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    Wagner's Ribs

    3.7 (327 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, American
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Wagner's Ribs Photos

    WAGNER'S RIBS ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Wagner's Ribs

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    Dining room
    Melissa C.

    Fantastic food and service was good. We sat at a table that was very goblet and had to move on our own. The atmosphere could very well be nicer but it's very casual. The filet was excellent and was cooked to perfection!

    the outside of the restaurant
    Stephen C.

    Now I'm not sure why this spot does not have a higher star ranking. There's no reason it should not! It's not easy finding solid ribs no matter where you go. We stopped in at Wagners BBQ on word from a friend and were pretty damn impressed. Once again in small town America on Wagner Road in Porter IN. Wagners seems to have been round a long time and has garnered some great awards. It a very unpretentious roadside BBQ joint just off a country road. It is extremely clean with well appointed rural touches that are not out of a box but in fact the real deal in rural Indiana. When you enter it smells like a BBQ joint like it should. Through the door you go then step onto the porch and through the second door the bar area is conjoined with the dining area with additional dining in the rear of the building. It must have been an old home I imagine front porch and all. It's warm and inviting and the staff is welcoming. I noticed right away there were mostly locals dining on a busy Wednesday evening in a town you thing would be shut down by 6. They were doing pretty good for themselves. There were also a few other folks who you kind a know were not from there ourselves included. One noticeable NY fellow smiled and nodded his head to me. He and his buddies all wore NY hats and jerseys. They like us, sporting Chicago gear were city guys. Point being, the diversity of the crowd was nice in a rural area. You get the impression the servers and bartenders have been there for some years as they all knew their stuff and were comfortable in their element and ensured we were too. It seemed as if some of the staff were family. A man who appeared to be the chef/cook/rib boss stepped out of the kitchen for a soft drink and I think I saw a younger version of him in a family phot hanging on a wall. Our server an older women seemed to know the menu and the surroundings too well to not have been there many years. She guided me through the menu. First the sides. Our sides respectively were top shelf french onion soup & mashed with homemade gravy and mine perfect waffle fries and some bad ass baked beans with chunks of bacon. My buddy and I both went for broke! We did a fill slab of ribs a piece. We did the 'Tim Style' and the 'Original Style' then split them. I wasn't even that hungry but did it anyway. Now the ribs. The ribs! Did I mention the ribs! DAYUM BOY! Yeah, I see why they won awards, they ain't playin' over here that's all I gotta say. The slab was no small feat! It was at least 14-16 inches long of fall of the bone bad ass original style BBQ ribs. Like I said, I wasn't even that hungry .... I smashed those ribs as did my friend. I wasn't even embarrassed about licking those bones like a viking. They were tender as you get. You pick up a bone the meat fell off. They put a perfect char on the meat. The sauce was tangy and flavorful and that sauce ... I licked my fingers the entire 70 miles home I almost ran off the dark country road. But sheeeeeet, It would have been worth it have I wrecked. I mean I really can't say enough about this place from the decor and ambiance to the great server and service. Ya gotta try this BBQ it's Indian real deal. Whatever they do to them bones they do it right. But those ribs! Did I mention those ribs?! I'm going back next week.

    Ribs (Half-Slab) Waffle Fries Steak Kabobs
    Mark D.

    I was born and raised in Northwest Indiana, but I have lived in Miami most of my life. Over the years, I have always heard that Wagner's was great but I never made it in. Recently I treated my nephews to dinner at Wagners and it did not disappoint. It was not crowded and we were seated immediately, considering it was a bitter cold Thursday night in January. Emily our server greeted us warmly, checked up on us often and even took a picture for us. I had the mini cornbread cakes which were very good, the haystack onions (good, not greasy at all) and a full rack of ribs. I had the ribs Texas style, dry rubbed with sauce on the side. I would recommend this style as you get divine taste both with and without the sauce. The meat, as per the clichè, fell off the bone and I had enough left over from the full rack to take home. My nephews had the half rack and steak kebab combo and they were very happy with it. I do not make it up to this region often, but I will definitely seek out Wagner's on my next visit. Definitely recommend!

    the outside of a restaurant
    Julie W.

    Great place for ribs and it was packed when we arrived on a Saturday. As stated before when we were there they do not allow children under 21. Not exactly sure, but they do a lot of carry out business so this might be an option for families. The place is rather small but the ribs were excellent

    The Chili
    Peter M.

