If you love BBQ, stop what you're doing and get to Roper's Ribs. The ribs are smoky, tender, and fall right off the bone -- seriously addictive. The brisket? Melt-in-your-mouth good. The sauce has that perfect sweet and tangy kick, and the sides round everything out just right. The people here treat you like family, and the portions will leave you full and happy. This place is straight-up BBQ heaven in St. Louis! read more

LOVE this STL Staple thts been around since before I was born. I used to come into this place and buy bootleg DvDs, the best ribs, and would learn so much about the neighborhood and the history of STL from pictures and the knowledgeable owners and workers of this establishment. Highly recommend, EVERY Time. Great food, great service, and it's a cozy spot. read more

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i had such high hopes. SUCH HIGH HOPES. i'm not sure the brisket was brisket. had zero flavor. asked for burnt ends - received snouts (?). not good. husband said the ribs were very good. super super nice counter person. read more

Roper's Ribs are among the BEST I have ever laid lips on...maybe the best! Stopped in for a Pulled Pork Sandwich with Heather. It was definitely the BEST ever. We tried the Potato Salad which was excellent. Reminded me of the G-Ma's (nickname for my mom by my kids). We couldn't let the opportunity to get Jeff some ribs pass so we took home a slab. So full of meat and no sticky sweet sauce cooked onto the ribs. You can put your sauce on later. I regret not getting the name of the beautiful, friendly gal at the window. She was so friendly and had the most amazing smile. The ambiance was quick order appropriate with photos of friends through the ages on the wall. Can't wait to get more barbecue at Roper's. read more

So good!!! Beef rack of ribs and sides! Chefs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That food was horrible. Mrs. Roper has a unpleasant attitude. Brisket was tough, rib tips were tough, potato salad had way tooo much mustard in it. The baked beans were pork n beans. The bbq sauce was horrible. I honestly believe they sold me yesterdays food. Its time shut it down now. read more

Great food, great people. The food is always consistently delicious as is the service. We don't have to wonder if the food order is gonna be correct this time as opposed to the last time. We don't have to worry about if the food is going to be tender or if we're going to get a plate of bones (yes, it happens:(). Thanks for all the years of good food! read more

If you're ever in the North City area and craving for some great barbecue, this is the place to go. I came here for the snoots, as it is something not very many BBQ places in St. Louis offer. I had the #10 combo, which was rib tips, snoots and a side. The rib tips were great, and the snoots were out of this world. Fries were crinkle-cut, which is always the best for me. Portions were great, as well as the amount of sauce on the meat. They give you bread on the side. I should have got another side dish but I was so full, so maybe next time! Service was great, and the woman at the window was very friendly. I'm assuming she's a co-owner as this is a husband/wife-ran business. She was very helpful and conversational. My only complaint was the parking, in which it is best if you park in the lot behind the place. There are lots of huge potholes so definitely watch what your tires may get into. Other than that, its a decent place that is small (only 3 or 4 small tables; apparently they do a lot of carryouts) but worth checking out for BBQ lovers. read more

Roper's Ribs - Snoots and tips combo - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Quality of meat has slipped in the last two years.Now I don't have any place I buy Barbecue now

There's little I could say that could do justice to just how good Roper's Ribs is. I stopped by a few weeks ago at its joint, and while the establishment itself is quite austere, the food is not. I came in to visit this hole-in-the-wall (basically, given the lack of seating and brief waiting area outside the ordering window). After spending a good long while ogling the menu and various awards decorating the walls of this little shop, I ended up going with the rib tips & snoots combination and the baby back ribs. While the ribs were pretty classic, nothing spectacular but still very good, the tips and snoots were DELICIOUS. Very unique, and I couldn't recommend more. A little bit outside the city of St. Louis, but I would definitely recommend stopping by if you have the chance. Delicious BBQ, one-of-a-kind offerings, and at a steal of a price! read more

Roper's Ribs - Baby Back Ribs (left) and Rib Tips & Snoots Combo (right) - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

We were warned ahead of time that we would not be satisfied but we are only in town for the weekend and the place was conveniently located. Ok being from Texas when you say Brisket we mean just that not beef jerky and there was no seasoning. Next the ribs, they lacked flavor and weren't tender. I can say I have been here before and do not care to go back like I said Texans are serious about their Barbecue especially ribs and brisket try at your own risk you might have better results oh and the lady at the front counter was not friendly One and done read more

BBQ was too tough and expensive for the items. I did not like it much. I would go in a pinch only

Wasn't good to me at all. Might just be my Taste buds though. Haven't been in a while maybe it's better now. Parking is inconvenient and not safe at night for a single person alone read more

