Sticky Fingers Rib House

Sticky Fingers, based in Charleston, S.C., has two locations in the Charlotte area: on Johnston Road near Ballantyne and next to Concord Mills. The restaurant has a dimly-lit, roadhouse feel, with green paneled walls, exposed brick, neon accents and photos of great Blues singers on the walls. The background music is also pure Blues. It’s a relaxing atmosphere that is still kid-friendly.

Pork and chicken rule here. Sticky Fingers earns its name from its signature rib sauces: Memphis Original, Carolina Sweet, Habanero Hot, Tennessee Whiskey and Carolina Classic. Ribs come in Memphis-style, wet or dry.

Start off with an appetizer. Sticky Fingers’ Sticky Potato Skins are loaded with either smoked chicken or barbecue pork, plus sauce and cheddar cheese. The Savannah Dip includes spinach, artichokes and mozzarella cheese with chips and salsa. Or get the Appetizer Trio — wings, potato skins and fried onions.

The Barbecue Trio provides a choice of ribs, pulled pork and rotisserie chicken. The Rib Sampler provides ribs with four different sauces. Then there’s the Half-Slab & Pulled Pork, the Half-Slab and Wings and the Half-Slab and Chicken. There’s also a Barbecue Pork Dinner, a Chicken Fingers Dinner, or a Hickory-Smoked Chicken Dinner. Sandwiches include Barbecue Pork, Pulled Chicken, Grilled Chicken, Barbecue Chicken, Original Cheesy Chicken and a Hamburger.

We tried the Rib Platter (Memphis Original), the Ribs, Wings and Brisket (Carolina Sweet), the Ribs & Wings (Habenero Hot), the kid’s Sweet Ribs and the Appetizer Trio. The ribs were definitely the star — meaty, large portions with generous sauce. The brisket was also good.

We also tried the Peach Cobbler and the Baked Apple Almond Crumb. Other choices included Ernie’s Pecan Pie and the Double Fudge Brownie Sundae. Desserts are generously-sized and range from $3.99-$4.99.

From 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Sticky Fingers has a lunch menu that ranges in price from $6.49 for a quarter Hickory-Smoked Chicken to $8.99 for a Ribs and Wing Combo or a Rib and Barbecue Sandwich Combo. There are seven lunch specials.
Sticky Fingers also offers a to-go menu. There are four “express meals” that serve two to four people — Barbecue & Chicken, Ribs & Chicken, Ribs and Barbecue and a Rib Lovers’ meal. The express meals range from $24.99-$39.99. They also offer a group menu for parties of 24 or more and they ship their ribs, wings and barbecue anywhere in the U.S.

The Chow Down
Dollar Deal: $6.99 (sandwich)-$16.99 (platter)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Especially for the little ones: Several kids’ specialty drinks
To avoid a wait, go: Early or call ahead for preferred seating
Noise level: Reasonably quiet
Kiddie Fare: Ribs, hot dog, chicken fingers, barbecue sandwich, wings and a hamburger — all $3.99
Anything healthy on the kiddies’ menu?: Apple slices, mandarin oranges and green beans
Bathroom amenities: Clean, with changing tables
High chair/booster available: Yes
Got milk/juice: Milk but no juice
Address: 12410 Johnston Road or 8021 Concord Mills Boulevard
Phone: 704-926-3441 (Ballantyne) or 704-979-7427 (Concord)
Web site: www.stickyfingersonline.com
Yums: Four out of five

Gail Martin