RIBS LIVE UP TO THEIR REPUTATION
by Mike Stephens
San Bernardino SUN Staff Writer
BIG BEAR LAKE - Remember the scene thatd each episode of the old "60s cartoon "The Flintstones", where Fred orders ribs at the drive-in and gets a giant rack of meat so large it tips over his car? Well, that’s pretty much the scene at Southwest Station.
At this mountain restaurant, an order of baby back pork ribs - the house specialty, according to the menu, was so huge that each end of it drooped at least 2 inches off each side of the plate - and the plate wasn’t small! And, these are some of the most delicious ribs I’ve ever tried: Extremely tender, juicy and flavorful, slathered with a tangy sweet-and-sour barbecue sauce that made them all the better. The price was $13.99, and that included soup or salad and a choice of either baked potato, fries or rice and beans.
Southwest Station also offers a good selection of Mexican food, from burritos and enchiladas to a variety of Mexican combination plates priced from $4.99 to $6.99. Unlike most Mexican restaurants, though, there are plenty of other choices too, including a wide array of appetizers. You can go decidedly All-American with hot wings ($6.99 for a dozen), fried mozzarella or zucchini sticks ($3.99 each), or potato skins - a delicious single order of five potato halves topped with melted cheese, bacon bits and green onions and served with ranch dressing and good refried beans. The skins were truly thick, too - the kind where more of the potato’s insides are left on rather than scooped out!
The menu choices here are plenty: from steak, chicken or shrimp fajitas ($9.99-$13.99) to a variety of steaks ($8.99-$16.99) and prime rib ($13.99-$15.99) and there are specialty salads, chicken or shrimp pasta and several varieties of burgers and hot sandwiches available too.
The service on this visit was better than average, with an attentive and friendly waiter who remembered the little things. The atmosphere is appealing, too! If you go when a major sporting event is televised, be prepared for some TV intrusion on your meal since Southwest Station also is somewhat of a sports bar, with good monitor views from most seats. AND DON’T FORGET TO TRY THE PORK RIBS! MR. FLINTSTONE WOULD BE PROUD!!!!!
(NOTE: REVIEWERS DINE UNANNOUNCED AND MEALS ARE PAID FOR BY THE SUN)
This article appeared in the "DINING OUT" section of The San Bernardino Sun Newspaper in October, 1993.
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