it!
(5)Robert W.
So let me tell you this , I'm giving this a one star if I could give it a 0 I would, there was only 7 beef ribs in the box we bought the he man rack, about 8-10 french fries, a dried out corn muffin, it was all basically $28 for a box of bones!!, it was all grizzle and fat, no meat on the bone it's a disgrace will never eat here again, its been a while since we ate here, and what they are serving is garbage! I wouldnt feed this to my dog! Unpleasant experience. By the way , its their policies to not give refunds, so check your order before u leave. This establishment should be ashamed of the quality and quantity it is putting out. And for that, im out.
(1)Jim K.
I guess this is what happens when there's no competition in this immediate area for good BBQ or good restaurants in general, for that matter.If there where this place would have been closed many years ago as it should be now.We decided to order take out based on the reviews,my wife had to talk me in to it.I have lived in the neighborhood all my life,I love BBQ and I think I have been here once and now I remember why. We ordered ribs of course,I the beef,she the baby backs.The person that took our order explained that the beef ribs were small but that the meat was a much better quality.Well,lets just say that was a huge understatement,they had literally one bite of meat on each of the 7 ribs,20 bucks,it only covered 1-1/2" of the rib in the center.Complete ripoff,they should not be selling these ribs,I don't care how much warning you give,maybe they only sell these to take out customers, because any one who is sitting in to eat would laugh and immediately send these back.On top of the anorexic amount of meat they were not good,not sure if they are even smoking their meat.Baby backs were normal size but they were very skinny,dried out,lacking meat and flavor as well,baked beans were from a can,coleslaw from a jar,corn muffin dry tasteless,but the onion rings were good, well cold but could have been good. The reviews don't really tell the true story some how,maybe we have just come to except mediocre food in this area,maybe some of the reviewers are connected to the place somehow, maybe these problems are recent issues.In any case there is no way this place should still be open.Next time my wife will listen to me a little better, she must have missed Robert W's 0 star review, and next time we'll be going back to Sweet Lucy's if we want take out BBQ.
(1)Doug B.
I have to profess my love of BBQ Ribs, and the Rib Rack as one of my favorite local restaurants. We had never been here before, but word-of-mouth for this place is pretty strong - more than one person has recommended I go here. So I did! Great Ribs! I think what they save on Decor is the extra love they put into the food. I was very happy with the whole experience... Good food, friendly service, and sticky fingers! Also a huge fan of cole slaw, which came with the meal. I'll be back here soon for sure.
(4)Alison S.
Wel, I've only ever done take out, but YUM. The blue cheese burger was delish. Fat and juicy with fresh toppings and a soft bun. Cole slaw, well, toss some blue cheese in that and it's heaven on a plate. My partner in crime got the full rack of ribs. HUGE and very good. not homemade, but really good. I'd come back for sure!!!
(4)Danan R.
The food here is solid but not really outstanding. The ribs are tender and flavorful, but the wings are no match for Spring Street in Princeton or Moriarty's, although they were more than edible, especially when paired with the house made blue cheese. The sweet potato side was a nice, healthier option, which I definitely liked, and the coleslaw had a good balance of tartness, sweetness, and creaminess, complete with a nice crunch. Overall, it's a solid 3 for food quality. Ambiance could use some work (and maybe light) but that's a very trivial component.
(3)Chubby Chuck W.
the best baby back ribs i have EVER had since 1986 go there !!!!!
(5)Jessica S.
My dad's favorite wings in Philadelphia, and they are pretty darn good. I am a meat lover, but I really like the grilled chicken salad here! The vinaigrette is yummy and its a huge portion ~ you can even split with a friend. So the corn bread here is pretty good, so are the ribs. I used to work at the one in Elkins Park that shut down and it was BYOB. So I showed up at this one over Christmas time with a big old bag of beer and learned they do sell beer at this one. O, and they have IBC Rootbeer and other cool sodas. It is a bit dark in there (lighting). However, not open for lunch :( Hours are ~ 3:30 to 10ish P.S. What a silly photo that's up there. Go out and take some more pics Yelpers! (Don't worry I'm not hatin' Eric)
(4)Christy C.
When my soon to be mother in law suggested this place for dinner during one of our visits back home. I was like uhhh- seriously? But dang- what' a plesant surprise! Location- it's looks rough from the outside- but you just have to just open that door and walk in.. and see what they have to offer. Their Baby Back Ribs! Holy cow! It was so delicious! I had their wings- absolutely yumminess! Their servings are healthy and just awesome! They have their "special" sauce LOL ... and my soon to be mother in law love it! She loves the corn bread too! The ONLY ONLY ONLY reason why I didn't give them 5 stars would be because of the lighting there. The darkness there made me feel very comfortable... I hated the plants thats just right above my head.. I was fearing that something will just drop into my food or my head from the plants (but it didnt) ... and the seats were a bit small.... i am a tiny girl, and I was sharing the booth with my fiancee... and I had to keep asking me to move over LOL! Whoopsy! LOL!
(4)Kate M.
I have fondly renamed this place the Meat Cave due to the cavernous, dark interior and the abundance of meat. The ribs were amazing. Even my northeast Philly hatin' boyfriend said they were the best he's had in this city. Loved the wings. The mashed potatoes I got as my side were pretty forgettable, but I tried the stuffing and found myself wishing my mom would buy it for Thanksgiving! Also, the corn muffins were out of this world. Rib Rack, you'd get one more star if you bought light bulbs brighter than 10 watt, but then I'd have to change your nickname from Meat Cave to something less likely to be confused with a south Jersey strip club.
(4)Benjamin B.
I have been coming to the Rib Rack off and on for like 25 years. Everybody here is claiming how dark it is - my wife and I love it! Who wants to look across the table and see half a jar of rib sauce on somebody's face? Last time we went was yesterday for my birthday. All of the food was delicious! We got the wings which were a little overdone but not enough to hinder their deliciousness. I got the Dinner Rack of Beef Ribs and I was full and smelling my hands from the BBQ for the rest of the night. My wife got a Chicken Caesar salad which also was delicious. The only reason this doesn't get five stars is because they make 0 substitutions and the service was a little inattentive. I actually didn't want to order an entire order of wings with the meal - shear gluttony. When I asked if I could replace the chicken of the ribs and chicken platter with wings, I was quickly rebuked. So quickly that it was obvious that I wasn't the first, fifth or even tenth person who had asked that. Perhaps that means something Rib Rack! Also, not really an extensive bar menu. If you don't want Wine or Beer, you are screwed. The waitress wasn't really into explaining the Wine list either, which is weird because you would think she would want to add more alcohol to the check. In any event, Rib Rack still gets 4 stars due to the quality of the food.
(4)Jeffrey F.
Excellent food! The ribs were juicy and fell off the bone.The steak fries and onion rings were fried perfectly.the BBQ chicken was tender and moist. The wings were dome perfectly, The wait staff were attentive and very cordial, easy parking on the street made this little gem a big hit with my family group.
(5)Jenna G.
We love rib rack! We always order the he man baby back ribs. It's always delicious. The good is a little pricey but worth it. We usually get take out, so I'm not sure how the service is, but the food is great!
(5)Howard C.
Being allergic to wheat and gluten I called to find out whether the ribs are gluten free. First time my wife called, the gentleman answering the phone had no clue what gluten free meant. Told us to call back today. Upon calling today, the gal that answered had no idea what I was talking about either. She is the manager and had no idea. It's 2012 people - find out if there's wheat or gluten in the food you serve.
(1)Rachel A.
Went to the Rib Rack last night for dinner. The dark lighting in the restaurant is purely for ambiance, it wasn't that hard to see in there. The ribs were awesome. I got the Beef Ribs, forgetting how big they are, but they were delicious!! My boyfriend got the Baby Backs that looked just as good. My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach though - I ordered a salad before the ribs, and wasn't able to finish my dinner. I had a doggie bag with my name on it! I would definitely go back here. Since the place was known for the ribs, that's what we got, and they were definitely worth it.
(4)Gandhus M.
