Strip malls don’t usually inspire road trips, but then again, most strip malls don’t house barbecue that’ll make you seriously consider relocating just to be closer to the ribs.
Old Southern BBQ in Arden Hills sits at 694 and Lexington, looking completely unassuming while serving ribs so good that people actually do drive hours to get them, which sounds like hyperbole until you taste them yourself.
The exterior is modest, blending into the suburban commercial landscape without fanfare or pretension, which is exactly the kind of humility you want from a place that’s about to blow your mind with smoked meat.
The glowing “BBQ RIBS” sign on the brick facade is understated compared to the flavor explosion waiting inside, like a quiet person at a party who turns out to be the most interesting one there…