You had me at “ribs”
Jac has been keen to eat at Tony Roma’s ever since she noticed it in our Entertainment book. I love pork ribs. Jac loves any ribs. We’re both big fans of barbecue. So on a recent Friday night after a long week, I couldn’t think of anything better than sitting down to devour a full rack of juicy pork ribs smothered in finger-sucking-good smokey barbecue sauce.
According to their website, the first Tony Roma’s opened in North Miami, Florida back in 1972. They now have nearly 200 restaurants in 33 countries. In Australia, Tony Roma’s is in Sydney and Perth (I find this surprising, as we’re often the last to get any franchise or miss out completely – Krispy Kreme, anyone?).
Most reviews I’ve read online mention that Tony Roma’s Perth does not take bookings – I’m not sure if this is still the case. I can see from their perspective why they’d want such a policy – they were very busy the whole time we were there and no bookings would make it easier to maximise table turnover.
We started with mocktails – for Jac, the Tropical Passion (the yellow drink – AU$8.90 – pink guava, orange juice and passion fruit, complete with the crunch of passionfruit pips) and for me, Tony’s Delight (the red drink – AU$8.90 – orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, Sprite and Grenadine). Our drinks were refreshing and presented beautifully, making me think of island holidays. Tony’s Delight was delicious. It looked like a Fire Engine (lemonade, grenadine – a drink we made for kids when I worked behind a bar), but tasted like my favourite ice cream, the pine-lime Splice.
The complimentary bread was served warm in a cone-shaped napkin (not pictured) with a dish of garlic butter. After my first bite of bread and butter I was compelled to slather more butter on the rest of my bread. It was so tempting to keep eating the bread and garlicky butter but we didn’t want to fill up on it – we wanted to make sure we had plenty of room for the ribs. Ribs! RIBS!
A heart-singing dinner
We asked our waiter how many ribs you get in a half slab (6 ribs), a regular slab (9 ribs) and a full slab (12 ribs). Reading the menu is a carnivore’s delight: original baby back ribs – tender, lean pork loin meat, or St Louis style ribs – a larger, meatier cut of pork rib with more natural marbling. We each chose the St Louis Sampler (AU$37.90) so we could try a full slab’s worth of ribs basted in four specialty sauces: original baby back ribs with Tony Roma’s Original BBQ sauce, Carolina Honeys, Blue Ridge Smokies and Red Hots. When our plates were placed before us, my heart sang* at the beautiful meaty ribs, chargrill-marked, shiny with brown sauce and smelling wonderfully of smokey barbecue.
The menu suggests that all rib mains are served with coleslaw and your choice of one other side dish, but our waiter told us we could choose any two sides from: baked potato, green beans, fries, mashed potatoes, ranch style beans, rice or corn on the cob. Jac chose coleslaw and fries. The coleslaw was fresh and crunchy. The fries were thick-cut and failed dismally at being crispy but satisfied our need for carbs to go with all that protein.
All four sauces had a barbecue base but you could definitely taste the difference in flavour. We both started with the original baby back ribs. They were pretty good.
Carolina Honeys was the sweetest sauce – for me, just a little too sweet. The Blue Ridge Smokeys was our favourite, with a subtle yet distinct extra smokiness adding richness to the barbecue flavour.
The Red Hots were topped with a sprinkling of chilli seeds and chilli flakes. I must admit to being a chilli wuss and scraping off most of the chilli seeds and flakes before sinking my teeth into the spicy ribs.
I ordered my St Louis Sampler with fries and ranch style baked beans.
The beans were in a dark tasty gravy and reminded me of baked beans in ham sauce – while not drinkable it was definitely dippable – great for dipping fries and bread into.
Chilli heroes will probably want to order the Red Hots to enjoy the pork ribs with a nice hot bite. My friend Charlene, these ribs have your name on them – though you might prefer them encrusted, not just lightly sprinkled with the chilli seeds and flakes. :D
To eat ribs properly you have to forget about table manners and pick them up with your fingers. But don’t worry, Tony Roma’s provides wet napkins so you can clean your fingers and face afterwards. By the time I was done my fingers, lips and cutlery were all coated with a sticky layer of barbecue sauce. The pork ribs were as meaty and tender as the menu suggested and the barbecue sauces so deliciously moreish I felt like I couldn’t suck the bones clean enough!
