I grew up on Kansas City-style barbecue in Kansas City (if you're from there, you pronounce it: "Kansas City," just fyi). I know my barbecue. This is good barbecue. We both got the 1/4-sandwich size — still as big as my head — burnt-ends. I had smashed potatoes and the five-bean baked beans for my sides; Diona had the beans and the cole slaw. I am salivating while I write this, no joke. It's delicious. I will caution you, however, on using the No. 7 hot sauce. I brazenly sopped some on my white bread and took a b-i-g bite. For the next 30-40 minutes, I was wiping away alligator tears. "Man, that must've been hot!" Diona said.

Owner Andrew Petrehn grew up in Kansas City. "When I moved out here, I kept complaining about it (that there wasn't any barbecue), and I had to do something about it," he says. At first, Petrehn practiced at home on Saturdays. His friends and neighbors soon figured out that was a good day to stay home. "They egged me on," he laughs. "I used them as guinea pigs." Those are some lucky guinea pigs. The place has racked up awards, along with its steady-all-day-long flow of customers. Just serve it on the patio, James

Von Esson hotels in the United Kingdom currently sell the world's most expensive sandwich—their platinum club sandwich weighing in at more than a pound with a price tag of about $200. Eagle Rib Shack's monster price tag (their most expensive sandwich, for the record, is $117.30) heaps on 6 pounds of meat and feeds a small clan of carnivores (around 16 people).

The personal sizes are much more affordable, requiring between $8 and $12, and come with sides. Get your 6-pound sandwich in pulled pork, sliced pork, ham, beef brisket, tri-tip roast, burnt ends, beef ends, pork ends, turkey breast or shredded chicken. (P.S. their ribs rock, too.)

2008 - Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd

We are delighted to welcome this distinctive new dining option to downtown Meridian. Andrew Petrehn is an experienced restaurateur with a terrific reputation and clearly knows what he's doing when it comes to good food and great barbecue. Andrew's Rib Shack will be a great family-friendly gathering place and a perfect complement to our downtown's existing shops, offices, and restaurants."

4/3/08

Andrew and gang,

Just wanted to say thank you for your mouthwatering food.

I recently went to Kansas City on business and felt it would be a good opportunity for some great BBQ. We were taken to Fiorella's Jack Stack in Kansas City. We were told that they are ranked #1 in the nation by Zagat. The place was really spendy and the food presentation was good and well, we ate dinner and it was good, but my buddy and I looked at each other and commented simultaneously… "well, that was good, but it's no Eagle Rib Shack!". We were at a fancy restaurant with all of the bells and whistles and all I could think about was your burnt ends on a Styrofoam plate, sitting on the back patio with a cold beer…. Basically your food is simply heaven, and tastes like it should be illegal.

So just a simple note to tell you that the #1 rated BBQ in the nation can't even compare to your food. Keep up the good work, you guys do an incredible bbq and I know food, it's my job to know good food.

Regards,

Bill Long
Sr. Food Technologist / P.D. Associate
PowerBar / Nestle Performance Nutrition