Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Rib Tickler Barbeque

    3.9 (202 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order The Rib Tickler Barbeque Takeout or Delivery

    The Rib Tickler Barbeque Photos

    Business Info

    THE RIB TICKLER BARBEQUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like The Rib Tickler Barbeque

    Recommended Reviews - The Rib Tickler Barbeque

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    1lb. Brisket 1/4lb sausage
    Lorena R.

    DELICIOUS BBQ!! They weren't lying when they said it's "FANTABULOUS FOOD!" Friendly service. Clean place. Plenty of seating available. Cafeteria style tray and walk through line. This was some of the best BBQ I've had in a long time. My only regret is not trying this place sooner!! Delicious BBQ!! Go try it!

    Chicken and Pulled Pork Sandwich.
    Perla Y.

    Food and service are great! We always go for the special of the day including the drink. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Plenty of sitting and they bring the food to your table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    1/2 chick, beans and potato salad
    Mike M.

    I could swear that I wrote a review here several years ago but alas it's not there anymore and vaguely remember a barely average visit Yelp sometimes does that (delete a review) as I have experienced that before. Anyway, I decided for another visit a week ago for lunch. This restaurant has limited parking and offers a drive thru line. Inside its a counter service restaurant where you pick up a tray and slide it down the line while directing the staff as to what you want from the steam table. I went with the 1 meat 2 sides meal for $15.25 and chose a 1/2 chicken with beans and potato salad. While I thought the chicken did have a smoky flavor their bbq sauce is salty to me. The beans are ranch style which I don't particularly care for and prefer baked beans with brisket and onion better. The mustard based potato salad could have been creamier and I didn't finish it. I was torn between giving a 2 or 3 score here. The staff was very friendly and I could tell during my visit that this place is kind of popular with the locals as I saw several people dining here and also going in the drive thru. I don't think I will return but will give the benefit of the doubt due to the apparent local support and give a 3.

    Chopped beef potato
    Cassandra S.

    There are many other barbecue restaurants in Tomball that are better than this one. There is nothing notable about the atmosphere or service. Parking was a bit confusing. It seems like it is in the back of the restaurant, but the main entrance is actually right there by the drive thru. I always order a chopped beef potato wherever I go, and this one was comparable to Harris County Smokehouse. I knew from its plasticy appearance that it would not taste good. Overall not a terrible experience, but I will not be coming back here.

    Restaurant
    Chris R.

    The rib tickler has been in Tomball for a long time. They have great people, great food, and great prices. The restaurant really gives off a hometown feel. They have interior and exterior seating. This is a family owned business and they have very attentive staff. We love the chopped beef nachos and south congress chicken (special request). They have specials throughout the week.

    Baked potatoe

    It smelled so good I had to dig in highly recommend the customer service was amazing. They food is fantastic!

    Raw bacon in my Brisket Bombs
    Emma K.

    Just disappointed first time trying this place I had got brisket bombs first bite I couldn't even bite through because the flabby undercooked bacon. Threw them all out after that. My meat potato was okay once I picked a ton of fatty pieces in it then I had barley any actual meat left once I did that. Wouldn't recommend.

    Fully loaded baked potato

    See all

    Review Insights

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim T.
    3
    61
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Frank M.

    Frank M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of W W.
    3
    228
    1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert W.
    13
    136
    105

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Perla Y.
    18
    11
    43

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    The staff is all chikdren that are all very rude. Rib Tickled is not what it used to be. Eat somewhere else.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Frank M.

    Frank M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Frank M.

    Frank M.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lance H.
    142
    119
    137

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Meg C.
    122
    19
    11

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emma K.
    692
    2
    2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Frank M.

    Frank M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leonard T.
    6
    205
    242

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy H.
    119
    52
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Denise K.
    107
    82
    114

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyle C.
    0
    14
    13

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill H.
    1
    113
    5

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cody P.
    0
    45
    59

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ron F.
    2
    31
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    The Rib Tickler Barbeque Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Rib Tickler Barbeque

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Barbeque 6,022 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Ron's Hamburgers & Chili

    Ron's Hamburgers & Chili

    4.1
    (291 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Loved this place. 50's diner feel, real hamburger made fresh, onions grilled into the meat of you…read morelike. I'd recommend it. Fries are hand cut and delicious. I grabbed a side of chili and it did not disappoint. Definitely a nice place to go, friendly staff, good size menu and daily specials. Location area under construction but worth the navigation. Bonus: they play good music. Enjoy!

    I decided to renew my earlier review of many years ago by having lunch at Ron's recently while in…read moreTomball. This is still a very good choice for a burger meal. I ordered the double patty burger adding a 1/2 order of fries and a small chili too. By the way this is a table service restaurant. They say the individual beef hamburger patties are 1/3 lb. but they sure look more like 1/4 lb. in weight to me because they are really thin. You probably want to get two like I did. The burger was tasty and I enjoyed it. Also the french fries are homemade and taste like it. Why can't more restaurants have fries like these rather than the frozen out of the bag kind? The 1/2 order size is large enough for 2 people to share. Finally their chili here is legit. Yummy! There is no doubt that this is a quality burger and fries eatery. Add in the chili and you will be happy when you dine here. My only negative is the price. No combos here so you pay list price for each item. With my double burger, 1/2 order of fries, small chili, drink, tax and tip my lunch was about $30. Yikes!

