Best Ribs In Pattaya?

[Humphrey Bear]

Where abouts is the Rib company, never heard of it before

The address is at the bottom

From Pattaya People -

Great American Rib Company

Where you need no teef for eating beef

This week visited a virtually new restaurant called the Great American Rib Company, which is located half way along Thepprasit Road, opposite the old golf range. What a surprise it was to discover that this venue has changed hands and been totally revamped and become what looks to be a very successful American restaurant serving authentic American style BBQ – or to be correct, authentic Hickory Wood Smoked US BBQ.

This new BBQ venture was started 6 weeks ago by the team of Californian, Wes Carroll and Thai partner Chanisorn (Tok). They are not new to running restaurants, originally Wes ran the popular Tequila Reef Restaurant, and then later with Tok, and Rob Vaughn, one time chef from Tequila Reef, began the success story of the Great American Rib Company. They now have three Great American Rib venues in Thailand. Their first restaurant opened in Bangkok about 3 years ago and then their second branch launched in the resort of Hua Hin nearly two years ago and now here in Pattaya.

It is here at the branch in Pattaya where Wes’s brother, Greg Carroll is the general manager and has introduced a vibrant and energetic atmosphere to their latest captivating restaurant. And Greg should know a thing or two about creating a great atmosphere, as he started out running the famous night spot Blues Factory, here in Pattaya. Greg is an accomplished musician, singer and noted harmonica player and he has brought his wealth of knowledge and talent along to the restaurant with special live music nights playing jazz, blues and other popular music from Thursday to Sunday. The restaurant which seats up to 150 customers is laid out in a very contemporary fashion and decorated in vibrant ochre and white throughout.

The main indoor (air conditioned) section of the restaurant has ten tables and benches plus a fascinating collection of Americana photographs together with model World War II aircraft hanging in various poses from the ceiling. Greg prefers to call it a novelty museum tribute, being part dedicated to Wes and Greg’s father (Wes) who was a professional pilot in WW II and Vietnam and later as a captain for American Airlines.

The outside garden-terrace area where most of the tables, delightfully covered with modern style umbrellas, are arranged around many colourful water features, all adding to a wonderfully relaxed eating experience ‘al fresco’ under the stars.