The food tasted very old and over cooked... The service was very slow especially for the quality of food we received. The place definitely needs some updating but with covid I'm sure not a lot of people were utilizing the inside for dining purposes. I ordered the snouts and they were so chewy I was overly disappointed. I will not be back anytime soon unfortunately they used to be one of the top bbq places in the St. Louis area. read more

A Choose Three + an extra side is a good lunch for two. We enjoyed Rib Tips, Brisket and St. Louis Style Ribs with Baked Beans and then added Potato Salad as our extra side. We were amazed at the size of the portions of the three meats. We were so full after eating lunch, we didn't need dinner The potato salad was a mustard base, which is my favorite. It was big chunks of potatoes, cooked perfectly. Not too soft and not overly firm. It was the kind of potato salad you'd see at a family picnic made by your favorite Aunt. The Baked Beans were in a thin runny sauce, but seasoned well. The four St. Louis Style Ribs were meaty and had just the right amount of BBQ sauce. Of the three meats, the Brisket was my favorite. Multiple slices of tender brisket, smothered in their BBQ sauce that has a tangy, vinegar tang taste. Seeing the other reviews rave about the Rib Tips, I ordered them as our third meat. Neither of us were impressed with the tips, which cost them the 4th star. Roper's is a true Mom and Pop BBQ joint and it will be mom and pop serving you. They are friendly, personable and they both make sure you feel at home in their little restaurant. So if you are in north Saint Louis and craving BBQ, stop by Roper's for a treat of down home BBQ. read more

Roper's Ribs - Potato Salad & Baked Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

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This is a small, husband/wife, hole-in-the-wall place with three tables that does a land office take-out business. It was our first time here, but I knew it would be good when we walked in and got smacked in the face with the most delightful smoke smell. We were in the mood for BEEF ribs, and this is one of the only places to get them in St. Louis. Once we got over the smoky fragrance we went to the counter, out of curiosity took a brief look at the full menu, then ordered a full slab as was our intent all along. We asked about the sides and were told that most were bought commercially, then 'played with.' Well, it is a BBQ place, not a sides place, and sometime you have to stick with what you're good at. We ended ordering the baked beans and potato salad. Gotta say, there is nothing fancy here. We got two clam-shell containers with 4 ribs each, containers of the aforementioned sides, and several slices of bread (for sauce dipping). The ribs were smoked to perfection - meaty and tender without being mushy, covered in their own sauce, and very tasty. My wife went through hers as though she hadn't eaten all day. Definitely worth ordering again. I did notice that many of the people doing carry-out while we were there got the rib tips - may have to try them next time. The sides were a mixed bag. While the potato salad was really good, and I'd get it again, the beans were just average. We added some of the BBQ sauce from the ribs to the beans and they were better, but still nothing to write home about. But like I said earlier, we were there for the meat, not the sides. They were even thoughtful enough to provide several handiwipes to clean up with afterwards. Definitely needed as I don't believe in wiping my face between bites, especially when I'll just get it messy again! read more

The food was hot fresh and delicious! As a St. Louis native that is currently residing in NOLA every time I come I must have bbq! I've had Roper's many times in the past and they never disappoint! The snoots and tips combo is to die for and the pulled pork sandwich is delicious as well! But you can't go wrong with whatever you choose! read more

This is a Northside favorite hole-in-the-wall. If you're getting a few slabs or a single polish, it's all wonderful. This is my home away from home, so when my wife tells me I have to fix my own dinner, I'm headed to the Roper's. Lol read more

Excellent flavor and hospitality! Highly recommend the rib tips and pulled pork. Next time coming back for a full rack. Well done! read more

Came here with a church group on Sunday (shout out to One City Won!) and the meats were solid. However, they were practically out of everything at 2pm, which is kinda sad since it was only mid-day. Thankfully, I was able to snag the last slab of ribs which were fall off the bone delicious. I recommend the food but get there early and be prepared to wait a bit for the feast. It's sooo worth it! read more

After all the BBQ I had in Texas and all they hype I heard about BBQ in St Louis. When I walked in, I was impressed. Little place but had awards posted all over. I thought this place was going to be the best of the best but I found it to be average. Dont under estimate, the food was good. I guess I will still have to search for the St Louis hype. Instagram @planefoodies read more

Roper's, how have I managed not to rate you yet?? Ok, here goes. The rib tips are outstanding....tender, meaty, sauced well, priced right, large portions. I dig the brisket sandwich, even though it's messy, massive, and you'll be forced to knife & fork it. The polish....foot long, $3.75, loaded with that delicious sauce, it's a meal in itself. I like the baked beans, and the fries....though for me, sides are usually a distant second at BBQ joints. The prices are fair, the atmosphere is dive-y in a good way, and the food is good eats....how could I not love this place?? That's why Roper's has become my go-to spot for BBQ in St. Louis. read more

