There are places in El Albir that have been part of the promenade landscape for so long that it’s hard to imagine it without them. Country Ribs is one of them. If you walk along the seafront promenade toward Altea, just before you run out of sidewalk, there it is: the sea-facing terrace, the wood, the Wild West saloon feel and the smell of ribs on the grill. It has been open since 2002 and has earned a place among the area’s classics for anyone after meat, big portions and a casual atmosphere a step from the beach.
Here’s what’s worth knowing before you sit down: where it is, what to order, how much it costs and what people who’ve actually eaten there really say, the good and the not-so-good. And if you’re still deciding where to eat, you can compare options in our selection of restaurants in El Albir.
Where it is
Country Ribs occupies one of the best spots on the promenade: right on the seafront, in the Playa Mar III building, on the Paseo de las Estrellas (Passeig de les Estreles), 03581 L’Alfàs del Pi. It’s in the stretch near the Hotel Kaktus Albir, walking toward Altea, and it’s one of the last places in the block. You can spot it from afar by the terrace and the western look.
The street number appears in two ways depending on the source (the restaurant’s Instagram says 15 and TripAdvisor says 7), so the most reliable thing is to search for it by name on the map. The location is, without question, one of its strong points: eating with the sea in front of you and a breeze in the background after a walk on Albir beach is part of the experience.
What kind of restaurant it is
It’s an American-style steakhouse and barbecue, with everything that promises: ribs, grilled meats, burgers and combos designed for sharing. The decor leans on wood, warm light and western motifs, and there are details customers tend to remember: the bucket of peanuts that arrives as soon as you sit down and the blankets on the tables for the nights when it gets cool.
The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, good for groups and for dinners with no formalities. On Thursday nights there’s usually live country music, which is probably the best moment to catch the spirit of the place. It accepts cards and cash, serves alcohol, has TV and wifi, and access is wheelchair friendly.
The menu: what to order
The menu is long, but the restaurant rests on a handful of clear stars. These are the dishes that come up most in recommendations from people who’ve been.
Ribs and combos for sharing
It’s what gives the house its name and what works best. The “Ribs & Ribs” combo, with several kinds of ribs, is the most recommended when you go in a group or with a serious appetite. There’s also the “Texas Combo” for two, described by customers as quite the challenge in terms of quantity. Among the ribs there are spare ribs, baby back ribs (juicy and with plenty of sauce) and beef ribs.
Grilled meats
For those who come for a steak, the menu includes Tomahawk, chuletón (bone-in rib steak), tenderloin and entrecote. The Angus burger gets specific praise in reviews, with one customer flatly describing it as the best they’ve ever had.
Starters and other dishes
To whet your appetite there’s a starter combo, nachos, onion rings and corn on the cob (the latter with a sweet touch people love). Beyond the grill, the menu has chili con carne with rice, roast chicken, goulash, salads, an American sandwich, a kids’ menu with nuggets, and sides of fries or baked potato. For dessert, homemade options like apple pie with ice cream.
How much it costs
The price range is mid-level and quite reasonable for what’s on the plate. A steak or tenderloin runs around 30 euros and a burger about 11. Most diners agree that value for money is good, especially if you go for the combos to share. These figures should be taken as a guide: they come from reviews from different times and may have changed, so the prudent thing is to confirm the current menu when you book.
What people who’ve eaten there say
The overall rating is positive, but with an important nuance that repeats across all platforms: the experience is good, though not always equally good. On Google it sits around 4 out of 5 with several hundred reviews, while on TripAdvisor the score drops to 3 out of 5. That difference sums up the place well: lots of people like it and, at the same time, it isn’t infallible.
What people like most
The seafront location is the first thing that comes up in almost all the positive reviews: views, terrace and sea breeze all working in its favor. Then the generous portions and the feeling of eating well for what you pay, especially with the combos. The ribs and the meats get good words when they come out just right, with the Tomahawk and the Angus burger as favorites. And one point that’s mentioned a lot: the friendly, personable service, often with good English and a sense of humor. The western atmosphere, the blankets, the peanuts and the Thursday live music round out the rating.
What could be improved
The most repeated criticism, and the most honest to point out, is inconsistency. The quality isn’t identical on every visit: some people have run into dry or burnt ribs, or a combo with chicken or lamb that was overcooked. With the meats, a steak has occasionally been described as bland, dry or with a charcoal taste, and there have been cases of a mismatch with the doneness requested. Sides, like the fries or the onion rings, miss the crunch from time to time. The service, generally well rated, has its off days: long waits or rushed attention when the kitchen is about to close. These are comments that don’t show up in every review, but they do show up often enough to take into account.
The fair summary would be this: when they get it right, they really get it right; the trick is to go for what they do best (the ribs, the combos, the Angus burger) and to make the doneness of your meat very clear when ordering.
Hours and contact
The usual hours run from midday to night, but sources don’t fully agree (they range from 12:00 to 23:00, 23:30 or midnight depending on where you look) and it changes with the season. The safest thing is to call ahead or check the venue’s Instagram to confirm.
- Phone and reservations: +34 966 86 55 07
- Instagram: @countryribsalbir
- Address: Paseo de las Estrellas, Playa Mar III building, El Albir (L’Alfàs del Pi)
Is it worth it?
For an unpretentious lunch or dinner, with plenty of meat, sea views and an atmosphere that stands out from what’s typical in the area, Country Ribs delivers. It’s not the place for a fine-dining evening, and it has its uneven days, but if you hit the star dishes and choose your moment well (Thursdays with live music, a terrace table at sunset), it’s one of the most rewarding plans on the El Albir promenade. For families, groups and rib lovers, it’s a safe bet.
If you want to keep exploring where to eat in the area, go back to the guide to restaurants in El Albir or discover more corners at Live in Albir.
