The Naked Rib Smokehouse - Manvel, TX




Bobby Flay promoted Thelma's in downtown Houston on a recent FoodTv broadcast. Reading the customer reviews at B4-U-EAT.COM revealed that unless you want to wait at least 30 minutes for your meal and have it served by "persons with attitude," don't go to Thelma's. One review emphatically suggested The Naked Rib in Manvel for not only great BBQ, but also polite service.

PajamaGal & I were GeoCaching (unsuccessfully) when lunchtime came so I punched "The Naked Rib" into the GPS and 20 miles (and a lot of cross-lots turns) later, we arrived.

One of the Mary's (not Hart) was behind the counter and most helpfully explained the choices. I had the 2-meat platter (sausage & brisket), while PajamaGal opted for ½ pound of pork ribs and a side of coleslaw. Two sides came with the platter so I chose the slaw and the pinto beans. Adding a lite beer, a diet coke, and two bucks tip totally ruined a $20 bill. From the time we pulled into the parking lot to the first bite took all of 12 minutes.

It was all great! Mary came over to our table 5 minutes after we sat down and advised me not to eat the beans - she'd tasted them and found them a bit too salty and had a fresh batch heating up which were delivered them a few minutes later.

Yes we'll go back; yes we'll recommend it. And on the 1st Saturday of each month, they host a car show and have a live band (6:00 pm).