Did someone say BBQ? If they did, I'm thinking immediately - Smokey Bones! Since the first time we came here, this has been my absolute favorite place for Barbecue Ribs! (Don't tell my son, he's pretty proud of his own BBQ ribs.) They smoke their ribs slowly over hickory wood for true smoked flavor and tenderness.
When you first walk into the restaurant you're greeted with warm and welcoming round fire place in the waiting area. Usually it's full of people waiting for a table, but today we are here only minutes after opening and it's pretty early for the dinner crowd.
You can see that the dining area and bar are finished with wood and stone decor and plenty of TV sets mounted on the walls if you need to keep in touch with your sports while waiting for dinner. After those ribs arrive, you won't be worried about what's on TV!
The menu is based on BBQ but there are plenty of other choices, though you're missing out in my opinion if you don't order the ribs.
We started off with a drinks, I had iced tea, which is my usual libation, and my husband had strawberry lemonade - served in these cute mason jar glasses. Both of our drinks were very good.
But on to the the ribs - we both chose the Double Trouble combo, which is a third of a rack of St. Louis style ribs and a third of a rack of Baby Back style ribs. I honestly like them both, so it's hard to say which is my favorite. This ribs just fall off the bone and melt in your mouth. We ordered them seasoned with just the dry rub and no extra sauce - the meat speaks for itself. We both ordered fresh steamed broccoli as one side and for the other I ordered a baked potato and he ordered French Fries.
If you like added sauce, they have four flavors on the table ready for you to try.
They are as messy to eat as they are delicious, so I don't recommend wearing a white shirt to Smokey Bones!
This is more of a place for a special dinner, not an every day occasion - it's a little bit expensive. With drinks and a tip the bill is about $60 US, so it's not somewhere we come often. But that just makes it more of a treat when we do come.
Restaurant Information
Smokey Bones
6118 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, IL 62208, USA
Smokey Bones - A Tasteem Review
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