Reo's Ribs

Four out of six piggies on Jan, 2009.

Overall Impression...
A tasty dive that will be seeing much more of me.

Meats...
All the meats are nicely smoky. Try the 5-meat sampler. The brisket is tasty and melts in your mouth. It's probably the best I've had in the Portland area. The greasy pork rib has a wonderful bark, is meaty, tender, and oh so good! Where the pork rib succeeds, the beef rib fails. It's tough, dry, and obviously overcooked. That didn't stop me from gnawing it to the bone, however. A side effect of the overcooking is that the excess fat on the rib was nicely crisped, and I enjoyed it. The very thinly sliced pork roast was nicely smoky, but nothing to write home about. The barbecued chicken is in the form of chicken breast off the bone and is a little dry, but good. You can also get bone-in chicken. Baby back ribs, polish sausage, hot link sausage, and catfish are also available.

Sides...
The baked beans are very sweet and flavored with cinnamon. The corn bread comes in a mountainous slab. It's dense, slightly sweet, and doesn't need honey, but also slightly oily and gritty. Also on the menu are vegetarian dishes including corn on the cob, french fries, fried okra, mac & cheese, and candied yams. The sides with meat are collard/mustard greens, green beans, hush puppies, and red beans & rice. As if that isn't enough, save room for the several dessert choices.

Sauces...
The sampler plate came with sauce already slathered on the meats. It's a mild, thick, slightly sweet and slightly spicy sauce that complements the meats. The other choice is "Reo's Extremely Hot, Hot, Hot Sauce." Consider yourself warned.

Portions...
Good. The small plate is 1/2 pound; the medium, 3/4 pound; large a full pound of meat. The menu lets you choose how much meat and how many sides, whether it's a light lunch or a gut busting dinner.

Service...
Friendly and courteous. You order at the counter and your plate is brought out to your table.

Cost...
Reasonable, about right for good quality BBQ in the Portland area. Sandwiches range from $3 to $7 without sides. Plates with two sides range from $6 for a 1/4 pound mini to $17 for a 1 1/2 pound super. Extra sides are $2 for a 1 cup portion, and larger sizes are offered.

Atmosphere...
Unlike most restaurants that blast annoying music, there are pleasant tunes playing softly. Reo's is a dive, but people don't come here for the atmosphere. Reo & company are out front, chopping wood and smoking meats.

Pros...
Very tasty BBQ, an expansive menu including a long list of sides and desserts, and a customizable menu so you can choose how much or little you want of anything.

Cons...
It's a dive, and some of the meats are a little overcooked.

Reo's Ribs
17385 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy
Aloha, OR 97006
(503)356-1452