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Strangely, my experience was more influenced by what I didn't eat there (but wanted to) versus what I did order there (but didn't want to). My first visit was on a Saturday evening. Based on the pictures and reviews from Yelp, I had decided to order the rib tips. I walk in, and the first thing the counter-lady says is that they are out of rib tips and most everything else, too. Lesson #1: on weekends, go early for the best selection. So, I'm disappointed, and I sit there re-reading the menu, trying to decide on some other entree. In the mean time, four customers walk in, try to order the rib tips, and they get similarly disappointed. In fact, so disappointed, they didn't even bother ordering something else, they just turned around and left. Now I'm thinking, "The rib tips must REALLY be good, I'm definitely coming back to try them!" They still have brisket, and I figure that's a safe choice, and I'll get that. I need a second entree for my wife, and I am reluctantly leaning towards the BBQ chicken. I say reluctantly because even though I have never had Roper's, I fear that they probably overcook the chicken, which makes it dry. Actually, I almost never order out for chicken because most restaurants overcook it. Earlier this year, I ate at a BBQ restaurant in West County who had "the best smoked chicken in St Louis County," according to St Louis Magazine, and their chicken was so dry that it was all I could do to choke it down. I get home, my wife and I split the brisket sandwich. Because my expectations for the chicken are low, I save it for last. When I finally turn my attention to it, I see that the Roper's chicken is half of a generously sized chicken. It lightly coated with BBQ sauce, which I like because I want the chicken to be the predominant taste, not the sauce. I cut into it, taste it....and it is a RELEVATION! So juicy! Nice smokey flavor, complimented by a BBQ sauce that is sweet with hint of tanginess. My mouth still waters as I think about how good that tasted. A few days later, I go back, this time on a weekday, a couple hours prior to the dinner rush. And, yes, this time I was able to get the rib tips. Let me first say that they give you a huge amount for a very reasonable price! During this second visit, I meet the owner Carl. We started to banter a bit, and I get to know him and other members of his family who were working with him. We have a nice conversation, almost like we have been friends for a long time. So let me cut to the chase on what I think: Chicken: wonderful. Brisket: excellent, good size serving of medium thickeness slices. I am going to ask Carl to slice it a little thinner for me next time. Rib tips: exceptionally tender, meaty, tasty, fantastic price to performance. Bread & Side dishes: adequate, an area they could improve upon. BBQ Sauce: unique, above average, not too sweet (which I like). Parking: there's street parking close by. Dining accommodations: let's just say that you should really think of this as a take out restaurant. Owner/operator: friendly and generous, and they care about their customers. Bottom line: a little gem worth seeking out. read more

I was in the neighborhood so I stopped in to check this place out. I was expecting a restaurant but it's really a carryout place, although there are a couple tables. It was Saturday around 1:30pm and there were a bunch of people sitting there waiting. Framed pictures adorn one of the walls, many of which featured Steve Harvey, who bestowed Ropers with the 2009 Hoodie award for best ribs. Went for the 1/2 slab of STL style ribs ($12) and a brisket sandwich ($7). After waiting over 30 minutes, the food came out. The ribs were pretty incredible. Very meaty and delicious with a sweet sauce glaze. Really really good. They came with a small side of cole slaw that was creamy with a great bite. The brisket sandwich was disappointing. It was too big and messy to be eaten as a sandwich, so we had to fork and knife it. The meat was not tender at all and hard to cut and tough to chew. A lot of it was so fatty that it was inedible. This thing pretty much sucked all around. Lessons learned 1) Call in your order 30 mins in advance. Or bring a book to read while you wait. 2) Stick with the ribs and avoid the brisket. read more

I was recently in St. Louis on a Sunday and had plans to go to Iron Barley, which was featured on Man vs. Food. When I showed up at the door, I sadly discovered that they were closed on Sundays. Not having a backup plan, I pulled out the smart phone and Googled, "best bbq in St. Louis". Roper's Ribs appeared at the top of the list, so off I went. I was a little surprised at how small/divey the place was, but happy because this type of place is right up my alley. The restaurant has a small dining area with only a handful of tables, and had a wall full of Steve Harvey photo's and other photo's from various local events that Roper's has participated in. I thought this was great as it gave the place a cool communal vibe. Being in St. Louis, I decided that it would be most appropriate to order a half slab of St. Louis style ribs. The service was friendly, quick, and the prices were very fair. The ribs were covered in an amazing sauce that had a little bit of kick to it. The meat also tasted great, was very tender, and fell off of the bone with little effort. About half way through my meal, a nice guy named John came out to the dining area to check on how I liked the meal. We chatted for a minute and I thought this was a nice touch. Great food, good prices, along with fast and friendly service gives Roper's Ribs a perfect five star rating. read more

Roper's Ribs - St. Louis style ribs at Roper's Ribs in St. Louis, MO. - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

The owners need an Attitude adjustment. I didn't feel welcomed and the meat was old! It's too dark inside gif the daytime ours.

