The rib lunch/dinner platter with 2 sides and hushpuppies was unbeatable! I've had a lot of the different BBQ joints here in Lakeland and this ranks tops by a long shot. The ribs were fall off the bone, meaty, smoky flavored goodness. The sauce was surprisingly VERY good. Will be making this a regular! I already knew they had an awesome breakfast but I was pleasantly surprised that the lunch was just as good. HIGHLY recommend.
(5)
Lauren B.
I love the two egg special with wheat toast and extra crispy hashbrowns. So good.
(5)
Jammie F.
The best ribs ever. I have passed by this place thousands of times. One day, my mother and I were craving ribs and decided to give this place a try, and I am so glad we did. We live all the way in Winter Haven, and we pass by several BBQ places to come here. We buy several slabs of their delicious ribs because we can't get enough of them. I recently had to go to Georgia and while on the road, we stopped by a BBQ place, that shall remain nameless. I was so disappointed with their ribs. I wanted to drive back down to Florida just to get me some ribs from The Rib House. I hope whom ever reads this will give this place a try. You will not be disappointed, you will be hooked!
(5)
Alex M.
Great staff very friendly and food that makes you stop and say mmmm
(4)
Chris L.
This was my first and last time going the The Rib House in Lakeland Florida. As I walked in I was excited because you could smell the smoke from outside. When I got inside I was not sure if I was to sit myself or wait to be seated. I thoguht it was just me until the people behind me asked the question of what to do (seat yourself or be seated). At BBQ restraunts I have a standard order for the first time I go in the restraunt, I call it the P, B, and C. This means I am ordering pull pork, baked beans, and cole slaw. So the pulled pork I vet is stringy and has it has been mixed with bbq. It tasted like it was straight out of a plastic container. There was no bark or pink smoke ring. I told the waitress I wanted pork that was not in bbq sauce so she said I wanted the sliced pork. She was very nice and went and got me some sliced pork. It was a very tasty seasoned peice of pork and it looked like it had been just removed from a roasting pan, this is not bbq. Again on this meat there is no bark on the outside and no smoke rings. As for the beans and cole slaw, the beans were hard and lacked flavor and the cole slaw was probably premade and out of a plastic container. The service was good but when I asked the waitress about which meats they smoked, she told me that both the porks I had were smoked. There was no way I was agreeing with this because there was no bark or smoke rings on anything.
(1)
G S.
We've been eating at Rib House forever. Consistently yummy, breakfast, lunch and dinner, great service and their prices are quite reasonable. Our favorites: First, what is probably the best patty melt in the area. Crisp rye, nongreasy onions cooked just right, and a burger patty that's thick, obviously handmade and well seasoned. I seek out patty melts all over and have had every one in Lakeland. This one beats them all, and for $5.95 with one side plus their awesome hush puppies, it is maximum win. My lovely bride enjoys the baked chicken frequently. $7.50 gets you a half chicken, two sides and the aforementioned hush puppies. Juicy, delicious and, like everything else at Rib House, served fullon hot. Nothing sits in the window here. Ever. Ribs. Excellent. Meaty. Smoky. And the sauces are homemade. Get the hot one. It's really good. I like crazyspicy, and this gets it done. I like omelets, not being an egg purist. I've had many of them and never been disappointed. The French Kiss is my favorite. Get it with a side of hollandaise for a spinachy, bacony breakfast flavorplosion. My honey IS an egg purist. Over light, please. They do it right and not at all greasy. Bacon ordered crispy arrives exactly so. Toast is... um... toasty. That perfect state of bread-dom with crisp exterior and transcendently tender inside. Yum. Generous portions at all times and just super value. Win all round, really, and I can only recall one miss. The chicken sandwich is a patty and not what I expected. Otherwise, just really good food. The owners are Thai, and I'd like to see the occasional foray into that cuisine, as they've pretty much got the short order American oeuvre down pat. Rib House can get busy at lunch and during weekend breakfast rush. But food comes fast, turnover is efficient without being rushed, and wait times are minimized. Service is *always* friendly, no matter how slammed they are. This is a converted Arthur Treacher's Fish n Chips, and still has the 4-top laminate booths and nautical lighting. There is a limited capacity for parties larger than four, so if you have a crew and want to sit together you might call ahead and see what they can do. Recommended enthusiastically for unfancy, tasty American food and excellent service.
(4)
Deke K.
