Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack - Iowa City — Restaurant in Iowa City

Ordering and Pickup Process: Navigating the menu for Jimmy Jacks was a breeze. The descriptions were clear, making it easy to choose what I craved. I settled on the pulled pork sandwich, lured by the promise of a 12-hour smoke and hand-pulled perfection. The pickup was efficient. From placing my order to driving away with a waft of BBQ scent in my car, the process was streamlined and hassle-free.

Pulled Pork Sandwich: Packaging: My order was packed neatly, ensuring minimal mess. The sandwich was wrapped to retain its warmth, and the sides were securely sealed to prevent any leakage.

Taste and Texture: True to its description, the pork tasted as though it had been given the time and care it deserved. The 12-hour smoking process lent a depth of flavor that's hard to replicate, with a rich smokiness permeating every bite. The hand-pulling technique was evident in the tender, fibrous texture of the meat, which separated easily and melted in the mouth.

The Original sauce enhanced the flavor profile. It was tangy with just the right amount of sweetness, complementing rather than overpowering the pork's natural flavors. The bun was soft yet sturdy, holding its integrity despite the juiciness of its contents.

The claim that I would "love pigging out" on this sandwich wasn't an empty promise. Every bite was a testament to Jimmy Jack's commitment to flavor and authenticity.

Additional Notes: I would suggest trying the sandwich with some of their homemade BBQ sauces. I prefer the Original. It can be fun to customize each bite according to your preferred flavor intensity.

Price and Value: Given the evident quality and the generous portion size, I found the pricing to be justified. It's a small price to pay for a gourmet BBQ experience in the comfort of one's own home.

Conclusion: For those seeking authentic, flavorsome BBQ on-the-go, Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack doesn’t disappoint. Their pulled pork sandwich is a culinary triumph, making them a top pick for carryout in Iowa City. I’ll certainly be returning, eager to explore more of their...

My girlfriend and I have eaten at Jimmy Jack's twice and have had equally great experiences. We have ordered on both occasions the Sampler, which gives you a choice of three meats and two sides. I usually get the chicken, pulled pork, and fatty brisket, and my g/f gets the ribs instead of the chicken (ribs can sometimes be small, but on our most recent excursion, they were much bigger this time!) We absolutely adore the JJ fries, and they just might be our favorite fries in the Iowa City area. Do not underestimate the cornbread, it is a huge portion and is sweet and delicious. We also really enjoy the cowboy sauce - it just goes well with everything. Prices are very fair for what you are getting; we often cannot finish the meal so we often have leftovers (which reheat very nicely as well).

Ordering online is as simple as could be. Just go to their website or log in on your phone and use the quick and easy checkout process. Our recent order was expected to be ready at 2:20 p.m. and when we arrived on the dot, it was ready to go.

We are so appreciative that they only do curbside pickup in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. We felt completely safe there picking up our orders as the staff were all wearing masks, required masks to enter the building, and even had free masks available on site in case you didn't have one. In addition, the staff is just really friendly. In a time when some restaurants are prioritizing profits over safety, we really appreciate JJ's decision to put safety first, though we do miss dining in their fine establishment which is decorated with all sorts of interesting decor. We hope to be able to experience the indoors experience again soon.

All in all, 5 stars easily. If you're looking for fine BBQ in Iowa City, Jimmy Jack's should be high on your list of...

Truly Great fries! service is friendly and food is quickly served. The overall ambiance is like a church fish fry with added fun of lots of antique tools, really cool to look at, no lie any boy 4-10 will not easily but naturally treat visiting this dining area like an amusement park if accompanied by an energetic adult. Brisket and pulled pork sandwich tested as tender enough for barbecue but with no flavor at all without after service sauce(practically blanched). They had a few sauces, sweet, smoky, spicy, Carolina Mustard, and ketchup; that is their total sum. The mustard was okay for the fries but as a meat sauce not the best for their truly great fries(regular mustard was not available :( ). C.Mustard was okay with the meat but nothing special. The spicy sauce had nice tang and noticeable heat that wasn't trying to prove anything but had a texture like it was sandy, super off putting for me. The Mac-n-cheese tasted what I imagine the matrix movies gruel tastes like. If you have a little cow-boy/girl looking for a bday place eat while dressed up with their friends with just a little work this could be THE spot to do it. Soo many...