Roper’s Ribs – Only Something Delicious Would Make Me Risk My Life Like This

Date Dined: June 11, 2014

Overall Rating: 2.5 stars (4 for snoots)

Nestled right next the Jenning’s municipal court is a little known place for people not in North Saint Louis called Roper’s Ribs. In fact, this is the only reason that I looked forward to going to Jenning’s municipal court.

“Why would you look so forward to going here Chris?” You might ask after seeing my low rating of the place.

“For one reason my beautiful friend,” I’d respond. “The snoots.”

Décor Rating: 1.5 stars

There is no décor. In addition the parking lot is sketchy as hell. Call in and place your order before you get there. Then get out of there as fast as possible. But seriously, the waiting area looks like the inside of a Quik Cash place and there are limited seating options, and you’d probably feel more comfortable in your own home anyways

Service Rating: 4 stars

On the other hand the Ropers are fantastic people who are super friendly and willing to talk to you for hours. Ma Roper is usually at the cash register waiting to greet you with a smile. The food orders do take a hot second to process which is again why you call in ahead of time.

Price Rating: 2 stars

This place is expensive. 3 beef ribs at $14.00, a slab of baby back ribs at $25.00, a rib tip order at $19.50. This place is expensive.

Food Rating:

Roper’s is your traditional wet BBQ joint. Whatever you order will come out swimming in sauce, and the sauce is pretty meh. We’re talking heavily ketchup based, tangy, and very liquid. The meat is guaranteed to be tender enough that you can chew through it, but not so tender you could pull it off with a fork. I would say it’s something you could do at home in your own oven.

So why this place? The snoots! Called so because they’re cut from the nose and cheek of the pig. The meat is then cooked until it’s crispy. Think cracklins but softer. Every bite you’re going to get a little taste of some delicious crispy fat. After being smothered in BBQ these puppies are brought out hot and then promptly devoured. If you love unhealthy things then this is the dish for you. This dish and this dish alone is why I look forward to Ropers. If another place swoops in and does it better I might have to stop venturing into the uncertain North. Sides are nothing special, grocery store potato salad and beans, white wonder bread, like I said, nothing fantastic.

In Conclusion

If you want any other sort of BBQ that isn’t wet style with a ketchup base then pass on Ropers, unless you want the Snoots. Mmmm snoots.

SNOOTS!