Rendezvous-inspired ribs

Simcan

I ventured down to Memphis recently (from Toronto) and tried out the Rendezvous. (Also Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, which was amazing, and also Central BBQ, which was pretty good too!) The Rendezvous can be controversial, I hear, because it is a bit of a touristy place. But for me, anyway, they were one of the best slabs of ribs I have ever had, taste and texture. Not to mention the amazing beans. 

So I did a little research and tried a copycat recipe. This is now my go-to preparation for ribs (not only my favourite, everyone who tries them loves them, and they are so quick, easy and impossible to screw up and are the same everytime).  I have done this now five times.

So I thought I would share this link https://amazingribs.com/tested-recipes/pork-ribs-recipes/rendezvous-ribs-recipe-ribs-hurry and some pictures. (Look at the size of those ribs!)

I will say that I changed the recipe in one respect: I did not like huge whole allspice and coriander in the rub so I roughly ground this up before adding. I also used wild cherry chunks for some smoke, as I always want to add smoke flavor to everything.

Oh, and by the way, I no longer remove the silverskin from the back of ribs. Makes no difference and one less obstacle to chowing down.

Basically, you dry-brine the ribs, then coat in the rub (recipe is a link in the link above). Then you throw them on the Egg at 350 for 1 hour and 40 minutes, or so, mopping occasionally with a mixture of water, white vinegar, same rub, and a little bit of barbecue sauce or ketchup. (I use barbecue sauce.). Apart from the mop, the ribs are not sauced. A sprinkle of rub goes on the end.

Hope you try it too.

After the dry brine, salt has been absorbed:


On the Egg, mopped:


Resting:


Fresh sprinkle of rub:


The final product:



And a happy customer:

Carolina Q

Those look great! Much better than the real thing. I tried Rendezvous when I was in Memphis several years ago. Flavor was great, but they were so dried up, I thought I was chewing on jerky! May have to try Meathead's version though.

mEGG_My_Day

I’m glad you enjoyed some good food here in Memphis.  The Rendezvous is kinda of an enigma locally.  Some folks love it and others are not fans.  I really like their dry rub sprinkled on cheese and sausage just like they do at the restaurant.  And Gus’s is fantastic!! Thanks for posting.

Simcan

@Carolina Q I guess with that much volume it is hit or miss and it sure sounds like yours was a miss! My one experience was way different.  @mEGG_My_Day I sure did.  Had a cool tour of the Old Dominick as well and enjoyed Graceland and some great music.  

saluki2007

About the only thing I enjoy from Rendezvous is there cheese and sausage platter.  Central and Gus's on the other hand, outstanding.