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Four ribs on a brown stoneware plate on a bed of creamy yogurt with sprigs of bright green herbs on top.
Ribs from Selden Standard.
Bill Addison for Eater

Where to Eat Ribs in Detroit: 14 Top Destinations

Smoked and smothered, some of the best slabs around

by Lexi Trimpe
View as Map
Ribs from Selden Standard.
| Bill Addison for Eater
by Lexi Trimpe

In honor of Barbecue Week, Eater is looking at some of the finest examples of slow-cooked, smoked, and grilled meats across Detroit. Here, we dive into one of the most important barbecue protein cuts: the rib. Few dishes earn the title "finger-licking-good" quite as literally as a well-made slab of ribs. Different varieties require different preparations a true art in barbecue. Pork, beef, or lamb? Spare ribs or baby back? All have their place in the cult of barbecue. Slow smoked and smothered, here are some of the best slabs around Metro Detroit.

Where's your favorite spot for ribs? Let us know in the comments.

*Map points are organized geographically, never ranked

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Parks Old Style BBQ

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This Detroit mainstay has been serving up slabs drenched in a savory, vinegar-based barbecue sauce since 1964. It’s a small menu, but what they do, they do well. Carry-out only.

7444 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 873-7444
(313) 873-7444
Yelp

Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails

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This DIA-adjacent small plates restaurant specializes in local, seasonal cuisine. Diners here will often find ribs on the menu. Chef Doug Hewitt's spare ribs are outstanding — served with a sticky Asian-style sauce — but the Mediterranean-style lamb ribs are also worth the order.

15 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 818-3915
(313) 818-3915
Bill Addison

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Selden Standard

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Another small plates style-restaurant, Selden Standard's smoked lamb ribs delivered to the table with slightly charred bones and plated with yogurt have earned a small following.

3921 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 438-5055
(313) 438-5055
Bill Addison

Also featured in:

Bert's BBQ

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The intoxicating smell of these ribs charring on the grill will entice you from across Eastern Market in the summer. The St. Louis spare ribs paired with a variety of soul food sides are worth the wait. Barbecue sauce here is optional, but definitely recommended.

2727 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-2030
(313) 567-2030
Facebook

Redsmoke Barbeque

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It’s hard to choose between the St. Louis spare ribs or the Carolina back ribs at this Greektown staple. Both are dry-rubbed, slow-smoked over hickory wood and chargrilled for a crispy finish. For a richer, fattier flavor, go for the spare ribs. For a leaner, more tender meat, opt for the back ribs.

573 Monroe Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-2100
(313) 962-2100
Yelp

Slows Bar-B-Q

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This Detroit original serves up award winning baby back ribs, dry rubbed with blend of 13 spices, and slowly wood smoked. Pair them with one or two of their five signature sauces for a dinner that lives up to the hype.

2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-9828
(313) 962-9828
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Also featured in:

Katoi

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Thai-inspired crispy spare ribs served with apple and scallions are a star attraction at this Corktown hotspot. The caramelized fish sauce makes them a bit salty and sweet, a flavor truly unlike any other slab in the city.

2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 855-2864
(313) 855-2864
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Vicki's Bar-B-Q

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This hidden gem in Southwest has been serving up tender spare ribs in a tangy, Kansas City-style sauce since the 60s, keeping locals have been coming back more. Try the sauce hot for some serious kick. Carry-out only.

3845 W Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 894-9906
(313) 894-9906
Yelp

Also featured in:

Taqueria El Rey

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The smells wafting from this Southwest eatery's outdoor grill are enough to lure in customers. Known for its amazing grilled chicken and tacos, El Rey also produces an exceptional slab of ribs. The meat is lightly sauced and juicy. They regularly sell-out, so try calling ahead. Cash-only.

4730 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 357-3094
(313) 357-3094
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Also featured in:

Zukin's Rib Shack

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Downriver has long known this carry-out shack for some of the best, tender spareribs around. Massive portions are served with a tangy, smoky, and not-too-sweet signature sauce. Most combos are under $10, and served with french fries, coleslaw, and a roll.

967 Dix Hwy, Lincoln Park, MI 48146
(313) 388-1170
(313) 388-1170
Foursquare

Rogue Estates BBQ Shack

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This Ferndale-based food truck features a weekly rotating menu with pork rib staples that look as good as they taste. Get there early — the ribs rightfully sell out quick.

600 Woodward Heights, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 721-4878
(248) 721-4878
Facebook

Lockhart's BBQ

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This Royal Oak eatery serves up Texas-style barbecue, smoked low and slow over a wood fire. The dry-rubbed St. Louis ribs are juicy and tender. Sauce is optional, but highly recommended.

202 E 3rd St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 584-4227
(248) 584-4227
Fcabeook

Also featured in:

Phoenicia

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How an upscale Lebanese restaurant in Birmingham became known for its outstanding pork rib recipe is a story for another day. The ribs are cooked, marinated, and cooked again under a broiler with a slightly spicy, secret dry-rub mix. The ribs aren't fall-off-the-bone but the meat is tender and exceptionally flavorful. Sauce is optional. Diners in-the-know will order them "Samy-style" — extra crispy with more dry rub.

