[Pigging by Wilfrid: June 4, 2012]
...or Ranger Texas BBQ at Legends Bar & Grill, to be more fulsome about it.
I've been an aficionado since at least 2007 but didn't make it out here last summer. A recent Friday evening was just asking for a bar where one could comfortably watch the Yankees, and the Mets, and even the NBA playoffs, so it seemed a good idea.
It turned out to be a Johan Santana's no-hitter, accompanied by beef ribs. Or a beef rib, anyway.
Short ribs, 2007
Legends is a friendly, neighborhood spot, very busy for its bargain basement happy hour until 7.30, then relatively peaceful. The televisions are plentiful, the beer is cheap, and there's a long-serving pitmaster tending a massive smoker in the backyard. Service was not up to previous standards, being simulatenously confused, confusing, surly and sweet. Quite a performance by one person.
Although the food counter boasts a full line-up of brisket, chicken, pork ribs, sandwiches and sides, I remembered the smoked short ribs as the highlight of a previous visit. The menu now boasts "beef ribs" at $13.99 a pound. Short? Long? It was difficult to get an answer -- all different sizes, apparently. I landed one rib, about a pound in weight.
Flavor, great. Texture, not as givingly tender as the short ribs. In fact, a little chewy in the center. But a hearty piece of meat, with a nicely tart, vinegary sauce for dipping. A large tub of coleslaw didn't seem home-made, but fries were good.
At this size, one rib's enough.
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