I had not been back in over a year and was sorely disappointed this trip. They cannot be held responsible for the screaming children (there were plenty), nor some lady's cheap perfume (which permeated the entire back part of the restaurant), nor the guy with the shaky leg behind my booth who was shaking my booth. But they are fully responsible for the lack of greeting, lack of bringing a beverage in a timely manner, lack of announcing soup of the day, no-smile service, long wait for cash out. There menu was written in tiny print--gone were any hint of Thai specialties or "novel" cooking--standard fare sandwiches and salads. My BLT (toasted white bread only--I'd have liked rye) came out quickly with 2 hushpuppies and fried green tomatoes. The puppies were blah, the tomatoes were scalding (but yum) and the BLT was small and unimpressive. No one came to refill my soda. I had a "grease" bellyache the next two hours. While my last review raved about the ribs and the menu, this visit left me embarrassed that my previously high rating might have sent people to a place that was a poor excuse of a diner on this visit. Two stars is generous.
(2)
Tricia G.
This place is our home away from home. We eat here at least once a week. If you haven't had the ribs... do so. They are the best! Ive never had a item on the menu that didnt leave me HAPPY! THE RIB HOUSE is a wonderful gem in Lakeland. 2 thumbs up.. Nugget's the best waitress also!
(5)
Sleazeme P.
One of the best Rib Places in the country. The country! Ribs are smooth, smokey and flavorful. It's run by an Asian family, but not just any Asian family, a Thai family. The spiced herbs and secret sauce originating out of recipes intended for some noodle or minced meat dish is displaced and transplanted into a foreign world that is Florida colliding with cultures opposite one's upbringing and when the dust settles, the Thainess of hot and spicy flavors land on American BBQ ribs marinating an aftermath that exudes equilibrium, balance and joy. In other words, they some damn good ribs. Peebles who?
(5)
Lee T.
Not reviewed. A-ok rating given accidentally!
(3)
James H.
My very first visit since new owners and remodel. I would definitely try this place again. I had the lunch special which included a side. BBQ pork noodle soup. Flavor was good, lots of pork. They include sticky rice and a sweet pork in a stick and a side. I choose grilled veggies and they were yummy. Server was friendly. They have two menus one geared towards Thai food and one for those less adventurous.
(4)
Robert V.
We have eaten here twice and on both occasions, I walked away full and happy! We had breakfast on our first visit and I have to say, that it was the best breakfast I've had in a long time. The eggs in the omelet were light and fluffy and the fillers were cooked to perfection. The staff is extremely friendly & courteous. My wife and I had a great conversation with the waitress. She made us feel welcomed and as we had known her for eons. On our second visit we ordered dinner. I had the ribs and my wife had the pulled pork...both were excellent. I am not a big rib eater but these ribs are the best ribs I have tasted in the past 20 years. The meat was so tender that it was falling off of the bone. If you are in Lakeland, Florida, you should visit this little slice of heaven for breakfast and/or dinner. You will not be disappointed. Thank you for making our visits enjoyable!
(5)
Justin S.
You know, I really have great things to say about the Rib House. It's nothing special to look at from the street, and the ambience inside is similar to that of a diner. Booths along the sides and tables up front. It's a very no frills approach to your dining experience. That's where my criticism ends. Everything else about this place is awesome. Their breakfast is one of the best deals in this city. Generous portions and the food is delicious. They're much like their next door neighbor's Fat Jacks, in that they serve a superb breakfast at a bargain basement price. The Thai family that runs this place is first class, and never have I been served anything here that wasn't stellar. Their ribs are outrageous. Their prices can't be beat, and the people there are super friendly. There is definitely a reason why they've been in business for so long.
(4)
Josh B.
READ! Complete disgrace to bbq. Giving it 1 star just because I had to. Do not even consider going here. Terrible food and even worse atmosphere. Dark, dingy, and then the poor food is just nauseating! My girlfriend ran out after just a few bites EXTREMELY sick. I have never experienced something so awful. The fried food was very soggy, like they just took it out of the dishwasher. BBQ is baked not smoked. A lady got up, scooped her own ice and poured her own drink. That is utterly ridiculous to the service of a restaurant. I tried it out since previous reviews had such high praise, but that was a huge mistake. Clearly people do not know how BBQ should taste. If you are in the mood to get extremely sick, this is the perfect spot to go!
(1)
Rusty S.
i have good and bad at this place. it's just what you see and pay for. Just a little Diner kinda place and it's not fine dining. I wish they would get rid of the paper towel rolls on the table, there was a guy sitting across from me that just kept wiping his fingers on the roll without ever tearing one off. GROSS!! I mentioned it to the server when they left and it was never torn off before sitting the next guest. That's just awful
(2)
Paul R.
A local place for local folks. Food good for the cost. Staff great. Remodeling in May.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mike P.
