WELCOME TO THE SHACK
Here at KC's Rib Shack, we’ve been serving up New Hampshire’s favorite BBQ for over two decades. Located at đź“Ś 837 Second St, Manchester, NH, we’re all about good times and even better BBQ. Our passion? Hickory-smoked ribs and BBQ made with love and tradition, right here in our own backyard.
Meet KC
I first fell in love with real barbecue in 1988 after visiting Curtis’ All American Bar‑B‑Q in Putney, VT—a school‑bus‑turned‑BBQ‑joint Curtis proudly called the “9th Wonder of the World.”
Coming from Manchester, NH, where BBQ meant backyard burgers and burnt chicken with Kraft sauce, seeing Curtis cook ribs and chicken over a 300‑gallon oil drum completely changed me. I came home determined to bring authentic barbecue to New Hampshire, though the state quickly informed me I’d need a full commercial setup—not a dirt lot.
Ten years later, in 1998, my partner Greg and I finally opened KC’s Rib Shack in a former Chinese takeout joint in Litchfield, NH, with just $4,000 to our names.
We survived day‑to‑day on whatever we sold, and somehow, it worked. While we’ve obviously grown a bit since those days, my commitment to you remains the same: to serve the most savory, finger-licking, mouth-watering barbecue in NH, and to never stop experimenting, learning, and improving.
As Featured On
Season 4 Episode 16
Man v Food
Season 1 Episode 3
Man v Food - Hall of Fame
Season 12 Episode 9
Titanic Treats
Season 1 Episode 2
Best Places to Pig Out
Stoked we found this place! The layout was setup with different levels - a dining room on the first floor, an upper level with a great sports bar and a nook tucked away in the loft of an old barn turned restaurant is really cool. The food was incredible with tender, moist BBQ and some creative sauces and sandwiches. The back patio with a tiki bar and live music really was the perfect place for a summer day. Would be great for Sunday football or to break up the drive going to the lakes region. One of the best BBQ spots we've found in the Northeast and definitely worth checking out!
GRAHAM PARKER
Definitely one of the top places to get ribs. Took my son and we split a full rack of ribs and some fries. They provide bottles of different sauces which was better, so we could eat some dry and some with sauce for the full experience. The staff was very nice and friendly. The atmosphere was great. Very clean. The tables weren’t sticky and gross like some places we have been too. Highly recommend this place!
DEREK GAGNON
First, atmosphere, total hit, love the vibe, this antique, bar, barbecue, barn throws you. Inviting, down home, comfortable place to bring the family. They have a bar upstairs and downstairs. Service has always been fast and attentive, friendly, and engaging bar tenders and waitresses. Get the ranch, I don't care on what. Just get it. House made and AMAZING, they actually sell it because of its popularity! Cornbread is moist, sweet, and a little crunchy. What I wish I had a picture of is a 3 person "platta" they serve on a shovel, all the meat sweats in all the best ways!
JOANNEA COULTER
DELICIOUSNESS at YOUR fingertips