5 Best Ribs in San Antonio
San Antonio’s Tex-Mex Barbecue is one of the best, infused with charcoal flavors and smoked in customized pits. This is why the first thing most tourists do here is to find a place to experience the perfect Texan BBQ experience. One thing that particularly stands out is the pork ribs for their juicy and tender meat.
Are you new to the city and looking for the best ribs in San Antonio? Here are my top five picks, so give them a quick read.
Ribs Near Me?
1. Two Bros BBQ Market
4.2 Average Rating
(3176 Google Reviews)
Address:
12656 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216, United States
Service Options:
Dine In, Take Away, No Reservations
Website:
twobrosbbqmarket.com/
Opened in 2009, Two Bros BBQ Market was the first place to have a chef-driven BBQ business, and this is why it has attracted a massive crowd over time. This place was established by two brothers, Jason and Jake Dady, who started with the classic Texas Pit BBQ and transformed it completely.
Today, they are recognized in the Food Industry and have earned several awards, including Top 50 BBQ joints in the world by Texas Monthly and labeled as San Antonio’s best barbeque place by USA Today. They are also praised by customers for their welcoming staff and hospitality.
Now, coming to the BBQ, the owners use custom-made smoke pits to add that dry rub Texan flavor to the pork ribs. Everything from briskets to ribs and veggies is smoked slowly and gradually to get the dry-rubbed, charred flavor. Plus, the live fire further adds to the experience.
2. 2M Smokehouse
4.5 Average Rating
(1553 Google Reviews)
Address:
2731 S WW White Rd, San Antonio, TX 78222, United States
Service Options:
Dine In, Take Away, No Reservations
Website:
https://2msmokehouse.com/
Owned by Pitmaster chef Esaul Ramos Jr, 2M Smokehouse is definitely the best ribs and BBQ place in Southeast San Antonio. This place is all about its exaggerated menu that caters to almost every taste bud. Plus, Esaul himself was nominated for the James Beard Best Chef.
So, let us start by praising its diverse menu that includes everything from briskets to homemade sausages, ribs, rubbed chicken, and charred pork ribs. You will also be impressed by the sides that are smoked and charred with the meat. It is safe to say that the flavors are undoubtedly incomparable.
On some special occasions, Grecia Ramos, Esaul’s wife, also sells some pastries and other sweet dishes. Currently, they offer dine-in, take-outs, and deliveries. But, if you are planning a dining experience, it is better to book a reservation beforehand, as it is usually busy, especially on the first Sunday of every month.
3. South BBQ & Kitchen
4.5 Average Rating
(523 Google Reviews)
Address:
2011 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214, United States
Service Options:
Dine In, Take Away, No Reservations
Website:
southbbqkitchen.com/
You can not go wrong with the pork ribs here at the South BBQ & Kitchen, all thanks to the professionally cooked Texan BBQ. It does not stop here, and you get to enjoy a lot of side dishes, making it a fuller meal. Plus, their service is quick and one of the best in town.
The first thing to note about the place is the never-ending menu options. It has everything from chicken legs to pork ribs, pulled pork, and smoked briskets, each having a distinct texture and flavor. Plus, for sides, you can order cotija cheese, green beans, barracho, and creamed corn.
Even better, they have a separate section of Mexican dishes on the menu, including flour tortillas, fajitas, and Latin barbeque with some savory sauces and side salads. Speaking of portions, they are relatively huge and cost the same. The seating is also enough for big groups.
4. The Barbeque Station
4.0 Average Rating
(114 Google Reviews)
Address:
1610 NE Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78209, United States
Service Options:
Offers Takeout, Offers Delivery
Website:
https://barbecuestation.com/
Barbecue is all about experience, more than even cooking and flavor, and Barbecue Station manages to give you every bit of it. This place is the old-school Texan Barbeque eatery, offering an authentic American BBQ experience. It even allows you to dine in and order online however you like.
Speaking of the atmosphere, it is a patio with an open kitchen that spreads the smell of hardwood burned and smoked across the seating, creating a perfect space for BBQ. Its exposed interior and small details make you feel like you are in a small town. It definitely takes you back to the early 1990s in Texas.
Moreover, the menu is also all about the strong smoked traditional BBQ. Here, you will find old-school items like pork briskets, pork ribs, chicken BBQ, and sauteed veggies, all packed and infused with smoke, just as people in Texas like it. You can distinctly recognize the garlic, cumin, and black pepper in the ribs and sausages.
5. BBQ Life by Chris
4.6 Average Rating
(1554 Google Reviews)
Address:
902 S WW White Rd, San Antonio, TX 78220, United States
Service Options:
Offers Takeout, Offers Delivery
Website:
facebook.com/bbqlifebychris
Two BBQ chefs, Edward and Waldean, started BBQ Life by Chris in the former Sonic South driveway, making it a perfectly located place to attract a crowd. Currently, their son Chris took over the building and scaled it with improved seating space. Plus, the extended patio makes it even more interesting.
The first thing to note about the place is its minimalist layout and attractive scenery. It has an indoor space extending towards a patio, both having enough seating space to accommodate big friend groups and families. But you have to get there earlier than usual, as it gets pretty busy during the day.
Now, enough about the atmosphere, let us proceed and talk about its BBQ options, especially the ribs. It has the perfect tender and juicy briskets, and my favorites are the pork ribs that are fused with flavor and have balanced smoke in them. I always order them with sandwiches, and the portions are pretty big.
Final Thoughts
Finding a good BBQ place in San Antonio for a classic Tex-Mex BBQ experience is no challenge. But a little research does not hurt anybody. Hope these five recommendations were up to your liking and that you will give them a try.