The opinions of Yelpers vary far and wide on a great range of topics, as they should. However, based on what I've seen in a ton of comments and lists most seem to agree on one thing: Northeast Philadelphia is devoid of decent dining (...among other things). Enter Rib Rack - one of the few exceptions to this rule. You will leave here puzzled how you could have just had the meal you did from this dark pit of a converted row home. (Just because you found good food, don't expect ambiance. It is Northeast Philly, after all. Quit while you're ahead) When you do things with effort & attention, they are done better. A lesson to be learned from the fine proprietors of Rib Rack. It's clear that those are the keys to their success. They found a formula for their menu, it's proven to work, they stick to it and do it well. There is nothing bad on their menu. It's not that extensive of a menu, mind you, they cover all the main items you would expect: Chicken, stuffing, cornbread, wings, ribs (all varieties), etc....all great. One particular menu item worth noting is the salmon caesar salad. It's awesome. As long as you can see your fork, your food, your beer and the way out - who cares how dark the dining room is anyway? If it's that much of a problem just get take out. The crew manning the front of house are very professional and efficient. They have their act together....and the crowd gathered waiting for food is testament to that.
(4)S S.
I am 30yo and have been coming here since as far back as I can remember. I love everything on their menu. The wings are hand down the best I have ever had anywhere. Anytime I get wings elsewhere I compare them to the "The Racks" and none ever come close. The ribs are great but I advise not ordering to go if you live far. They tend to dry out. The salmon and BBQ chicken are all amazing and the chicken soup tastes just like grandmom made it. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)Philly D.
I finally tried this joint out, after years and years of passing by and wondering if it was really as good as the signs claim. If I told you that the ribs were the best around, the chicken was the best around, and the steak was the best around, would you think that I was just being ridiculous? Well, you should, because that's how good it all is, ridiculously good. My date had the ribs and chicken platter, and I had the NY Strip. It was all so good, people, I can't even begin to tell you how good. Oh, and the chicken soup is definitely fresh and delicious. The corn muffins too, they're just frickin wonderful. There are a couple other BBQ joints in Northeast Philly that hold their own weight, but they're just not as good as Rib Rack. Simple, good food coupled with attentive service. This place will soon have a new regular. Can't wait to try the wings.
(5)Amy K.
Everything I got from here was fantastic. Wings, bbq chicken sandwich, stuffing, mashed potatoes, the beans, I also tried someone else's ribs and they were awesome as well. The wings were the perfect crispiness with the perfect amount of sauce, the blue cheese dressing was even great, The sandwiches were large and the buns were even larger. The sides were all plentiful and delicious. It's nothing fancy but that's its appeal. You should go for the food, solely, not the ambiance.
(5)Josh S.
Wow, my first trip back here after a couple years ... The food was incredible. Each and every item was 5 star.. My wife and I stopped in to grab dinner to go,she got 1/2 BBQ chicken w/ sweet potato & corn muffin. I went for the boneless BBQ chicken w/ steak fries and stuffing on the side. The portions are huge. The BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy and flavorful. The chicken was moist and tender,stuffing was probably the best stuffing I've ever had(sorry mom) it was just too damn good ... And what's up wit that gravy that goes on top of it ?? That is over the top... I mean stuffing and gravy .. That's genius. The Corn muffins were not the best I ever had but damn close and the baked sweet potato (brown sugar included), which I usually don't mess with, I tried it and loved it. It's been a while since we've eaten somewhere where each and every item was good. Rib Rack knocked it outta the park. It was the best $30 we've spent for dinner in a long time!
(5)Kelly G.
I've enjoyed every experience here and I always want to go back. The food is phenomenal. Their wings are the best I have ever had, and the ribs are to die for. There is not a full bar but you can order bottled beer and wine. The place is small and pretty dark. It is pricy but completely worth it. They're not open for lunch but make sure you try it out some time. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Tracy B.
rib rack right now is the place i go to for my beef ribs. the ribs are tender and hav just enough burnt on the ends.. i love it.. it's a little drive for me but it's worth it
(3)Michelle C.
I usually just get the cheeseburger & fries but it's so good. The burger is huge & they give you a mound of steak fries. My Mom gets the ribs & always says they are the best.
(5)Aday F.
Dark, so dark that I think that it is to hide bugs crawling around. Best item is onion loaf, rib sauce tastes like jar sauce from save alot. Wish I could love this place but no way...and it's expensive! No thanks!
(2)Latrell C.
For all of those complaining about the ambience: the place is called "The Rib Rack" and it is located in what looks like a basement of a residential home. You knew WELL before you walked in that it was far from the Four Seasons. So, the place isn't the classiest. Hell, neither is the neighborhood. However they give large portions and the food is great. Priced a little high, but well worth it.
(4)Carla H.
No one has better wings. no one.
(5)Moira M.
Good food, horrible ambiance, decent servers.
(3)Daniel Z.
Good food. Large portions. It's not that expensive because you can share their portions. Fresh corn muffins are extremely tasty. Very dark ambiance.
(4)M. C.
My favorite BBQ restaurant in Philadelphia. The ambiance is pitiful and the lighting is terrible, but you are there for the food. The cornbread is amazing, the wings are perfect and the baby back ribs and sides are truly the best. For my side item I usually go with the steak fries or the stuffing. My wife loves the grilled chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes. Don't forget you get a slice of watermelon to cleanse the pallate. You must try it.
(5)Allen I.
The Ribrack is a great place. I love it. I go as frequent as my wallet lets me. It's a pretty expensive place if you're ordering ribs, however they are worth it. Smoked crisp to perfection glazed with amazing homeade BBQ sauce. I love the cornbread, watermelon, steak fries.. You name it. The wings are actually good also. Very comparable to Chickies. They are definitley a tad too saucey for me. The sandwiches are amazing. The 2 piece combo is a sweet deal. The only thing that sucks about the rib rack is that a "Just Casear" is 8.99...Might be worth it, I just think that's a tad much for a little salad. This place is amazing.
(5)Nelson S.
This place is like Phil's BBQ back home in San Diego... I drive 20 minutes each way for this place. Ribs will not disappoint.
(5)Cindy G.
Never liked ribs until I had Rib Racks baby back ribs!!! They are amazing!! Fall right off the bone!!! You can't go wrong with this place. All their sides are delicious too! I recommend trying the stuffing also. Their wings and corn muffins are also great. Can't go wrong with this place.
(5)Mike D.
After reading a few reviews mentioning the "best wings in the city" I started thinking about all the places I need to try(now along with cheesesteaks...Steve's is across the street) because apparently there are a ton of the best out there. Growing up in the NE I lived on these wings almost weekly and got a chance to indulge recently one late night after returning home from a night out. My dad got 100 wings for a family party the next day and in my drunken stupor I managed to put a rather large dent in that 100 and I could not stop eating! This wings are amazing but I will be the first one to mention the STUFFING. This is the craziest, largest, most amazing, better than yo mama's stuffing you have ever had with enough gravy to clog all three branches of your aortic arch. It's funny, I have never eaten in and remember as a kid looking through the dark dining area wondering if anyone actually ate there instead of bringing it home. Oh well, go try the stuffing!
(5)Jim G.
I've been coming to Rib Rack for over 20 years and this is hands down the best "bar like" food ever! My family and friends love it just as much too! I've never heard a negative thing ever! The "lighting" issue is nonsense. It is on the dark side but so what! The reviews are for the restaurant not the lighting! I've tried everything. From their corn bread, to their grilled chicken salads, to their dressings (honey mustard) best around, to their wings and ribs....everything is outstanding! Traveled the world and their wings are the most addicting. I live 90 minutes away and nothing will ever keep me away.
(5)Helen Z.
Growing up only a few blocks away, I've passed this place a million times. I finally tried this place out with a few friends from the neighborhood and boyyy am I sorry I did! Everyone on yelp seems to be in love with the food, but everything we ordered was only okay. We had 3 racks of the Baby Back ribs and somehow they were all cooked to a different doneness. Some ribs were moist and some were tougher and dry. The wings were only typical, I've definitely had better and the "special" ranch sauce that came with the onion rings was just a mixture of ranch and hot sauce. What's worst than the mediocre food was the disgusting atmosphere of this establishment. The tables were extremely sticky (I can only image its caked in layers of grease over the years) and it was so dimly lit in there that we could barely see the menus (probably to disguise the dirtiness of the tables). I am definitely not coming back. This place is the reason why I fear restaurants in Northeast Philly.
(2)Boris Y.
Went to a party in which they got the ribs and wings. Both were excellent. Ribs impressed this Yankee-turned-southern boy.
(4)Cccc B.
