Taste Test: T.O.’s top rib joints

The unofficial kick-off to cottage season, May 2-4, is here. So we invited chef Ted Corrado, the man behind the kitchens at the Drake Hotel, Drake Devonshire, Drake One Fifty and the soon-to-open Drake Commissary, to give us the skinny on the cityโ€™s best new rib joints.

 

WINNER:ย Big and meaty
Adamson Barbecue, 176 Wicksteed Ave., $18/pound
โ€œThis is a proper rib. Itโ€™s got a bark to it, and the size is good. You can tell these guys are proper, and this is really good. It doesnโ€™t fall off the bone, itโ€™s got a good bite to it, itโ€™s super moist and it has a peppery crust, which is good. Thatโ€™s a solid rib, hands down,โ€ says Corrado.

 

Bring the heat
Stack, 3265 Yongeย St.,ย $20 for a half rack
โ€œTheyโ€™re cooked really well. Iโ€™m not getting a ton of the smoke flavour, but I think thatโ€™s because the barbecue sauce is kind of dominating. But the sauce is also really good. Itโ€™s sweet and it finishes with a little bit of heat, which is nice,โ€ says Corrado of the double-smoked baby back ribs.

 

A secret sauce
Boneyardย Grill, 1554 Avenue Rd. & 10 Disera Dr., $19.95 for a half rack
โ€œThese are not the most flavourful,โ€ says Corrado of the baby back ribs that are cooked in a signature house-made sauce that boasts 20 secret ingredients. โ€œTheyโ€™re cooked well and the sauce is fine, but I just wish there was more depth to the flavour.โ€

 

Smoked sensation
Cherry Street Bar-b-que,ย 275 Cherry St., $19.95ย for a half rack
โ€œThe sauce is really good. Itโ€™s got good vinegar, and itโ€™s peppery. And you do taste the smoke in it. Itโ€™s got a nice chew. Theyโ€™re not falling off the bone, which is a good thing in barbecue. It should really hold up and not fall off the rib,โ€ says Corrado.

 

Dry rub rules
AAAย Bar, 138 Adelaideย St. E., $15 per order
โ€œThese ones are nice and meaty.ย I can taste a bit of the smoke,ย but I think that smoke flavour could be a bit stronger,โ€ says Corrado. โ€œThese ribs are dry rubbed and cooked really well. Theyโ€™re also really moist andย the meat is holding up wellย on the bones.โ€

 

Powerful pepper
Barque, 299 Roncesvallesย Ave., $19 for the 5-bone ribs
โ€œI can definitely taste the pepper,โ€ says Corrado of the baby back ribs that are cooked in a lemon pepper rub and served with a lime wedge. โ€œThese ribs have a good kick to them. I like that but they are just a little bit dry, and I wish there was more meat on them overall.โ€

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