Eat This Now: Jerk Ribs at Black Garlic

Black Garlic // Photo by Alex Omorodion

Birthed from the fusion of Caribbean and Ethiopian cuisines, Black Garlic (formerly known as Mesob) offers a host of dishes packed with flavor and spice, and an extensive rum selection sure to satisfy the most curious of palates. 

As the sound of Bob Marley’s Natural Mystic rang throughout the restaurant, I took a seat at the bar where the three-person crew was working diligently, taking food orders and crafting cocktails. In true Caribbean spirit, I decided to order the jerk ribs.

Served with sides of green beans and four cheese macaroni, these ribs were savory and fell off the bone with ease. The sauce had a spicy but sweet flavor, which added a welcome layer of depth. The dish was so good that by the time I could hear the next crash of the timbale, my plate was clean. 

I washed everything down with their Black Garlic Old Fashioned. Before serving, the bartender torched some black garlic on top of the drink, adding a satisfying twist to what was already a pleasant old fashioned. 

I happened to be at Black Garlic on my birthday. I mentioned this in passing to a gentleman sitting next to me at the bar, and upon hearing this, the bartender offered me a free shot of Don Q. Between the amazing ribs, top-tier hospitality, and well-curated playlist, Black Garlic was a fantastic birthday experience. They have the Caribbean-Ethiopian fusion just right.

Black Garlic is at 3601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111.