Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack - Iowa City

Best bbq in Iowa City area

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: French Fries

Went here once with friends. Most likely going to be the only time I go. I got the Brisket Sandwich with sides of mac and cheese and coleslaw. Brisket was fine, nothing too amazing, but better with the various barbecue sauces. The mac and cheese was terrible. Watery, grainy, and over cooked are my best descriptions. The coleslaw was 4/10. Again, a little watery and I am not a fan of shredded lettuce in my coleslaw. Overall, for around $20, not worth it. Ribs were not bad though.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Half Slab of Ribs, Cornbread, Cowboy, Chicago Fire

We ate inside. It was fun to try all the different BBQ sauces options. We bought a bottle of their original sauce. Large servings, and enjoyed the sides.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Brisket and Blue Salad, Jack's Sampler w 2 Sides

This is by far THE BEST BBQ RIBS EVER! Fall off the bone, tender ribs. Just the right amount of smoke. Sweet girls working today. Cookies are awesome!! Pleasant surprise. 7 out of 5 stars!!! That's how good it was. If you're ever in Iowa City, it's definitely worth the stop

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Half Slab of Ribs

This was our first visit—and unless we lose a bet, probably our last. My boyfriend called in a pick-up order, and while we didn’t expect them to serenade us, a little more friendliness would’ve been nice. The cornbread? So dry it could’ve doubled as a sponge. The half-smoked chicken was so mediocre it might be questioning its own life choices, and the mac-n-cheese was average at best—like it wasn’t even trying. The full slab of ribs? Decent, but a bit on the dry side too. The real MVPs were the sauces. They were so good that we actually considered dipping everything in them to save the meal. But for the price? We’ve definitely had better, and we’d only recommend stopping here if you’re craving sauce…......... just sauce.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

Great food! So many sauces to choose from!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Carolina Mustard, Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Chicago Fire

We called to verify that what we were ordering came with the two side dishes for $26.99 and were told yes. When I got there I was told it was $37 and change? so we were misinformed and that is bad business practice. So if I paid for sides, why were they 1 serving size? I will not come back. The service was okay, the food was okay,the ribs the ribs tasted more burnt than smoked save your money and go to pop's barbeque much better food and they don't lie about there prices

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Outstanding brisket!! We drive from the QC for some of the best BBQ in the Midwest!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Growing up in the South and having world class bbq my whole life, I’m perhaps a bit of a bbq snob, so going into this meal I didn’t have very high expectations of good bbq in Iowa City, IA. However, even as low as they were, the meal fell woefully short. I will say that the service was fine and the place was clean. After that, I can’t understand how people can eat this stuff. I ordered a meal that came with three meats(ribs, fatty brisket, pulled pork) and two sides(fries, baked beans.) The brisket was drier than the Sahara, sliced incredibly thin and had grill marks!! Grilled brisket?! What is that??? Also had little to no flavor. Same can be said about the ribs. Grill marks on the ribs, little to no flavor and incredibly dry. The pulled pork was also very dry but has just a tick more flavor. Of the three meats it was the best, but that’s a low low bar. The fries were bang on average. Not hand cut. For sure frozen. The baked beans will have to fight the brisket for worst part of the meal. What a pathetic excuse for bbq beans. I can’t fathom ever going back. If you’re considering going, do yourself a massive favor and don’t.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 4

Amazing food. Best barbecue and amazing staff! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Great Experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The brisket was dry, no flavor, the cornbread was dry , and the Cole slaw was just cabbage in a bowl.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 4

Really good food. Fries have a nice crispy exterior and soft in the middle. Barbecue was great and original and Chicago sauces are great.

Kid-friendliness: Kid and family friendly.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Original, Chicago Fire, The Supreme, French Fries

Good BBQ not great. Sauces are really good! Kinda pricey $43.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Half Slab of Ribs, Pulled Pork

Great food

Eat inside or out on the patio. Cute place plenty of sauces to try. Food is best around BBQ. You won't leave disappointed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fatty Beef Brisket, Half Slab of Ribs