Taste of Lincoln

Please note: This was just a critique of ribs, not the total menu.  Many of these places have the best brisket in town or I go there for other items.  In each case, I tried to just sample ribs with no sauce (naked) in the restaurant so there were no issues with it getting cold when I got home.  I tried to focus on locally owned businesses only.   I came up with my own modified Kansas City Barbecue Society modified scoring which is listed below.  In the event of a tie (which did happen) I used service as the tie-breaker.

Here are my rankings for the 6 places I tried:

1. BBQ4U
2. Hog Pit
3. Paul’s
4. Phat Jacks
5. Parker’s Smokehouse
6. Busters BBQ

Congratulations to BBQ4U.  I’ve been there many times, but I don’t think I’ve ever ordered ribs there.   Service was good and even without sauce the ribs were full of flavor.

Listed here are the scoring criteria I used and the weight each category has.  This is how I came up with the total score for each location.  If you would like to see my scorecard, you may download it here.  Scoring for each of these four categories ranges from 2 (inedible) to 9 (Outstanding).  So a perfect score would be a 44.884.

Appearance (Weight 0.5714): In KCBS judging, entries must follow specific criteria.  In my unofficial capacity, I just looked to see if there was care in the presentation.  Did the cook try to at least arrange things in an way that kept everything separate.

Taste (Weight 2.2855): Although the most subjective, this is really the ultimate deciding factor.  A rib can be slightly over cooked, but if the flavor rocks, I’ll come back for more.

Tenderness (Weight 1.1428): Until I became certified, I really didn’t understand this category.  As we were taught, ribs that fall off the bone are over-cooked.  Ribs that you need to tug at to get the meat are generally under-cooked.  A perfectly cooked rib will pull away from the bone, only around your teeth marks.  The bone, once exposed should dry quickly.

Service (Weight 0.9876): This is not an official category, but I had to come up with some way to break a tie.  To me, service is very important if I’m ever to come back on a regular basis.  I felt that the weight should be higher than appearance, but not as high as the Taste and Tenderness categories.

Announced via their Facebook page, Paul’s will be serving Ribs, Chicken and Pork late night. They are in the old Billy Brown’s location next to Iguana’s.

Pauls BBQ is now available downtown on the weekends after hours. Located just west of Iguanas pub on O street. Ribs, chicken, and pork will be served. Please stop in and get your BBQ fix.

I’m past my O street days, but I may travel down there some Saturday night and have a little late night snack!

It has been awhile since we have done a best of Lincoln, so here we go…..

Best Steak – Outback

Best Pizza – Lazarri’s

Best Chicken Tenders – BW3

Best Prime Rib – Don’t care for prime rib so I won’t choose a place.

Best Hamburger – Red Robin

Best Buffet – Valentino’s

Best Mexican – El Torro

Best Italian – Vincenzo’s

Sunday Brunch – Granite City

Coffee Shop – Cafe Indigo (inside of Indigo books)

Fast Food – Jimmy John’s

Fine Dining – Venue

Seafood – Venue

Bar-B-Que – The Hog Pit

Buffalo Wings – Brewsky’s

Best Appetizers- Lazlo’s

Best Soup- Bissonwitches

Best dessert- Fireworks (Cola Cake)

Best downtown Lincoln- Lazlo’s

Best Family Friendly- Red Robin

Best Breakfast- Green Gateau

Best Sandwiches- Bissonwitches

Best Thai- Blue Orchard

I’m a HUGE supporter of the guys at Lazarri’s.  But just a quick post that the service and food today was not up to par.  There was an unfamiliar face running the register, but he needed a 101 on social skills for sure.

Our salad never came out before the pizza and both the top and bottom of our slices were burnt.  What do you do when one of your favorite restaurants lets you down?