Staff Blog
EAT THIS IMMEDIATELY: The Rib Stand
posted by Felicia D'Ambrosio
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| Photo l Michael Perisco |
| Getting piggy in the RTM. |
Whether you’re a sucker for spare ribs or a lover of St. Louis-style, you can find your fix at a dozen barbecue spots, new and old, around Philly. The trend blossomed early this summer, when the appeal of house-smoked meat converged with the sad trombone state of the economy and diners’ cravings for inexpensive, satisfying food in generous portions.
The Rib Stand (12th and Arch streets, 215-925-3155) in the Pennsylvania Dutch section of the Reading Terminal Market is only part of this so-called “trend” if you expect white hair coverings paired with athletic sneakers to come back in fashion.
Owner Phares Glick offers baby back ($8.79/lb.), spare ribs ($7.79/lb.) and boneless rib sandwiches ($5.39), along with classic roasted potato wedges, springy green beans and homey macaroni and cheese. The ribs themselves are coated in a lip-tingling rub that will satisfy no-sauce purists, but you don’t want to miss Glick’s sauces.
Served on the side in ramekins, the mild sauce is just barely sweet, with an authentically vinegary tang. Cayenne pepper enlivens the hot version, which is spicy enough to keep you reaching for your beer (Yards Brawler, a medium-bodied session ale, pairs nicely). The ribs have been smoked to baby-pinkness inside their spice-rubbed crust, and are pull-apart tender and not overly fatty.
Like all merchants in the Pennsylvania Dutch section of RTM, The Rib Stand only dishes their pig Wednesday through Saturday. A new “Meal Deal” features a boneless rib sandwich, potato wedges and a beverage for $7 plus tax; or pick up Combo #2: Three spare ribs, two sides and a drink for the best $7.79 you’ve spent all summer.
Eat this immediately.
[...] Felicia D’Ambrosio encourages all of us to immediately eat at the Rib Stand in the Reading Terminal Market. [Meal Ticket] [...]