Great News! REAL Authenthic American food in Pattaya

This is the real deal, folks.
The food scene in Pattaya gets better and better every year.

Some of the best smoked BBQ ribs you will ever taste are to be found at the Great American Rib Company in Pattaya. People in Texas or the South would think these are damn good ribs. I am not kidding.

Now the Great American Rib Company has opened a snazzy new branch in Pattaya in kind of a weird location.
Its on Thepprasit on the way to Sukhumwit from Thapraya in Jomtien.

If coming from Jomtien, turn into Thepprasit and drive a bit, it is on the right with large enough signs to notice if you are payin attention.

You will thank me for this tip! The food is really excellent and fairly priced.
BTW, some years back I tried that New Orleans Cafe place in Boyztown and found it totally inauthentic and overpriced.
The Great American Rib Company is the opposite of that.

The place is not at all gay, but who cares? The food rocks, and they have happy hours and live music some nights.
And it just opened last week ...

Check out this review of their Bangkok location:


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sunday/ ... 28444.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sunday/20050206/index.php?news=column_16328444.html)

BTW, some years back I tried that New Orleans Cafe place in Boyztown and found it totally inauthentic and overpriced.


Things haven't changed. I was there a couple of months ago. I can't vouch for the authenticity as I am not an American. The food was edible but nothing special. However, the prices were extortionate and I would not go back there again for that reason. (I'm surprised the place survives at the rip-off prices they charge).

Will try the place on Thepprasit that you mention next time I'm in town.

[Geezer]

тАЬтАжsome years back I tried that New Orleans Cafe place in Boyztown and found it totally inauthentic and overpriced. The Great American Rib Company is the opposite of that.тАЭ

IтАЩm glad you enjoyed The Great American Rib Company. Taste in food is, curiously, a matter of taste. IтАЩm not sure about тАЬauthenticityтАЬ, as in the US I have found barbeque ranging from delicious to inedible. The owner informed us hickory wood is imported from the US to smoke the ribs; that must be expensive. I find the ribs at New Orleans to be better and the prices to be more reasonable.

TGARC plays a game with menu pricing which irritates me no end. You must order what they want you to order to get a price which appears reasonable. For example a тАЬhalf feast for twoтАЭ which really isnтАЩt much of a feast with each person receiving ┬╝ rack,┬╝ chicken (What does ┬╝ chicken look like? Do you want a front quarter or the back quarter?), ┬╝ lb. pulled pork, an unspecified amount of pork tenderloin, and tiny side orders.

Sure without a drink , a salad or a desert it will only cost you 298 bt., but unless you like to eat bones you will still be hungry. What if you donтАЩt want the chicken, the pulled pork, or the tenderloin for two people. You just want a half rack for yourself. Well now, that puts us in a different category -- no bargains here.

My only complaint concerning TGARC beside the price is the minuscule portions of the side dishes served with the ribs, in my case B-B-Q beans and baked potato. I have rarely left a restaurant hungry after paying a check as large.

A jazz band is to provide diversion some evenings. You may want to call ahead to inquire. The owner did not stint in the construction nor in the decor of the venue, and is certainly a hands-on manager. I do not recall itsтАЩ being air conditioned. If it is, please correct me Jingthing.

I would not have responded had Caf├й New Orleans not been compared unfavorably to TGARC.

[TrongpaiExpat]

What defines "REAL Authenthic " is very subjective.

My favorite BBQ is in Memphis, Tennessee, at a place called Memphis City BBQ. It has several locations now including the airport. I don't eat on a flight connecting in Memphis and always stop in for the pulled pork BBQ. I had had BBQ all over the Southern USA but for me this place is my first choice. Dark and on the sweet side.

In Miami Beach, there is a place, off Collens Ave, that has Argentinian BBQ. The place is just a hole in the wall, decorated with a cow motif. Hard to find an empty table but if you have to wait, it's worth it. You have to like garlic a lot too. All the tables have more garlic chopped with basel and olive oil.

In Tampa, Florida the place for BBQ is Big John's. It's in a bad neighborhood, go only in the day time. Very smokey and spicy.

All three of these places in USA are very different thus what's really authentic?

Not sure if the new Rib Place has aircon, plenty of fans though.
I assume you are talking about the Bangkok location?
I believe the prices and menu are the same.
The ribs I had were extraordinarily good and a half rack was in my opinion quite a large portion for almost anyone.
Cost 295 baht.
The BBQ sauce which was served on the side was also excellent. Looking forward to trying other menu items.

I agree the side dishes were small, much smaller than you would get in the US.

