So needless to say that when I started to feel queasy on our drive into the city I was totally devastated. Beyond devastated. I couldn't understand how my stomach could betray me at an all-you-can-eat-rib-moment like the one I was about to embark on. I blame my upset tummy on the handfuls of cold and flu tablets I'd be downing all down in an effort to actually feel rid of my cold for our all-you-can-eat meat extravaganza. Talk about an epic backfire.
There seems to quite a few regulations around Tony Roma's all-you-can-eat Ribs. Each diner starts with three pork "riblets" and chooses a side of either chips or rice. Once you have eaten ALL the ribs on your plate you can ask for another riblet...just one mind you. Once you've finish your second riblet you can ask for one more...and so on, and so forth. At least at Tony Roma's you don't get sent to you room with no dessert if you don't eat all your riblets (but they will charge you $2.50 for unfinished riblets when you've chosen their regular $29.90 all-you-can-eat deal).
The Boy opts for a side of chips with his ribs, which leaves me to try the rice. The rice is pretty underwhelming - it came out rather cold (and in such a small dish) so I ask them to re-heat it for me, but the chips were great. Pipping hot and well seasoned. I had chip envy.
I made a very good attempt at tackling my first plate of ribs, despite my squiffy tummy. It took me a while, but in the end I finished everything on my plate, thus I avoided being sent to my room. The ribs were great, marinated in a smokey BBQ sauce and the meat was melt-in-the-mouth tender and falling off the bone. The riblets for the all-you-can-eat deal seem to be from the end of the rack, thus they had lots of crispy, charred bits of meat, and smaller rib pieces than your standard "middle of the rack" variety. Very nice.
The Boy was on a mission to eat Tony Roma's out of ribs that night and demolished three extra plates of riblets. I'm pretty sure he was aiming for a fourth plate, but his stomach simple gave up.
I couldn't stomach the thought of any more meat, but was quite taken by the lush cobs of corn I saw on other tables. Normally corn is a side-dish option, but tonight it cost me $5.50. It was worth it though - hot, juicy and totally moreish once I slathered it in butter and salt. I wouldn't mind an all-you-can-eat corn dinner if I'm honest with you - it's one of my all time favourite vegetables.
Tony Roma's is at 3/121-123 Sussex Street, Sydney. Phone (02) 9299 8500.