I've gone here once, and never returned. They claim to have the best ribs in Philly, but they certainly didn't taste that way. First of all, the place was so dark we could barely see each other across the table. It's a super tiny place that looks run down. It was totally dead when we went in there, and it was dinner time! I think the dark lighting was designed to hide the bad decor and horrible food. I guess if you can't see what you're eating, you can't tell how bland and dry it is...? Based on all the positive reviews on here, I feel like I should give it another try. Maybe they were just having an off night. Hmm, maybe.
(1)Christine A.
My first instinct when I walked into the the dim lit, dark wood wall paneled dining area was to turn around walk back out into the sunlight. I'm glad I didn't. Once my eyes got used to the light level, I really enjoyed the experience. The BBQ chicken is so OMG-I've-died-and-gone-to-heaven good that it made everything else (Buffalo wings, Baby back ribs, french fries) feel like a waste of stomach space. But everything else was exceptionally good and can hold their own. Next time, I'll go straight for the chicken. The waitress was so pleasant, helpful and the attentive w/out being annoying - just added to the whole experience. The Rib Rack is the type of dining experience I love discovering: 'hole in the wall', neighborhood digs only locals know that serve mouth-wateringly delicious food. I am ashamed to say that I've driven by the Rib Rack for decades and the first time I went in was a couple weeks ago. That's decades worth of fine food that I've denied myself. I'll just have to play catch-up now!
(5)Brad P.
It isn't usually my style to comment on ambiance but the lighting in here must be the outcome of a bet or an inside joke on the part of the management. I have never been fed in a darker place since that time I was kidnapped and tortured by Roland Emmerich, who forced me to watch all of his awful disaster movies in his basement before I chewed through my restraints and escaped...but that's a story for another time. I'm serious. They need to work on their lighting. While we ate, a father came in with his two kids, sat down, exclaimed "man it is dark in here!" and left before ordering. I'm sure he was concerned that the darkness would consume a child if he stayed for too long....just like it always does. anyhow, the food- Rib Rack is good. The baked beans are OK but nothing to write home about. The wings were unsatisfactory when compared to the current king of Philly hot wings(Moriarty's). I was pleased with my meal, but underwhelmed in the face of the many 5-star reviews I read here on yelp. The Ribs are very good but they are not the best in Philadelphia(in my opinion). I really appreciate the hot sauce they give you on the side so that you can give the ribs a little more kick. They are devoid of fatty chunks and the meat slides off the bone easily. I am giving Rib Rack a 3 star review because their wings and baked beans kinda dragged things down. I've been methodically trying Philly BBQ places in search for the best and I don't think Rib Rack lived up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind going here again. I just wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)David C.
Very good eats! I love the food served here, it was delicious! I came with a group of 4 and we were quickly seated on a Friday evening, which is good. We got ribs, burgers, fries, chicken, more ribs... I liked it all. Portions were very generous too. Included with all of our meals was a slice of watermelon...that's cool. The outside appearance of this restaurant always kept me away but I wish that hadn't been the case since the service and food was spectacular. I look forward to coming back. P.S... did anyone else think it was kinda dark inside? I thought their lighting was a bit too dim lol
(5)Mindalah B.
We normally eat in but this time we took out three orders of the baby back ribs ($67 for 3 racks and extra sauce). There is a charge for extra sauce so just order them extra wet. The ribs were tender and delicious, you will lick your fingers. The corn muffins are perfection. The fries are steak fires, large and great for dipping into the bbq sauce, I did not really enjoy the cole slaw but the baked beans are good and sweet. We usually eat in but we were driving through the area. If you eat in you need to remember it has been there for a very long time, the interior has not been updated in many years and is very dark inside but well worth the food. Not many places have baby back ribs, Rib It closed down and Famous Dave's does not serve baby backs except for the one located outside of Atlantic City. So if yu want finger licking good baby back ribs this is the place for you.
(5)Kelly C.
I am going to keep this short and sweet, The Rib Rack has the best ribs in Philly! I recently visited Sweet Lucys and there is no comparison! If you want good ribs go to The Rib Rack!
(5)Joe W.
People complain about the lighting, I think it's perfect for a steak/rib house. I always have trouble deciding with their menu because everything from the burgers to the steaks to the ribs are great. The corn muffins and watermelon are a great touch. No beer on tap, but a selection of domestic bottles.
(5)Jason R.
Perfection!!!! The BEST Baby Back Ribs and Buffalo Wings ever!!! You will go home full and happy!! Now to the food...Corn bread muffins are given to everyone with a side of butter to give it that Southern appeal. The muffins are on the dry side but that's what the butter is for and/or your beverage of choice. The muffins come with your order so I can deal with a dry corn muffin. The Buffalo Wings are AMAZING! The best you will ever eat, no doubt. I ordered mine well done for that extra crispiness needed to avoid "the sog" where you feel like you are biting into loose slimy chicken skin. Nasty! You won't experience that at Rib Rack! It's all about high quality comfort foods. You can order the wings mild, medium, or hot. I ordered mild today in an 18 denomination. The wings have a nice mild heat and break off nicely with each bite. The blue cheese dipping sauce is a bit overly blue cheesy for my liking. I found that I scooped up more pure blue cheese than sauce which is annoying when you want to marry the two. The quality of the wings are top notch. They at not overly large nor chewy. The size is perfect with just enough high quality meat per bite. Order these even if you are a casual Buffalo Wing fan as you will never look at another wing the same again after you try them from the Rib Rack. I have come here many times and I order the same thing. I can't get away from the moist and lean baby back ribs. Not overly saucy and well charred for added texture and an authentic smoky taste. The cole slaw can be ignored as it is overly mayo'd as the cabbage is swimming in the mayo juice. Not appealing! The watermelon slice can be ignored too, especially if it brushed up against the BBQ sauce from your ribs. Watermelon and BBQ sauce is not a combo worth trying. Trust me! On another positive note, the thumb fries are really good. Firm, crispy, and hot that pair well with the Baby Back Rib platter. Well worth each calorie. Anyway, this place rocks. They even offer early bird rib specials under $10. Be prepared that the restaurant is overly dark and seems dungeonesque. If you can get past the ambiance elements you will simply experience awesome quality food! You're welcome :)
(5)Dennis B.
They have been doing this for quite sometime. .......whether you like wings, ribs, sandwiches or burgers.........they keep doing it right.......
(4)Tanya B.
I saw a sign that said early bird special for $7.99. So I went to 7elven and came back but they didn't open tell 3:30pm and cars was lined up in front of the store. This my first time here and picking up ribs for my mom because she love them. But if you take out the ribs special is $8.99. I had two platters to go. I hope their good and if they are I will be back.
(2)Parker C.
One word AMAZING ribs would definitely comeback. It's a hole in a wall place and dark inside but food here is great. I will try the chicken next time with the ribs too.
(4)Alyssa C.
Baby back ribs are super good, bbq sauce is amazing. I also had the salads which are good and their hot wings are pretty decent. Lost points bc service can get pretty slow if you dine in and the lighting situation is a joke inside.
(3)Robert J.
i like to say that the rib rack is a good restaurant that has good food , love the buffalo wings and the ribs is to die for i am not saying this cause i used to work there from 87 to 2002 i know good food so if anyone say different they just don't know good food and the owners they are good peoples
(5)Francine L.
The best barbecue in the world AND sides from heaven. Stuffing and gravy is amazing. Baby backs are unbelievable.
(5)Maria W.
Was looking for a place that had good ribs for my father in law Rib rack was a little distance from my house but proved to be worth the drive The rack of ribs was simply delicious Caesar salad with grilled chicken was amazing
(4)Rose M R.
I love this place! It's a very calm & nice atmosphere! The first waitress we had I did not like the service she provided, but that doesn't mean that it makes the place a BAD ONE! The waitress we had today was awesome she knew when we needed refills (WHICH IS A + in my BOOK) When your waitress has a positive attitude & if you are dining with kids & she or she interacts with the the kids is always a PLUS! The place is a bit tight as seating wise but I mean it not HORRIBLE! The pricing for the food is AFFORDABLE! The food is FRESH & DELICIOUS!! The wait time for the food is great, normal timing!! & I love that they serve all they're food with a side of WATERMELON (YUMMMMYYYYYYYY)
(4)Mike M.