The star is clearly the meat. And it is really good. I would venture that the vast majority of people who try it will love it, Thais, Americans, Euros, Aussies, etc. Apparantly, the Bangkok location is very popular with Thais.

Drinks are not cheap and there is a plus plus system. So a 1/2 rack platter with a drink will run over 400 baht.
Expensive by Pattaya standards? Perhaps, but totally worth it. Quality for some money rather than crap for money.

My negative feeling about New Orleans was aside from crappy food and high prices, it isn't in any stretch of the imagination a New Orleans style eatery (the dishes they serve as being New Orleans dishes are just completely off the mark). It pisses me off thinking that Europeans think they have eaten New Orleans food after eating there. It is a fake. For me, it was worth one try to check it out. Once burned ...

I think this new rib place is worth at least one try by anyone in Pattaya who likes good food. I bet many will be back for more ...

What defines "REAL Authenthic " is very subjective.

My favorite BBQ is in Memphis, Tennessee, at a place called Memphis City BBQ. It has several locations now including the airport. I don't eat on a flight connecting in Memphis and always stop in for the pulled pork BBQ. I had had BBQ all over the Southern USA but for me this place is my first choice. Dark and on the sweet side.

In Miami Beach, there is a place, off Collens Ave, that has Argentinian BBQ. The place is just a hole in the wall, decorated with a cow motif. Hard to find an empty table but if you have to wait, it's worth it. You have to like garlic a lot too. All the tables have more garlic chopped with basel and olive oil.

In Tampa, Florida the place for BBQ is Big John's. It's in a bad neighborhood, go only in the day time. Very smokey and spicy.

All three of these places in USA are very different thus what's really authentic?
Of course, there are many different styles of American rib preparation. All are authentic. All I am saying is that except for the admitted small side portions, these ribs could be served in most any American city and would be received with enthusiasm. I say almost any because in some US areas ribs are a cult, and if they aren't prepared in the specific local way, they might not be accepted, even if good. Get real. This is Thailand. These are fucking good ribs, OK?

BTW, the Miami place you mentions sounds like an Argentinian parilla, not an American rib place, although I am sure that grilled rib meat is one of the cuts that they offer. Pattaya could use a good Argentinian parilla too!

[bucknaway]

I would be happy just to be able to find American style coffee with American style creamer.... I was tempted to bring my own coffee maker and coffee & creamer on my last trip. And when I was there I was sorry I didn't do it.

Hey Buckn, what exactly do you mean? A drip style coffee maker? You can buy those in Thailand and filters too. You can get decent beans either at Starbucks or Foodland. Creamer? You mean that chemical stuff? Like someone said, food taste really is subjective!

[TOQ]

This is the real deal, folks.
The food scene in Pattaya gets better and better every year.

Some of the best smoked BBQ ribs you will ever taste are to be found at the Great American Rib Company in Pattaya. People in Texas or the South would think these are damn good ribs. I am not kidding.

Now the Great American Rib Company has opened a snazzy new branch in Pattaya in kind of a weird location.
Its on Thepprasit on the way to Sukhumwit from Thapraya in Jomtien.

If coming from Jomtien, turn into Thepprasit and drive a bit, it is on the right with large enough signs to notice if you are payin attention.

You will thank me for this tip! The food is really excellent and fairly priced.
BTW, some years back I tried that New Orleans Cafe place in Boyztown and found it totally inauthentic and overpriced.
The Great American Rib Company is the opposite of that.

The place is not at all gay, but who cares? The food rocks, and they have happy hours and live music some nights.
And it just opened last week ...

Check out this review of their Bangkok location:


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sunday/ ... 28444.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sunday/20050206/index.php?news=column_16328444.html)

You should be ashamed !!!!

Im about to leave for Pattaya again on the 5th. Now that you have mentioned BBQ im going to have to go out of my way to get a fix before I leave.. :)

You should be ashamed !!! :)


john

[Geezer]

I was referring to the Pattaya branch of TGARC.

I would have left with a better impression if they hadnтАЩt been so parsimonious with the side orders. Maybe the baked potato wasnтАЩt their fault. God seems to have ordained that ThailandтАЩs potatoes can be only slightly larger than a henтАЩs egg. But their delicious BBQ beans -- you could put the serving in a spoon. Good grief, how much can beans cost?

I think you have a valid point about their side order size. I honestly think you would be in the minority opinion of taste of ribs, Rib Co vs. New Orleans, and I suggest people try this new place for themselves. I am confident many will agree with me about how exceptional these ribs are.

[Geezer]

тАЬI honestly think you would be in the minority opinion of taste of ribs, Rib Co vs. New OrleansтАЭ

Quite possibly; I am not a rib connoisseur.