After we left the restaurant I stood outside for a while trying to take a shot of the front without people in the doorway but that proved impossible. Evidently Perth has a voracious appetite for ribs!
Unfortunately, we were too full to consider dessert. Service was fine. We’ll eat at Tony Roma’s again for sure. Next time I’ll order a smaller number of ribs so I can fit in something else and maybe dessert. I really want to try the onion loaf (hand-cut onions, battered, deep-fried and served with BBQ-mayo dipping sauce) – sounds like an onion ring lover’s dream! Jac is keen to return to try the Southern smokey beef ribs. They have chicken, seafood, burgers and salads on the menu too, but you wouldn’t go to a rib restaurant to eat a scampi pasta dish, would you? :) I reckon avoid food envy and just go for the ribs!
Tony Roma’s is a place for carnivores and lovers of barbecue. Vegetarians, forget it. I’m sure you could order one of the salads minus the chicken, but let’s face it – the dishes are pretty much designed for meat eaters.
Tony Roma’s
Ribs Seafood Steaks
919 Hay Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9481 8152
Tony Roma’s Perth menu (PDF 848KB)
25% off with Entertainment card
Tony Roma’s Sydney is located at 121-123 Sussex St, Sydney.
*The smell of barbecue makes my heart sing. :) I’ve written about it singing before at this blog. See previous post – Election day sausage sizzle.
I'm TFP, a food blogger from Perth, Western Australia.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Those ribs look great! It’s been a long while since I last had ribs. I suppose mostly because they’re so messy, but now I’m in the mood and will have to get some when they’re next on the menu!
Mmmm, ribs! They are indeed a messy food – the last time I went to a steakhouse to have ribs, they actually just gave you a dish with water mixed with lemon juice (and a little bit of soap, I presume) for you to dip your fingers in :D
I’ve never had ribs!
I am definately going there !
I love the idea of a sampler rib pack , would be great if they did it with a sampler of different beers 8)
On the KK doughnut side , my brother had a fundraiser at work where in stead of Lamingtons or chocolate you could buy a 12 pack of KK doughnuts. I bought 2 for $25 each.
Apparently the doughnuts are flown in from Sydney , this makes me feel like a uber rich type who has food flown in especially.
Mike 8)
I LOVE Tony Roma’s! It’s rather pricey in Singapore, so it’s always a special-occasion place. I’ve never had the fries though, because I love their baked potatoes, with a large dollop of sour cream, chopped spring onions, and bacon bits. Delish. And the ribs, of course, are finger-sucking good.
I’ve been to Tony Romas a few times and they definitely do take bookings, for both lunch and dinner. My favourite is definitely the Red Hots sauce :)
It has been awhile since I was last there. Maybe it’s time for me to give them a visit soon :)
Craig,
I used to dislike the messy aspect a lot more when I was younger but as I’ve grown older I think my love for pork ribs has far surpassed my dislike of the mess.
Wei-Wei,
When I worked in restaurants we used to serve chilli mussels with a finger bowl of water with slices of lemon.
Fiona,
You have been missing out! :P
Mike,
Heheh. Jac wants to try the star-studded sampler next time so she can have pork AND beef ribs. I’ve heard of a few of these Krispy Kreme fundraisers around Perth. Well, the indulgence of specially imported food is a good thing when it’s for a good cause (not just for one’s pleasure) :)
Dea,
The baked potatoes I saw on other people’s plates looked good, but I reckon a baked potato would be very filling. I also liked the look of the green beans. I’ll try different sides next time for sure.
Michelle,
Good to hear they now take bookings. The complaints about the no-bookings policy really stuck out in all the reviews I read. I liked the Red Hots and Blue Ridge Smokeys the best. Damn, writing about ribs is making me crave ribs. :)
Don’t get me wrong I love ribs, but always seem to overlook them on a menu. I probably opt for the steak instead. But now I want them. They will be mine, oh yes, they will be mine.
Wei-Wei & TFP, They could I suppose put some soap in the water, but I don’t think in general that they do. Citrus is a common ingredient in natural soaps because of it’s ability to cut through fats. It’s probably for that reason that they put lemon in the finger bowl.
Craig,
At Tony Roma’s they have a rib combo – you can have ribs with 160g sirloin steak, or ribs with BBQ chicken, ribs with fried prawns, ribs with grilled prawns. So you could have both steak and ribs!
