Chuck, what are White Castle Ribs?
Have you been to ODennis'?
If I remember correctly, there is ALWAYS a wait, a LONG wait to get a table and the service is crappy and the sides are McDonaldish at best.
I will admit, the first time I went there, I thought the ribs were very good. Really.
Then I learn somethings and one of those things was to NEVER boil ribs and I now found The Rib Religion.

The Neelys are hard to watch...so we don't...too much phoney charm.....no real cookin...they don't even seem familiar with the recipes I'm sure they're nice folks and they're both at home in front of the camera...but that alone doesn't make a cookin show...... real cookin would help. Oh, by the way, try Corkys' brisket sandwich next time yer in Memphis

I will NEVER try a recipe that doesn't include some salt. I don't know much about cooking, but it reminds me of the time I tried to cook "tandoori chicken" out of Paul Kirk's book. I followed the directions, and didn't even think about the absence of salt. I guess I was too distracted by the marinade ingredients like yogurt. Anyway, it was almost edible at the table after salting. I was ticked, but learned to never cook without salt. Heck, I even put a dash in my oatmeal!

To me, older places like Interstate BBQ have to be held to a different standard than newer places. You have to think of it as if you are going to your uncle's house and getting his really tender, slow-cooked, drenched in sauce, BBQ that always tastes great.

They have a unique sauce, and have been doing it the same way for a long time.

I am a little surprised they get so many rave reviews on nationally televised shows. I have definitely had better BBQ, but it is a pretty cool place with some good sauce.

Still, the point is, why no salt in the rub RECIPE? Has ANYONE tried a recipe with NO SALT?

Jane's Butt Rub(made famous on this web site) contains no salt. And it is EXCELLENT!
Use kosher on the butt before applying the rub.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Lampe:
Jane's Butt Rub(made famous on this web site) contains no salt. And it is EXCELLENT!
Use kosher on the butt before applying the rub.

Agreed, it is excellent. I do what Kevin does and salt the meat first. You get much better control of your salt content. And also, forget about paprika. Use different chiles instead.

quote:

Chuck, what are White Castle Ribs?

Jim,White Castle don't have any ribs,I was trying to be funny.Every time a try other resturant ribs I regreat that I didn't do my own.You just can't beat home made.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Lampe:
Jane's Butt Rub(made famous on this web site) contains no salt. And it is EXCELLENT!
Use kosher on the butt before applying the rub.

Funny, Jim. Does that mean that if someone asks me about my rub recipe, I can leave out the part about dusting the meat with salt and turbinado sugar first?

Now seriously, does ANYONE know of a bbq recipe containing NO SALT, such as the Neely's that inspired this thread, that they've tried and actually LIKED?

take it for what it is Dave, a salt-free rub

or not.

Jim, thanks for the link to Kevin's rub post. I learn stuff all the time. It makes sense to apply the salt first for drawing moisture to the surface. Also, I would think that Kevin's method is best for salt consistancy, especially when dealing with coarse kosher. His method kind of emphasizes the importance of salt, wouldn't you say?

I wonder if the Neely's just mistakenly left it out of their recipe. Paul Kirk HAD to in his tandoori chicken recipe that I tried.

I use Kevin's rub (Jane's Butt Rub) for every butt cook, and everytime the meat is excellent! I'm not changing a thing.
The little Kosher I use before applying the rub works well. But I do not use salt (or over-use salt) to add flavour... There is soo much out there that can be subbed in it's place.
I believe too many add salt even before tasting their meal. If it requires salt, yes, then add.
I do tend to steer away from high sodium products.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Lampe:
I use Kevin's rub (Jane's Butt Rub) for every butt cook, and everytime the meat is excellent! I'm not changing a thing.
The little Kosher I use before applying the rub works well. But I do not use salt (or over-use salt) to add flavour... There is soo much out there that can be subbed in it's place.
I believe too many add salt even before tasting their meal. If it requires salt, yes, then add.
I do tend to steer away from high sodium products.

Jim, why don't you just sub something for the kosher salt and avoid the salt altother, then? I don't think I've ever even tried Mrs. Dash, but I'll check out the ingredients list, cause I'm curious now. BTW, thanks again for the doitbest tip. I ordered some cherry and firestarter cubes.

Happy New Year! Dave

I went to Interstate BBQ a few years ago and I had HIGH expectations. Boy was I let down. I know this might sound crazy, but it was some of the worst barbecue ribs I have ever eaten . . . ever. The sauce is WAY too tomatoey - and I love Memphis-style sauce.

If you're ever in Memphis (and I'm going back in about three weeks!), check out Germantown Commissary. They sell the best ribs I've every had in a restaurant.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty M.:
I went to Interstate BBQ a few years ago and I had HIGH expectations. Boy was I let down. I know this might sound crazy, but it was some of the worst barbecue ribs I have ever eaten . . . ever. The sauce is WAY too tomatoey - and I love Memphis-style sauce.

If you're ever in Memphis (and I'm going back in about three weeks!), check out Germantown Commissary. They sell the best ribs I've every had in a restaurant.

Agreed. However, if you like Germantown Commissary, try Central next time you're in town. My favorite place here.

quote:

Originally posted by CullenJ:
Agreed. However, if you like Germantown Commissary, try Central next time you're in town. My favorite place here.

You got it. I'll definitely do that. I just looked up their website and got their address. Thanks a lot for the tip.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty M.:

quote:

Originally posted by CullenJ:
Agreed. However, if you like Germantown Commissary, try Central next time you're in town. My favorite place here.

You got it. I'll definitely do that. I just looked up their website and got their address. Thanks a lot for the tip.

Also, the BBQ Shop at 1782 Madison Ave is amazing. I rate 'em right with Germantown Comm.

quote:

Originally posted by CullenJ:
Also, the BBQ Shop at 1782 Madison Ave is amazing. I rate 'em right with Germantown Comm.

So, with Central Barbecue and The Barbecue Shop, what does each do best: chopped/pulled pork or ribs or both?

quote:

Originally posted by Marty M.:

quote:

Originally posted by CullenJ:
Also, the BBQ Shop at 1782 Madison Ave is amazing. I rate 'em right with Germantown Comm.

So, with Central Barbecue and The Barbecue Shop, what does each do best: chopped/pulled pork or ribs or both?

I think Central does everything very well. I enjoy their ribs, but I think they really shine at PP. Their barbeque nachos are the best in town. Just stellar nachos - fresh made chips, huge servings ... good stuff.

I've only had the ribs at the BBQ Shop, so I can't talk about their entire menu. If the ribs are any indication though, everything there's gotta be good. Their beans are the best I've had in town so far.

quote:

Originally posted by CullenJ:
I think Central does everything very well. I enjoy their ribs, but I think they really shine at PP. Their barbeque nachos are the best in town. Just stellar nachos - fresh made chips, huge servings ... good stuff.

I've only had the ribs at the BBQ Shop, so I can't talk about their entire menu. If the ribs are any indication though, everything there's gotta be good. Their beans are the best I've had in town so far.

Thanks a lot. I'm going to remember this and try those things when I get there.