I love the name so I had to try the ribs lol The line was long and it was hard to find a table but we got one so be prepared for that. I enjoyed my ribs. The meat fell off the bone so it was perfect! My green beans were good but the fruit wasn't sweet. I should've gotten a different side but I was full by the time I tried it and didn't want to deal with the line again. My husband had the chopped beef potato and he was happy. Brisket bombs are spicy but worth it. Overall not a bad experience. read more

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The ribs and peach cobbler are my favorites, but everything is great. The catfish and South Congress is my husband's favorite. The smoked turkey and brisket are great too read more

Our first visit and didn't realize it was that close to our neighborhood. We were not prepared what to order and the lady was very nice and patient telling us what the highlights of their menu was and what good item is popular among the patrons. We appreciate her and the staff bringing our huge group order to our table. I had the catfish and prawns and it was delicious! The rest had the pasta with prawns and 'twas good. Ambiance is welcoming and neutral as it is great for family. We will be coming back again for dinners. I recommend this place if you haven't tried it yet. read more

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Always good food here! The staff are always very friendly and helpful. And they do not take much time to get it served up! Try some of their specials. They're called special for a good reason! I've been eating here for many years and I plan to be back soon! read more

Food is decent. Classic BBQ decor. Service is fine. Pricing is decent. I usually go in the late afternoon and they usually have plenty of food. Ribs and Brisket are good. Unfortunately, Mac and cheese was cold. They serve cobblers which are solid. Closed on Mondays . Enjoy. read more

We eat here at least once a month, the food and service is always outstanding. Ordered takeout today for a family gathering and they didn't disappoint. This is the second time we've ordered out for a family event and the food was a hit! Thanks Tickler for always being consistent. Love them! read more

The Rib Tickler? More Like a Taste Bud Tickler... If Your Taste Buds Are Dead This place clings to the old BBQ ways--and not in a good way. I got the 2-meat sandwich: sliced brisket and jalapeño cheese sausage. Now listen, I live for brisket, but this? Dry personality, bland attitude. Nice pull, sure, but no soul, no flavor, no thanks. The sausage? The saving grace. Not spicy, but at least it brought something to the table--flavor. Then came the mac and cheese. If disappointment had a look, it was that scoop of pale sadness. Watery, lifeless, and flavorless. I laughed when they served it--that's the tickle. I've had more soul in instant noodles. Save your money. This place needs to retire its smoker and start over. read more

- Food: What can I say? Texas is known for its BBQ. And this place does not disappoint. 5 Stars - Service: Very friendly and warm. Really good people who work and serve here. 5 Stars hands down! - Ambiance: Clean and the soft country music just makes this place comfortable. Overall: 5 BRIGHT STARS! read more

Nice smaller more intimate setting. Went there for lunch and food and service was good. I saw they had a pretty good volume of takeout business. Got the two meat platter. read more

Bought a 3 meat plate with chopped beef barely enough for a sandwich and it was dry.The corn on the cob had no seasoning. Bought another 3 meat plate turkey was dry and tough. Beans were dry. The potato salad was good. I don't think I will ever be back. read more

DELICIOUS BBQ!! They weren't lying when they said it's "FANTABULOUS FOOD!" Friendly service. Clean place. Plenty of seating available. Cafeteria style tray and walk through line. This was some of the best BBQ I've had in a long time. My only regret is not trying this place sooner!! Delicious BBQ!! Go try it! read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - 1lb. Brisket 1/4lb sausage - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

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Food and service are great! We always go for the special of the day including the drink. Plenty of sitting and they bring the food to your table. read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwich. - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

The facility has been around for a long time. It feels old western inside and clean. The service is great and the brisket and ribs are awesome. read more

The staff is all chikdren that are all very rude. Rib Tickled is not what it used to be. Eat somewhere else.

