Today the world got a little less tasty. 20 years ago when we moved to Texas there were a lot of things to get used to, new friends, new ways of saying things and new BBQ.
In Florida we were big Sonnys fans, it was our favorite BBQ. But Sonny himself vowed not to expand out of the southeast, that meant no Texas Sonnys.
After trying 6-8 local establishments I and found my new favorite BBQ. I had gone there for lunch with some coworkers. It was in this very small town about 9 miles up the road. It looked like a one car garage with a porch. there was a walkup window for ordering and paying and another window for picking up your food. Next to the pickup window was a stick sticking out of the wall with a roll of paper towels. There were 3 picnic tables on the porch an 6 or 7 spread out around the gravel and grass “parking lot”. Most were under trees. You would see a few people in suits and farmers in their overalls without shirts and everything in between sharing a table. It was called The Rib Tickler.
The owners were Ted and Sylvia Johnson. Besides restaurant owners, they were the parents of Ted Johnson – linebacker for New England Patriots. They were nice people, classic Texans. And then . . . a kitchen/smoker fire destroyed the establishment. They were the best in the area so not rebuilding wasn’t an option. They rebuilt with concrete block and steel roof, expanded the porch and paved the parking lot.
The sweet crimson smoky sauce was flowing again. And then . . . a lightning strike burned the Rib Tickler to the ground. BBQ aficionados were again deprived. So Ted and Sylvia rebuilt again, this time even bigger with plenty of indoor seating. We were worried that this “upscale” move may take it’s toll on the Q but our fears were unfounded. It was as good as ever and the air-conditioning was a bonus. In 2004 the Super Bowl was in Houston, Ted and the rest of the Patriots were in it, the national media discovered The Rib Tickler.
This local joint had survived a lot, not the least of which was success, but they remained remarkably consistent. A couple of years ago, Ted and Sylvia decided to retire. They sold the restaurant to an Asian family. At the same time, a bypass was going in that took most of the traffic away. We thought this was the end. Again we were surprised, the new owners hired some of the old employees and staid amazingly true to the original recipes and preparations. It was still great BBQ.
Yesterday I made another pilgrimage. The Asian family was gone. They had sold the restaurant to a group that used to have their own BBQ restaurant at a different location. They closed the old store and moved to the Rib Tickler. They renamed it to KD’s Rib Tickler. Of course they have their own idea about how the sauce should taste and how the meet should be cooked. For those of us who have been coming for 20 years change isn’t good. It was very disappointing.
Maybe KD will build a new set of patrons that like their version of BBQ, and they will still get the passer by who is looking for a meal on the road, but I suspect they will loose most of the true Rib Tickler fans. I wouldn’t be surprised if no BBQ is sold there a year from now. Well, the search is on, I need a new favorite joint. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it.
I only went there once when we first got here with you, Rob, and Dave.
that was during your shrimp phase – they didn't have BBQ shrimp
Thats really sad. RIP Rib Tickler.
Shrimp is not a phase… it's a way of life.
This really is sad. For a few years I worked up in Tomball and for a period of time both the Rib Tickler and Mel's were both closed on Monday's.
I believe the Tomball City Council had to get involved, but the Rib Tickler relented and began to open once again on Mondays.
It was a great day for everyone, PLUS on Mondays you didn't have to pick where to eat for lunch…..there was only one real choice.