Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack – South Brisbane: A Rib Lover’s Haven
From the moment I walked into Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack in South Brisbane, I was greeted with a warm, friendly vibe. The staff were welcoming and helpful without being overbearing, setting the tone for a relaxed, satisfying meal.
The atmosphere strikes a great balance - modern music sets the backdrop without drowning out conversation. The booth seating felt intimate and cozy, while the bar/bench made for a solid spot for solo diners. Décor is simple but fits the American BBQ theme perfectly - nothing overdone, just the essentials to let the food shine.
Ordering was super convenient; I scanned the QR code at my table and placed my order online. The place was about half full, and service was quick - everything arrived fresh and hot. I imagine things could slow down a bit during peak times, but my experience was smooth.
Now to the ribs. Big Roddy’s claim to fame is well-earned. I went with the half rack of pork ribs in the original house-made sauce - not because I didn’t trust them, but because I wasn’t super hungry. Big mistake! They were so tender I could cut them with a fork, and the flavour was delicious!
Chips came hot and crispy, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly salted - like someone actually cared when seasoning them. I also tried the lemon and white pepper dipping sauce on the side - unexpected and surprisingly perfect with the ribs.
There are four beers on tap, giving you solid pairing options. Spirits are also available. And for anyone feeling the merch vibes, yep - they’ve got merch!
A nice touch: one of the staff shared a bit of their story. Turns out they used to have a second location in The Valley, which sadly didn’t survive the COVID hit. But their South Brisbane spot in Fish Lane is still going strong - and after eating there, it’s easy to see why.
Whether you’re craving meat that falls off the bone or just want a relaxed place to unwind with a drink and great music, Big Roddy’s hits the mark. Next time, I’m getting the full rack!
✅ Final Verdict Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack at Fish Lane in South Brisbane (below Soda Apartments) is a must-visit for BBQ enthusiasts and lovers of hearty American comfort food. Big Roddy’s offers a satisfying and flavorful dining experience that captures the essence of Southern-style BBQ. Whether you're a local or just visiting Brisbane, it's a spot worth adding to your...
Read moreI’ve been wanting to try this popular eatery for ages, today I got that opportunity. It certainly did not disappoint & it exceeded my expectations. The only disappointment is we arrived fairly late in the afternoon, and had limited time, the staff were very patient, helpful & friendly especially with menu advice. It’s a fairly small venue so I do suggest checking out the Google Maps “busy time” tracker before you head out, being popular you may not get a table, so book a table online, or order online takeaways via bigroddysribs.com, deliveroo.com or doordash.com. They also offer takeaways at the counter - so don’t stress about getting your sticky ribs fix! The “fall off the bone” ribs are super delicious & proudly sourced straight from a sustainable and Australian location – Schultz’s farm in South East Queensland! Schultz are ethical care farmers, who believe in providing best care for their animals & a reduced foot print for our environment. You have to love & seriously throw your support behind companies like this! French fries were wicked! We shared the beef & pork rib “Royal Sampler” platter as we struggled making a choice between the beef or pork. My favourite was definitely the pork. The beef was succulent & simply melted off the bone - delicious. There are a range of 5 or so bbq sauces available, ranging from super mild to max power, we went with the mid range sweet bbq option, which was a mild smokey, honey infused flavour with a hint of chilli - YUM!!. It was a great choice for us. The house wine is very good, I tried the shiraz, the glass poured was definitely value for money, unlike some other places I have reviewed. We had heard their Jala-Macca-Peño Poppers are magnificent, but sadly they had sold out, clearly a menu item worth trying out on our next visit. If you don’t love ribs, don’t stress as their menu is extensive, offering burgers , dessert, chicken wings, salads & drinks. Please support this fantastic, local business, especially during this tough Covid trading environment. We need eatery winners like this in our...
Read moreWe were really looking forward to dining at this restaurant based on the great things we had heard from friends. Unfortunately, our experience was quite disappointing. We decided on 2 sides and 20 chicken wings, then also decided to go for the $80 Royal platter, expecting a decent spread given it was the most expensive option, but were taken aback by how incredibly small the portions were. The platter consisted of just 1 beef rib and 2 small pork rib racks, which left us feeling quite underwhelmed. The only silver lining was the special on wings, which were delicious, but even they couldn't make up for the disappointment of the main course. On the bright side, we must commend the excellent customer service and the restaurant's cleanliness. I did note that the server said that the platter was good to “share”, I can say that it would be awesome for one person. However, as a family of four, the final bill of $130, along with the need to grab quick sandwiches later, left us feeling unsatisfied both in terms of portion size and value for money. It's unfortunate that the high praise we had heard from friends didn't align with our experience on that night. We apologize, Roddy, but this visit fell short of our...
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