588 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009
(248) 644-3122
(248) 644-3122
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Also featured in:

Beans & Cornbread

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This Southfield soul food restaurant features Baby Sister's Backyard-Style Ribs — signature spare ribs drenched in a Southern-style tangy barbecue sauce. Beyond tender and deeply flavorful, you’ll want to opt for the full rack.

29508 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 208-1680
(248) 208-1680
Yelp

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Parks Old Style BBQ

7444 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48202

This Detroit mainstay has been serving up slabs drenched in a savory, vinegar-based barbecue sauce since 1964. It’s a small menu, but what they do, they do well. Carry-out only.

7444 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 873-7444
(313) 873-7444
Yelp

Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails

15 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202

This DIA-adjacent small plates restaurant specializes in local, seasonal cuisine. Diners here will often find ribs on the menu. Chef Doug Hewitt's spare ribs are outstanding — served with a sticky Asian-style sauce — but the Mediterranean-style lamb ribs are also worth the order.

15 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 818-3915
(313) 818-3915
Bill Addison

Selden Standard

3921 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Another small plates style-restaurant, Selden Standard's smoked lamb ribs delivered to the table with slightly charred bones and plated with yogurt have earned a small following.

3921 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 438-5055
(313) 438-5055
Bill Addison

Bert's BBQ

2727 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207

The intoxicating smell of these ribs charring on the grill will entice you from across Eastern Market in the summer. The St. Louis spare ribs paired with a variety of soul food sides are worth the wait. Barbecue sauce here is optional, but definitely recommended.

2727 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-2030
(313) 567-2030
Facebook

Redsmoke Barbeque

573 Monroe Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

It’s hard to choose between the St. Louis spare ribs or the Carolina back ribs at this Greektown staple. Both are dry-rubbed, slow-smoked over hickory wood and chargrilled for a crispy finish. For a richer, fattier flavor, go for the spare ribs. For a leaner, more tender meat, opt for the back ribs.

573 Monroe Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-2100
(313) 962-2100
Yelp

Slows Bar-B-Q

2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

This Detroit original serves up award winning baby back ribs, dry rubbed with blend of 13 spices, and slowly wood smoked. Pair them with one or two of their five signature sauces for a dinner that lives up to the hype.

2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-9828
(313) 962-9828
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Katoi

2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Thai-inspired crispy spare ribs served with apple and scallions are a star attraction at this Corktown hotspot. The caramelized fish sauce makes them a bit salty and sweet, a flavor truly unlike any other slab in the city.

2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 855-2864
(313) 855-2864
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Vicki's Bar-B-Q

3845 W Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48208

This hidden gem in Southwest has been serving up tender spare ribs in a tangy, Kansas City-style sauce since the 60s, keeping locals have been coming back more. Try the sauce hot for some serious kick. Carry-out only.

3845 W Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 894-9906
(313) 894-9906
Yelp

Taqueria El Rey

4730 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209

The smells wafting from this Southwest eatery's outdoor grill are enough to lure in customers. Known for its amazing grilled chicken and tacos, El Rey also produces an exceptional slab of ribs. The meat is lightly sauced and juicy. They regularly sell-out, so try calling ahead. Cash-only.

4730 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 357-3094
(313) 357-3094
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Zukin's Rib Shack

967 Dix Hwy, Lincoln Park, MI 48146

Downriver has long known this carry-out shack for some of the best, tender spareribs around. Massive portions are served with a tangy, smoky, and not-too-sweet signature sauce. Most combos are under $10, and served with french fries, coleslaw, and a roll.

967 Dix Hwy, Lincoln Park, MI 48146
(313) 388-1170
(313) 388-1170
Foursquare

Rogue Estates BBQ Shack

600 Woodward Heights, Ferndale, MI 48220

This Ferndale-based food truck features a weekly rotating menu with pork rib staples that look as good as they taste. Get there early — the ribs rightfully sell out quick.

600 Woodward Heights, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 721-4878
(248) 721-4878
Facebook

Lockhart's BBQ

202 E 3rd St, Royal Oak, MI 48067

This Royal Oak eatery serves up Texas-style barbecue, smoked low and slow over a wood fire. The dry-rubbed St. Louis ribs are juicy and tender. Sauce is optional, but highly recommended.

202 E 3rd St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 584-4227
(248) 584-4227
Fcabeook

Phoenicia

588 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009

How an upscale Lebanese restaurant in Birmingham became known for its outstanding pork rib recipe is a story for another day. The ribs are cooked, marinated, and cooked again under a broiler with a slightly spicy, secret dry-rub mix. The ribs aren't fall-off-the-bone but the meat is tender and exceptionally flavorful. Sauce is optional. Diners in-the-know will order them "Samy-style" — extra crispy with more dry rub.

588 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009
(248) 644-3122
(248) 644-3122
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Beans & Cornbread

29508 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, MI 48034

This Southfield soul food restaurant features Baby Sister's Backyard-Style Ribs — signature spare ribs drenched in a Southern-style tangy barbecue sauce. Beyond tender and deeply flavorful, you’ll want to opt for the full rack.

29508 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 208-1680
(248) 208-1680
Yelp

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