14 American Restaurants Known For Their Rib Sandwiches

Few comfort foods hit quite like barbecue you can hold in one hand.

Rib sandwiches capture the soul of barbecue culture while keeping things gloriously simple, turning tender, smoky ribs into an easy grab-and-go meal.

Pitmasters across the country, stretching from Memphis to California, put their own spin on the idea, stacking sauce-slicked meat between slices of white bread or nestling bone-in ribs into soft buns.

Loyal followings follow naturally, as these restaurants celebrate regional flavors and time-honored smoking techniques through rib sandwiches that deliver big flavor in every bite.

1. A&R Barbeque, Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis knows ribs, and this spot delivers them the old-school way.

Pork ribs arrive tucked neatly between slices of plain white bread, letting the smoky meat take center stage. Slaw and sauce sit on the side, giving you full control over every bite.

Their online menu lists both a pork rib sandwich and a rib-tip option, and ordering is simple through their active website.

Whether you’re craving tender meat fresh off the smoker or prefer the crispy edges of rib tips, this place keeps the Memphis tradition alive with every order.

A&R Barbeque’s Hickory Hill location is at 3721 Hickory Hill Rd, Memphis, TN 38115.

2. Payne’s Bar-B-Q, Memphis, Tennessee

If you ask locals where to find authentic Memphis barbecue, this name comes up fast.

Famous for chopped pork, the restaurant also serves ribs that have earned a devoted following over decades.

Atlas Obscura features the spot with current hours, and social media posts from July 2025 confirm they’re still going strong.

The vibe is classic pit barbecue: no frills, just smoky meat that speaks for itself.

Every sandwich carries the weight of tradition, slow-smoked and served with the kind of care that keeps customers coming back year after year.

Payne’s Bar-B-Q is located at 1762 Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38114.

3. Pollard’s BBQ, Memphis, Tennessee

Simplicity wins when ribs taste this good.

Pollard’s BBQ lists rib sandwich among core menu items, with ordering available through active online page.

Focus stays squarely on meat, slow-cooked, tender, full of signature Memphis smoke.

White bread works like perfect vessel, soaking up just enough sauce without stealing spotlight.

Online ordering makes pickup simple for locals or travelers passing through.

Barbecue feels done right here, with no unnecessary extras blocking great flavor.

Location sits at 4560 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116.

4. Memphis Rib Tip City, Riverdale, Georgia

Rib tips bring a different kind of joy – crispy, flavorful, and packed with texture.

This Georgia spot specializes in exactly that, serving their rib sandwich with white bread through current online ordering and delivery platforms.

The name tells you everything: ribs are the star here, and they take them seriously.

Each bite delivers a mix of tender meat and caramelized edges, all wrapped up in a handheld format that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

The convenience of ordering through Toast or Uber Eats means you can enjoy authentic rib tips without leaving home.

Memphis Rib Tip City in Riverdale is listed at 230 Lori Ln, Riverdale, GA 30296.

5. Fox Bros Bar-B-Q, Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta barbecue fans recognize Fox Bros Bar-B-Q as reliable destination for serious smoked meat.

Dekalb menu features rib sandwich built with spare ribs still on bone, served alongside two slices of white bread.

Bold, hands-on eating experience embraces mess plus flavor without hesitation.

Spare ribs deliver meatier, richer bite than tips, while bone-on approach adds sense of authenticity.

Sandwich suits people ready to dig in, savor every moment, and commit fully to barbecue ritual with napkins close by.

Location sits at 1238 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.

6. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, Atlanta, Georgia

Some places become landmarks, and this Atlanta rib shack is one of them.

Operating for years, Fat Matt’s keeps a rib sandwich on the menu, sold through their official site for easy ordering.

The atmosphere is laid-back, the ribs are smoky, and the vibe is pure neighborhood barbecue.

Whether you’re catching live music or just grabbing dinner, the rib sandwich delivers comfort and flavor in equal measure.

It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why barbecue matters – simple ingredients, expert technique, and a whole lot of heart baked into every bite.

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack sits at 1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.

7. Herb’s Rib Shack, Mableton, Georgia

Bone-in sandwiches demand commitment, and Herb’s Rib Shack makes effort worthwhile.

Menu lists rib sandwich featuring bones plus rib tips, served with sliced bread and offered through delivery platforms during active hours.

Combination of tender meat plus crispy tips delivers variety with every bite.

Sliced bread keeps approach traditional, letting ribs handle spotlight without fancy buns or toppings.

Straightforward barbecue respects craft, while delivery convenience allows enjoyment at home, work, or wherever hunger strikes.

Location sits at 1420 Veterans Memorial Hwy SW, Mableton, GA 30126.

