BIG NATES...3.-soma I went to Big Nates and ordered his bbq pork sandwich.Usually I am a lover of the ribs, but this time I was on a budget. Big Nate was a pro basketball player and there are many pictures of him with various celebs to look at while you wait,and wait for your food. If you think this makes for authentic, quality bbq you have found your place, otherwise keep reading. My sandwich was very fatty, of course some fat has to be expected when one devours bbq. My sandwich took so long to make that I had to eat it as I walked back to work to make it in time for whitie.O.K. back to the fat, I had to spit out a mouthful of fat onto the lovely sidewalk of Bryant street.Bad Nate. Service slow, sauce watery. Andre says 3.

Brother in Laws...5.5! on Divisadero st. Usually there is a line.Smells good till you get close to the Popeye's.I ordered the ribs. Your choice of spicy or mild, i go mild. To me bbq doesn't really mean spicy(flayva yes!). I feel cramped waiting for the food. I have never eaten there even though there are a few tables. Upon eating my ribs I note a thin layer of meat on top of a bigger layer of fat.The ribs are of a decent length giving the feel that even though there is fat you still get a good portion of meat. The usual sides of slaw, potato salad,bread,greens, are of good quality. I have also had the 1/2 bbq chicken and it was soupy with the same runny sauce as on the ribs.Brother in Laws 5.5

Rudy's...4.5! 3d st near Palou One day I was starving and I decided to walk to Rudy's. Now I have been in some bad neighborhoods before(Harlem to buy P.C.P),but I never walked there. "How bad can Hunters Point really be?" said my inner N.Y. tough guy. I was almost at the point of madness.I had the bbq withdrawal sweats, I was driven by the demons of all the tasty pork calling my name. The walk there was fine I had the eye of the tiger, I owned 3rd st. The girls behind the counter were nice, but I suspected there grins reflected thoughts of "you crazy".The price is like all the rest, over ten dollars for anything you'd want. And I know you want Ribs,RIBS! You do get sides though, standards in this category(greens,beans, etc). God I was hungry and I had the warm foam container in hand.I walked back through the gauntlet and the exact moment I thought "I made it." two big thugs appear from out of nowhere and demand my money.They take my 8 dollars and stamp my Hunters Point passport "NO RETURN!" Luckily I had time to stuff my hot ribs up my butt so they couldn't take them. Take my money and a side order of pride, and two slices of IthoughtIhadstreetsmarts, but don't take my bbq. I got back to my room and under the circumstances the meat was not so tender. I probably ate it like a wild dog with the curtains closed. "DO YOU DELIVER?" Rudy's gets a 4.5

CLIFFS...9!!!! on Bayshore Location may be the only negative thing for some of you. For me, no problem. Plenty of parking and mellow store front area. Now step inside, you see that cute bald headed gentle man cooking? That's Cliff. His smile warms me up like a hushpuppy free sample. This place has a huge menu! All kinds of combo's ,ribs ,fish, everything you could imagine. The fish fry prices are cheap, but you know I want the ribs! Different rib recipes(not just hot or mild like the competition).These ribs are a bit smaller(baby back?). But with one taste you'll know this is the place. Oh Cliff! So tender, and tasty, not too fatty. Sauce and sides extrodinaire! I suggest you use the left over bread for french toast the next morning.Cliff's rules.YOU MUST EAT!! Cliff's gets a 9!