Been here twice when visiting my Aunt who lives in the area. I think the first time I suggested the place and my Aunt hadn't been. However coming back several years later seems like this is a fav of hers. I think it's a great bbq place and I've enjoyed everything I've had. The second time I got a meat platter with 3 kinds of meat. The ribs seemed a bit of a throw away add but I think they held their own against pulled pork and brisket. Yep I said it and I ain't taking it back. The sides were phenomenal. Mac and cheese and potato salad and I didn't leave any of it though I was full . The location is pretty much the main drag and it's near the raceway (like next door). Plenty of room inside and they had some tvs showing the college football games and there was some outside seating as well. I will come back if visiting again! read more

The Rib Shack - 2 meat platter w/ 2 sides. Brisket, ribs, mac and cheese. Everything was delicious - Barbeque Near Me - Knoxville, Iowa

The rib shack is always been a really great experience pressurized clean friendly you get to watch them pick out the choice of each you get any manager is f****** gorgeous s*** sexy mm read more

This little enterprise is keeping great quality smoked meats into the bellies of Midwesterns In Knoxville, Iowa right next to the Racetrack. The Servers are prompt with what you need not alot of salesmanship but they know what there delivering and most is the Goods...I was Jonesing for pulled pork soo Sammich Southern Style was it, half pint of beans and a half rack of ribs (I'll share one or two) maybe. Brisket prices were up soo skipped the beef This time...Hot and Spicy BBQ Sauce to top and a little cold Soda to distinguish an Quinch. All my wares were great, tried the cheesy hash and it was smokey but needed a little more seasoning. THIS Place is genuine BBQ and one place that was open and serving everything on a classic barbecue board...Way to Go! Had a little order envy when seeing The table next had French fries With BBQ sauce is my fave. read more

The Rib Shack - Pulled Pork Southern Style, Ribs in Waiting - Barbeque Near Me - Knoxville, Iowa

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I had heard good things about this place, so I tried it out. I generally avoid chain BBQ, though. I should have listened to my intuition. Brisket jerkey, anyone? That was nearly inedible. The ribs have good flavor, but they were a bit dry. The Mac n cheese tasted good, but the cheese sauce was thin as water. Possibly, this meat has been sitting around far too long. These young men serving should be taught when something shouldn't be served or maybe this is just the product. The portions are small, and the price is high. I won't be coming back. read more

The Rib Shack - Brisket jerkey, anyone? Inedible. - Barbeque Near Me - Knoxville, Iowa

Great service and food. Absolutely worth the drive there. The absolute best Ribs, Brisket and Sides around the beans are a meal by them selves. The atmosphere felt cool, very freindly, great service and not corporate. I hope they are opening a location in town. We need more high quality BBQ in Des Moines. Keep up the great grilling!! JG read more

Over hyped and under delivers; way over priced, $12 bucks for 4 ribs and a side that's $3 per pork rib????? Doesn't work out any better w/ my public school education. Taste, flavor and texture was what was expected very creating a AVERAGE product? Its joins my theory that if there is a view or a high traffic area the product is average or lower guaranteed, cuz the restaurant does'nt count on regulars, just one time buyers. They stretch the mac n' cheese sauce w/ water? The staff act like they have Sleepy Joe as there trainer. read more

Excellent server staff and very good food. Highly recommend this restaurant. An historic local place to go with friends. read more

Good food, great service all the time. Southern style nachos covered with smoked meat cheese and jalapeños.

Order the 4 ribs @ 12 smackers and a corn muffin for a buck-fifty, (w/ a guest) so I couldn't tell them what I thought as not to embarrass my guest. Simple public school education that I have that's 3 bucks per rib that where so lacking of pork that I could only suck on the bones very discretely and yearn for Jimmy Jacks in Iowa City. Oh ya and the ice tea was $2.50 Total $30.00 and change, rip off!!!! Service is the casher Ambience is garage like and just as cold; bring a coat if its cold outside you'll need it read more

Fun little find in an unpretentious location. Everything tasted just a little too sweet and the ribs could have been a little more done, but overall it was a good experience. The servers were surprisingly nice, even offering to carry our kids drinks out to the car with us when we left, after the kids had walked off without them. The ONION RINGS are the best I have eaten in many years. Not too much batter, not too oily, and cooked just the right amount. I'll go back for the onion rings, and will have a couple of ribs while I am there. read more

Ate lunch here with my little buddy after visiting the sprint car museum next door. Wow. The ribs were outstanding and the service friendly--they threw a 5th rib on the 4 rib platter, probably because it was small, but a nice touch! Cole slaw was standard and good. The kids pulled pork with side (fries, straight from the fryer) for $7 was huge and tasty. read more

The Rib Shack - Rib platter with one side and a happy sprint car fan - Barbeque Near Me - Knoxville, Iowa

Awesome place, awesome food and awesome owners/staff!! Can't go wrong with this place these people!!

