RUB BBQ Rocks: $40 Feast for Two

July 16, 2008

The aptly named Righteous Urban Barbeque lives up to expectations; Affordable and meaty ribs, brisket-topped chili cheese fries and deep fried Oreos. It hasn’t disappointed in 5 visits and I’m pumped to go back. Read on to find out how you and a friend can feast for $20 each.

BBQ Chili Cheese Fries $8.50

More of NYC’s Best French Fries Here

Arguably the best chili cheese fries I’ve ever had. The decadence you’re looking at above doesn’t do justice to the sloppy deliciousness below. A bed of crispy and fresh skin-on fries supports a copious mound of tender brisket-filled chili. I usually avoid melted cheddar cheese sauce because it tends to take over any dish it covers but in this case it actually melds well with the hearty fries and mildly spicy chili.

Individual Side of Onion Strings $3.75

Mixing the flavors of fried onions with smoked pork is one of my favorite combinations and these onion strings are topped with a little bit of RUB’s rub so the flavor is doubly delicious. An individual side of these thinly sliced fried yellow onion strings is more than enough for two people. Ask for them cooked well done to avoid a greasy pile of sog.

Pork Spare Ribs – $12.75 (“Bony End” 6 Meaty Ribs)

More of NYC’s best BBQ & Ribs here

The ribs below are pork spare ribs that are nothing like the ones you’ve had at a Chinese restaurant. They’re the meatier first 6 ribs on the slab aka “The Bony End”. For $12.75 you get 6 meaty ribs that are tender enough to make you forget they’re spare ribs. Covered with a spicy dry rub, I like to mix some hot sauce with RUB’s BBQ sauce and spread that on top. If you like a little less meat and fat, you can also get the “Short End”, 7 leaner ribs, for $13.75.

Deep Fried Oreos – $4.75 for an order of 4

They’re deep fried Oreos, they speak for themselves. Think funnel cake with melted oreos in the middle. Sugar bombs of deliciousness, the perfect serving size (2 each) and ending to a savory meal.

Photo complements of Jadeblade at Flickr.com

What I’m getting next time…

Friends have not been impressed with the Baby Back Ribs ($24.75 full/$13.75 half) so I won’t be going in that direction. In their huge competition quality smokers seen below, RUB smokes turkey, ham, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and sausage, all of which are delicious. NYC Food Guy, however, will be going for the pastrami! A manager told me her favorite menu item is the BBQ Reuben Crusher ($11.75 – pastrami, swiss, sauerkraut and Russian on grilled rye). Her recommendation is to order a small side of mayo slaw ($3.50), open up the Crusher, and smush the order of slaw between the two halves of smokey goodness.

$40 Feast for Two

Stick with water as your beverage and my highlighted menu items (Bony End Ribs, Chili Cheese Fries, Onion Strings, Fried Oreos) and your total should end up in the $30-33 range. That means if you have a heart and tip 20 percent, your meal should be around $40. Thank me later. Get to RUB now and tell me how good it is.