"I was curious to check it out, as I’m not a huge fan of wings and ribs, but I wanted to see what the buzz was all about and experience what many people enjoy around the world, even if it meant venturing to Clapham. The restaurant is situated under the overground and has a bright, fresh atmosphere since it just opened on Monday. Inside, you’ll find a few lime green booths and large communal tables lined against a wall with a chrome railing underneath. The kitchen and restrooms are towards the back, and the place is bustling with energy.
Of course, cocktails are on the menu. Based on a recommendation from my favorite waiter (shoutout to Stef), I ordered the watermelon and ginger martini, a smooth concoction made with Skyy vodka that had a refreshing kick from the ginger. Another recommendation was the Herr Martinez, a delightful cocktail crafted with Opihr (a spicy oriental gin), Luxardo maraschino liqueur, Dubonnet, and orange bitters.
For starters, we tried the deep-fried mac and cheese bites, which were indulgently rich and melted in your mouth, especially when paired with classic tomato salsa. The team also shared chicken wings (both BBQ and spicy) with blue cheese sauce and a pulled pork dish, which wasn’t as impressive as I had hoped. The pork was so moist that the egg ended up almost cooked inside, instead of the rich, runny yolk I had expected.
Then came the serious meat course. We were served two enormous racks of ribs: baby back ribs (which immediately reminded me of a scene from Austin Powers) and spare ribs. As someone who typically avoids ribs, I was pleasantly surprised; these generous portions were served on a wooden board and featured tender meat that fell right off the bone without being overly sticky.
We also ordered the Spicy Kiss burger, which was a visually striking creation piled high with meat, pickles, and cheese, and came with a steak knife for easy eating. It was so massive that it was hard to take a proper bite without some serious maneuvering. I opted for the Po'Boy sandwich since I had indulged in meat earlier that week, and I wanted something a little lighter. While the baked calamari and garnishes looked appealing on the menu, they fell short on flavor.
However, where the Chicago Rib Shack truly excels is in the sides. We chose the “wobble-laf,” essentially a deep-fried heart attack, and it was just as indulgent as it sounds. The "manslaw," a zesty take on coleslaw with jalapeños, was a great improvement over its bland counterpart. We also had natural fries and the truffle mac and cheese, which was the standout dish of the day—rich, cheesy, and infused with truffle oil, making it something I would happily eat every day regardless of calories.
To finish, we indulged in cocktails made with Prosecco, vodka, and elderflower, alongside espresso martinis that paired perfectly with the vanilla cheesecake (bland), chocolate brownie (deliciously chewy), and the warm pecan pie. We had a sweet tooth among our team and didn’t aim to be the most discerning dessert testers, but we managed to enjoy our selections nonetheless.
All things considered, this place is a positive experience. The atmosphere was lively (the music was excellent), the staff was consistently wonderful, and I'd definitely return for that mac and cheese. Would I make it a regular spot? I'm not entirely sure, as I'm still on the fence about the ribs."