The rib lunch/dinner platter with 2 sides and hushpuppies was unbeatable! I've had a lot of the different BBQ joints here in Lakeland and this ranks tops by a long shot. The ribs were fall off the bone, meaty, smoky flavored goodness. The sauce was surprisingly VERY good. Will be making this a regular! I already knew they had an awesome breakfast but I was pleasantly surprised that the lunch was just as good. HIGHLY recommend.
(5)Lauren B.
I love the two egg special with wheat toast and extra crispy hashbrowns. So good.
(5)Jammie F.
The best ribs ever. I have passed by this place thousands of times. One day, my mother and I were craving ribs and decided to give this place a try, and I am so glad we did. We live all the way in Winter Haven, and we pass by several BBQ places to come here. We buy several slabs of their delicious ribs because we can't get enough of them. I recently had to go to Georgia and while on the road, we stopped by a BBQ place, that shall remain nameless. I was so disappointed with their ribs. I wanted to drive back down to Florida just to get me some ribs from The Rib House. I hope whom ever reads this will give this place a try. You will not be disappointed, you will be hooked!
(5)Alex M.
Great staff very friendly and food that makes you stop and say mmmm
(4)Chris L.
This was my first and last time going the The Rib House in Lakeland Florida. As I walked in I was excited because you could smell the smoke from outside. When I got inside I was not sure if I was to sit myself or wait to be seated. I thoguht it was just me until the people behind me asked the question of what to do (seat yourself or be seated). At BBQ restraunts I have a standard order for the first time I go in the restraunt, I call it the P, B, and C. This means I am ordering pull pork, baked beans, and cole slaw. So the pulled pork I vet is stringy and has it has been mixed with bbq. It tasted like it was straight out of a plastic container. There was no bark or pink smoke ring. I told the waitress I wanted pork that was not in bbq sauce so she said I wanted the sliced pork. She was very nice and went and got me some sliced pork. It was a very tasty seasoned peice of pork and it looked like it had been just removed from a roasting pan, this is not bbq. Again on this meat there is no bark on the outside and no smoke rings. As for the beans and cole slaw, the beans were hard and lacked flavor and the cole slaw was probably premade and out of a plastic container. The service was good but when I asked the waitress about which meats they smoked, she told me that both the porks I had were smoked. There was no way I was agreeing with this because there was no bark or smoke rings on anything.
(1)G S.
We've been eating at Rib House forever. Consistently yummy, breakfast, lunch and dinner, great service and their prices are quite reasonable. Our favorites: First, what is probably the best patty melt in the area. Crisp rye, nongreasy onions cooked just right, and a burger patty that's thick, obviously handmade and well seasoned. I seek out patty melts all over and have had every one in Lakeland. This one beats them all, and for $5.95 with one side plus their awesome hush puppies, it is maximum win. My lovely bride enjoys the baked chicken frequently. $7.50 gets you a half chicken, two sides and the aforementioned hush puppies. Juicy, delicious and, like everything else at Rib House, served fullon hot. Nothing sits in the window here. Ever. Ribs. Excellent. Meaty. Smoky. And the sauces are homemade. Get the hot one. It's really good. I like crazyspicy, and this gets it done. I like omelets, not being an egg purist. I've had many of them and never been disappointed. The French Kiss is my favorite. Get it with a side of hollandaise for a spinachy, bacony breakfast flavorplosion. My honey IS an egg purist. Over light, please. They do it right and not at all greasy. Bacon ordered crispy arrives exactly so. Toast is... um... toasty. That perfect state of bread-dom with crisp exterior and transcendently tender inside. Yum. Generous portions at all times and just super value. Win all round, really, and I can only recall one miss. The chicken sandwich is a patty and not what I expected. Otherwise, just really good food. The owners are Thai, and I'd like to see the occasional foray into that cuisine, as they've pretty much got the short order American oeuvre down pat. Rib House can get busy at lunch and during weekend breakfast rush. But food comes fast, turnover is efficient without being rushed, and wait times are minimized. Service is *always* friendly, no matter how slammed they are. This is a converted Arthur Treacher's Fish n Chips, and still has the 4-top laminate booths and nautical lighting. There is a limited capacity for parties larger than four, so if you have a crew and want to sit together you might call ahead and see what they can do. Recommended enthusiastically for unfancy, tasty American food and excellent service.
(4)Deke K.
