Pomona and RC locations closed

Joey’s BBQ, 9538 Foothill Blvd. (at Archibald), Rancho Cucamonga; also 1964 W. Foothill Blvd., Upland; 117 W. 2nd St., Pomona; and 3689 Riverside Drive, Chino.

In June Joey’s, the Chino-based chain dating to the late 1970s, opened its fourth location, in the former George’s Burgers building a bit west of Archibald on Foothill in Rancho Cucamonga. Unusually, Joey’s retained the drive-thru, making it one of the few non-burger drive-thrus in the valley — and the only one where you can get a $28.50 filet mignon.

Inside the restaurant recently at lunchtime, our server wore a headset so she could double on the drive-thru. Not much business there yet, under a dozen customers per day, she reported. I suppose one benefit of the drive-thru is that you could order ribs and feel like Fred Flintstone, except that your car probably won’t tip over.

Other than that feature, and the slightly more fast-food feel to the place, this Joey’s is pretty much like the others. The menu features beef and pork ribs, steak, chicken, sandwiches and other items. The barbecue is smoky in the Texas style, except for the tangier St. Louis-style pork ribs. The meat is cooked in a closed-pit barbecue, whereas larger chains use a faster, rotisserie-like process.

I’ve eaten at Joey’s downtown Pomona location numerous times over the years, especially before concerts. The food is pretty reliable, although some carp about the prices, which for ribs start at $12. In a cute touch common to Joey’s, each table has a miniature wooden steer with a pole from which you can hoist a Joey’s flag when you need service.

Our table had pulled pork and turkey breast sandwiches ($12 each), which come with two sides. They were meaty sandwiches — my friend took home half the turkey — and tasty too. Our sides were a corn cobette, baked beans, cole slaw and sweet potato fries.

Almost any self-respecting valley resident has eaten at a Joey’s at least once. Your thoughts?