About
When you crave hearty Texas and Southern BBQ on your Baja getaway, make a beeline for J&R Ribs Costilleria La Paz. It's a barbecue joint started by barbecue fans with a real passion for the stuff, and it's rapidly become one of the most popular spots in the area for those who want to experience true American barbecue. J&R is all about the authentic, slow-cooked flavors of the backyard, and they achieve this by using the very best of the local produce and traditional smoking methods.
From the word go, J&R Ribs have been about quality rather than quantity. Each rack of ribs is hand-seasoned and smoked low and slow until they're fall-off-the-bone and absolutely delicious. The barbecue is treated as an art form in the kitchen with a range of house rubs, house sauces and house sides to create a menu that's very much the same as you'd expect but with a twist. Over the years, they've built up a very loyal customer base thanks to the quality of the food, the service, and the general atmosphere, which is very much one of relaxed friendliness.
Vibe
J&R Ribs Costilleria is a fun, relaxed place with a very welcoming exterior. The outside is quite bold with lots of bright signage and red to give you an indication of the fiery food you'll find inside. Once you get through the door, you're in a very comfortable, intimate dining room with lots of rustic wood, some rather nice old tin signs and bits of barbecue memorabilia to prove the owners are absolutely in love with southern-style food. It's a very bright room with the large windows and ceiling fans to keep it cool and airy.
Seating is in the form of spacious booths for families, communal tables for groups, and a very lively bar area where the regulars are always talking. It gets absolutely noisy on a busy night or on game night, but it's never in any way a chaotic place. The staff is consistently lauded as down-to-earth, the service is quick, and there's a real sense of being part of a big backyard party whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular.
J&R Ribs Costilleria La Paz: Menu & Drinks
The star of the show at J&R is undoubtedly the ribs. They're smoked to a perfect degree and come coated in your choice of sweet, spicy, or tangy house sauce. The 'Costillas de Cerdo' are a particular favorite and are served with the usual suspects: coleslaw, baked beans and corn on the cob. If you're after a bit of everything, then the 'Parrillada Mixta' is the way to go, featuring a generous helping of ribs, grilled chicken, sausage, and brisket.
The pulled pork is a real star, lots of it on a soft bun with pickles and a side of fries. If you're after some proper comfort food, then the loaded baked potato and the mac and cheese are both highly recommended and very much in demand. The drink menu has a good range of local and imported beers, house lemonade, and a range of reds and whites to go with it.
Dining at J&R Ribs Costilleria is all about sitting down, sharing plates, and enjoying the big bold BBQ flavors in La Paz.
Local Tips
- Arrive early for dinner, especially on the weekends.
- Don't skip the house sauces; ask for a sampler to find your favorite.
- Order takeaway to enjoy back in your Casago rental.
- Parking is available on site, but it can get busy on weekends.
