Rib Crib refurbishing spot for new location in downtown Tulsa

[saintnicster]

Rib Crib refurbishing spot for new location in downtown Tulsa

By KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer
Published: 2/28/2013  2:04 AM
Last Modified: 2/28/2013  7:44 AM

Sometimes good barbecue just requires patience, and so have plans for a downtown Rib Crib that had been on hold for almost two years.

But the Blue Dome District location for the Tulsa-based restaurant chain is cooking again - construction started this week.

Plans now call for a May opening, said Seth Nimmo, vice president of finance and development for Rib Crib.

"Quite frankly, we had four projects in front of us and it took us longer than we had anticipated," Nimmo said. "But we're very excited to be downtown and really looking forward to opening this location."

Rib Crib has been serving barbecued ribs, brisket and pork for 21 years in Tulsa, along with sides such as sweet and smokey beans, potato salad and onion rings.

The restaurant chain also serves catfish, sausage and hot wings. Entrees range from a $7 barbecue sandwich to $17 for baby back pork ribs.

Rib Crib's first location still stands at 1601 S. Harvard Ave., and the company's corporate headquarters is about four miles south on the same street near Interstate 44.

But the company has long outgrown that first restaurant; it now has 47 locations in eight states, mostly in places neighboring Oklahoma but extending as far away as Florida.

Rib Crib officials announced plans to develop the location at 302 E. First St. in May 2011, saying they hoped to capitalize on the revitalization of downtown's dining and entertainment offerings with a restaurant in their hometown's core.

But it wasn't until this week that they started construction after submitting a building permit earlier this month that listed $210,000 worth of improvements to the 3,300-square-foot building.

The location was formerly an annex location of the Metropolitan Environmental Trust, a pro-recycling group based downtown. But the building has been vacant since Rib Crib announced its intentions.

Nimmo said there is plenty of work to do on the structure, which dates to 1935.

Rib Crib plans to blast decades of paint off of the walls to expose the original brick, install more inviting windows around the building and add neon signs across the facade.

Nimmo said Rib Crib will be well suited for downtown's mix of downtown workers during lunch and the growing evening dining scene.

"We've designed a style that is very quick," he said. "We can get you in and out of there as quick as possible.

"But if you live downtown or are coming in the evening, you can hang out and enjoy a meal."

EDIT - link on the image to bigger version

[Teatownclown]

Whatever, I'm sticking to my too many eateries chasing too few mouths theory.

And why oh why are there no healthy choices?

Tulsan's tastes reflect their educational level.

[Conan71]

Elote and The Vault are two which quickly come to mind as having healthier menus, I'm sure there are others scattered around I'm forgetting.

[rdj]

Chimera in Brady has a very healthy menu.  The majority of their menu is vegetarian.

[Hoss]

Using the two phrases 'good barbecue' and 'Rib Crib' are BBQ blasphemy.

[Teatownclown]

Yes. You both seem correct. I enjoy these three venues despite the additives. Chimera is a bit limited. And Kaisers new place will also offer up several choices.

But there is not a single place devoted to the conscientious crowd. As I said, limited by education.

[saintnicster]

I mostly posted because I'm digging the rendering of what the building will end up looking like, not necessarily because "OMG, rib crib!".  I'm more looking forward to the Albert G's place by McNellies.  Also, for some reason, I'm mildly amused that they chose to render it with a rainy setting.

I'll probably take a few "in progress" pictures of the outside today at lunch.

[zstyles]

Hopefully they will stay open past 7:00..while I don't love rib crib I have had much worse from even "local legend places" that have opened up recently.

[Gaspar]

They will do well downtown.  They have a competitive price point, broad lunch menu, and very organized catering machine. You certainly won't get the best BBQ there, but you will get a consistant experience, and reasonable pricing.  They have evolved into more of a casual dining restaurant than a BBQ joint, and that means that the menu has a far broader appeal than just Q.

The process to have an office meeting catered by Rib Crib is very quick and easy, and the way the product is delivered makes for simple service and quick clean-up.  They are going to capitalize on that, making sure that they have more than enough capacity to "out cater" any other business downtown.  As far as overhead and food cost, catering has a very high profit margin and low cost.

This will become their star location, I can almost guarantee that. All other BBQ downtown will need to compete on quality alone.

[carltonplace]

The rendering has a bike rack outside. Surely you don't begrudge the active person an occasional pulled pork sandwich.

[Ibanez]

Yes. You both seem correct. I enjoy these three venues despite the additives. Chimera is a bit limited. And Kaisers new place will also offer up several choices.

But there is not a single place devoted to the conscientious crowd. As I said, limited by education.

I have about 700 feet of fence line that needs to be cleared out if you want to keep acting like a goat about this.

[TheTed]

That building looks really, really nice. It's quite the contrast to the current look.

[Conan71]

I have about 700 feet of fence line that needs to be cleared out if you want to keep acting like a goat about this.

And that's all natural with no additives! Perfect for the clown!

[Red Arrow]

And that's all natural with no additives! Perfect for the clown!

Any all natural poison ivy?

[Conan71]

Any all natural poison ivy?

Only in his toilet paper.