Yep, we never put soap in our finger bowls, just the sliced fresh lemon.
Well now you’ve done it with your power of suggestion. (You almost did it the other day – I so nearly got some sausages out.)
We’re off to … wait for it … “Jimmy’s Killer Prawns” for lunch. Excellent name for a place I have to say. It conjures up images of gigantic pulsating killer prawns bent on human domination – slayed and cooked up with garlic and lemon – all bursty on your plate. Oh and they also do “Jimmy’s Amazing Ribs” – they’d better be… :-)
Craig,
Awesome! :D The power of food blogging!
What a cool name for a restaurant! Reminds me of my favourite sport team name – Jac has a friend who plays touch rugby in a team called the Tiger Prawns.
Offering a plate all four different sauces is genius on the part of this restaurant. I am that self-sacrificing guy who always orders the other thing that my dining companion wants to try without ordering for herself ;)
Martin,
I am so grateful I got to try all those sauces. If I’d chosen ribs by name I would’ve picked the Carolina Honeys, never realising that I’d actually prefer the Blue Ridge Smokeys.
The onion loaf sounds like the Bloomin’ Onion that is served at the atrocity that is Outback Steakhouse. :P
I’ve ordered one once to share between three people but we could barely make a dent in it, it was just so incredibly greasy. And I’m a lover of all things deep fried!
Actually my dining experience there was a bit of a letdown. Maybe that’s what I get for going to an “Australian” themed, American-chain restaurant.. in Tokyo. XD
As for Tony Roma’s, I’ve never been to the Sydney one and right now I’m in Florida but nowhere near a store! :( Good thing ribs don’t really make my skirt fly up (or my heart sing.. Lol)!
Michelle,
Atrocity or not, I’d love to try the Bloomin’ Onion. I reckon I’d like it. :D
LOL at “…an “Australian” themed, American-chain restaurant.. in Tokyo.” XD
I love Tony Roma’s too!
The thing that I found supremely annoying though?
No bookings allowed on Friday or Saturday nights.
And they’re not open for lunch on the weekend.
Oh well. Good food, in any case!
juji,
See, I understand the rationale behind no bookings on Friday or Saturday nights, annoying as it is for us. But why not open for lunch on weekends? Don’t they think we’d eat ribs at lunch time? *Pouts* It would be great to sleep in on a Sunday then tumble out of bed, shower, get dressed and devour a full rack of ribs for lunch.
Oh TFP wonderful post. I recently experienced Tony Roma in Sydney and it was great! The onion loaf was my favourite part of the whole meal (and the ribs are pretty darn good) but that tells you how good the onion loaf is. You have to go again, it’s worth it for some loaf lovin’ :D
Thanks, SLP. Glad you liked it. :D Yes, I MUST go back for some loaf lovin’. I’ll need to put on my very best eating pants for that.
It’s good Krispy Kreme does not have any stores here in Perth. Their donuts are yucky.
SL,
It’s all a matter of personal taste.
Hi there TFP! I’ve been too busy to comment on your blog recently but I must say that the new camera makes your food porn a thousand times better than before (not that it was bad before, hey porn is porn right? :P)
Anyway congratulations on the new camera and keep taking those awesome natural light shots. Kiss the flash goodbye TFP :)
Thanks, Mathai. You realise I haven’t used the flash for photos since August 2007 when I started using the previous camera? :P But yes, this new camera is so much better in low lighting conditions. And yes, I’d like the believe the photos have improved (and will continue to improve). :)
oh I’m sorry I may have forgotten that but seeing your current output now I have you say that your photos are truly food magazine worthy :)
Tony Roma is good but you haven’t lived until you have had the ribs at Rudy’s BBQ here in Texas. Have to figure out a way to get some shipped your way…….
Salymsmommy,
I may just have to go over there instead. :D
Ahhh… what a wonderful post! I love ribs too! Unfortunately California isn’t the part of the country that makes the best barbecue, although we do ok. My best rib experience was when I visited my sister in St Louis (Missouri) and she took me to a local smokehouse that made the BEST ribs. Those things were so juicy and delicious and flavorful from the dry rub/cooking process that, believe it or not, we didn’t need put any sauce on them!! (And this coming from the #1 lover of all things saucy :-D). Hehe, in fact the next time I visit her, that’s the first place I’m going to ask her to take me…
Thanks, Megan! Mmmm, those ribs sound fantastic! Now I want to go to St Louis to eat those ribs!