Incredibly disappointed. The food isn't bad, it's just not that good, especially for the cost. I ordered take out, baby back ribs, with mashed potatoes, and it also came with a corn muffin and coleslaw. The ribs... There was very little meat on the bone, and the bbq sauce was OK. Mashed potatoes and corn muffin are exactly what you'd expect, plain but decent. The coleslaw tasted like someone dumped way too much pepper in it. Chances are I'll never eat here again, unless someone else pays.
(2)Jillian S.
Love this place. Food is great there. The wings are amazing and I highly recommend them. The service is great too but it is really dark inside. Maybe a couple of lights would help with the atmosphere. Even tho the setting inside is weird and non lit, I really enjoy it here.
(4)Marisa S.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE their baby back ribs & wings. I actually won't eat ribs anywhere else but here. The cornbread & coleslaw is also rally tasty. I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere. I like dim lighting but it's so dim in there that I feel like I have to strain my eyes to see the menu & what I'm eating. Other than that the food is great.
(4)Ryan G.
Amazing! I have gone to five star restaurants and don't like them as much as I love this place. I tell everyone this is my favorite restaurant. I have been going here since I was a kid and can't say enough a out the place. The food is great, the portions are huge, the prices are decent and the service is usually pretty good as well. It seems like a little dive BBQ joint in the NE from the outside. But trust me, go in and order the ribs and chicken with stuffing. You won't regret it!
(5)Robert W.
So let me tell you this , I'm giving this a one star if I could give it a 0 I would, there was only 7 beef ribs in the box we bought the he man rack, about 8-10 french fries, a dried out corn muffin, it was all basically $28 for a box of bones!!, it was all grizzle and fat, no meat on the bone it's a disgrace will never eat here again, its been a while since we ate here, and what they are serving is garbage! I wouldnt feed this to my dog! Unpleasant experience. By the way , its their policies to not give refunds, so check your order before u leave. This establishment should be ashamed of the quality and quantity it is putting out. And for that, im out.
(1)Mason R.
This rating suffers not from quality of food, but of peculiarity of experience. It is sad too because I thought the food was FANTASTIC. I really mean it. I had the cowboy steak, now normally I wouldn't eat a steak with bbq sauce, but this place does it up right. I also enjoyed the ribs, fires, and cornbread...yee-haw! However, there were two strange events that occurred in the restaurant that made the experience, slightly unpleasant and uncomfortable. My sister ordered a salad and asked, "You don't have any parmesan cheese, do you?" The waitress replied, "no. we don't sorry." This struck me as odd. My Cesar salad came out with freshly grated, or what appeared to be freshly grated parmesan cheese. So I said, "Excuse me? What kind of cheese is this?" She replied, "Cesar Cheese." There is no such cheese. But I went with it. "Ok, can she have some of that on the side for her salad as well." The waitress obliged. Very peculiar. I'm not sure if she was being rude, funny, or what? Either way, there's an issue there. A few moments later my mother was punched by a young boy sitting in the booth next to her. The father yelled at the boy and said nothing to my mother. It was very odd. So basically the food is great, but the whole dining part is a little whack. I recommend take-out, but if you're on your own, I imagine it's a much smoother experience.
(3)Eboni F.
Extremely poor customer service and this was my experience on a take-out order so based on that I would not dine in. I walk in and there are three people behind the counter, none of whom opened their mouth to say hello. Not even after they ceased their conversation. And one was obviously the manager while the other two were young girls, so I don't expect to much from them. As I stood in front of the counter I had to ask if someone would take my order. Then had to ask for it when it was done. Now finally onto a review of food! Lol.. So I got the half baby back ribs/half chicken platter with fries & coleslaw. It also came with cornbread. The cornbread is a dead ringer for ShopRite corn muffins. Not great, not bad but nothing special. The best thing....the chicken! It had a great smoky flavor. The ribs were tough. The fries were plain, but that's how I like them and the coleslaw was blah. I wouldn't take the drive to go here, and would maybe dine in if someone else was paying..lol
(2)Ryan B.
Love this place, it's been here as long as I can remember. Good- Food is awesome Wings are my favorite in Philly Ribs fall off the bone Sides are great Bad- it's really dark in there, like really dark It kind of feels like they are closed or they are hiding something. Low lighting is good in strip clubs not restaurants Get it TO-GO
(5)Katie N.
They have the absolute BEST wings in Philly. But they also have terribly slow service and we are always waiting when we go here...even if it's just to pick up an order we called in. The wait is usually annoying enough to make us go some other place. Go on a week night if you don't want to stand/sit around waiting.
(3)Chassity R.
Food and service were wonderful. The only complaint I have is the lighting. Strange...
(5)Jim K.
I guess this is what happens when there's no competition in this immediate area for good BBQ or good restaurants in general, for that matter.If there where this place would have been closed many years ago as it should be now.We decided to order take out based on the reviews,my wife had to talk me in to it.I have lived in the neighborhood all my life,I love BBQ and I think I have been here once and now I remember why. We ordered ribs of course,I the beef,she the baby backs.The person that took our order explained that the beef ribs were small but that the meat was a much better quality.Well,lets just say that was a huge understatement,they had literally one bite of meat on each of the 7 ribs,20 bucks,it only covered 1-1/2" of the rib in the center.Complete ripoff,they should not be selling these ribs,I don't care how much warning you give,maybe they only sell these to take out customers, because any one who is sitting in to eat would laugh and immediately send these back.On top of the anorexic amount of meat they were not good,not sure if they are even smoking their meat.Baby backs were normal size but they were very skinny,dried out,lacking meat and flavor as well,baked beans were from a can,coleslaw from a jar,corn muffin dry tasteless,but the onion rings were good, well cold but could have been good. The reviews don't really tell the true story some how,maybe we have just come to except mediocre food in this area,maybe some of the reviewers are connected to the place somehow, maybe these problems are recent issues.In any case there is no way this place should still be open.Next time my wife will listen to me a little better, she must have missed Robert W's 0 star review, and next time we'll be going back to Sweet Lucy's if we want take out BBQ.
(1)Doug B.
I have to profess my love of BBQ Ribs, and the Rib Rack as one of my favorite local restaurants. We had never been here before, but word-of-mouth for this place is pretty strong - more than one person has recommended I go here. So I did! Great Ribs! I think what they save on Decor is the extra love they put into the food. I was very happy with the whole experience... Good food, friendly service, and sticky fingers! Also a huge fan of cole slaw, which came with the meal. I'll be back here soon for sure.
(4)Alison S.
Wel, I've only ever done take out, but YUM. The blue cheese burger was delish. Fat and juicy with fresh toppings and a soft bun. Cole slaw, well, toss some blue cheese in that and it's heaven on a plate. My partner in crime got the full rack of ribs. HUGE and very good. not homemade, but really good. I'd come back for sure!!!
(4)Danan R.
The food here is solid but not really outstanding. The ribs are tender and flavorful, but the wings are no match for Spring Street in Princeton or Moriarty's, although they were more than edible, especially when paired with the house made blue cheese. The sweet potato side was a nice, healthier option, which I definitely liked, and the coleslaw had a good balance of tartness, sweetness, and creaminess, complete with a nice crunch. Overall, it's a solid 3 for food quality. Ambiance could use some work (and maybe light) but that's a very trivial component.
(3)Chubby Chuck W.
the best baby back ribs i have EVER had since 1986 go there !!!!!
(5)Mary S.
I love the rib rack! Not the best atmosphere but the food is delicious! I wish they'd brighten the place up a bit. Makes me wonder what their hiding. But as I said before delicious food!
(5)E W.
The best ribs I ever ate. Hands down. The hot wings, stuffing, cole slaw and corn muffins are also excellent. Don't let the outside fool you, this place is clean and worth every penny.
(5)Peter P.
Grew up in the area and had tons of experience here. Dining in is really strange. Always has been. The lighting is so dark it makes one wonder why they keep it that way. I always get the baby back ribs. ("Dinner" rack now..."He-Man" rack in my younger days) Always really good. You get two full racks with the "Dinner" portion. Three with the "He-Man" portion. Comes with a salad and cornbread. Salad is average. Cornbread is good. Grilled chicken breast is also good. Try the stuffing as well. I wouldn't call this authentic bbq but the taste is good. (Not smoked ribs with pink ring...boiled ribs that fall off the bone) The key to their success has been the sauce. It's just awesome. Prices are high for the area and with the awful décor. Service is average. Ill be there again but if you're looking for real bbq head to Zachary's in Norristown (BEST) or Sweet Lucy's on State Road.