I could swear that I wrote a review here several years ago but alas it's not there anymore and vaguely remember a barely average visit Yelp sometimes does that (delete a review) as I have experienced that before. Anyway, I decided for another visit a week ago for lunch. This restaurant has limited parking and offers a drive thru line. Inside its a counter service restaurant where you pick up a tray and slide it down the line while directing the staff as to what you want from the steam table. I went with the 1 meat 2 sides meal for $15.25 and chose a 1/2 chicken with beans and potato salad. While I thought the chicken did have a smoky flavor their bbq sauce is salty to me. The beans are ranch style which I don't particularly care for and prefer baked beans with brisket and onion better. The mustard based potato salad could have been creamier and I didn't finish it. I was torn between giving a 2 or 3 score here. The staff was very friendly and I could tell during my visit that this place is kind of popular with the locals as I saw several people dining here and also going in the drive thru. I don't think I will return but will give the benefit of the doubt due to the apparent local support and give a 3. read more

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This place is absolutely amazing. Anytime and every time for the last eight months that I have ordered from here, they have never gotten anything wrong and they are always accommodating. This place is way better than anywhere else you could go. Do not waste your money going to the next-door restaurant.! Just go to the original rib tickler. Anyone and everyone else will overcharge you and the food will be overpriced and under flavored. This place is absolutely amazing. read more

There are many other barbecue restaurants in Tomball that are better than this one. There is nothing notable about the atmosphere or service. Parking was a bit confusing. It seems like it is in the back of the restaurant, but the main entrance is actually right there by the drive thru. I always order a chopped beef potato wherever I go, and this one was comparable to Harris County Smokehouse. I knew from its plasticy appearance that it would not taste good. Overall not a terrible experience, but I will not be coming back here. read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Chopped beef potato - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

The rib tickler has been in Tomball for a long time. They have great people, great food, and great prices. The restaurant really gives off a hometown feel. They have interior and exterior seating. This is a family owned business and they have very attentive staff. We love the chopped beef nachos and south congress chicken (special request). They have specials throughout the week. read more

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We had take out from here today for lunch. The food was superb! I had the meat baked potato, delish! Every one else ordered different items and were also pleased with their selections. However, they no longer offer the coconut shrimp. read more

It smelled so good I had to dig in highly recommend the customer service was amazing. They food is fantastic! read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Baked potatoe - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

Just disappointed first time trying this place I had got brisket bombs first bite I couldn't even bite through because the flabby undercooked bacon. Threw them all out after that. My meat potato was okay once I picked a ton of fatty pieces in it then I had barley any actual meat left once I did that. Wouldn't recommend. read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Raw bacon in my Brisket Bombs - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

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Absolute gasssss barbecue experience. I've lived in Texas for 17 years and this is my fav. People are nice and the ambiance is classic. And I'm Asian and I never get weird looks here even though it's in the woodlands. read more

I have been coming here since around 2010 when I was a kid. My Dad and I would purchase the fully loaded baked potatoes and despite joe-flation, they're still fully loaded! So delicious and I would definitely recommend. They're $11 now and come with a drink! read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Fully loaded baked potato - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

I chose the Rib Tickler on Tomball for my early Mothers day dinner. Had the loaded baked potato w/brisket. Brisket was very fatty, dry edges as if it was sitting there for a while. Halfway thru my meal went to check on daughters plate which was sitting on the server getting cold. Despite only 3 tables occupied! Very disappointed on my Mother's Day din din. First time there & last time. read more

We love rib tickler as food is always fresh and they keep the place clean. The owner closes Sunday and Monday and it's really great he lets his hard working employees have two days off in a service industry as most places don't give that to them. When we pull up in the drive thru our dogs get excited as they cannot eat that food but they love the attention they get and my Chihuahua wants to talk to them lol and they will talk to her and she is wagging her tail and happy. We highly recommend eating here. read more

The only thing that is keeping this from a 5 star is that the peach cobbler was slightly disappointing. However, the meal itself was yummy!!! I ordered the 2 meat dinner while my husband got the baked potato. Highly recommend paying this place a visit. read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

Great small BBQ spot in Tomball. View the menu on the board, place your order on the line and it's a cafeteria style serving unless you order something special. My wife had been raving about the fish sandwich here so thought I would give it a try. It comes out as two large catfish filets between a toasted bun, tarter sauce cheese and lettuce. This sandwich was hot, fresh and full of flavor! Paired it with some fries and it was an extremely satisfying lunch! read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Fish Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

We had a very large order today from Rib Tickler for our residents at a nearby long-term care facility. We have done orders like this at many local restaurants, and this was the first time that a restaurant got every single thing correct. What a fantastic job the team at Rib Tickler did! We will be doing more of our "picnic" ordering from them in the future! read more

