Skinny's Barbeque — Restaurant in Muscatine

This place was an amazing find! We were biking through town and had parked our bikes at the intersection below. We decided to head up the hill to find a place to eat to avoid the heat and crowds from the vendors that were in the park. We spotted this and figured it was worth a try. Probably the best food we had in all of Iowa on our trip. I got the chicken quesadilla with the cucumber salad as a side and my partner got the same except he got the potato salad and baked beans. Our friends both got burnt ends with coleslaw. The portions were great and the quesadillas were loaded. We probably would have been good with just one between the two of us.

Also the sides were great. I'm not a big potato salad person, but it had a nice texture and flavor. The cucu salad was the fresh and light bite I wanted with the meal. Also the coleslaw was great, not overly vinegary or with too much liquid like at a lot of places, it had the right amount of crunch with some added broccoli in there that made it stand out. . We sat on the patio, which was a little bit of a downer because we would have preferred inside, but their space was reserved for an event. When it got too hot for even outside they was some seating in the hallway that worked. . It's also in a really cool building with a gift show and huge Mark Twain sculpture so it's a fun plus to...

I met Cord at The Pearl while I was in town for the week to work. While talking he invited me over to Skinny's. On my last night I made it over with the entire crew for dinner and no one was disappointed! I got the burnt ends with brisket which I rarely get because I'm very picky when it comes to how brisket is treated and smoked. I was not disappointed! The dry rub on the brisket was fantastic and made a great bark. I got the pit beans and cucumber salad as the side. Both were delicious and I have to say that I don't think I've ever seen cucumber salad as a side at a BBQ place but it was great. Something lighter and acidic to cut the heavier meat was a nice juxtaposition.

On the way out Cord thanked us and offered to cater lunch for us on the job site. Some of us will be returning so there's a good chance we take him up on this offer!

Everyone at Skinny's is doing a great job. Thank you so much for the hospitality and for...

I ordered the burnt ends and ribs with mac and cheese and sidewinder fries. Unfortunately, the burnt ends were incredibly dry and tough – more like jerky than tender barbecue. I'm assuming this was a one-off experience since many others rave about them.

The ribs were excellent, the highlight of my meal! I also enjoyed my girlfriend's brisket. The mac and cheese was basic, and the fries were quite good.

The man serving, possibly the owner, was very friendly and hardworking. He happily answered my questions. The atmosphere is great –  a beautiful location in the Commerce Building right by the river.

Overall, I had a good time. If I had skipped the burnt ends and focused on the ribs and brisket, this would have been a much better experience. Barbecue is tricky to make consistently, so I understand not everything can be a knock-out every time.

Honorable mention: Their tangy sauce...