    The Pride of Porter!! What a great time I had at Wagners Ribs. Nestled on the outer reaches of Chesterton Indiana, in the town of Porter is a local hot spot known as Wagners Ribs. I had heard about Wagners from people I know from the area, and they had but great things to say about this award-winning Rib joint. I checked into the Best Western Indian Oaks and made the quick drive to Wagners. I luckily found a parking spot right outside the restaurant and went in. The Restaurant was celebrating Halloween and Halloween decor was hung throughout the bar and restaurant area. I did go outside to check the patio, but the sun was going down and the patio only had a few patrons sitting there, so I ate inside instead. They have two main sections inside, a bar and seating in that area and a main dining room. I was seated in the main dining room. Wagners serves American Style BBQ and Comfort food and is known for their BBQ throughout the area. Food and Drink for This Evenings Meal. Starters and Sides A Cup of their Homemade Chilli Haystack Onions - Lightly fried, seasoned and served with a Southwest sauce Mashed Potatoes and Gravy Main Course Ribs and Shrimp Combo with Jumbo Grilled Shrimp served with melted butter Beer Yuengling Black and tan The chili was amazing, full of meat and beans, and not too spicy. Those Haystack Onions alone are a worthy starter on their own and perfectly paired with that Southwest dip. Light with a touch of crispiness, you can easily overindulge of those onions. The ribs were smokey, sauced just right and of course, fall off the bone tender. Wagners pumps out thousands of pounds of ribs every year, and they have their technique down to a science. The mashed potatoes were a worthy side, and probably the least appealing. Not that they weren't good it's just that I've been spoiled by many a holiday home-cooked meal with mashed potatoes. The shrimp were juicy and plump and had a very slight seasoning on them. You could taste the fire and the shrimp without any overpowering added flavours. Wagners is a popular spot for a reason. The food is a culmination of a great kitchen and a great technique. The bar area is lively and the dining room is charming. The staff are very friendly and you can feel their smiles and positivity through their masks. There is a reason why Wagners is so popular and if you're ever in the Dunes/Chesterton/Porter area, you will have to stop in and check it out for yourself.

    Genesis M.

    If I could give this place 10 stars I would. This is the best BBQ I've ever had! The Mac and cheese was delicious and the meat was simply falling off the bone. I had a side of corn bread as well and loved it. I seriously can't wait to visit this place again soon to get my doze of BBQ in. The only thing I wish is that it wasn't

    Patio
    Tracy W.

    Great find . Traveling for business and found this spot on yelp. Pretty decent reviews so I had to give it a try. I met up with four other colleagues for dinner here Monday evening. Nice little quaint place, and a wonderful patio. Since the weather was nice we chose to sit outside. Very nice atmosphere. Large deck. And they turn the lights on once it starts to get dark. Our waitress was absolutely wonderful. Very attentive to refill drinks take orders and check in on us. A couple of our group had the ribs and they really enjoyed them I have the ribeye steak with a double side salad. The ribeye was not the best as it was fairly chewy, But it was all right. No one in our group Left hungry. I would definitely come back.

    Menu Prices as of 8/30/24 (2) pages

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    28 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Food is always great! Ribs are mouth watering! Service is pleasant. Place isn't that big but it's nice and cozy. Has a bar also.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Wagner's is a quaint little bat with good food. We came in early but the crowd soon followed. We were very satisfied.

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    10 months ago

    It is awesome never had but the best experience ! The service staff is amazing even for carry out .

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Everything was very good and the staff is always friendly!! Never any problems with the wait.. the food is always good, ribs are amazing!!!

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Just stopped by to say Courtney was an amazing waitress and she took great care of us and my first meal back from being on orders!

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Absolutely a must when you are near! The corner bread cleared hands down the best around. Steak and ribs are the go to meals.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The best food in the area at a reasonable price. The tap beer was a little flat from old lines but still ice cold.

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    Ask the Community - Wagner's Ribs

    Is it wheelchair accessible?

    No, I've even had email correspondence with Dave the owner and he's refused to make this place accessible to the disabled

    Are kids able to dine in now?

    No. We could not eat here because they do not allow anyone under 21 inside

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    Wagner's Ribs - bbq - Updated May 2026

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