New eats: Pioneer Saloon

Spare ribs

Pioneer’s spare ribs ($7), which are actually whole ribs, are also popular. They're fall-off-the-bone tender, with a light sauce that's full of flavor and perfect for local tastes. It’s not too vinegary, or too sweet, or too salty, or too much of anything, yet the overall taste is present throughout.

We ordered this with Japanese red bean rice (also known as sekihan), which is 50 cents more than regular rice. It’s not for everyone — people who grew up with this old-fashioned rice deemed it special, whereas the younger people in our group didn’t care for the texture.

Verdict: Yum!! For the ribs; yum or pass on the rice depending on your preference.