Janet Wilson Sizes Up Shane’s Rib Shack

[CMF Newsman]

Shane’s Rib Shack is located at 250 Northgate Mall facing Hixson Pike. This is another order at the counter and they bring it to you in a cardboard container, along with a styrofoam cup for your drink.

Maybe it’s just us, but we really do not like to pay $12.99 (or $19.99 for a full rack of ribs) each for a meal and have it delivered in a cardboard tray – then you have to go and get your own plastic ware and condiments at a second counter (and I wasn’t pleased with the greasy outside of the plastic BBQ sauce containers). To me, the idea of using these types of “picnic” ware is to make the price less expensive.

Shane’s offers sandwiches including the “Big Dad” chopped BBQ pork ($4.99), smothered pork ($5.49), chicken tenders ($4.59), chopped BBQ chicken ($4.59), cheeseburger ($4.99) and a smoked chicken salad ($4.59). Some of these are on buns, while others are on Texas Toast. For an extra $1.99 you can add a regular drink and one side.

www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_111677.asp

[daworm]

Thyst and I ate there the other day. Unimpressed.

[yogibear]

Yeah, it won't last long!

[tncoaster37]

I know one of the owners and he also owns Access Pharmacy. I have eaten there a few times and it wasn't anything to write home about. I wished that they would bring back the old Pizza Hut since that places was always packed.

[yogibear]

So what are you trying to tell us? Does he compound the bbq rub? Does he use a prosthetic aid to from the ribs to the correct shape? Or just because he owns Access Pharmacy, does that justifies the high prices? Over charge at one place and you can overcharge anyplace!

Still nothing to write home about! Nothing has ever came close to the little BBQ shack that used to be located near the railroad tracks on 9th Street~ (that's MLK for those that don't go back that far!)

[cdojanet]

I used to love that place on MLK! Wasn't it called Plantation? Not sure - it's was in the early 70's when I used to go there.

[stray]

Northgate is quickly becoming the Jack's Alley north of the river...

[rogue]

cdojanet said:

I used to love that place on MLK! Wasn't it called Plantation? Not sure - it's was in the early 70's when I used to go there.

It was Old Plantation. That place was my all time favorite Chattanooga BBQ. Albert who owned the place did a couple of pig roasts for us. He also let us sell beer in the parking lot during the Strut...To me the only place that even comes close for chopped pork is Sapps on 58.

[tncoaster37]

Yogi, Shane's is a franchise deal. He owns it and I doubt that he is involved in the everyday part of it.

[yogibear]

Yea..., the famous OLD PLANTATION... I couldn't remember the name.

I was having fun trying to incorporate some of the Access Pharmacy terms, i.e. compound; prosthetics, into the rib joint. Yes, i looked online and found it to be a chain.

Still, nothing ever will come close to an old black man who has the expertise to cook REAL bbq.

[Tookie]

The best bbq I've ever had was sold in shacks on the side of the road. They pulled the meat off the whole smoked hog while you watched after you placed your order. They didn't sell anything else but whole hog pulled bbq. I think the health department shut them all down in the 80s. This was in West Tn. I don't know if they had them here in this area.

[chiliman]

I have eaten at Shanes once, my daughter works at the mall has been there quite a few times.
I thought it was nothing new, just another franchise where they buy their supplies from a commissary, much like a Subway or Blimpie. More of a business model than actual restaurant that humans operate instead of an MBA and anonymous employees.

[TNBear]

If you like your pork "on the bone" go to Master Blasters, best ribs in town.

[Kordax]

The Old Plantation that was 1st on Big 9 "franchized" itself, sota....

There was a 3rd St location & a Dodson location (the guy that owned both of these spots ((after he sold off the Dodson location)) relocated to the site where Henry's Skinny Pig once was on Hixson Pike. Demonstrating that a White boy had learned the art of properly eating a rib sandwich at Old Plantation insured a degree of respect from the Black community, at least the members of the Black community who frequented Old Plantation -- good times back then & superior BBQ before the rise of blandizing chain wannabes .....