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