    Photos
    No business, but clean
    No business, but clean
    Chili Sausage Cheeseburger
    Chili Sausage Cheeseburger
    Store front

    See all

    Store front
    Tailgate Grill

    Tailgate Grill

    4.2
    (85 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    $

    I noticed this place but never had a chance to go until i just forced the family. I'm going stay or…read morego, and almost all of them came with me. The burgers here are great and of course the o rings were great as well. I like the decor and even though it's out door seating it was still comfortable. Give this place a shot. Definitely worth the drive!

    "Friday Night Catfish - Live Music" 02/20/26…read more I decided to give this place a try since I've been passing by it for a while, always wondering if it was any good. I'm glad I finally gave in to curiosity. This spot was already jumping on a Friday evening around 6 PM. They had live music, a solo artist singing and playing guitar, and the whole atmosphere felt lively and upbeat. It gave me "Urban Cowboy" vibes in the best way. The southern hospitality was definitely there. It's family-oriented, pet-friendly, and apparently Friday nights are the only time you can catch them frying up catfish and shrimp. Customer service was a mix of good and just okay. The lady taking our order was polite, but not very friendly, maybe she's just not the best with social skills. You walk up to the outside window to order (like my husband and I did). We were told there'd be about a 45-minute wait, which we were fine with. They gave us a pager to let us know when the food was ready, and luckily we found a table in the packed dining area where we could enjoy the entertainment while we waited. We sipped on margaritas on the rocks and took in the scene. I was honestly surprised at how good they were, especially with the Tajín on the rim. Delicious and strong. Now, the two female servers were the real highlight. They were friendly, down-to-earth, and very attentive, checking on us periodically. One of them even refilled my margarita cup free of charge to make up for the wait. I loved their high energy and bubbly personalities, and I will say: it ended up being well worth the wait. When my husband brought our food to the table, it was piping hot. We both ordered the fried catfish and shrimp dinner, which comes with French fries, hush puppies, and a salad. For some reason, we were served crinkle-cut fries instead of their usual authentic-cut fries, aka "crappy fries," which confused us a little, but it wasn't a big deal. The fish and shrimp were fried to perfection, crunchy, succulent, and full of flavor. The shrimp tasted fresh with that ocean-seafood flavor. The fish tasted a little less fresh to me (slightly on the stale side), but it was still good overall. Complaints Pet-friendly: They allow dogs and cats to roam around the dining area while customers are eating, which is just not my cup of tea. I get that it's outdoor dining, but not everyone enjoys animals up close while they're trying to eat. There was a dog roaming and sniffing guests, and a cat doing the same. Luckily neither one made their way to my table. Another complaint is the styrofoam plate issue: Our dinner was served on a styrofoam plate without the paper lining to keep the hot food from melting into the styrofoam. I don't mind styrofoam, but please add the liner, especially for hot fried food. We noticed other customers had the lining, but we didn't. Maybe it was just a slip-up, who knows. Food Ratings Catfish/Shrimp Dinner: 5/5 Fish: 4/5 (fried to crunchy perfection and piping hot, but didn't taste as fresh, slightly stale) Shrimp: 5/5 (crispy, fresh tasting, piping hot) Hush puppies: 5/5 (crispy outside, moist inside) French fries: 4/5 (not the authentic cut, but fresh and hot) Side salad: 4/5 (fresh lettuce and tomatoes, but a very small portion) Margarita on the rocks: 5/5 (delicious and strong) Overall, Tailgate Grill is energetic, upbeat, and serves up some seriously tasty fried catfish and shrimp, especially on a Friday evening with delicious tasting Margaritas to top it off. The atmosphere is inviting, the food is mouthwatering, and I tore my plate up! I definitely recommend this place if you're craving southern fried catfish and shrimp. One last tip: bring cash to tip the hardworking servers; they were tag-teaming it and taking care of a packed crowd with smiles on their faces. Great job ladies!

    Photos
    Full bar
    Full bar
    Fried Catfish Dinner with shrimp, hush puppies, and fries.
    Fried Catfish Dinner with shrimp, hush puppies, and fries.
    Lg Margarita- Rocks

    See all

    Lg Margarita- Rocks
    Mel's Country Cafe

    Mel's Country Cafe

    4.3
    (777 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    If you want some Texas Country Cooking like your Grandmother used to make, head to Mel's. I've been…read morecoming for over 25 years and watched this Tomball Gem expand several times and being rebuilt from the ashes of a fire. Their atmosphere makes you feel welcome and at home. From the checkered tablecloths and energetic staff you will be able to find something for everyone. They have everything want for some good Texas grub. Start with: CSF, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Aguacate, and Friday night all you can eat catfish. Definitely give Mel's a try you won't be disappointed or leave hungry...

    This was definitely one of the more unusual restaurant experiences I've had. The atmosphere felt a…read morebit strange and, to be honest, not very welcoming. Our group seemed to get a lot of looks from other customers, and at times it felt like we didn't really fit the typical crowd there. At one point a table nearby started loudly saying political phrases and making hand gestures, which made the environment feel uncomfortable. Another table even pointed toward our group and showed something on their phone to each other, which added to the awkward feeling. The restaurant itself was also very crowded with limited space between tables. At one point a child from another table kept bumping into me due to how tight everything was. Unfortunately the food didn't make up for the experience either. I ordered a burger that ended up being extremely greasy and lacking flavor to the point that I couldn't finish it. Overall it just wasn't a pleasant dining experience, and I personally wouldn't return.

    Photos
    No nice, and remodeled.
    No nice, and remodeled.
    Mel's Country Cafe
    Mel's Country Cafe

    See all

    The Rib Tickler Barbeque - bbq - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...