Cannon's Rib Express

Line up to take out smoky treats in the heart of Northeast.

(971) 270-2464

5410 NE 33rd Ave
Portland, OR 97211 45.5622 -122.6306

Neighborhoods: Concordia, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods

myspace.com/cannon…

Reviews & Ratings for Cannon's Rib Express

4 Star Rating: Recommended

39 reviews

What users are saying:

Write a review

Showing 1-10 of 39 reviews

Was this review helpful?

{0} Yes / {0} No

1 Star Rating: Poor

by mafenwi

December 15, 2005

I wish I had read the reviews before eating here. The brisket was too fatty for consumption (an inch thick) and the meat lacked flavor. Even the sauce could not bring flavor to the meal. The side dishes were tasteless as well.

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: food

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

1 Star Rating: Poor

by smittydidit

June 27, 2009

Look at their smoker and bbq equipment next to their cashier...tastes not edible, just get your own bbq grill

and it would be better by cooking with charcoals...

Too expensive too! At least other places like Campbell's or clays has a decent seating..and their prices are cheaper and food is better. Of the two, Campbell's is better than Clays...Has the Pink Rings on meats that Russell street doesn't have...because cooking on decent pit with slow wood smoke is the only way to have that Ring for authentic bbq....otherwise it's liquid smoked and pellet smoked...

Dallas...

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: it's a joke..

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by NumYumYummy

January 22, 2009

Man, oh, man?I can?t believe that people actually gave Cannon?s a negative review! I?m tellin? you, don?t be trustin? people who think good BBQ comes from a fast food chain semiannually. I have spanned the city in search of the best pulled pork sandwich in town and I can say that I have found it! I?m livin the dream!

Now mind you, Cannon?s pulled pork is actually called the chopped pork sandwich, but man alive?you will not find a better one in town. No frills. Straight sauce, bread and pork. And mountains of it. It?s huge and cooked by a pro. I?ve seen some reviews that say ?the sides are too small??wa-wa-wa?shut it. The SMALL side is small (hence the title) but come on, complaining about the size of a side when you get a sandwich that would any where else be two, that?s like getting free suit and complaining about the tie. For $5.50 you can get the pork sandwich special, the aforementioned sandwich and a side (baked beans can?t be beat) will make your stomach and wallet happy.

And it?s not like the pork sandwich isn?t the only great thing here. My vegetarian wife loves the collard greens, beans and rice, and corn. It?s all traditional BBQ, so in other words, mad delicious. And my friend loves the riblet sandwich and swears by it. Oh, and there?s ribs?but that?s for another time.

On top of the great food, Cannon?s has a great atmosphere. The outdoor seating is covered and heated with KMHD on the speakers and grill smoke sweeping thru the wind. And even though Cannon?s right next to Alberta New Seasons, the Mecca for bearded, Holier-than-thou-hipsters, this place attracts everyone, regardless of what side of Killingsworth they?re coming from.

So, go to Cannon?s. Get the pork sandwich. Get the baked beans. Sit at a bench. Enjoy the heat. Enjoy the music. Enjoy the people. And enjoy Portland?s REAL barbeque.

  • Pros: Great food. Great price. Great atmosphere. Great place.
  • Cons: Hot sauce could be hotter, but isn't that always the case?

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

1 Star Rating: Poor

by mimi31

September 07, 2008

I can't tell you how disappointed I am on my first visit in a couple of years to this place. There is no meat on our beef ribs and they taste of fuel. The sauce in the bottom of the to-go container is nice but I have nothing edible to put it on. My husbands chopped pork sandwich is spicy (in a good way) but still below average. The side of collards was watery but passable. Don't waste your gas money.

  • Pros: live music
  • Cons: bad food, rude service, long wait

View comment on this review (1)

Was this review helpful?

1 Yes / 1 No

1 Star Rating: Poor

by LouiseCarlton12

August 03, 2008

My Goood!!!

I just visited this place for the first time....and for the "last", as well.

The worse food I've ever had in my life!...no doubt about it!

The beef ribs are just "ribs"...there's no beef at all on it. And the sauce was tasting like diesel fuel, or kerosene....I had to trash everything!

Not to mention the service that was horrible too.

  • Pros: parking
  • Cons: food, service, ambience

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 1 No

1 Star Rating: Poor

by dottedswiss

July 26, 2008

We visited Cannons Rib Express for the first time tonight. I can't think of a time when I've had a less friendly cashier. This girl was a real doozie. She made it clear that this is not where she wanted to be on a Saturday evening. She clearly wasn't interested in listening and kept asking the same questions.