(3)John M.
Listen and listen good. The best most flavorful wings ever. The blue cheese is perfect with the right clump and chunkiness. Go have wings
(5)David C.
Normal ribs but big sides
(3)Hieu P.
What's there to say that hasn't been said? Baby-back ribs are done well, nice level of moistness and enough crisp from the grill to give it that charred, smokey flavor on the surface. Meat comes right off the bone, and the bbq sauce is pretty good. The wings are standard fare [which is to say, excellent], the steak fries were thick and crispy, the 'slaw was made with a bit too much mayo, and the mashed potatoes were nothing to write home about. Got the dinner plate of ribs, came with a sizable portion with sides that proved to be a good amount for two people to leave abundantly full. The wings made it uncomfortably so, but that's the price you pay to be a fatass, I'm afraid. It's a mistake I make early and often. Disappointed about how "bright it" was in there. They must have turned the lights up, because it's nowhere near as dark as the reviews make it out to be :D
(4)Megan L.
We indulge on Rib Rack a few times a month . Wings for take-out, ribs eat-in. I cannot eat wings or ribs ANYWHERE else without being disappointed, they're that good. Prices are great for the quality of the food!!
(5)Sean D.
Saw someone on my facebook post a pic of some ribs from some other bbq place and I instantly said "I need to log into yelp and write a review for rib rack" Hands down the best ribs in Philadelphia and all the burbs. Small and almost hidden location. Always packed. Onion loaf, wings, and ribs are all awesome
(5)Francine L.
The best barbecue in the world AND sides from heaven. Stuffing and gravy is amazing. Baby backs are unbelievable.
(5)Rose M R.
I love this place! It's a very calm & nice atmosphere! The first waitress we had I did not like the service she provided, but that doesn't mean that it makes the place a BAD ONE! The waitress we had today was awesome she knew when we needed refills (WHICH IS A + in my BOOK) When your waitress has a positive attitude & if you are dining with kids & she or she interacts with the the kids is always a PLUS! The place is a bit tight as seating wise but I mean it not HORRIBLE! The pricing for the food is AFFORDABLE! The food is FRESH & DELICIOUS!! The wait time for the food is great, normal timing!! & I love that they serve all they're food with a side of WATERMELON (YUMMMMYYYYYYYY)
(4)Eboni F.
Extremely poor customer service and this was my experience on a take-out order so based on that I would not dine in. I walk in and there are three people behind the counter, none of whom opened their mouth to say hello. Not even after they ceased their conversation. And one was obviously the manager while the other two were young girls, so I don't expect to much from them. As I stood in front of the counter I had to ask if someone would take my order. Then had to ask for it when it was done. Now finally onto a review of food! Lol.. So I got the half baby back ribs/half chicken platter with fries & coleslaw. It also came with cornbread. The cornbread is a dead ringer for ShopRite corn muffins. Not great, not bad but nothing special. The best thing....the chicken! It had a great smoky flavor. The ribs were tough. The fries were plain, but that's how I like them and the coleslaw was blah. I wouldn't take the drive to go here, and would maybe dine in if someone else was paying..lol
(2)Ryan B.
Love this place, it's been here as long as I can remember. Good- Food is awesome Wings are my favorite in Philly Ribs fall off the bone Sides are great Bad- it's really dark in there, like really dark It kind of feels like they are closed or they are hiding something. Low lighting is good in strip clubs not restaurants Get it TO-GO
(5)Marisa S.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE their baby back ribs & wings. I actually won't eat ribs anywhere else but here. The cornbread & coleslaw is also rally tasty. I'm not a huge fan of the atmosphere. I like dim lighting but it's so dim in there that I feel like I have to strain my eyes to see the menu & what I'm eating. Other than that the food is great.
(4)Mason R.
This rating suffers not from quality of food, but of peculiarity of experience. It is sad too because I thought the food was FANTASTIC. I really mean it. I had the cowboy steak, now normally I wouldn't eat a steak with bbq sauce, but this place does it up right. I also enjoyed the ribs, fires, and cornbread...yee-haw! However, there were two strange events that occurred in the restaurant that made the experience, slightly unpleasant and uncomfortable. My sister ordered a salad and asked, "You don't have any parmesan cheese, do you?" The waitress replied, "no. we don't sorry." This struck me as odd. My Cesar salad came out with freshly grated, or what appeared to be freshly grated parmesan cheese. So I said, "Excuse me? What kind of cheese is this?" She replied, "Cesar Cheese." There is no such cheese. But I went with it. "Ok, can she have some of that on the side for her salad as well." The waitress obliged. Very peculiar. I'm not sure if she was being rude, funny, or what? Either way, there's an issue there. A few moments later my mother was punched by a young boy sitting in the booth next to her. The father yelled at the boy and said nothing to my mother. It was very odd. So basically the food is great, but the whole dining part is a little whack. I recommend take-out, but if you're on your own, I imagine it's a much smoother experience.
(3)Carla H.
No one has better wings. no one.
(5)Moira M.
Good food, horrible ambiance, decent servers.
(3)Daniel Z.
Good food. Large portions. It's not that expensive because you can share their portions. Fresh corn muffins are extremely tasty. Very dark ambiance.
(4)Katie N.
They have the absolute BEST wings in Philly. But they also have terribly slow service and we are always waiting when we go here...even if it's just to pick up an order we called in. The wait is usually annoying enough to make us go some other place. Go on a week night if you don't want to stand/sit around waiting.
(3)Chassity R.
Food and service were wonderful. The only complaint I have is the lighting. Strange...
(5)Ryan G.
Amazing! I have gone to five star restaurants and don't like them as much as I love this place. I tell everyone this is my favorite restaurant. I have been going here since I was a kid and can't say enough a out the place. The food is great, the portions are huge, the prices are decent and the service is usually pretty good as well. It seems like a little dive BBQ joint in the NE from the outside. But trust me, go in and order the ribs and chicken with stuffing. You won't regret it!
(5)Robert W.
So let me tell you this , I'm giving this a one star if I could give it a 0 I would, there was only 7 beef ribs in the box we bought the he man rack, about 8-10 french fries, a dried out corn muffin, it was all basically $28 for a box of bones!!, it was all grizzle and fat, no meat on the bone it's a disgrace will never eat here again, its been a while since we ate here, and what they are serving is garbage! I wouldnt feed this to my dog! Unpleasant experience. By the way , its their policies to not give refunds, so check your order before u leave. This establishment should be ashamed of the quality and quantity it is putting out. And for that, im out.
(1)Jim K.
I guess this is what happens when there's no competition in this immediate area for good BBQ or good restaurants in general, for that matter.If there where this place would have been closed many years ago as it should be now.We decided to order take out based on the reviews,my wife had to talk me in to it.I have lived in the neighborhood all my life,I love BBQ and I think I have been here once and now I remember why. We ordered ribs of course,I the beef,she the baby backs.The person that took our order explained that the beef ribs were small but that the meat was a much better quality.Well,lets just say that was a huge understatement,they had literally one bite of meat on each of the 7 ribs,20 bucks,it only covered 1-1/2" of the rib in the center.Complete ripoff,they should not be selling these ribs,I don't care how much warning you give,maybe they only sell these to take out customers, because any one who is sitting in to eat would laugh and immediately send these back.On top of the anorexic amount of meat they were not good,not sure if they are even smoking their meat.Baby backs were normal size but they were very skinny,dried out,lacking meat and flavor as well,baked beans were from a can,coleslaw from a jar,corn muffin dry tasteless,but the onion rings were good, well cold but could have been good. The reviews don't really tell the true story some how,maybe we have just come to except mediocre food in this area,maybe some of the reviewers are connected to the place somehow, maybe these problems are recent issues.In any case there is no way this place should still be open.Next time my wife will listen to me a little better, she must have missed Robert W's 0 star review, and next time we'll be going back to Sweet Lucy's if we want take out BBQ.
(1)Doug B.
I have to profess my love of BBQ Ribs, and the Rib Rack as one of my favorite local restaurants. We had never been here before, but word-of-mouth for this place is pretty strong - more than one person has recommended I go here. So I did! Great Ribs! I think what they save on Decor is the extra love they put into the food. I was very happy with the whole experience... Good food, friendly service, and sticky fingers! Also a huge fan of cole slaw, which came with the meal. I'll be back here soon for sure.