Not bad for bbq. Been there twice and had opposite experiences. First time I got ribs, corn and beans. Ribs were tough, corn had chunks of cold cream cheese in them and beans were so far over cooked. Second visit was great. Brisket sandwich was good, corn and beans on point. The regular sauce is on the sweet side. read more

Rode the motorcycle down from Des Moines on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The leader of the pack called ahead to warn them the size of our group. They were ready. We walked in about 12:15 overtaking the small rib shack. Great news on this beautiful afternoon is that other than the fantastic smells is that they have outdoor seating. We walked up to the counter and ordered the easiest thing to split. A three meat basket with two sides and a drink. We picked the meats. Brisket : the most common and best. It really did taste great. Pulled pork: yum Ribs: om nom nom good The two sides were Mac and cheese and cheesy hash browns. The cheesy hash browns I don't think I would do again. Everything wad really good and if we are back this way we'll go again. read more

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I attempted to eat at The Rib Shack at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday August 14, 2021. The staff didn't understand the menu and the food they served was awful. I threw away the nachos and ate elsewhere. Additionally, I was charged twice for awful food. Will not eat at The Rib Shack anywhere. read more

Great food. Fast service. Quiet sports bar feel. Pulled pork sandwich was very moist. Cowboy beans were excellent.

Not to bad for Knoxville,just fast and pretty good-when you do your own bbq you seem to "nit-pick" other bbq places that smoke meats and all that but on that,I would definitely eat there again read more

I love BARBECUE food very friendly staff love the sandwiches I can go in order get it right away don't have to wait like u do in a drive through Number 1 on my Resturant read more

Our first time eating at The Rib Shack. The ribs were amazing with their homemade sweet and sassy bbq sauce. The cheesy corn and cheesy hash browns were very good. The only drawback was the cowboy beans were a little overcooked for our taste. We will be eating here again. Delicious!! read more

My wife and I visit the Rib Shack when we are visiting her family about once a month. We also bring our friends and racing team into Rib Shack. Tonight we were running a bit busy and super hungry. We walked into the Rob shack at 7:56 and the sign in the door said Open. They said they close at 8 and are closed. I understand it is close to 8pm but it is not 8pm. 3 other customers walked up and they had just locked the door still before 8. That's 5 customers before the closing time that they refused service. Poor way to run a business and satisfy customers. Will not be returning, will not recommend and will pass on the word about their lack of need for quality business and pleasing customers within their advertised hours and open sign visible with an unlocked door! read more

The smoked meats and BBQ had very good flavor. They had a good selection of sides and they were all surprisingly hot for being pre-made and kept in a warmer. Prices are on the high end for fast food but the quality is worth it. read more

Usually pretty good sometimes it's a miss Nice friendly atmosphere average wait time when it's at the fairIt seems like it's always pretty good read more

I strongly would recommend this place. Our usual order is 410 code meal for $11. 4 rib rack or brisket with 3 fixins. Choices of cheesy corn, mash potato, beans, coleslaw, you may also take advantage of fries (they dash too salt though!), and I strongly would recommend their onion rings! The rib is just average-not that tender, not that hard. My husband ordered brisket, and it tastes good too. Brisket meat is tender. The resto is just a tiny place but for people who loves rustic ambiance, they for sure would love this! read more

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Stopped in with a small group of people had a nice home smoked meal, nothing was overly smoked flavor so mostly mild, brisket was very good. Extra sause was nice. I liked the feel of the place very simple and felt kinda like a old homestead. I would recommend everything I ate except the cheesy hashbrowns. I would pick something different. Close to the race track and easy to find. read more

The Rib Shack - Just part of the 3 meat special. - Barbeque Near Me - Knoxville, Iowa

Apart from Smokey D's in Des Moines, these are the best ribs in Iowa. Good service, good sides, good times!