I had not been back in over a year and was sorely disappointed this trip. They cannot be held responsible for the screaming children (there were plenty), nor some lady's cheap perfume (which permeated the entire back part of the restaurant), nor the guy with the shaky leg behind my booth who was shaking my booth. But they are fully responsible for the lack of greeting, lack of bringing a beverage in a timely manner, lack of announcing soup of the day, no-smile service, long wait for cash out. There menu was written in tiny print--gone were any hint of Thai specialties or "novel" cooking--standard fare sandwiches and salads. My BLT (toasted white bread only--I'd have liked rye) came out quickly with 2 hushpuppies and fried green tomatoes. The puppies were blah, the tomatoes were scalding (but yum) and the BLT was small and unimpressive. No one came to refill my soda. I had a "grease" bellyache the next two hours. While my last review raved about the ribs and the menu, this visit left me embarrassed that my previously high rating might have sent people to a place that was a poor excuse of a diner on this visit. Two stars is generous.
(2)Tricia G.
This place is our home away from home. We eat here at least once a week. If you haven't had the ribs... do so. They are the best! Ive never had a item on the menu that didnt leave me HAPPY! THE RIB HOUSE is a wonderful gem in Lakeland. 2 thumbs up.. Nugget's the best waitress also!
(5)Sleazeme P.
One of the best Rib Places in the country. The country! Ribs are smooth, smokey and flavorful. It's run by an Asian family, but not just any Asian family, a Thai family. The spiced herbs and secret sauce originating out of recipes intended for some noodle or minced meat dish is displaced and transplanted into a foreign world that is Florida colliding with cultures opposite one's upbringing and when the dust settles, the Thainess of hot and spicy flavors land on American BBQ ribs marinating an aftermath that exudes equilibrium, balance and joy. In other words, they some damn good ribs. Peebles who?
(5)Lee T.
Not reviewed. A-ok rating given accidentally!
(3)James H.
My very first visit since new owners and remodel. I would definitely try this place again. I had the lunch special which included a side. BBQ pork noodle soup. Flavor was good, lots of pork. They include sticky rice and a sweet pork in a stick and a side. I choose grilled veggies and they were yummy. Server was friendly. They have two menus one geared towards Thai food and one for those less adventurous.
(4)Robert V.
We have eaten here twice and on both occasions, I walked away full and happy! We had breakfast on our first visit and I have to say, that it was the best breakfast I've had in a long time. The eggs in the omelet were light and fluffy and the fillers were cooked to perfection. The staff is extremely friendly & courteous. My wife and I had a great conversation with the waitress. She made us feel welcomed and as we had known her for eons. On our second visit we ordered dinner. I had the ribs and my wife had the pulled pork...both were excellent. I am not a big rib eater but these ribs are the best ribs I have tasted in the past 20 years. The meat was so tender that it was falling off of the bone. If you are in Lakeland, Florida, you should visit this little slice of heaven for breakfast and/or dinner. You will not be disappointed. Thank you for making our visits enjoyable!
(5)Justin S.
You know, I really have great things to say about the Rib House. It's nothing special to look at from the street, and the ambience inside is similar to that of a diner. Booths along the sides and tables up front. It's a very no frills approach to your dining experience. That's where my criticism ends. Everything else about this place is awesome. Their breakfast is one of the best deals in this city. Generous portions and the food is delicious. They're much like their next door neighbor's Fat Jacks, in that they serve a superb breakfast at a bargain basement price. The Thai family that runs this place is first class, and never have I been served anything here that wasn't stellar. Their ribs are outrageous. Their prices can't be beat, and the people there are super friendly. There is definitely a reason why they've been in business for so long.
(4)Josh B.
READ! Complete disgrace to bbq. Giving it 1 star just because I had to. Do not even consider going here. Terrible food and even worse atmosphere. Dark, dingy, and then the poor food is just nauseating! My girlfriend ran out after just a few bites EXTREMELY sick. I have never experienced something so awful. The fried food was very soggy, like they just took it out of the dishwasher. BBQ is baked not smoked. A lady got up, scooped her own ice and poured her own drink. That is utterly ridiculous to the service of a restaurant. I tried it out since previous reviews had such high praise, but that was a huge mistake. Clearly people do not know how BBQ should taste. If you are in the mood to get extremely sick, this is the perfect spot to go!
(1)Rusty S.
i have good and bad at this place. it's just what you see and pay for. Just a little Diner kinda place and it's not fine dining. I wish they would get rid of the paper towel rolls on the table, there was a guy sitting across from me that just kept wiping his fingers on the roll without ever tearing one off. GROSS!! I mentioned it to the server when they left and it was never torn off before sitting the next guest. That's just awful
(2)Paul R.
A local place for local folks. Food good for the cost. Staff great. Remodeling in May.
(5)