Smokin Jacks Rib Shack Bloomington IN

I got to spend this week in beautiful Bloomington IN, home of the IU Hoosiers and more impotently the Kinsey Research Center.

It is a college town and therefore had every chain that every other college town has and little else. I did find an independent BBQ shack that is worth mentioning. As far as I can tell it is the only decent BBQ within 50 miles.

Smokin Jacks Rib Shack, a former 7/11 radically modified with a covered front dining porch, picnic area and BBQ pits out back, and Pink pig statues adorning the entrance drive. A little hard to find and a bit on the outskirts of town.

It is a nice setting as BBQ shacks go. There are rustic and primitive antiques and collecitbles everywhere. A nice L shaped counter and a large inside seating area with waitress on duty. The menu is mainly a bunch of chalkboards over the ordering area and some of the sides and deserts can be seen on display on the counter.

I ordered the Rib N chicken Combo for approx 9.50 which came with 2 sides. I chose mixed greens & mac n cheese which are my default sides. I could see several pans of fresh cornbread come out of the kitchen after I ordered and wished I had ordered some, but didnt. I got the sauce on the side and they actually gave me a container of each of their sauces to sample, regular , a honey style and jerk style. The owner said they are made up on the premises. The bbq sauce had some tang but no real heat to it , sort of like a sweet baby rays without the tabasco. The ribs where large and very meaty, tips intact. I noticed very little fat or gristle on the ribs and they where hickory smoked through and through. I really doubt that I would be able to finish a 1/2 slab portion of these ribs myself. The chicken was also slow smoked over hickory with a crisp skin and very moist smoky meat. Even the chicken parts at this place are larger than what I am used to. The chicken also had a rub applied to it, the same or similair to what the ribs where treated to.

My 2 sides came in generous portions as well, 2 of those styrofoam bowls about 4" diameter. The mac n cheese was fresh and cheesy/creamy. The mixed greens where mostly collards in a clear buttery sauce which is fine with me. I did salt n pepper them heavily to get them to my taste. I went in pretty hungry and left very full. One of the waitresses even offered me a taste of the tips but I regretfully had to decline because I was stuffed. When I gon back I will try them and also the pulled pork.

I just think it is nice to pull into a place and see the cook tending to the pit and "fatmouthing" with his friends out back. If you are in this area , it is worth stopping by. They pretty much stick to BBQ items but I beleive you can get a hamburger here as well. They are by far better than any of the chain BBQ's in southern Indiana and like most independents in this WALMART world they are struggling to stay alive. I have a link to their website below

http://www.smokinjacksribshack.com


I also stopped at a hamburger joint called Hinkles Hamburgers. The main reason was that I remember eating at a place called Hinkles hamburgers years ago and remember it being in wisconsin or michigan. I know this wasnt the place. My burger came overcooked and dry. I think it was a 1/5 or 1/6 pound patty, it was pretty small. The fries where alright. I wouldnt go out of my way for the place but would spend approx 1$ more here rather than get a meal at McDonalds.

Hinkles Hamburgers Carry Out

206 S Adams St
Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 339-3335

Bob

Good post Bob. It's been a few years since I've been to Bloomington, but I'll definitely go to Smoking Jack's next time I'm there.

Bloomington has another meaty place that I like a lot. It's Janko's Little Zagreb which, despite the name, is primarily a steak house.

It has a bare-bones noisy atmosphere -- looks like a college beer hall. The toilets are primitive; the salad is ordinary; the accompanying rolls are dry. But the large helpings of meat are first-rate -- juicy, flavorful and cooked just right. It's competitive with many well-known steak houses. Many people recommend the double (or triple) sirloin. It also has a good wine list.

You can see why this is where IU athletic recruiters take prospects, especially as the waitresses are attractive co-eds.

Prices are reasonable -- about $30/person.

Get there early -- it's popular.

Janko's Little Zagreb
223 West 6th Street
Bloomington, IN
812-332-0694
M-Th 5p-9:30, Fr-Sa 4:30-10

Both of my parents went to IU back in the 60's and my dad still takes us down to Bloomington to eat at Little Zagreb's. Most of the menu is steak but they have some incredibly tender ribs, too. It's definitely worth a try if you're in the neighborhood.