We were the only customers there, and waited 20 minutes for the THREE employees in back to finish their conversation and assemble the sandwiches we ordered. I overheard the self proclaimed "sammich maker" say he was going to take his sweet a** time, and I can only assume he was referring to making our meal since it took so long.

Then there's the food, it was awful. Some of the worst BBQ I've had. The meat was unseasoned and swimming in overly sweet sauce. The sides were shameful, very small, bland and just plain wretched. The b*$#! working could hardly muster the energy to hand us our food let alone thank us. I wish I could turn back time and not go to Cannon's Rib Express. Yuck!

  • Pros: location
  • Cons: staff, service, food, atmosphere, food and food

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

4 Star Rating: Recommended

by pixie29

April 18, 2008

This was a decent bbq spot. The sides are nothing great though, very small portions and not very good. Got baked beans, greens, and mac-n-cheese and the mac-n-cheese was dry and not so good. Beans were ok, and the greens, well, I've had better.

HOWEVER, the ribs we had were pretty good, and such a generous portion! The chicken was also a large portion, so the meat is a good deal for the price you pay, but everything else is not so good. Another posting talked about the svc, we only ordered the food to go, but the old men were busy watching the game so the svc wasn't spectacular, I wouldn't ever try to sit down and eat.

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by ocdc

March 12, 2008

I typicaly go to Cannon's several times a year when the wife is out of town. I normally get a pork rib combo with beans and mac salad. Tonight I tried the "tips" combo, this is by far the best value and best tasting entree. Rib tips provide more meat and less fat then traditional ribs. Cannon's is superior to other barbeque because of their unique smoking and grilling process. I hope they never change.

  • Pros: Sauce
  • Cons: New Seasons parking lot

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

3 Star Rating: Average

by JRMD

February 26, 2008

Although I live on 33rd, I rarely frequent "local" places. However, I have to say that 'Cannon's' has THE BEST B-bque in town. BUT, the service is aweful!!!!. Long waits and rude staff.

Soooo, if you don't mind the dichotomy between good food and horrible service......get your B-BQ here and you be the judge!

  • Pros: Great food
  • Cons: Service is SLOW......SLOW......SLOW

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by mardi

December 02, 2006

You simply cannot go wrong with Cannon's Express Ribs. They really are the best in town. I have been a customer for 10 years now and the food is ALWAYS consistent.ly great. The ribs are smoked to a perfection that just comes right off the bone and the sauce is the best there is. It is smokey with just the right amount of spice, hot too hot, not too mild. Plus it is just a treat to visit with the owner Wayne Cannon, a hardcore 49er's fan! My husband is an obsessed BBQer and will not eat ribs from anywhere else but Cannons! Try the pork ribs, you will be impressed.

  • Pros: Great, quick service, freshly cooked ribs, the best sauce in town

Write comment on this review

Was this review helpful?

0 Yes / 0 No

1 Star Rating: Poor

by byttersweet

November 18, 2006

I've been to this place several times and always get the ribs and links. The first time, everything was delicious and plentiful. Everytime after that the portions seem to always vary and at times the ribs are overcooked and dry, which they try to hide by drowning them in sauce. The sides are average. The service is ok. The main reason I do not reccommend this place is because an employee there stole my I.D. and debit card (never gave it back to me) and ran up $2000.00 worth of charges on my account. I know it was an employee there because this was the last place I used both my debit card and I.D. When I called the next day to ask about, they said they did not find anything. My boyfriend then went down there and asked the girl who took my order if she gave me back the card and she said "I thought I did.." = a bunch of BS. Then the owner was extremely rude to my boyfriend, instead of being apologetic about the situation. Due to the inconsistency, high prices, rude service, and the risk you run of getting your ID and Credit Card stolen, this place is definitely, NOT RECCOMMENDED.

  • Pros: good ribs if you're lucky
  • Cons: pricey, inconsistent, questionable staff

Write comment on this review

Advertisement

Things To Do Nearby Cannon's Rib Express

brought to you by Visa

Cannon's Rib Express

5410 NE 33rd Ave
Portland, OR 97211

Lists In Portland

Rooftop Bars in Portland

by Ashley Gartland

Girls Night Out in Portland

by Ashley Gartland

Best of Citysearch

Best Nightlife

Portland

Cheap haircuts. Beefy hamburgers. Sexy bartenders! Discover the best finds in the city.

view more polls & winners

Recent Reviews In Portland

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub

112 SW Second Ave, Portland, OR

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Hiroshi

926 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Screen Door

2337 E Burnside, Portland, OR

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Kalga Kafe

4147 SE Division St, Portland, OR

Advertisement