Best "Chain Restaurant" ribs goes to......

[HC in SC]

Actually the Texas Roadhouse in N. Charleston, SC does some pretty tasty ribs.

All of the RTs in our area have gone downhill big time with all of the freaky menu and decor changes. They used to be the best spot for a burger; now we don't go there even if we have a BOGO coupon.

Agree with Mosca - depends on the local general manager. His Smokey Bones is good, the one here is mediocre at best - very poor service to boot.

[Baller4Life]

We had 'Famous Dave's' for the first time while in Flint. The location was on Miller Road near Genessee Valley Mall. Quite frankly, I was pleasantly surprised. I had a 2-meat platter with brisket, pulled pork, 2 sides and a cornbread muffin for $16. A skosh pricey for a chain but I'd go back.

[smarkley]

Ya... McRib is back here. We had a chance to get one on our recent week long trip to Wyoming... we went to Wendy's and got the pulled pork instead... not too bad. Any of ours is better, but for a fast food joint, I am impressed.

[charchamp]

I'm thinking he needs a winter home and restaurant here in Phoenix.

[Huskee]

There's an RT by our house. I may give the new menu a try.

I haven't been disappointed by anything I've had at my local RT, and they have awesome coupons if you go online and sign up for their club. Lot's of BOGO entrees, $ off a certain purchase, and always a free burger on your birthday. Of the popular bar & grill family chains (Applebee's, Bennigan's, Chili's, etc) RT is my fav. Like brought up before though, this is probably VERY circumstantial. Yours may have a who-cares cook or two and not be very good. It's a gamble.

I ate at a Chili's last Saturday in Okemos, MI, a hop skip & a jump from MSU, and I must say I was impressed. I got the steak & shrimp fajitas. The steak was incredibly good, albeit sliced up and seasoned for fajitas. I kept wondering if the actual steak entree was this good, if so I should've ordered it, but there's no way to know. I opted for no steak since those places aren't known for a good steak usually. I think a lot of these palces are trying to up their game becasue of the dwindling crowds of eat-outers the last few years.

[Huskee]

Tuffy Stone's Q Restaurant in Richmond have to be among the best I've tried.

I bet his are good, that probably goes without saying. Sadly there will probably never be one of them in MI.

[Huskee]

You're absolutely right Ray. This in no way is saying best ribs, just best chain restaurant ribs from places in my area. NOTHING beats homemade BBQ from guys like us who put the TLC into it!

[Huskee]

You're probably right. In Mt Pleasant, MI the RT is very good. Not that I eat out much but I've probably been there 5 or 6 times in the last two years and it's a good one. Probably depends on how much the cooks actually care or how much the management trains and stresses quality to the hired help.

We have a Smokey bones in Lansing, MI and I like their dry rub ribs. It's no home BBQ, but very good. I didn't realize they were a national chain or I'd have included them...

[Huskee]

Lol, time for one again!

[CB Dabbs]

Tuffy Stone's Q Restaurant in Richmond have to be among the best I've tried.

[David Parrish]

There's an RT by our house. I may give the new menu a try.

[Ray]

We have City BBQ, Famous Dave's, and about every general eatery under the sun here but, I must say that I love hickory smoked ribs the best that I've made and that by the techniques learned here. Meat doesn't just fall off the bone but much of the enjoyment is cleaning that wonderful tasting pork off the bone. I don't get much smoke flavor from the restaurants.

[Marauderer]

I think this is going to vary from location to location. RTs in our area serve dried out hunks of charred meat covered with glop. On the other hand, the local Smokey Bones is genuinely good, and the manager is a real smokehead; I've talked with him, and he loves bbq. That's the way it is going to be with franchises.

Well said Mosca. You are absolutely correct franchise restaurants are not real consistent from location to location.

[Mosca]

I think this is going to vary from location to location. RTs in our area serve dried out hunks of charred meat covered with glop. On the other hand, the local Smokey Bones is genuinely good, and the manager is a real smokehead; I've talked with him, and he loves bbq. That's the way it is going to be with franchises.

[_John_]

Might have to try em, there is an RT right across the street from my work. I'm surprised you went there, our McDonald's sign says the McRib is back...