When Althea Jacks, her husband Kurt and their children moved to New Zealand from South Africa, she found it difficult to find affordable food when dining out with her family.
That’s what led to her personal motto and the ethos behind the creation of her Rib House restaurant in Ormiston Road, Flat Bush: ‘good food at a good price’.
“It’s one of the reasons we opened the restaurant,” Althea says. “So families won’t have to feel it in their back pocket for a meal.”
The Rib House menu offers a variety of delicious fresh New Zealand-produced foods including oven-made ribs, steaks, wings, burgers and a platter that comfortably feed a family. Their sauces and salad dressings are made in-house.
“We also offer gluten-free, keto and vegan options,” Althea says.
The steaks that can be chosen are either a juicy slab of sirloin or scotch, and can be added with a mushroom or gravy sauce as well as with chips and green salad or coleslaw.
The Rib House Burger includes their signature in-house beef patty. Other delicious options include a chicken schnitzel or keto burger that includes appetizing aioli sauce.
A kilo of soft and easy-to-eat pork spare ribs can be enjoyed in either a half or full rack. Their roasted chicken can include a choice of citrus and thyme or tasty peri-peri with chips.
The ribs can be paired with either their chicken or scrumptious buffalo wings at a low price.
Additionally there’s a kids and dessert menu with a range of options –such as little ribbers, chicken nuggets, fish and chips, pudding, brownies, waffles and ice cream.
A bar menu is also available.
The Rib House is in a handy and convenient location close to east and south Auckland communities and has ample free car parking.
When entering the restaurant people will be greeted by personable and friendly staff, and they’ll enjoy regular updates and a spacious and relaxing atmosphere.
“We make sure our customers are treated like family,” Althea says. ”Their happiness is our goal.”
It’s not just perfect for families – it’s a great time for friends and couples to spend an affordable meal out.
Althea and Kurt want their customers to sit and laugh. “It’s a very casual and family friendly environment,” Althea says.
And don’t be afraid to indulge in their good-sized portions of ribs, as there are finger-bowls and napkins available at every table. “But don’t over order!” Althea warns. “Go smaller as our quantity is so large.”
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. And if someone is on the hunt for a warm and relaxed restaurant for an event, the Rib House has a function room that caters to anything from weddings to parties to birthdays.
“We love to make people feel special on their special occasions,” Althea says. The Rib House isn’t only involved heavily with its customers and regulars, but the community as well.
Althea and her staff regularly partake in pay-it-forward initiatives for nominated families needing to be treated to a free meal. A similar ideal is given to youth groups and surrounding retirement villages: they’re treated to mouth-watering meals at the restaurant.
Additionally they participated in a food-drive where suppliers, staff and customers donated meals to be dropped to families affected by Covid-19. They also sponsor schools.
“You can’t take all the time without giving back,” she says. Althea wishes to partake in similar causes in the future.
“We truly appreciate the continuous community support,” Althea says.
The Rib House, 123 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush. Phone 021 182 0570.
www.facebook.com/theribhousenz
