SPECIAL ENTRY - Spare Ribs - Bubba's BBQ, Jackson, WY

As you may know, this is a burger blog. What are these ribs doing here, then? Well, as I enjoy my culinary adventure I am looking for signature items. Signature burgers are at the top of the list, however signature ribs will do just fine. Bubba's just so happens to be a place that has signature ribs, but not a burger. Therefore, I endulged.

Bubba's BBQ is located in majestic downtown Jackson, WY (most of you may know it as Jackson Hole, WY). Unassuming and definitely not the kind of place that has a professionally printed menu or website, Bubba's naturally draws you in. It appears to have been therefore ever, and it's food tells you that is not a bad thing. Stainless steel tables, cheap chairs and benches, and a surly attitude make Bubba's feel like home....until you try the food. I don't make ribs like this!

BBQ'd spare ribs, pork and beans, and garlic Texas Toast! If I can't have a burger, give me this. The ribs were incredibly meaty, which is not always the case and not always good. But in this case it was great! The meat was a bit overcooked as the meat did not simply fall off into your mouth. However, the BBQ sauce made a daring attempt at making up for the meat. Savory, smokey, just a little heat, a bit greasy, and smooth like velvet - this sauce was good. The sauce was also in harmony with a very mild tasting rub that is obviously made to camoflouge itself in charred meat and the brownish-red sauce. Finish it off with real pork and bean and the toast to satisfy a real mans hunger. Bubba's is a definite must to anyone visiting the land of Buffalo's and tourists!


Bubba's Spare Ribs - ******* 7/10

Other perks of Bubba's: Pork ribs which were actually better (my nephew let me try them), cool atmosphere, room for an 11 person party, and it is in Jackson Hole!

Smokehouse Burger - Smokey Bones, East Lansing, MI

Sitting in the corner of lovely Eastwood Towne Centre in East Lansing is a wonderful place called Smokey Bones. In writing this blog I found out that Smokey Bones is actually a chain restaurant, but from my end I couldn't tell (maybe I should get out more!). The very name gives you everything you need to know about the food at Smokey Bones. They smoke stuff that used to have, or still contains in some instances, bones. Ribs, pulled pork, and burger. All the good things in life, eh?

The delight at hand from Smokey Bones is dubbed the Smokehouse Burger. This hearty mound of meat comes with a host of tasty goodness. Start with a thick, yet supple, bun. Add on top a thick burger, perfectly cooked to medium-rare, that is juicy enough (but could be better). A subtle, yet oh so important, addition are red onions cooked and smothered in the Smokey Bones signature savory BBQ sauce. On top of all this cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and more red onions. You may say to yourself "that is a lot of onions!", which ends up being true. When beginning this burger you can taste onions in addition to the ever subtle, but smokey, flavor of the BBQ sauce. It is truly heavenly.
But admittedly by the end of the burger the power of the red onions can not be denied. Even with the pitfall of the onion parade, the Smokehouse Burger is a site to behold. This is a burger I would recommend to anybody due to both it's heartiness (I was stuffed) as well as the balance of flavor (forgetting the onions).

Smokehouse Burger - ******** 8/10

Other Perks of Smokey Bones: Lots of TV's with your own listening station, lots of Happy Hours, AWESOME Pulled Pork and Ribs, cool atmosphere.