Rican Ribs actually got started as a backyard birthday party for Puerto Rican Bob, as he was called by all that knew him, using every weber and barrel grill we could get our hands on.  I think the first year at the house we had 7 different grills.  The attendees were as Randy Newman once put it in his song "Wedding in Cherokee County" "...all the freaks that he knew will be there...".  It ended up being about 100 friends, family and acquaintances every year until the bill topped $500.  At that point we could no longer afford to continue the tradition.

After about 3 years had passed, and everyone that he knew had built up a real hankerin' for ribs, started hounding him every time they saw him; "When's the Rican doin' ribs?"  It finally got to the point where they said they'd even sell tickets.  So the Rican relented, set a price, printed 100 tickets and sold out in less than 24 hours!  That's how the company got it's name - Puerto Rican Bob became the head "Rican" - thus Rican's Ribs.

During all the years in the back yard, we received nothing but encouragement to either get involved in various rib fests or to open a restaurant.  Financially, neither of those being possible, we decided to take our show on the road (we'll travel out of state as well) and do events both public and private from neighborhood art fairs and company picnics to wedding receptions and family reunions serving anywhere from 25 to over 400 people.  Our biggest is our very own rib fest known as "The Upper Iowa Ribs on the River Fest", held every year on the Saturday closest to the 4th of July at our favorite campground, Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground near Cresco, IA.  For 2010,  the "Upper Iowa Ribs on the River Fest" will be held on Saturday, July 3rd.  You can find more information on the "Catering Capabilities" page.  The pictures on the pages to follow will give you a good idea of how much fun we have at our events.  Stop by, float by or make a reservation at the campground, but do it early that weekend fills up fast.  Click here to go to the campground website.

Rican Ribs, LLC became official in June 2006.

One more note:  On March 5, 2010 The Owner of Rican Ribs LLC, Robert V. Ruiz, passed away from complications of an illness he had been battling since 2003.  We will all dearly miss his gregarious way, and the opportunity to work with a warm and funny man.  The show will go on!