1. Earl’s Rib Palace serves smiles with its
smoked BBQ chicken
By Emily Anderson | October 15, 2014
Bonnie F. Montgomery delivers BBQ to customers at Earl’s on Western. (Shannon Cornman)
Let me just preface this whole thing by saying I don’t normally eat barbecue. I know, I know,
how am I an Oklahoman?
However, the allure of Earl’s Rib Palace’s original location on Western Avenue convinced me to
try one of Oklahoma City’s favorite barbecue spots. Also, Earl’s has won Best Barbecue
Restaurant by voter choice in Oklahoma Gazette’s Best of OKC awards for several years
running.
I don’t know what overcame me. I went in, asked to be seated where I could watch the game on
the TV and wasn’t bothered by staff when
I changed my mind and started thumbing through YouTube videos on my smartphone. People
come here to relax and be themselves — I felt at home at Earl’s.
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2. My waitress was friendly and attentive. I ordered the smoked BBQ chicken ($10.29), which
comes with two sides and “Okie” toast. I ordered fried okra and curly fries. To wash it all down,
I picked pink lemonade ($1.99).
BBQ Chicken at Earl’s with cole slaw and deviled eggs. (Shannon Cornman)
Soon, I received my heaping plates of savory food and didn’t know where to start. However, my
waitress left me amply prepared for my future messiness with a stack of napkins and a wet
wipe. In other words, I knew what was coming: sloppy, saucy hunger annihilation.
In fact, I think I might have perfected the right placement of sides and food-to-mouth ratio to
minimize the mess.
I plunged into the smoked BBQ chicken.
It was mixed with the mild barbecue sauce, and I ate it all up wondering why I don’t eat more
barbecue. The mild sauce moistened the chicken to perfection and highlighted its smoky flavor.
Oh, that mild barbecue sauce.
It was my favorite part of the entire dinner, and I even asked for some to-go. It was the right
combination of sweetness and smokiness to perfectly complement my order. And … OK, I’ll
stop there. It’s really good.
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3. Earl’s truly is the original; it has been around for 18 years and has grown to include six metro
locations. Its Western location proudly showcases old-timey automotive decor, complete with
license plates and hubcaps on the walls.
I have to admit this: After one bite, I realized the okra was a bit overcooked — too fried? — but I
kept coming back for more. Oh, and when it’s topped with ranch dressing, it’s possibly my
favorite Southern food. Also, the curly fries were precisely the junk food I needed after my
uber-healthy spin class. I’m pretty sure my meal canceled out that class, but that’s OK.
You have to have some so-tasty-it- can’t be-good-for-you food every once in while. Treat
yourself.
My waitress made sure my pink lemonade was filled to the brim at all times. And I needed the
entire table to myself just to make room for all of my plates. I didn’t come close to eating it all,
but that’s what to-go boxes are for.
That said, naturally, I somehow had room for dessert. I ordered the brownie a la mode. Earl’s
does not skimp on its dessert portions either. I got two big brownies with three scoops of ice
cream ($4.99), made complete with chocolate sauce on top. The brownies were crispy on the
edges and soft on the inside. It was a perfectly sweet ending to my meal.
Why is it always so cold in restaurants? This isn’t just an issue at Earl’s either. When the air
conditioner wasn’t blasting, I was more comfortable. The bathrooms also are a little dated, but
despite that, the Western location was clean and inviting.
Overall, service was attentive and my food was flavorful and filling. I can see why Oklahomans
love Earl’s Rib Palace: You get as much food as you can stomach (plus some), served in a
homey atmosphere. I only tried one combination, but Earl’s offers many temptations, from
smoked turkey breast to jalapeño sausage. Next time someone suggests barbecue, I won’t have
to say, “I normally don’t eat that”; I’ll say, “Let’s try Earl’s.” And maybe then I’ll get the ribs
with some sweet tea.
Earl’s Rib Palace
6816 N. Western Ave.
earlsribpalace.com
843-9922
What works: The mild barbecue sauce is tangy and delicious.
What needs work: Some of the food was overcooked.
Tip: Be prepared for a mammoth if you order the brownie a la mode.
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4. Emily AndersonEmily Anderson
This article was written by an Oklahoma Gazette contributor. To reach an editor,
please email jchancellor@okgazette.com with this story's headline in your
subject line.
Print headline: Meat manor, Earl’s Rib Palace serves up friendly fare with its smoked BBQ
chicken. And, oh lord, that mild barbecue sauce.
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