Your “Tony’s Delight” mocktail looks/sounds delicious and refreshing. Pineapple juice is always a winner.
Ranch style beans. That Tony Roma’s is “right on.” Ranch Style Beans are a brand name here in the States. First acquainted with them in the late 1970s; a Latina friend of my mother’s from Texas nearly always served up a can of them with enchiladas and etc. instead of refried beans. RSB now come in regular, onion & garlic, jalapeno varieties. Ironically I love them, but my Latino husband doesn’t (huh??).
I don’t like ribs (even McD’s McRib lost its appeal aeons ago for me), but am glad you both enjoyed the meal. :-)
Dickey’s BBQ is a franchise restaurant in our small city. Since I can’t eat much meat, I’m glad they do offer a vegetarian plate: 3 sides and a dinner roll for $4.50. Seems like “blasphemy” (a friend would say that, lol). I wish I could eat meat like before, but tummy won’t allow it.
Cindy,
Oh yes. I love pineapple. And pineapple with citrus is even better.
I haven’t eaten lots of ranch style beans or refried beans but from my meagre experience I think I prefer ranch style. I find it hard to digest beef (most red meat, actually) so you’ll always find me choosing pork ribs over beef ribs.
My sister and I have discussed how we’re definitely going here next time she’s in town, possibly directly after a body pump class when our bodies are screaming out for protein and carbs even more than normal! Might shower first though, I guess.
Conor,
Heheh. I look forward to your write-up. Yes, showering first is probably an excellent idea. Though it would be funny to see you both in gym outfits stuffing your faces with ribs. :P
I haven’t thought about Tony Roma’s in years, and had no idea they had a presence outside of the US (Except for Panama, which I discovered first hand during a layover). I remember as a little kid that my Grandfather would take me to Tony Roma’s in New Jersey for like a special night out. Thanks for stirring up some long forgotten fond memories…
Chef To False Metal,
No worries! And now I have some fond rib-eating memories of my own. :)
While I am not a fan of ribs – Mr BBB IS and would LOVE this place :)
Lisa,
So will you take Mr BBB out for ribs? :)
Mmmmm! I love ribs! This is such a typical southern dish, especially with the slaw & baked beans! I love that 2 of the sauces were obviously based on the area I live! I am in North Carolina near the Blue Ridge mountains!
Nikki,
Haha, how awesome! Yes, ribs with slaw and baked beans – what an awesome combo.
TONY ROMAS! I haven’t been there since grade school! That place is incredible! Yes, DEFINITELY try the onion loaf next time. Our family of 14 ordered like….three at a time? It’s just incredible: best fried onion contraption you have ever eaten!
hope ya haven’t forgotten me , I’ve been adjusting to college life XD
Kagenosuke,
Of course I haven’t forgotten you! :D Hope college life is going well. It makes me feel old, saying that! :P Yes, will definitely try the onion loaf next time. I’ll have to make sure I bring along other dining companions to help me eat it.
My daughter brought us bbq, last night. Chicken, ribs and brisket. Delicious! The Tony Roma’s near us closed awhile back. Probably because of the preponderance of bbq joints all over the place here. I used to go to Tony Roma’s in Miami and always liked it. The onion loaf is awesome. You have to get one. Or a half one because it’s huge!
kathy,
Everyone is telling me to get the onion loaf next time – I will for sure! :D We don’t have enough BBQ places here, which is why when Jac discovered Tony Roma’s we were both pleased and excited!
Thanks for that wonderful post, we haven’t been there yet but have been meaning to try it… I adore ribs! I have tried to make them at home many times and failed miserably until I found this recipe: http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/07/sweet-and-smoky-oven-spareribs/
It is so incredibly easy and the syrupy sauce that you end up with is delish! I use only about a 1/4 of the chili powder – that’s spicy enough for me!
Cheers, Jody. If you love ribs it’s definitely worth a visit. Well, I reckon anyway. I’m no expert on ribs but I enjoyed these. Thanks for the recipe link. I’ll show Jac. She’s always up for cooking inspiration! I love the pics in that post – they make the ribs look magnificent.