If you are looking for something different to do with the family on a Saturday evening this place just might fit the bill.

The Rib Trader is an established BBQ restaurant in the city of Orange CA – offering a great selection of BBQ dishes. You can visit any day of the week for lunch or dinner, but on Saturday and Sunday, they set aside a banquet room for the Magical dinner and show with Merlin. You will need reservations for the dinner and show, so plan ahead. This is a family show, enjoyed by young and old, so don’t expect a Las Vegas-style production. 

This is a family show, enjoyed by young and old, so don’t expect a Las Vegas-style production. Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised with the entertaining magic and the food quality. 

As you enter the dining hall, Merlin himself greets and checks you in. Your waitress, also called “Winch”, guides you to your assigned seats and takes your order. 

There are only two main choices on the menu: Adult or Children dinners. For adults, the meal includes BBQ chicken and ribs, baked beans, Cornbread, and Coleslaw. You can substitute for all ribs, all chicken, or Salmon for an additional price. The kids get chicken sticks as the main dish. Everyone starts with a delicious vegetable soup. While orders are taken and

While orders are taken and the food is served, Merlin starts his engaging show. Everyone gets to participate in the fun. Some adults and children are invited up to the stage to help with the magic tricks. 

The magic is very basic with all the standard tricks, but very well performed by Merlin. The kids loved the show, but everyone enjoyed Merlin’s jokes. Some of them were for the adult audience ears.

I am glad we decided to give this place a try, but it would be a long while before I go back for the magic show. I will definitely go back to the Rib Trader to try some of their other dishes. Merlin usually has 2 shows on Saturdays and one show on Sunday. The dinner and show ticket for adults

Merlin usually has 2 shows on Saturdays and one show on Sunday. The dinner and show ticket for adults is usually $30, but you can get a discount at Groupon. Drinks, substitutions, dessert, and gratuity are extras.