This place is great! I usually have my dog with me and they throw something on the side for him. Today I was having a moment shortly before pulling into the drive thru. The Hispanic lady at the window asked me how I was doing and I complained to her about my day. She was so kind and threw in an extra black berry cobbler without my knowledge. It was so nice when I got home to have dinner (because my housekeeper threw away a huge steak I had been waiting all day to come home and eat) but thankfully this place is on my way home close to the house. I got an amazing loaded baked potato. I highly recommend this place. Ribs are good too. I didn't get a picture of my food cause I was starving and pigged out as soon as I opened it. read more

This place has the most amazing pulled pork sandwich! The service was great as well. We enjoyed the food immensely. This will be my new favorite place for BBQ! read more

The Brisket was ALL fat and cold. The beans were ranch bean out of a can with sausage in them. The cold slaw had not dressing it basically was shredded cabbage. The chopped bbq was cold and chopped to damn near mush!! Do better man this is Texas! We love bbq here! read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE their ranch. Laugh if you want. It's the best ranch on the planet. We've been eating here for decades and haven't found anything we don't like but the loaded baked potatoes are our go-to along with the onion rings and cheesy potato casserole. read more

I spoke at the Tomball Rotary and they catered lunch. There food was so delicious, I told the owner I'd come back with my husband. Well, we finally made it, and everything was delicious. I had brisket, and my husband had turkey. We tried a sample of their ribs and sausage, which were wonderful! Next time we're in the area, we'll definitely stop by! read more

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Great BBQ Great Service Friendly staff Fair price Alway our "Go To" for BBQ in Tomball read more

Always good food and reasonably priced. Exceptional and friendly service. I usually get the 2 meat plate with moist brisket and spicy sausage. My wife gets the meat stuffed baked potato. read more

The service is great. We ordered take out and my card was charged too much. I called and the owner Frank promptly called me back. Not only did he refund the overage but included a gift card. Wow!!! I am impressed. Been going to the Rib Tickler about 35 years food is always great and so is the service. You can now add honest and very good with customer satisfaction and service. read more

Rib tickler never disappoints with its spuds! Love love a loaded spud from the rib tickler. I've been going here for many years and will continue to do so. Also hands down the best ice tea in tomball! Will be back soon! read more

The Rib Tickler Barbeque - Chopped beer Regular Baked Potato - Barbeque Near Me - Tomball, Texas

What a GREAT place to eat BBQ! We had dinner there on Jan 3. My wife and I are "qualified BBQ lovers". We ordered the brisket plate, ribs, and sides. The smoke flavor was balanced, the quality of the meat served was exceptional and the sides were flavorful. We eat the next day at CorkScrew in Spring, TX, and had a completely opposite experience.....at twice the price. It was our first time visiting both restaurants and Rib Tickler won hands down over CorkScrew. The Rib Tickler BBQ is a Tomball must if you like outstanding BBQ. read more

Was a bit concerned when I saw that many of the good reviews were from years ago & there were some 1 & 2 star reviews. Wasted concern. I have tried all the other BBQ joints around Tomball but somehow missed the Rib Tickler. Finally tried it this evening and this place has, hands down, the best BBQ I have found around the Tomball area. Friendly, helpful staff who greet you like you are a friend and neighbor. I tried the pork, sausage and a loaded baked potato. I've been on a BBQ potato kick lately and out of all the ones I have tried in the Huston area, the one from the Rib Tickler was easily the best I have had in the last year. I will be eating here regularly as long as I am in this area. read more

I love this little hidden gem. Oddly enough, my favorite meal is the salmon salad. Mixed greens with slices of fresh strawberry and Granny Smith apples, pecans, golden raisins, and crumbled feta that is topped with a whole salmon filet that is cooked to order and seasoned to perfection. Hubby likes the sausage but this time he got a chopped beef baked potato and devoured it. Everyone who works there treats you like family who came over to eat a bite. Just a great Mom and Pop. Well worth a trip to Tomball. If you go through the drive thru and your food is taking extra time to prepare, you'll be asked to pull up to the "pig on the pole". Don't believe me? Go check it out. read more