The Original Rib Tickler — Restaurant in Tomball

Place was awful! Ordered the 3 meat dinner with potato salad and slaw, so I can get a taste for a variety of what they offer. I got 1 medium to large rib and 1 small rib off of the end of the slab. I got a decent amount of sausage and sliced beef (not a whole lot, but a decent amount). The ribs were pretty good, but they were cold. At 11AM, everything coming out of that place should either be just made or you have to wait for them to make it. I got my order pretty quick so my guess is; it was sitting out, or reheated from the day before (most likely the latter). The sliced beef was overcooked and barely had a smoke ring. The potato salad tasted slightly better than the stuff you get in a store, nothing special. The slaw was actually pretty good and the service at the window was good as well, so goes the reason why I am giving this place 2 stars. You would be better off going back down 249 to Spring Cypress to get some Valley Ranch, they are WAY better. Or you could travel down 2920 towards Kuykendahl to get some Spring Creek. Conclusion: I will end this how I started it,...

The food is good. Have been going to Rib Tickler off and on since they were selling the bbq out of a little trailer parked on the side of the road in the 80's. When I place my phone orders, I typically am ordering for 6 people. You would think that with the order of that size, they would double, maybe triple check to see if the order was right. I HATE getting home and having an incorrect order. Especially after spending around $80 bucks there. I should not have to unpack my order in the car before I leave to make sure they got everything correct. This has happened to us almost every time we go lately. Thank goodness only one item was wrong this time, but to pay $11 for a sandwich and not get what you ordered....Total disappointment, aggravation, and frankly pissed off!!!!! Get it together, people!!!! I don't have money growing on trees, and when I choose to spend money at your establishment, it would be nice to get what I ordered. Again, this happens too often when I order. Never have I complained before, but too much wasted money, and my dumb self keeps giving you...

Recent experiences at this establishment suggest a decline in quality. The meat, particularly the brisket, exhibits a noticeable difference in taste and texture, with the moist cut appearing less tender. It's almost as if the person cutting the meat throws in the lean cuts anyway. I'm very simple: a pound of moist cut beef with pickles. Every time, I still get the onions, bread, and sauce. Furthermore, the level of service has seemingly diminished. While the staff remains polite, the overall experience does not match previous standards. This location was once a preferred destination for brisket; however, current conditions necessitate improvement. It is hoped that operational adjustments will restore the quality previously enjoyed.

Update: August 21, 2025. Despite my hopes, I am disappointed, as I was hoping to remain a patron. While the order was accurate, the brisket was unfortunately dry and lacked moisture. Furthermore, the flavor was notably absent. I believe I will be seeking out alternative barbecue...