Smoked, slathered and savoured

ONE OF the most popular hangouts in town among those who love their red meat, Great American Rib on Sukhumvit Soi 36 recently spread its wings by opening a third branch at the equally new Central Embassy mall. It hasn’t compromised on great eats either, offering a range of hearty barbecue dishes, premium steaks and seafood prepared to authentic American recipes.

Entrepreneur Thanawat “Oak” Angsananont joined as a major shareholder five years ago following the death of co-founder Wes Carrol. Young but no stranger to the food business, Thanawat grew up in the y restaurant business: his family operated the Bahn Thai restaurant in Tallahassee, Florida for 40 years.

He’s also introduced two new BBQ sauces – bourbon and sweet honey – which, with their sharper flavours, quickly proved popular with Thai customers. 

Thanawat has also added a selection of Tex-Mex cuisine including a hefty Burrito that can be prepared with ground beef and chicken and is served in a whopping nine-inch tortilla with white garlic sauce. Another new addition is the Enchiladas also in beef or chicken and smothered in chilli con crane sauce.

“I moved to the US when I was three. My grandparents owned the Bahn Thai restaurant for some 40 years. I learned all about management as well as the basics of cooking from there. When I returned to Bangkok, I wanted to open my own restaurant but realised I didn’t know enough about Bangkok. So I decided to start by buying shares in Great American Rib. My timing was good as Wes wanted to retire,” Thanawat says. 

“Since then we’re opened place in Hua Hin and now there’s the new Central Embassy branch. 

The 60-seat eatery in Central Embassy is more upmarket than the two older outlets that also include an open-air dining space for barbecue fans to enjoy their hickory wood-smoked fare.

The decor is typically rural American with a facade made from firewood and plenty of long wooden tables surrounded by both chairs and stools. 

The barbecue dishes on offer at Central Embassy are also grilled on hickory wood for four to eight hours to make meat tender and aromatic. Side |dishes include coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, BBQ bean, baked potato, Idaho curly fries, garlic bread and Texas jalapeno corn bread. 

Thanawat recommends we try the full rack of Smoked Rib (Bt695), a favourite order at the Sukhumvit and Hua Hin branches. The meaty St |Louis-style rib is served with baked potato, coleslaw and three kinds of |BBQ sauce – original, sweet honey and bourbon.

We follow up with Baja Fish Tacos – seasonal fish mixed in Tex-Mex spices, wrapped in a tortilla and served with hot n’spicy citrus and green cilantro sauce for Bt195. 

A Carolina-style Pulled Pork Shoulder Sandwich served with French fries goes for Bt255 and a bowl of Lone Star Texas Chilli Soup made from chunks of beef tenderloin, beans and imported Mexican chilli is priced at Bt195. 

For something less heavy, check out the Farmers Market Salad (Bt275), a generous bowl of lettuce, sesame seeds, pineapple, cucumbers, tomatoes, blue cheese in Virginia dressing topped with roasted chicken. Quesadilla (Bt195) is grilled tortilla stuffed with cheese and carnitas pork.

And in keeping with the Tex-Mex theme, Great American Rib offers a variety of margaritas blended with lime and strawberry, lychee and mint, mango, peach, kiwi and green apple for Bt165. 

 

 

CARNIVOROUS CREATIONS

>>Great American Rib is located on the fifth floor of Central Embassy. It’s open daily from 11am to 10pm. Call (02) 160 5705 or visit the GreatRib page on Facebook and www.GreatRib.com.