The menu at the Great American Rib Company is best described as being Californian-Mexican, containing a range of Starters such as Onion Rings (95 baht), Smoked Chicken Taquitos (145 baht) being crisp rolled chicken tacos topped with cheese and served with sour cream and salsa and El Paso Nachos (185 baht), a dish of spicy filet mignon beef strips with jalapeno peppers and melted cheddar cheese spread over crisp tortilla chips. They serve 5 different salads, including a very unusual Blackened Prawn Caesar Salad (295 baht) containing crisp Romaine lettuce tossed with Parmesan cheese, croutons, creamy garlic dressing and specially smoked tiger prawns. Burgers and Sandwiches are served from 185 baht for a half pound Classic Burger to Bacon Burger with BBQ sauce and Cheddar cheese for 235 baht, all including curly fries, tomato, onion and dill pickle. For steak lovers, there is a very good selection including the Filet Mignon ‘Cattleman’s cut’ (10 ounces for 550 baht), T-Bone 18 ounces ‘Cowboy cut’ at 695 baht and Surf and Turf, 650 baht for filet mignon and two king prawns. They also have Beef Braised Beef Short Ribs (350 baht). A plate full of ribs that have been slow simmered in beer, herbs and vegetables until the meat falls off the bone. There is also a popular dish of Sizzling Southwest Fajitas (325 baht). A choice of skirt steak, chipolte style chicken or carnitas pork, where one fills and rolls one’s own tortilla with meat, salsa, beans sour cream and cheese on a bed of onions and peppers. The star attractions served at the Great American Rib has obviously got to be their BBQ Ribs and they are certainly no disappointment. All the BBQ meats are coated in a special dry rub then covered in a special BBQ sauce and smoked ‘low and slow’ (about 4-5 hours) in the Smoker ovens with specially US imported Hickory wood and charcoal. A full rack of St. Louis style Ribs costs 485 baht, a half rack costs 295 baht. The plate includes two side dishes such as BBQ beans, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Curly Fries, Corn Bread and Corn on the Cob. Other BBQ Platters include ‘Butt-Kickin’ Chicken. 185 baht for half a smoked BBQ chicken. Carolina Style Pulled Pork Shoulder (235 baht) and Pepper coated Pork Tenderloin (for 295 baht). To fully appreciate this BBQ experience, then try The Great American BBQ Feast. It comes in two sizes. 595 baht for the Half Feast which serves 2-3 people and the awesome Great Feast serving 4-5 hungry people for 1095 baht. This includes a Full Rack of succulent and meaty Ribs that literally falls off the bone. The platter has a whole ‘Butt-Kickin’ Chicken, a mound of Pulled Pork (meat is scraped off the bone), the delicious Pepper Coated Pork Tenderloin with a Horseradish Sauce. Plus side orders of tasty BBQ Beans, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Corn on the Cob, excellent Corn Bread and Curly Fries. We also tried two other house specialties. Quesadilla (125 baht). Grilled tortilla stuffed with cheese and either Chipotle Pepper marinated Chicken or Carnitas (chili marinated) Pork – we tried the chicken and it was brilliant! Finally, we tried a sample of Buffalo Wings (95 baht for 6) – crispy Chicken wings tossed in a choice of varying heat degrees of Cayenne Pepper Sauce (medium, hot and ‘atomic’). There is also a great selection of American style desserts including Carrot Cake, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie and Chocolate Fudge Brownies. The restaurant serves a good selection of Californian wines from 715 baht to 1595 baht for a Storybook Mountain Zinfandel. A glass of House Wine (French) costs 95 baht. Otherwise try a powerful Frozen Margarita at 195 a mug or 395 a pitcher. The Great American Rib Company is well worth a visit and parking is easy. It is located at 229/95, Moo 12, Thepprasit Road. Open daily from 11.30am to 11.30pm. Music nights start at 8.30pm. Telephone: 038-300-874

[Jingthing]

i have to admit my last visit there (Great American RIb Co) the food was awful. I thought maybe a one off problem. Are other people noticing a marked decline in quality?

Edited September 11, 2007 by Jingthing

[Humphrey Bear]

I used to drop in to Tony Rome's (BKK) when I flew in from Saudi, on my way home to Pattaya. Maybe not the best, but a good intake of pork after three months deprivation.

The only places I know in the Pattaya area that serve good ribs are tequila Reef and Great American.

If they are both going off-the-boil, it's a pity. I don't think that there is enough trade in Pattaya to justify a lot of these specialist restaurants - you need at least fifty covers a night to profit from a small (8-10 tables) restaurant, if you are charging competitive prices. That's the kitchen staff, front staff, materials, breakages, waste, taxes, rent, utilities, advertising, etc., before you can put a living wage in your own pocket.

[cubes2]

All so true

but if you sell good food at a good price people come back.

but if you charge top dollar and the food is crap,  

well i will let the Great American rib conpany work that one out.

off the list,   has been for the last 6 months, total DS.

Edited September 11, 2007 by cubes2

[GezT]

I've lived in Pattaya a good many years, it's only been in the last few that "Rib Joints" have spouted up and become popular here. I've tried most in this town, if they haven't been to good the first time I still try them again just to make sure. In my opinion Tequela Reef do the best, most consistent ribs of the lot. The funny thing is I've never been in the place, I have always ordered them through Door-to-Door, another first class service. I regret having a kitchen fitted in my condo since they came out.

[ICECHUNKS]

I have always ordered them through Door-to-Door, another first class service

And first class cost as well.

Not cheap.

[barryofthailand]

The best Ribs in pattaya is Buckwheats Ribs, but when they are not avilable their at my house. I will be getting a new Bar B Que next year. Gas Bar B Que.

Barry