RibCrib BBQ & Grill — Restaurant in Searcy

The classic idiom, "Third time's a charm," certainly comes to mind when I think of the Rib Crib BBQ in Searcy. If you don't know, "third time's a charm" refers to someone or something that has already experienced two failures but expresses hope that the third effort will succeed.

Note: I have eaten BBQ ribs in Texas, Arkansas, Memphis, TN, and beyond and was always delighted at the great meals I enjoyed.

For the Searcy Rib Crib BBQ, my third time was charmed with a great meal. This, of course, follows two failures at providing a good-tasting meal worthy of its price.

Restaurant Appearance: Very nice aesthetic with clean bathrooms, tables, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Location: Easy entrance and exit onto the main thoroughfare.

Wait Staff: Polite and attentive.

Food:

First Meal — To say that this meal was an overpriced joke would be an understatement. I ordered Chicken Strips with Onion rings. The meal presentation was as expected, with an appetizing plate of food staring me in the face. With my first bite, I knew something was wrong with my meal. Nothing was spoiled or otherwise inedible. Upon closer examination of my "Chicken Strip," I suspected they should have written the menu's description as "Chicken-Flavored Bread Strip." I wish I had taken a photo of my halved "Chicken strip," for it was 80+ percent breading with a thin "sheet of flattened chicken hidden in its deepest, darkest interior. Luckily, it was dry too! That made it a real delight to eat! To choke down my "Chicken-Flavored Bread Strip," I needed some heavy artillery dipping sauce. The Onion rings were good but still required dipping sauce. By the way, I usually never want nor need a dipping sauce for chicken strips. My meal was so disappointing that my wife offered me some of her Barbecue Sampler Platter. Most of the meats were dry with sauce, making them slightly more palatable. I tried one of the ribs on her plate, and although it looked about the size of a medium dog's ribs, it was tasty! Small win, but I was happy for even that!

Second Meal — I ordered the Super Spud. While this meal was definitely better than the first one, it would seem that the Searcy Rib Crib can't seem to get their barbecue meats to be juicy and flavorful. The Super Spud lived up to its name by being one of the larger potatoes I have ever feasted my eyes on. It was big, but the scant and dry meats that adorned it seemed more for show than for BBQ meat satisfaction and satiety.

Third Meal — Not expecting much anymore, I ordered the BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger with Sweet and Smokey Beans as my side. At first sight, my heart went pitter-patter at what appeared to be a gastronomic delight waiting to be enjoyed. With some trepidation, I picked up this juicy-looking burger and took my first bite. Yowza, I hit the Rib Crib jackpot! This burger was as good or better than it looked! The Sweet and Smokey Beans perfectly complemented an already great meal! To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement!

Conclusion: We periodically meet with a group, so I am pleased to find at least one great meal at the Searcy Rib Crib BBQ for future...

For several years now, whenever we visit the charming town of Searcy near Little Rock, RibCrib BBQ & Grill has become our go-to spot. It’s always a pleasure to stop by after a long day, and we’ve come to look forward to the inviting atmosphere every time. The restaurant’s warm lighting and the irresistible aroma of barbecued meat fill the air as soon as you walk in, setting the stage for a memorable meal.

The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by friendly staff who make you feel right at home. The restaurant is spacious, and while weekends tend to get busy, it’s clear that the locals have a special place in their hearts for this spot—and with good reason. They definitely know their way around meat!

Over the years, we’ve probably sampled nearly everything on the menu, except for the desserts (we’re a bit too focused on the meat and beer!). From fresh salads to juicy chicken wings, burgers, tender ribs, and every type of meat imaginable, each dish is consistently delicious. The meat is perfectly cooked—falling right off the bone without any overpowering smoky or artificial flavors. The sides, from savory rice to flavorful coleslaw, complement the barbecue perfectly.

The service is always top-notch, with the waitresses being not only friendly and efficient but also incredibly warm and charming. We’ve had countless satisfying meals here—eating, drinking, and enjoying the company—and we’ll definitely be back soon. RibCrib, keep up the great work! You’ve earned...

I want to start off by saying we have been to this location several times before. Usually the ribs are so tender you can eat them with a fork and the bone pulls right out clean. Slaw is usually fresh as well. But tonight we had some of the toughest ribs I have ever tried to eat. They were awful. They were cooked long enough that they were not raw, but were not cooked long enough to be even the slightest bit tender. Slaw tasted like and had the texture like it had been made the day before. Very disappointing when you drive 1 hr. & 10 mins. just to eat ribs. Not to mention it cost around $20 a person with your drink and tax. I will try them one more time to make sure this was not an isolated incident. If its awful the next time, we will have to look for a new rib place.

This is a follow up from my original post: we went back to the Rib Crib about 2 or 3 weeks since my previous trip. I said I would try them out 1 more time to give the benefit of the doubt. We went on Tuesday, like before, for the all you can eat rib night. The waitress seated us, took our drink order and then came back to tell us they were out of ribs! Seriously!!! Who advertises all you can eat ribs and then doesn't have any ribs. This is ridiculous! Will definitely be our last time to visit. We are going to start going to Suttle's BBQ in Beebe from now on. I recommend anyone looking for a good BBQ place to try out SUTTLE'S. You will not be...