“Serving Everything From Hot Dogs to Whole Hogs”

But Rib City specializes in, um, ribs ....

The Feast for Two and Three Cheese Fries at Rib City Grill, at the Jungle Jim's Shopping Center. The Feast for two is described as a delicious combination of smoked Pork and Beef, Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, 2 potatoes and 2 orders of baked beans, cole slaw and garlic toast.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch The Feast for Two and Three Cheese Fries at Rib City Grill, at the Jungle Jim's Shopping Center. The Feast for two is described as a delicious combination of smoked Pork and Beef, Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, 2 potatoes and 2 orders of baked beans, cole slaw and garlic toast.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Encore Theatre adds younger production
11/6/09
Chinese acrobats swoop into area this weekend
11/6/09
Church hosts lunchtime harp concert today
11/6/09
Pumpkins will roll in expanded festival Saturday
10/28/09
Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra opens 20th season
10/23/09
> More headlines

By Teri Horsley, Contributing Writer 2:52 PM Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Rib lovers who haven’t tried Fairfield’s Rib City are missing out on some of the best baby backs in Butler County. The restaurant opened three years ago in the shoppes of Jungle Jim’s, and even though it’s part of a chain in states like Florida and Colorado, it’s the only location in Ohio.

“I was born in New York, and was living in Colorado, but with family ties here, I decided to move back and show Ohio how ribs are done instead of opening up out west,” said owner Mike Harding.

There are three types of ribs served at Rib City. First, the baby backs are imported from Denmark and are a bit smaller and much more tender than one typically finds at other barbecue restaurants. The St. Louis style are smoked longer and are described by Harding as the rib lovers choice, and the Riblet, which is the end of the baby back is served tender and messy with sauce.

“With the exception of the St. Louis style, our ribs fall off the bone, and if anyone has to cut them with a knife they’ll eat free,” Harding said.

There are four types of sauces that are served with The Sweet Barbecue being made with brown sugar. The Tangy is made with vinegar and the Carolina Mustard from a sweet mustard indigenous to the south. Harding says his hot sauce recipe is a secret but he did confirm that he creates it from a blend of special spices and sweet barbecue sauce.

For those who aren’t rib lovers, there is plenty to choose from on the Rib City menu with sandwiches such as the Black Angus Steak Burger, a quarter pound hot dog, and catfish that is farm raised. Combos can include everything from ribs and ribs to shrimp and ribs and the Feast For Two which is a combination of smoked pork and beef, grilled chicken, baby back ribs, two baked potatoes and two orders of baked beans, cole slaw and garlic toast.

“We’ve never had two people who could actually finish the Feast for Two because there is so much food,” Harding said.

Lunch specials such as a Baby Back Rib Plate, Smoked Turkey Plate and Bar-B-Q Chicken and Pork are served daily until 4 p.m. The dinner menu is basically the same as the lunch, and the kids menu is for those under ten. Children under four eat free. Desserts such as home made key- lime, coconut and pecan pie are made fresh daily.

Rib City offers a Picnic Pack that serves up to ten people and the carry out meals can include everything from ribs and chicken to spare ribs and other smoked meats. There is limited delivery to businesses in Fairfield, and groups can hold onsite parties with advance notice. Rib City offers Coke products as well as beer, wine and margaritas. Tuesday nights through October feature an old car cruise in with up to one hundred vehicles on display outside the restaurant.

Contact this writer at tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com

how to go:

WHAT: Rib City

WHERE: 5502-B Dixie Highway, Fairfield (in the shoppes of Jungle Jim’s)

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon - Thursday, 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Lunch is served until 4 p.m. daily and the Tuesday Night Cruise In runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. weather permitting.

COST: Lunch Specials are $5.69 - $8.49, Combos are $12.99 to $17.99. The Feast For Two is $31.99. Sandwiches are $4.49 to $7.99. Ribs and Smoked meat dinners range from $8.99 to $13.99, Desserts are $2.95 to $3.75, and Kids Menu items are $3.99 to $6.99 (Seniors can eat from the Kids Menu ) Weekly Specials: (Lunch) Monday: Quarter of a Chicken & Pork or Beef plate for $8.19, Tuesday: Smoked Pork Sandwich $6.49, Wednesday: Smoked Beef Sandwich $6.49, Thursday: Smoked Turkey Sandwich $6.49, Friday: Half Rack of Baby Ribs $8.49, Saturday: Sloppy City Sandwich $6.49- (Dinner) Monday: Margaritas $1.50 each (limit three with entree) Tuesday: Half a Rack of Baby Back Ribs and Fried Catfish $13.99, Wednesday: Quarter Beer Night (limit 3 drafts with entree) Thursday: St. Louis Ribs & Pork, Beef or Chicken $15.99, Friday: Half Rack Baby Back Ribs & Jumbo Shrimp $13.99, Saturday: Full Rack & Pork, Beef or Chicken $16.99.

MORE INFO: (513) 829-7427; or www.ribcityFairfield.com (Menus online)

CRITICS CHOICE: Baby Back Ribs with Tangy Sauce and Sweet Potato Fries.

Share this article