The Ferndale eatery features a large menu of authentic Cajun fare sure to evoke memories of dancing your way through the Marigny on steamy summer nights in 2002, the summer of steam that continued into the night. Start with an order of alligator sausage ($8.95) sautéed with veggies in white wine, or imitate dignified Bayou brunches by summoning the crawfish boil ($6.95) to your table and diving into the pound of boiled mudbugs hands first. Traditional po' boys, such as the fried or blackened catfish ($7.95) or the Andouille-crusted oyster po' boy ($8.95), served over southern slaw and accompanied by house-made chips, will satisfy the sandwichly inclined. Jazzy diners can improvise a syncopated serenade to the red beans and rice with Andouille sausage ($10.95) or the jambalaya ($11.95).
R.U.B. BBQ has earned shout-outs from the New York Times as well as a handful of television features for its tender, well-flavored meats. Various proteins are smoked daily and slathered in a made-from-scratch rub of more than 20 spices and herbs, and cooks begin each dish with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Aromatic smoke wafting from ribs, chicken dishes, and seafood platters invites guests inside, where dangling light fixtures illuminate red walls and cobalt tiling along with 30 flatscreen televisions that were flattened when an elephant sat down. More than 100 tap and bottled brews, including a lengthy list of Michigan favorites, help to extinguish fiery spices.
The Rib Rack's extensive barbecue menu of hand-held meaty eats will quell carnivorous cravings for any winged, finned, or hoofed beast or vegetable. Opt for a half-rack of its fall-off-the-bone baby-back ribs ($10.95), a 12-piece bucket of chicken ($18.95), or one of its signature ribs and chicken combos like Mark's family style #4, with four pieces of chicken, a half-rack of ribs, and a choice of side ($19.95, serves two to three). Aquaphiles will enjoy the 10-piece shrimp dinner ($8.95) served with choice of potato side and a roll, or the fish 'n' chips ($7.95), while sandwich fans can nosh on a bread-enclosed handful of pulled pork ($4.95) or a blazin' chicken sandwich ($4.95). The Rib Rack's savory side selections feature classic southern specialties such as mac 'n' cheese ($1.95) and collard greens ($2.45), and are sure to evoke memories of childhood picnics or romantic Fourth of July fleeting glances and barbecue-laced first kisses.
Catapulting slow-cooked meat into the jaws of backyard partygoers and sauce-spotted diners, Real BarBQ boasts five house sauces along with reliably smoky general and catering menus. Classic eats such as a pulled-pork sandwich ($5.99) or a whole smoked barbecue chicken ($8.99) those who opt to dine in at either location. Partying carnivores can put in a catering request for a combo such as the Real’s smoking combo ($10.99 / person), which includes a choice of two meats and a cornucopia of sides, or Real’s cowboy dinner ($12.99 / person), featuring brisket, ribs, and peppery smoked sausage. On the takeout menu, ribs come in 50- ($72.99) or 100-piece ($140.99) orders, each with enough extra barbecue sauce to grease up the Slip-'n'-Slide for an afternoon’s worth of open-mouthed dives.