Found this place while at the Knoxville National race and glad we did.. It was very busy due to the race even with the crowd we only waited about 10 minutes. Tried a little bit of everything... MEATS Ribs - Excellent Pulled Pork - Excellent Brisket - Excellent Ham - Good SIDES Man n cheese - Good Beans - Excellent Fried Onions - Good Cole Slaw - Excellent Cheesy Hash-browns - ok Service was good considering how busy it was. The tables were quickly cleaned and turned quickly. If you're in the area give it a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

I've been a semi-regular for a few years but I think the wheels are coming off a bit here. Two weeks ago, out of ribs? I suppose it happens so we had very decent brisket instead. Today I ordered a full slab of ribs and while they did have them I failed to notice that they had been precut into one ribs servings? Huh? Dried out much? Not good at all. I'm sure this can't be a regular practice but either way it is. It is not working. read more

Their BBQ is Fantastic that we will drive the half hour to get there. Their side are So good it's hard to pick which one.

Absolutely favorite place to eat!! It has been some time since I have been there, but will always be a favorite since I love smoked meats. They are always friendly and inviting, and always check on you when they have the availability to do so. I will be there soon! read more

Best Onion Rings in Marion County ample portions of pork or brisket on the sandwiches as well.

I honestly didn't know this place existed. It wasn't until the radio station I listen to was broadcasting from the Rib Shack Iowa State Fair booth that I learned there was an actual restaurant. So I did what every BBQ lover would do, I packed the family into the car and made the 30 minute drive down to Knoxville. The Rib Shack is just north on the Knoxville Raceway on the main drag. It a small,unassuming place but low and behold some of the best BBQ in Central Iowa is in there. The inside is pretty cozy with only a dozen or so tables. As you walk in, the ordering counter is directly in front of you and off to the left is the seating a bar area. This is counter service BBQ so no wait staff. You order your meat, pick your sides, and get your drinks. The food was outstanding. I got a four rack of ribs and at first I was wondering if that would be enough. I would like to say that yes, it sure was. The ribs were super meaty and tender. It didn't take me long to devour them. I got the meal that came with three sides so I had the cowboy beans, cheesy corn, and potato salad. Even the sides were fantastic. My wife got the pulled pork sandwich and was also very impressed. I tried some of her mac and cheese side and it too was very well done. I was also impressed with the home made sauce. It was a very good KC style sauce and they also had a hotter version as well. It was sweet BBQ candy in a bottle. The Rib Shack does have a full bar although it's kind of limited. Beer was really the only disappointment, all they had were 12oz domestic cans. Nothing craft at all. With Peace Tree in town it would be nice if they at least carried some of their beers but who am I to say. It's a minor complaint at best. Also this really isn't a sports bar but they do have a lot of TVs in the dining area. Not a place I would go specifically to watch a game but if you happened to stop in and wanted to catch a baseball game while you ate it would work. I must admit, I was really surprised by what I found in Knoxville. Des Moines has some good BBQ in town but I think I have found a place that I would be more than willing to make a 30 minute drive for. read more

Good bbq, but prices started increasing during Covid & have only gotten worse. Find it odd that you can't buy a 1/2 lb of meat anymore.

We frequent here for lunch, it is good BBQ and quick. I usually get ribs and 2 sides. The corn is delicious and the beans are very good. I also like their coleslaw and fries. I definitely recommend eating here! read more

Worst place at the fair. Watery mac n cheese and the owner is the rudest lady I have ever met. I DO NOT RECOMEND and will continue to complain. read more

A bit pricey, but what bbq place isn't. The sauce is top notch and the meats are cooked to perfection.

Staying in Knoxville for a few months and I will base this off of general BBQ and then compare this to my other most local BBQ place which is Moo's BBQ in Newton, Iowa. Ribs: For ribs, they are pretty much fall off the bone. The BBQ tastes great but too much is put on for me. Cheesy Corn: The cheesy corn is THE BEST cheesy corn I've ever had. I order there sometimes JUST for the cheesy corn. Compared to Moo's BBQ: I don't like any of Moo's sides. I have only had Rib Shacks cheesy corn. SO definitely prefer RS's sides. I like Moo's BBQ sauce but do not like that their ribs come with minimal meat and are not fall of the bone. Rib Shacks ribs are fall off the bone with too much sauce and definitely prefer Moo's sauce over RS's. Will visit again to try other things. read more

I had the Rib Shack Cater my wedding and they did an absolutely amazing job!! So easy to deal with Katie the manager and the food was insane! It was all our guest could talk about was how good the ribs and cheesy corn were! We had them bring brisket as well and they hand cut it right at the wedding! Would recommend hiring them for any event! read more

This is one of the best BBQ places in the area. Love the Rib Shake Special sandwich and the rib are always good. In the fall they bring out the brisket chili, which is delicious. read more

Excellent brisket nachos! The house special sandwich was really good too! We went on Labor Day when most other places were closed! Will be back! read more

Very good ribs and cowboy beans. Our first trip here but not the last. Self order with a relaxed eating area. read more