Each November, my inner caveman rears his over-sized head and wants to start setting fire to large chunks of meat. Since I was a kid, I wanted to eat at that restaurant in The Flinstones. You know, the one that had car-tipping Brontosaurus ribs on a special take-out menu? Luckily my car runs on gas and I don’t have to barefoot it through all this crazy Spokane construction to find myself dinner. The best thing about bbq is you never really know where you’re going to find it at its best. You are just as apt to be blown away by a four-star chef-owned restaurant as you may at a hole in the wall dive bar. With a little technique and patience, you can turn the toughest cut of meat into a flavor intense fall off the bone ticket to carnivore heaven. No more write. Must eat. Anyone have any extra napkins?

Famous Willies $19 – WINNER
A great sign of quality bbq is when your table is decorated with a spindle of paper towels. An even better sign is when it is in someone’s barn-turned-restaurant. A secret squirrel told me that Willie doesn’t play around and imports white oak directly from Texas. Whatever they are doing, they are doing right. A gigantic portion of some of the best spare ribs I’ve ever eaten bar none, four in-house bbq sauces, chili beans and coleslaw all hosted a perfect smoky storm. My only wish was for another stomach.

Red Lion $17.95

Spokane’s longest bbq mainstay, Red Lion is the backbone of Spokane’s bbq scene. I’ve long been a fan of the pulled pork and fried bread (always served with honey) but this trip was all about the ribs. Served in half pound and full pound portions, you will not leave with an empty stomach. A tangy in-house sauce and a light rub give the smoked pork a bite. I couldn’t manage to eat it all, but accidentally left my doggie bag behind—my heart was broken.

Tobys $10

There might not be a place to sit or a secret family bbq sauce recipe, but Toby’s traveling trailer  smokes up some of the best quality ribs in the Northwest. These beauts fell right off the bone and were packed with mesquite smoke and a salty crisp outer bark. Slather on some of the world famous Sweet Baby Rays and share with a friend. The best part of it all is you can find Toby and his crew at a variety of popular Spokane events.

JJ’s Tap & Smokehouse $18

If someone is talking you out of taking a little road-trip north to Indian Hills, don’t listen to them. They are playing a mean trick on you. The perfectly smoked baby back ribs and accompanying beer selection are worth every cent of gas. Easily the most tender rib I’ve put in my mouth. The term “like butter” gets thrown around a lot, but JJ’s truly fits the mold. I spent a week in Kansas City last year, ate at world famous bbq spots and I’ve never had a more tender rib.

Charlie P’s $14.99

A hidden gem in the Valley, Charlie P’s puts out some of the most consistent bar food around. A few foodie elites also know they don’t mess around when it comes to smoking meat, briny corned beef and fresh broasted chicken. This was a my first shot at their ribs and it won’t be my last. Huge portions of their four cheese mac, garlic toast and my favorite baked beans of my bbq adventure, make this one of the best bangs for your buck in town. No one leaves hungry.

Kris Kilduff is crafted of 77% smoked gouda, 20% gnocchi and 3% ice cream sandwich.