Alright Ropers. You might be my new favorite BBQ in town. Came here with a group of friends and got to try basically the full menu. First off: They are nice! We ordered, rib tips, st louis style ribs, and wings, and all their sides. The water was frozen that day so they decided to give us free drinks and for some reason also let us try their snoots. They use a rub and sweet tangy bbq sauce. It seems that they dont smoke their meats but everything here was amazingly tender. Portions are extremely generous and prices are cheap and fair. We got the coleslaw, fries, potato salad and baked beans and all of those were also solid. Really I can't describe how good this place is, for the price, portions and taste. You definitely have to come try this place out. The only downside is: It is quite hard to eat here. They only have 3 or 4 tables (that only fit 2 people each) so if you want to dine in, I guess luck would have to be on your side if you have a bigger party. read more

This is not my First time at Roper's Ribs but I am a true believer in a business that represents the community. It is the pillar of the Community. My daughter, sister, mother, and I went to Roper's Ribs on Saturday evening. It was very busy. The Food was very good. We had the Combo with STL Ribs, BBQ Wings, and Brisket with sides of Baked Beans and Cole Slaw. The Customer Service was outstanding and I always feel like Family when I step in the door of the establishment. Please give them business and Check out one the Best BBQ establishments in the STL! read more

If you like "reality" in your BBQ, this is a great place. Family staffed, no place to park, few places to sit, no table service, and snoot on the menu (if I never get back to St. Lou I will regret this forever). I would give it 5 stars if the ribs were in any way original, they are not, but that doesn't mean they aren't pretty close to perfect. Grab a 40 and eat them in your car. A perfect Ferguson experience. read more

Roper's Ribs - Half slab of baby backs - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

This husband and wife owned BBQ joint has some of the best ribs I've ever tasted. We fell across this gem after landing at St. Louis Airport and craving some St. Louis bbq. Naturally, I jumped on Yelp and Roper's came up, so we headed over. The restaurant is super casual and very tiny but packs a punch! There are only a few tables, I think I counted 5 at most. You order at the counter and sit down wherever you like. Everyone else that came in just ordered their food to go. It took about 10-15 minutes for our food and boy was it good! I had the Brisket Sandwich, my husband had the Baby Back Ribs and my parents had the St. Louis Ribs. The only thing I would change or would want to see in the future is more side options. Other than that, I suggest checking this place out. read more

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It wasn't good the last time I went there so go ahead if you want to try no thank you for me

By far the BEST BBQ! I purchased the snoot and shrimp combo and it was delicious! The snoots were crispy and the shrimp were huge.

This was my first taste of real St. Louis bbq. I ordered the midwest special which is the rib tips. The tips were smoked perfectly and plentiful with a great rub and sauce. My significant other had the pulled pork sandwich which actually is rib meat deboned and chopped, it was great as well. The knock on this place are the sides, the potato salad mustard based that tasted store bought and not homemade you can switch out for french fries at a ridiculous almost $3 up-charge. Instead of in-house tea they served caned and bottled drinks. Other than those side issues the meat is what you come for and these ribs are great ribs. read more

I'm only giving 3 stars because the wait was kinda long and there wasn't parking or seats. The walls are covered in Steve Harvey and there is only a few tiny chairs to wait. But the ribs are good!! I got a half of St. Louis ribs and there was plenty. It came with a side of baked beans(small cup) too. Cost was 14.77 which I feel was fair for the quality of ribs. If this place had a better location and set up it would have a better rating. read more

I will admit that I heard about this place based on the Hoodie awards nominations - so I had to try it. So, the restaurants name has "ribs" in the title so I went for the Ribs. Ordered a 1/2 slab of Baby back ribs, slaw, and green beans. Nearly 20 mins later, food was ready. Presentation was nice, my ribs were a bit charred on the edges and hard to eat - overall ok. The sauce was definite highlight. Slaw and green beans were only ok. Based on other reviews I think I need a couple more visits to checkout the brisket and rib tips. Parking was a bit interesting. I parked on a gravel parking lot behind the building - but I am not sure if I was supposed to park there. read more