(4)Jason R.
Perfection!!!! The BEST Baby Back Ribs and Buffalo Wings ever!!! You will go home full and happy!! Now to the food...Corn bread muffins are given to everyone with a side of butter to give it that Southern appeal. The muffins are on the dry side but that's what the butter is for and/or your beverage of choice. The muffins come with your order so I can deal with a dry corn muffin. The Buffalo Wings are AMAZING! The best you will ever eat, no doubt. I ordered mine well done for that extra crispiness needed to avoid "the sog" where you feel like you are biting into loose slimy chicken skin. Nasty! You won't experience that at Rib Rack! It's all about high quality comfort foods. You can order the wings mild, medium, or hot. I ordered mild today in an 18 denomination. The wings have a nice mild heat and break off nicely with each bite. The blue cheese dipping sauce is a bit overly blue cheesy for my liking. I found that I scooped up more pure blue cheese than sauce which is annoying when you want to marry the two. The quality of the wings are top notch. They at not overly large nor chewy. The size is perfect with just enough high quality meat per bite. Order these even if you are a casual Buffalo Wing fan as you will never look at another wing the same again after you try them from the Rib Rack. I have come here many times and I order the same thing. I can't get away from the moist and lean baby back ribs. Not overly saucy and well charred for added texture and an authentic smoky taste. The cole slaw can be ignored as it is overly mayo'd as the cabbage is swimming in the mayo juice. Not appealing! The watermelon slice can be ignored too, especially if it brushed up against the BBQ sauce from your ribs. Watermelon and BBQ sauce is not a combo worth trying. Trust me! On another positive note, the thumb fries are really good. Firm, crispy, and hot that pair well with the Baby Back Rib platter. Well worth each calorie. Anyway, this place rocks. They even offer early bird rib specials under $10. Be prepared that the restaurant is overly dark and seems dungeonesque. If you can get past the ambiance elements you will simply experience awesome quality food! You're welcome :)
(5)Dennis B.
They have been doing this for quite sometime. .......whether you like wings, ribs, sandwiches or burgers.........they keep doing it right.......
(4)Tanya B.
I saw a sign that said early bird special for $7.99. So I went to 7elven and came back but they didn't open tell 3:30pm and cars was lined up in front of the store. This my first time here and picking up ribs for my mom because she love them. But if you take out the ribs special is $8.99. I had two platters to go. I hope their good and if they are I will be back.
(2)Parker C.
One word AMAZING ribs would definitely comeback. It's a hole in a wall place and dark inside but food here is great. I will try the chicken next time with the ribs too.
(4)Alyssa C.
Baby back ribs are super good, bbq sauce is amazing. I also had the salads which are good and their hot wings are pretty decent. Lost points bc service can get pretty slow if you dine in and the lighting situation is a joke inside.
(3)Alison S.
Wel, I've only ever done take out, but YUM. The blue cheese burger was delish. Fat and juicy with fresh toppings and a soft bun. Cole slaw, well, toss some blue cheese in that and it's heaven on a plate. My partner in crime got the full rack of ribs. HUGE and very good. not homemade, but really good. I'd come back for sure!!!
(4)Danan R.
The food here is solid but not really outstanding. The ribs are tender and flavorful, but the wings are no match for Spring Street in Princeton or Moriarty's, although they were more than edible, especially when paired with the house made blue cheese. The sweet potato side was a nice, healthier option, which I definitely liked, and the coleslaw had a good balance of tartness, sweetness, and creaminess, complete with a nice crunch. Overall, it's a solid 3 for food quality. Ambiance could use some work (and maybe light) but that's a very trivial component.
(3)Chubby Chuck W.
the best baby back ribs i have EVER had since 1986 go there !!!!!
(5)Mary S.
I love the rib rack! Not the best atmosphere but the food is delicious! I wish they'd brighten the place up a bit. Makes me wonder what their hiding. But as I said before delicious food!
(5)E W.
The best ribs I ever ate. Hands down. The hot wings, stuffing, cole slaw and corn muffins are also excellent. Don't let the outside fool you, this place is clean and worth every penny.
(5)Peter P.
Grew up in the area and had tons of experience here. Dining in is really strange. Always has been. The lighting is so dark it makes one wonder why they keep it that way. I always get the baby back ribs. ("Dinner" rack now..."He-Man" rack in my younger days) Always really good. You get two full racks with the "Dinner" portion. Three with the "He-Man" portion. Comes with a salad and cornbread. Salad is average. Cornbread is good. Grilled chicken breast is also good. Try the stuffing as well. I wouldn't call this authentic bbq but the taste is good. (Not smoked ribs with pink ring...boiled ribs that fall off the bone) The key to their success has been the sauce. It's just awesome. Prices are high for the area and with the awful décor. Service is average. Ill be there again but if you're looking for real bbq head to Zachary's in Norristown (BEST) or Sweet Lucy's on State Road.
(3)John M.
Listen and listen good. The best most flavorful wings ever. The blue cheese is perfect with the right clump and chunkiness. Go have wings
(5)David C.
Normal ribs but big sides
(3)Brad P.
It isn't usually my style to comment on ambiance but the lighting in here must be the outcome of a bet or an inside joke on the part of the management. I have never been fed in a darker place since that time I was kidnapped and tortured by Roland Emmerich, who forced me to watch all of his awful disaster movies in his basement before I chewed through my restraints and escaped...but that's a story for another time. I'm serious. They need to work on their lighting. While we ate, a father came in with his two kids, sat down, exclaimed "man it is dark in here!" and left before ordering. I'm sure he was concerned that the darkness would consume a child if he stayed for too long....just like it always does. anyhow, the food- Rib Rack is good. The baked beans are OK but nothing to write home about. The wings were unsatisfactory when compared to the current king of Philly hot wings(Moriarty's). I was pleased with my meal, but underwhelmed in the face of the many 5-star reviews I read here on yelp. The Ribs are very good but they are not the best in Philadelphia(in my opinion). I really appreciate the hot sauce they give you on the side so that you can give the ribs a little more kick. They are devoid of fatty chunks and the meat slides off the bone easily. I am giving Rib Rack a 3 star review because their wings and baked beans kinda dragged things down. I've been methodically trying Philly BBQ places in search for the best and I don't think Rib Rack lived up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind going here again. I just wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(3)David C.
Very good eats! I love the food served here, it was delicious! I came with a group of 4 and we were quickly seated on a Friday evening, which is good. We got ribs, burgers, fries, chicken, more ribs... I liked it all. Portions were very generous too. Included with all of our meals was a slice of watermelon...that's cool. The outside appearance of this restaurant always kept me away but I wish that hadn't been the case since the service and food was spectacular. I look forward to coming back. P.S... did anyone else think it was kinda dark inside? I thought their lighting was a bit too dim lol
(5)Mindalah B.
We normally eat in but this time we took out three orders of the baby back ribs ($67 for 3 racks and extra sauce). There is a charge for extra sauce so just order them extra wet. The ribs were tender and delicious, you will lick your fingers. The corn muffins are perfection. The fries are steak fires, large and great for dipping into the bbq sauce, I did not really enjoy the cole slaw but the baked beans are good and sweet. We usually eat in but we were driving through the area. If you eat in you need to remember it has been there for a very long time, the interior has not been updated in many years and is very dark inside but well worth the food. Not many places have baby back ribs, Rib It closed down and Famous Dave's does not serve baby backs except for the one located outside of Atlantic City. So if yu want finger licking good baby back ribs this is the place for you.
(5)Hieu P.
What's there to say that hasn't been said? Baby-back ribs are done well, nice level of moistness and enough crisp from the grill to give it that charred, smokey flavor on the surface. Meat comes right off the bone, and the bbq sauce is pretty good. The wings are standard fare [which is to say, excellent], the steak fries were thick and crispy, the 'slaw was made with a bit too much mayo, and the mashed potatoes were nothing to write home about. Got the dinner plate of ribs, came with a sizable portion with sides that proved to be a good amount for two people to leave abundantly full. The wings made it uncomfortably so, but that's the price you pay to be a fatass, I'm afraid. It's a mistake I make early and often. Disappointed about how "bright it" was in there. They must have turned the lights up, because it's nowhere near as dark as the reviews make it out to be :D
(4)Jessica S.
