Smoked meats available for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Finding smoked meats in the area is not a difficult task, as there are countless barbecue and rib joints throughout Cy–Fair that will satisfy any appetite. However, It's Ribs on Jones Road—which opened its doors in late October of last year—is a leader in casual counter dining with fresh meats arriving daily, a diverse menu and a variety of services.

"Our freshness is what sets us apart," owner Nok Davis said. "Everything is homemade and is [prepared] every day. From our customers to our staff to our prices, along with the amount of food you get, there is no comparison."

Nok Davis and her husband, Mike, moved from St. Louis and Kansas City respectively, and have utilized their background in barbecue to feed their family and friends even before moving to Texas about 20 years ago.

"Just cooking out of the backyard our door was always open with people coming in and out," Nok Davis said. "Anyone who would come in would eat, and that's basically how it all started."

Many of the menu items are made from the same recipes used by the Davis family, some more than 100 years old, she said.

The clientele who enter It's Ribs are greeted with an overwhelming smell of smoked chicken, sausage, pulled pork, and of course, smoked pork and beef ribs by the rack. To accompany these items, the restaurant offers beer on ice and three flat screen televisions for total sports coverage.

"Every day at around 3 p.m. [customers] can smell the rue cooking for our gumbo," Nok Davis said. "[Mike] has been testing his chicken [recipes] and finally has it right. Once that happened, our chicken has been flying out the door. We may have to change the restaurant name to 'It's Ribs and Chicken' because of how popular it has become."

Menu offerings range from individual orders such as barbecue sandwiches ($4.95–$6.95) to family style meals feeding as many as 10 people ($81) with three full racks of ribs, three full chickens and three-quart sides. Other popular items include jumbo stuffed baked potatoes ($4.95–$6.95) and specialty plates ($8.95) served with a choice of two meats and two sides.

On Mondays and Tuesdays, whole chickens are on special for $6.95 and whole briskets are smoked in-house daily and are available for $60. It's Ribs also provides catering and drive-thru service.

"[Our] passion for cooking massive portions of barbecue is evident in the amount of food we serve," Nok Davis said. "What [Mike] did at home he wanted to duplicate in the restaurant—fresh ingredients, plenty of food, good company and outstanding service."

Owner recommendations

Smoked chicken—Available in a half or full order, this chicken is seasoned with a distinctive homemade blend of spices and herbs ($6.95 for half, $8.95 for whole)

Beef ribs—Recently added to the menu to accompany the popular pork ribs, these large slabs of meat fall off the bone and are offered in original or a pineapple glaze ($8.95 half rack, $14.95 full rack)

Gumbo—This smoked chicken and sausage gumbo is made fresh every day around 3 p.m. ($2.95 cup, $4.95 bowl, $10.95 quart)

Breakfast tacos—Generous portions of meats and eggs in a tortilla are served 7–11 a.m. ($1.99)

Customer Comments

This [food] is addicting. I have to come back almost every week. — Jay P.

I came because of the ribs, but I keep coming back for this chicken. — Tasha B.

This is just what our neighborhood needed—affordable barbecue. — Kyle W.

You can't beat this flavor for the price. I come here for the quality, and I guess the quantity, too. —Jason G.

This is my first time, but something tells me I'll be coming back. —George S.

It's Ribs, 11035 Jones Road, Houston, 832-678-2088, www.itsribs.com

Hours:

• Sun.–Thur. 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Fri. and Sat. 7 a.m.–10 p.m.