By STACEY PATTON WALLACE
As I’ve mentioned before in this column, my nephew Luke smokes the best pork ribs that Mike and I have ever tasted. Because as I’ve also stated, ribs should come from a pig and not a cow, as all Alabamians know. In addition, I reported that Lindsay, Luke’s wife and our niece, nixed my terrific suggestion that Luke should open a rib joint. Unfortunately, Luke agreed with her. Again, he is a very successful mechanical engineer in Birmingham, and Lindsay is an outstanding office manager for a group of doctors, so I can understand why they don’t want to work their fingers to the bone seven days a week barbecuing ribs. After all, hungry people can get nasty, and some are really bad tippers.
However, recently I found a place in Auburn which gave Luke a run for his money (Sorry, Luke) — The Sound Kitchen at 2459 E. Glenn Ave., Suite B. Our friend and next door neighbor Michael posted about how good The Sound Kitchen’s ribs were on Facebook, so Mike and I decided to give them a try. This was a GREAT decision on our part.
A few weeks ago, Mike and I ordered a rack of ribs from The Sound Kitchen, which opened on Aug. 27. When we entered the establishment to pick up our order, the aroma was AMAZING. I talked to Mike Waites, the owner, and he was so welcoming and helpful.
We try to support every local vendor we can,” Waites said. “We sell Conecuh sausage, Uncle Keith’s Red Sauce and The Bearded Pickle Co. from China Grove, Alabama.”
Besides fall-off-the-bone ribs, The Sound Kitchen cooks chicken and Boston butts for customers and offers tailgate packages. Also, Waites said that they have specials during the week. On Wednesday, it’s hamburger, and on Thursday, it’s hamburger steak.
“Our hamburger is real beef cut from filet mignon and ribeyes,” Waites said.
In addition, The Sound Kitchen has a large selection of the finest cuts of steak, wines, dips, seasonings, luscious desserts and frozen casseroles. Some of the delicious-sounding casseroles include: broccoli and rice, pineapple, poppy seed chicken, loaded mash potato, meat and veggie, cheeseburger, beef enchilada, chicken and spaghetti, green bean and hashbrown. I was too excited to find these wonderful casseroles because, as you know, I love to eat but don’t like to cook. Also, besides delicious food, The Sound Kitchen has gift items such as soaps, candles, kitchen items and more.
When we arrived home with our ribs, Mike began to cut them apart in the kitchen. The mouth-watering scent wafted into our great room where I was sitting. Oh, my three times. Mike and I attacked those succulent ribs (Again, I love that word.) with relish. They were too. great. for. words. We also bought a pepper jelly cheese dip, which was really tasty the next day while we watched the Auburn game. Trust me, run and do not walk to The Sound Kitchen, or call them at 334-209-0687 to place your order, as we did.
The Sound Kitchen is open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; on Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Sound Kitchen is closed on Sunday and Monday.
The Sound Kitchen makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!
Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com.