My dad's favorite wings in Philadelphia, and they are pretty darn good. I am a meat lover, but I really like the grilled chicken salad here! The vinaigrette is yummy and its a huge portion ~ you can even split with a friend. So the corn bread here is pretty good, so are the ribs. I used to work at the one in Elkins Park that shut down and it was BYOB. So I showed up at this one over Christmas time with a big old bag of beer and learned they do sell beer at this one. O, and they have IBC Rootbeer and other cool sodas. It is a bit dark in there (lighting). However, not open for lunch :( Hours are ~ 3:30 to 10ish P.S. What a silly photo that's up there. Go out and take some more pics Yelpers! (Don't worry I'm not hatin' Eric)
(4)Christy C.
When my soon to be mother in law suggested this place for dinner during one of our visits back home. I was like uhhh- seriously? But dang- what' a plesant surprise! Location- it's looks rough from the outside- but you just have to just open that door and walk in.. and see what they have to offer. Their Baby Back Ribs! Holy cow! It was so delicious! I had their wings- absolutely yumminess! Their servings are healthy and just awesome! They have their "special" sauce LOL ... and my soon to be mother in law love it! She loves the corn bread too! The ONLY ONLY ONLY reason why I didn't give them 5 stars would be because of the lighting there. The darkness there made me feel very comfortable... I hated the plants thats just right above my head.. I was fearing that something will just drop into my food or my head from the plants (but it didnt) ... and the seats were a bit small.... i am a tiny girl, and I was sharing the booth with my fiancee... and I had to keep asking me to move over LOL! Whoopsy! LOL!
(4)Kate M.
I have fondly renamed this place the Meat Cave due to the cavernous, dark interior and the abundance of meat. The ribs were amazing. Even my northeast Philly hatin' boyfriend said they were the best he's had in this city. Loved the wings. The mashed potatoes I got as my side were pretty forgettable, but I tried the stuffing and found myself wishing my mom would buy it for Thanksgiving! Also, the corn muffins were out of this world. Rib Rack, you'd get one more star if you bought light bulbs brighter than 10 watt, but then I'd have to change your nickname from Meat Cave to something less likely to be confused with a south Jersey strip club.
(4)Christine A.
My first instinct when I walked into the the dim lit, dark wood wall paneled dining area was to turn around walk back out into the sunlight. I'm glad I didn't. Once my eyes got used to the light level, I really enjoyed the experience. The BBQ chicken is so OMG-I've-died-and-gone-to-heaven good that it made everything else (Buffalo wings, Baby back ribs, french fries) feel like a waste of stomach space. But everything else was exceptionally good and can hold their own. Next time, I'll go straight for the chicken. The waitress was so pleasant, helpful and the attentive w/out being annoying - just added to the whole experience. The Rib Rack is the type of dining experience I love discovering: 'hole in the wall', neighborhood digs only locals know that serve mouth-wateringly delicious food. I am ashamed to say that I've driven by the Rib Rack for decades and the first time I went in was a couple weeks ago. That's decades worth of fine food that I've denied myself. I'll just have to play catch-up now!
(5)Benjamin B.
I have been coming to the Rib Rack off and on for like 25 years. Everybody here is claiming how dark it is - my wife and I love it! Who wants to look across the table and see half a jar of rib sauce on somebody's face? Last time we went was yesterday for my birthday. All of the food was delicious! We got the wings which were a little overdone but not enough to hinder their deliciousness. I got the Dinner Rack of Beef Ribs and I was full and smelling my hands from the BBQ for the rest of the night. My wife got a Chicken Caesar salad which also was delicious. The only reason this doesn't get five stars is because they make 0 substitutions and the service was a little inattentive. I actually didn't want to order an entire order of wings with the meal - shear gluttony. When I asked if I could replace the chicken of the ribs and chicken platter with wings, I was quickly rebuked. So quickly that it was obvious that I wasn't the first, fifth or even tenth person who had asked that. Perhaps that means something Rib Rack! Also, not really an extensive bar menu. If you don't want Wine or Beer, you are screwed. The waitress wasn't really into explaining the Wine list either, which is weird because you would think she would want to add more alcohol to the check. In any event, Rib Rack still gets 4 stars due to the quality of the food.
(4)Jeffrey F.
Excellent food! The ribs were juicy and fell off the bone.The steak fries and onion rings were fried perfectly.the BBQ chicken was tender and moist. The wings were dome perfectly, The wait staff were attentive and very cordial, easy parking on the street made this little gem a big hit with my family group.
(5)Jenna G.
We love rib rack! We always order the he man baby back ribs. It's always delicious. The good is a little pricey but worth it. We usually get take out, so I'm not sure how the service is, but the food is great!
(5)Howard C.
Being allergic to wheat and gluten I called to find out whether the ribs are gluten free. First time my wife called, the gentleman answering the phone had no clue what gluten free meant. Told us to call back today. Upon calling today, the gal that answered had no idea what I was talking about either. She is the manager and had no idea. It's 2012 people - find out if there's wheat or gluten in the food you serve.
(1)Gandhus M.
The opinions of Yelpers vary far and wide on a great range of topics, as they should. However, based on what I've seen in a ton of comments and lists most seem to agree on one thing: Northeast Philadelphia is devoid of decent dining (...among other things). Enter Rib Rack - one of the few exceptions to this rule. You will leave here puzzled how you could have just had the meal you did from this dark pit of a converted row home. (Just because you found good food, don't expect ambiance. It is Northeast Philly, after all. Quit while you're ahead) When you do things with effort & attention, they are done better. A lesson to be learned from the fine proprietors of Rib Rack. It's clear that those are the keys to their success. They found a formula for their menu, it's proven to work, they stick to it and do it well. There is nothing bad on their menu. It's not that extensive of a menu, mind you, they cover all the main items you would expect: Chicken, stuffing, cornbread, wings, ribs (all varieties), etc....all great. One particular menu item worth noting is the salmon caesar salad. It's awesome. As long as you can see your fork, your food, your beer and the way out - who cares how dark the dining room is anyway? If it's that much of a problem just get take out. The crew manning the front of house are very professional and efficient. They have their act together....and the crowd gathered waiting for food is testament to that.
(4)S S.
I am 30yo and have been coming here since as far back as I can remember. I love everything on their menu. The wings are hand down the best I have ever had anywhere. Anytime I get wings elsewhere I compare them to the "The Racks" and none ever come close. The ribs are great but I advise not ordering to go if you live far. They tend to dry out. The salmon and BBQ chicken are all amazing and the chicken soup tastes just like grandmom made it. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)Rachel A.
Went to the Rib Rack last night for dinner. The dark lighting in the restaurant is purely for ambiance, it wasn't that hard to see in there. The ribs were awesome. I got the Beef Ribs, forgetting how big they are, but they were delicious!! My boyfriend got the Baby Backs that looked just as good. My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach though - I ordered a salad before the ribs, and wasn't able to finish my dinner. I had a doggie bag with my name on it! I would definitely go back here. Since the place was known for the ribs, that's what we got, and they were definitely worth it.
(4)Megan L.
We indulge on Rib Rack a few times a month . Wings for take-out, ribs eat-in. I cannot eat wings or ribs ANYWHERE else without being disappointed, they're that good. Prices are great for the quality of the food!!
(5)Sean D.
Saw someone on my facebook post a pic of some ribs from some other bbq place and I instantly said "I need to log into yelp and write a review for rib rack" Hands down the best ribs in Philadelphia and all the burbs. Small and almost hidden location. Always packed. Onion loaf, wings, and ribs are all awesome
(5)Philly D.
I finally tried this joint out, after years and years of passing by and wondering if it was really as good as the signs claim. If I told you that the ribs were the best around, the chicken was the best around, and the steak was the best around, would you think that I was just being ridiculous? Well, you should, because that's how good it all is, ridiculously good. My date had the ribs and chicken platter, and I had the NY Strip. It was all so good, people, I can't even begin to tell you how good. Oh, and the chicken soup is definitely fresh and delicious. The corn muffins too, they're just frickin wonderful. There are a couple other BBQ joints in Northeast Philly that hold their own weight, but they're just not as good as Rib Rack. Simple, good food coupled with attentive service. This place will soon have a new regular. Can't wait to try the wings.