[Dodger]

Bucknaway ...I would be happy just to be able to find American style coffee with American style creamer.... I was tempted to bring my own coffee maker and coffee & creamer on my last trip. And when I was there I was sorry I didn't do it.

Hey Bucknaway...that's exactly what I do.

I have a small 4 cup coffee maker I leave stowed at the condo and always bring 2 one Lb. sacks of Star Bucks Coffee, 2 large jars of Coffee Mate French Vanilla Creamer and a box of Splenda. If I have a boy over I just squirt a puff of fresh whipped cream on the top for a little extra pizzazz.

[bucknaway]

Must you make me jealous of everything you do? :(

I have a coffer maker that simply holds the coffee in the filter over a mug or container and you pour hot water into it and it drips down into your container. I was going to bring it but..... Next time.... But if the dollar is weak I will have to skip a Thai vacation for a while.

[2lz2p]

Comment on any restaurant, whether pro or con, and you will probably have someone disagree. People have different tastes in food and other things, e.g., boys ( body types, macho, ladyboy, etc.) So, to each his own.

Now to the subject at hand. I have eaten once at TGARC in Pattaya. To me, the ribs were "okay," but not outstanding -- however, as with Mexican food in Pattaya - IMHO it doesn't equate with the what I am used to in USA (Texas), but is certainly acceptable when it is the only Mexican food available (Tequila Reef and Mikes). Similarly with ribs and hamburgers (let's not go there).

I opted for the 1/2 rack of ribs -- while good, it wasn't meat falling off the bone tender. Yes, the side dishes are small, but after starting with an order of onion rings (very good IMHO) and finishing off the ribs and side dishes, I did not have room left to try their apple pie (looks great). On my next trip, maybe I'll forgo the onion rings or opt for the pulled pork sandwich (I seem to recall that was on the menu) in hopes I will have room to try the pie.

I did find it a tad expensive when compared to other good venues in Pattaya, but within reason even considering the plus plus. Although I sat outside, they do have a glassed in section, which appeared to be air conditioned. This place was previously "Ben's" restaurant and it has been remodeled, but the inside section was air conditioned when I ate there (Ben's) once. It appears the seating is the same both inside and out - bench seats with no backs, which tend to become uncomfortable after a while. On my one visit, the service was prompt and staff were pleasant.

Overall, I will go back, but because of price and location, it will probably not be too often.

If it's anything like the original branch in Bangkok...not worth going out of your way for.

Yes, of course food taste is subjective. Thanks for the various comments. I kind of agree that the meat was not the most tender falling off bone in the world, but to my taste it was plenty tender, the spices, smoked taste, combined with their specific BBQ made them really exceptional.

Curious about their buffalo wings which are indeed usually done so badly they aren't worth mentioning. Many people including me eating a half rack and sides would be too full for desert, and I am a big eater.

Guess it was foolish to put myself out on a limb praising a restaurant, but what the heck, if the limb is made of those splendifourous ribs, it is a worthy limb. To my mind, they have really tried and mostly succeeded in doing one kind of variation of an American BBQ joint. And given the small number of restaurants in Thailand doing American and Mexican anywhere near right, they deserve cudos and business. I am sure they will become popular even in that odd location; thought some expats here would appreciate the tip before the crowds arrive.

My Thai friend and I ate there tonight (Friday) and found the food very good, plentiful, and priced ok. We had so much food we brought half of it home. We had the "Feast" for 2. I think it could have easily feed four!. The bill for the "feast" which included french curly fries, toasted bread, cup of BBQ beans, potato salad, cole slaw, 10 ribs, pulled pork, a whole chicken, sliced pork was 595, we also had 2 starters, a beer and 2 waters was 1050 baht which included the 7% vat and 10% service fee. They now have 3 outlets, Bangkok, Pattaya, and Hua Hin.

Next time we go we will take 2 friends and I am sure the above food will give all of us plenty to eat. I did ask about the size of the sides before we ate and the owner said just ask for free refills. We could not even finish what we had though. By the time we were finishing our meal about 8:30 the place was very full. Many people were enjoying the outside dinning, which is very nice. The air con room is large and cool. The band was not playing, but here is a stage set up for one.

I have an American friend that has eaten at the American BBQ (I think called Bob's) on south Pattaya road near the intersection of 3 rd road. He said he'd never eat there again. For him the portions were small and over priced. So don't confuse the 2 places. They are VERY different!

Do they have cheeseburgers, like they do at the Bangkok branch? If so, they are most certainly now the tastiest in town!

They have overpriced cheeseburgers there but ordering them there would be silly.
It is a place to order BBQ!