19 BBQ

Don't be put off by my 3-star rating. This establishment is a good place to eat ribs, but doesn't leap up to a four or five in my book. The restaurant's interior is bare bones (no pun intended) with a few wall hangings to give it a down home country feel. I came to it on a Thursday in the late afternoon, and was the only patron dining there. No surprise.

The person who took my order was pleasant and accommodating but when I asked if their ribs were St. Louis style she said she didn't know what that was. Ok. I asked for the four bone rib platter with two sides; beans and slaw. Because one of the ribs was what you'd call a tag end, she threw in an extra rib, which was a nice gesture on her part and spoke well for the place.

Also, the price is unbeatable. So many rib joints take the better part of your SS check for a full rib dinner these days, but Jr's 19 BBQ charged me just under $10 dollars. A real bargain! The slaw was fresh, coarse cut and perfectly creamed. The barbecue beans were tasty. The naked ribs were just fine. To my mind they could have been more tender (smoked longer?) and lacked the high bark to meat ratio that rib lovers crave. Their signature sauce is truly good.

All In all, a place I plan to return to whenever I want BBQ in the Pine River area.

Clean, friendli, FANTASTIC FOOD!  The daily specials are mind blowing.  I had the Prime Rib sandwich with smoked Portabella Mushrooms and smoked caramelized onions.  We topped it off with an "Ugly Cheesecake," which was anything but ugly.  Amazingly light and creamy, it was made fresh daily at the restaurant.  I will be back, again, and again.

I must refresh my prior entreaty - you must eat at Jr's No. 19 if you're anywhere near Pine River.  He makes amazing food with an emphasis on barbecue!!

If you were in New York or Downtown Minneapolis, a professional reviewer would be using the phrases "chef-owned" and "artisanal barbecue" to describe Jr's (and the prices would be inflated to match).  We were back again today and again enjoyed Jr's creations.  This time we enjoyed the pastrami special (second to none outside the NYC area) and Jr's amazing new pork carnitas taco meat.  Combined with outstanding baked beans and a very respectable cole slaw it was another wonderful Jr's experience.

I forgot about the Northwoods casserole or I probably would have enjoyed that - oh well next time.

We'll be enjoying some Jr's barbecue every time we're up North this year - hope to see you there.  You'll really be missing out if you don't stop in.

BTW - if you like Jr's on Facebook you'll know what the daily specials are.