(5)Amy K.
Everything I got from here was fantastic. Wings, bbq chicken sandwich, stuffing, mashed potatoes, the beans, I also tried someone else's ribs and they were awesome as well. The wings were the perfect crispiness with the perfect amount of sauce, the blue cheese dressing was even great, The sandwiches were large and the buns were even larger. The sides were all plentiful and delicious. It's nothing fancy but that's its appeal. You should go for the food, solely, not the ambiance.
(5)Josh S.
Wow, my first trip back here after a couple years ... The food was incredible. Each and every item was 5 star.. My wife and I stopped in to grab dinner to go,she got 1/2 BBQ chicken w/ sweet potato & corn muffin. I went for the boneless BBQ chicken w/ steak fries and stuffing on the side. The portions are huge. The BBQ sauce is sweet, tangy and flavorful. The chicken was moist and tender,stuffing was probably the best stuffing I've ever had(sorry mom) it was just too damn good ... And what's up wit that gravy that goes on top of it ?? That is over the top... I mean stuffing and gravy .. That's genius. The Corn muffins were not the best I ever had but damn close and the baked sweet potato (brown sugar included), which I usually don't mess with, I tried it and loved it. It's been a while since we've eaten somewhere where each and every item was good. Rib Rack knocked it outta the park. It was the best $30 we've spent for dinner in a long time!
(5)Kelly G.
I've enjoyed every experience here and I always want to go back. The food is phenomenal. Their wings are the best I have ever had, and the ribs are to die for. There is not a full bar but you can order bottled beer and wine. The place is small and pretty dark. It is pricy but completely worth it. They're not open for lunch but make sure you try it out some time. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Tracy B.
rib rack right now is the place i go to for my beef ribs. the ribs are tender and hav just enough burnt on the ends.. i love it.. it's a little drive for me but it's worth it
(3)Michelle C.
I usually just get the cheeseburger & fries but it's so good. The burger is huge & they give you a mound of steak fries. My Mom gets the ribs & always says they are the best.
(5)Allen I.
The Ribrack is a great place. I love it. I go as frequent as my wallet lets me. It's a pretty expensive place if you're ordering ribs, however they are worth it. Smoked crisp to perfection glazed with amazing homeade BBQ sauce. I love the cornbread, watermelon, steak fries.. You name it. The wings are actually good also. Very comparable to Chickies. They are definitley a tad too saucey for me. The sandwiches are amazing. The 2 piece combo is a sweet deal. The only thing that sucks about the rib rack is that a "Just Casear" is 8.99...Might be worth it, I just think that's a tad much for a little salad. This place is amazing.
(5)M. C.
My favorite BBQ restaurant in Philadelphia. The ambiance is pitiful and the lighting is terrible, but you are there for the food. The cornbread is amazing, the wings are perfect and the baby back ribs and sides are truly the best. For my side item I usually go with the steak fries or the stuffing. My wife loves the grilled chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes. Don't forget you get a slice of watermelon to cleanse the pallate. You must try it.
(5)Kelly C.
I am going to keep this short and sweet, The Rib Rack has the best ribs in Philly! I recently visited Sweet Lucys and there is no comparison! If you want good ribs go to The Rib Rack!
(5)Joe W.
People complain about the lighting, I think it's perfect for a steak/rib house. I always have trouble deciding with their menu because everything from the burgers to the steaks to the ribs are great. The corn muffins and watermelon are a great touch. No beer on tap, but a selection of domestic bottles.
(5)Aday F.
Dark, so dark that I think that it is to hide bugs crawling around. Best item is onion loaf, rib sauce tastes like jar sauce from save alot. Wish I could love this place but no way...and it's expensive! No thanks!
(2)Latrell C.
For all of those complaining about the ambience: the place is called "The Rib Rack" and it is located in what looks like a basement of a residential home. You knew WELL before you walked in that it was far from the Four Seasons. So, the place isn't the classiest. Hell, neither is the neighborhood. However they give large portions and the food is great. Priced a little high, but well worth it.
(4)Nelson S.
This place is like Phil's BBQ back home in San Diego... I drive 20 minutes each way for this place. Ribs will not disappoint.
(5)Mike D.
After reading a few reviews mentioning the "best wings in the city" I started thinking about all the places I need to try(now along with cheesesteaks...Steve's is across the street) because apparently there are a ton of the best out there. Growing up in the NE I lived on these wings almost weekly and got a chance to indulge recently one late night after returning home from a night out. My dad got 100 wings for a family party the next day and in my drunken stupor I managed to put a rather large dent in that 100 and I could not stop eating! This wings are amazing but I will be the first one to mention the STUFFING. This is the craziest, largest, most amazing, better than yo mama's stuffing you have ever had with enough gravy to clog all three branches of your aortic arch. It's funny, I have never eaten in and remember as a kid looking through the dark dining area wondering if anyone actually ate there instead of bringing it home. Oh well, go try the stuffing!
(5)Jim G.
I've been coming to Rib Rack for over 20 years and this is hands down the best "bar like" food ever! My family and friends love it just as much too! I've never heard a negative thing ever! The "lighting" issue is nonsense. It is on the dark side but so what! The reviews are for the restaurant not the lighting! I've tried everything. From their corn bread, to their grilled chicken salads, to their dressings (honey mustard) best around, to their wings and ribs....everything is outstanding! Traveled the world and their wings are the most addicting. I live 90 minutes away and nothing will ever keep me away.
(5)Helen Z.
Growing up only a few blocks away, I've passed this place a million times. I finally tried this place out with a few friends from the neighborhood and boyyy am I sorry I did! Everyone on yelp seems to be in love with the food, but everything we ordered was only okay. We had 3 racks of the Baby Back ribs and somehow they were all cooked to a different doneness. Some ribs were moist and some were tougher and dry. The wings were only typical, I've definitely had better and the "special" ranch sauce that came with the onion rings was just a mixture of ranch and hot sauce. What's worst than the mediocre food was the disgusting atmosphere of this establishment. The tables were extremely sticky (I can only image its caked in layers of grease over the years) and it was so dimly lit in there that we could barely see the menus (probably to disguise the dirtiness of the tables). I am definitely not coming back. This place is the reason why I fear restaurants in Northeast Philly.
(2)Boris Y.
Went to a party in which they got the ribs and wings. Both were excellent. Ribs impressed this Yankee-turned-southern boy.
(4)Cccc B.
I've gone here once, and never returned. They claim to have the best ribs in Philly, but they certainly didn't taste that way. First of all, the place was so dark we could barely see each other across the table. It's a super tiny place that looks run down. It was totally dead when we went in there, and it was dinner time! I think the dark lighting was designed to hide the bad decor and horrible food. I guess if you can't see what you're eating, you can't tell how bland and dry it is...? Based on all the positive reviews on here, I feel like I should give it another try. Maybe they were just having an off night. Hmm, maybe.
(1)Jillian S.
Love this place. Food is great there. The wings are amazing and I highly recommend them. The service is great too but it is really dark inside. Maybe a couple of lights would help with the atmosphere. Even tho the setting inside is weird and non lit, I really enjoy it here.
(4)Mike M.
Incredibly disappointed. The food isn't bad, it's just not that good, especially for the cost. I ordered take out, baby back ribs, with mashed potatoes, and it also came with a corn muffin and coleslaw. The ribs... There was very little meat on the bone, and the bbq sauce was OK. Mashed potatoes and corn muffin are exactly what you'd expect, plain but decent. The coleslaw tasted like someone dumped way too much pepper in it. Chances are I'll never eat here again, unless someone else pays.
(2)Robert J.
i like to say that the rib rack is a good restaurant that has good food , love the buffalo wings and the ribs is to die for i am not saying this cause i used to work there from 87 to 2002 i know good food so if anyone say different they just don't know good food and the owners they are good peoples
(5)Maria W.
Was looking for a place that had good ribs for my father in law Rib rack was a little distance from my house but proved to be worth the drive The rack of ribs was simply delicious Caesar salad with grilled chicken was amazing
(4)Cindy G.
Never liked ribs until I had Rib Racks baby back ribs!!! They are amazing!! Fall right off the bone!!! You can't go wrong with this place. All their sides are delicious too! I recommend trying the stuffing also. Their wings and corn muffins are also great. Can't go wrong with this place.
(5)