8. Smokin’ Jim’s House Of Bar-B-Q, Auburndale, Florida

Three ribs make a sandwich that’s hearty enough for serious appetites.

Smokin’ Jim’s lists this rib sandwich on their menu, with multiple active ordering platforms confirming they’re open and ready to serve.

Florida barbecue has its own style, and this spot brings it with smoky, tender ribs that hold up to the heat.

Ordering through their website or Uber Eats makes it simple to grab one for lunch or dinner.

The portion size is generous, the flavor is bold, and the sandwich delivers exactly what you’re hoping for when you crave real pit barbecue.

Smokin’ Jim’s House of Bar-B-Q is located at 3615 Havendale Blvd, Auburndale, FL 33823.

9. Callahan Barbecue, Callahan, Florida

Bone-in sandwiches stay messy, fun, absolutely worth every bite.

Menu at Callahan Barbecue explicitly lists bone-in rib sandwich, with 2025 Yelp reviews confirming active service plus steady customers.

Tender ribs, tangy sauce, plus bread work together to catch every drop without distraction.

Meal demands full attention, leaving no room for phone scrolling during eating.

Hands stay busy pulling meat from bone while smoky, savory bites deliver pure satisfaction.

Barbecue experience returns diners to basics in best possible way.

Location sits at 450077 State Rd 200, Suite 1, Callahan, FL 32011.

10. Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack, Houston, Texas

Texas barbecue takes ribs seriously, and this Houston spot proves it.

Known for rib-focused plates and sandwiches, Ray’s keeps a dedicated rib sandwich listing on their menu pages.

The pit-smoked flavor is unmistakable, with that deep, rich smoke ring that Texas pitmasters are famous for.

Every sandwich is built to satisfy, with generous portions and bold seasoning that balances sweet and savory.

Whether you’re a barbecue veteran or just discovering the joy of rib sandwiches, this place delivers an authentic Texas experience that’s worth the trip, or the order.

Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack lists its location as 3929 Old Spanish Trl, Ste 300, Houston, TX 77021.

11. Texas Pit Stop BBQ, La Marque, Texas

Sometimes best barbecue comes from places least expected.

Official pages for Texas Pit Stop BBQ list rib sandwich as named menu item, keeping approach simple plus delicious.

Focus stays on classic Texas pit barbecue, slow-smoked, sauced just right, served with pride.

White bread soaks up juices, while ribs deliver perfect pull-off-the-bone texture making every bite memorable.

Kind of sandwich turns regular meal into celebration of smoke, spice, plus everything beloved about Texas barbecue tradition.

Location sits at 2216 Gulf Fwy, La Marque, TX 77568.

12. Food Xpress, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago does rib tips differently, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way.

Food Xpress specializes in Chicago-style rib tip sandwiches, with menu listings and local writeups celebrating their reputation.

Rib tips are crispy, flavorful, and loaded with that charred, caramelized crust that makes them irresistible.

The sandwich is a Bronzeville staple, combining neighborhood pride with serious barbecue skills.

Every bite delivers crunch, smoke, and sauce, wrapped up in a handheld format that’s perfect for eating on the go.

This is Chicago barbecue at its finest, unpretentious and utterly delicious.

Food Xpress (often tagged as “Chicago Rib House”) is at 3851 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60653.

13. WestSide Pit BBQ, Rialto, California

California barbecue might surprise you, plus Rialto spot offers proof.

WestSide Pit Barbque lists pork rib sandwich plus rib tip sandwich on active ordering platforms with pricing plus menu details.

Ribs arrive tender, tips turn crispy, plus sauce pulls everything together with West Coast twist.

Ordering through Toast makes pickup easy whether craving classic rib experience or texture-packed joy of rib tips.

Reminder lands that great barbecue ignores geography, centering passion plus technique.

Address lists 519 W Foothill Blvd, Ste H, Rialto, CA 92376.

14. The BBQ Pit, San Jose, California

Boneless ribs keep sandwich easy to handle while flavor stays bold.

Online ordering menu for The Barbeque Pit lists rib sandwich built with boneless St. Louis-style pork ribs coated in barbecue sauce.

St. Louis ribs carry reputation for meatiness plus rich flavor, and bone removal makes version ideal for sandwich format.

Sauce brings tang plus sweetness, while pork delivers slow-smoked tenderness expected from quality barbecue.

Smart twist on tradition offers convenience without sacrificing authentic taste making rib sandwiches deeply satisfying.

Address lists 1349 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95118.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only.

Restaurant selections, descriptions, and evaluations reflect subjective perspectives based on publicly available menu information, regional reputation, and food culture discussions at the time of writing.

Individual experiences may vary depending on personal taste, preparation, and availability.

Readers are encouraged to verify details directly with each establishment and form their own opinions.