A New Barbecue Restaurant Is Expanding The Parade’s Hottest Precinct

Since opening in 2021, Norwood fine diner arkhé has drawn rave reviews from food critics across the nation and has helped make The Parade the go-to destination for diners who love their ingredients grilled, seared and smoked over an open flame. And now their next door neighbours are taking that baton and running with it.

In late September, the former site of Rain Asian Bistro reopened as Lone Star Rib House & Brews with fire at the very heart of the kitchen’s offering. Barbecue is the star attraction, and given the venue’s name it’s no surprise which cut gets top billing. “Our specialty is ribs,” declares owner Pradeep Donepudi proudly. “We do baby back pork ribs and beef ribs, and we also do 12-hour smoked brisket sandwiches and wagyu brisket burnt ends.”

Found at the point where the rib meets the spine, baby back ribs are a premium cut that is noticeably meatier, leaner and more succulent than spare ribs. Pradeep doesn’t hesitate to name them when asked about his favourite dish, adding “we do them with a honey barbecue sauce, but if you can handle some spice, the Honey & Lime Sriracha ribs glazed with Tabasco Sriracha sauce are the absolute best!” In addition to classic barbecue, the kitchen also turns out American classics like Buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce, pepper-coated southern fried chicken, loaded nachos and over-the-top desserts including skillets of warm cookie dough and sugar-coated brioche hot dog sundaes.

Add in a 110-inch screen showing everything from AFL and cricket to American leagues including the NBA and NFL, and the result is the closest thing you’ll find to a classic US barbecue joint. Though Lone Star has only been open a few months, Pradeep has already received the stamp of approval from some Texas natives who came to dine. “I asked them how it compares to what they would get at home, and after they’d finished they said the ribs were exactly the same!”

Lone Star has a range of introductory specials including a weekday $45 all you can eat deal that includes meaty pork ribs, Buffalo wings and chips. Kids also eat free with the purchase of a main meal, and it’s possible to book children’s birthday parties from $15 a person. “We even have our own Lone Star birthday song,” Pradeep says. “So if someone comes in on their birthday, we will put a birthday brownie in a beer mug with a sparkler and all of us will sing and clap as we go to the table.”

LoneStar Rib House: https://lonestarribhouse.com.au/