Roper's Ribs - 1/2 slab of Baby Back ribs, slaw, and green beans - Barbeque Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

I have to tell you I have visited this restaurant often since I was a little kid. The food you will encounter here will knock your socks off every time. Don't be afraid to try anything on their menu it will be amazing. read more

I'm not going to lie: much like the rest of St. Louis (the meat-eating, BBQ loving population, anyway), I've been drinking the Pappy's Koolaid. And I've been on the Bogart's love train. Can you really blame me? For as long as both establishments have been around, they've been practically shoved in my face and forced down my throat. Not that that's a BAD thing, mind you; they both make killer barbecue. KILLER. But...a little part of me has always wondered if Pappy's and Bogart's really represented the best of what St. Louis has to offer. So I forced myself out of the box to find out. I've heard about Roper's before. Whether it was by word of mouth, Yelp reviews, or hearing about how they won the 'Best BBQ' prize from Steve Harvey's "Hoodie" awards, they've always kind of floated around in my head. I was excited to finally give them a try. I heeded the advice of my fellow Yelpers and called my order in ahead. I kept it simple and just ordered a half rack of baby back ribs, along with a side of potato salad. I live about 30 minutes away, and that's how long they said it would take for my order to be ready. Perfect. I arrived and was rather shocked at how small Roper's was. There is literally nowhere to sit, so be prepared to take your order to go. Speaking of to go orders, my food was ready when I arrived. I paid, walked to my car (park on the street, as there's no parking lot), and went to town. I couldn't help myself, and I certainly didn't want to wait until I got home to dig into this. These ribs are FANTASTIC. They're super tender, super meaty, super smoky, and the barbecue sauce is like nothing I've ever had before. It's thick, hearty, savory, sweet, spicy...it's got a little bit of everything going on, and it ALL WORKS. It's messy. Be prepared. I don't know what else to say about these ribs other than the fact that they might be the best ribs I've ever eaten in my life. IN MY LIFE, y'all! I'm going to be honest. Roper's is in Jennings. If you're not familiar with this area of St. Louis, you should be aware that this isn't Ladue, Town & Country, or Chesterfield. In other words, if you're used to lily-white Leave It To Beaver-esque neighborhoods, you will probably think Jennings is "sketchy". If being in a neighborhood that's mostly black scares you, you'll probably think Jennings is "sketchy". If being surrounded by buildings that have seen better days intimidates you, you'll probably think Jennings is "sketchy". However, if you're after some fantastic barbecue and are willing to step out of your comfort zone? Roper's is IT. Put on your big boy (or big girl) panties, drive to Jennings, and get ready to have your mind blown. It's totally worth it. Pappy who? read more

Driving cross country to move a buddy out to LA, we stumbled upon this mouth watering gem in St. Louis. While most of the BBQ places in town were closed on Mondays (unfortunately, the day we were in St. Louis), Roper's was open, so we decided to give it a chance. Has the feel of a truly local dive. Not too much seating, but we went in the afternoon and it seemed like most people ordered take out (it gets a little smoky in there as well). The owner and his family are incredibly nice and eager to talk to customers. My buddy and I talked to Jon about filmmaking for a long time before, sadly, we had to hit the road. They really stand by their food. We chatted for a bit with the owner and he guaranteed that my mouth would be happy, or I could get a refund. I don't think I spoke a single word to my friend across the table while I ate the BBQ chicken. The chicken falls right off the bone and is covered in delicious BBQ sauce. Note: Usually my mild dairy allergy flares up a bit when I eat BBQ, but not here! It's a bit out of the way from Downtown, but definitely worth the drive! read more

I'm from TEXAS and I'll even admit Roper's Ribs can hang with the best of the best BBQ. I started going in my college days and still stop over when I'm back in St. Louis. The St. Louis ribs are delicious and amazingly tender. I especially enjoy the rib tips. The new dry rub is out of this world and that is my go to these days. If you aren't in the mood for BBQ, the jumbo fried shrimp is probably the best I've ever had. There is a perfect hint of lemon that makes it mouthwatering, best eaten straight out of the fryer. There is not a lot of room to grub in the restaurant but there are a few tables that will suffice. And the Roper family will keep you entertained while you're enjoying your meal. The daughter who took my order was really sweet and pretty hot too! read more

Roper's has my favorite ribs. Fall off the bone delicious. Bring cash because these are all you could possibly ask for. Meaty and BBQy. They're great hot and as leftovers. Also the friendliest people I've ever met. read more