There’s an astounding amount of “BBQ Ribs” in chain restaurants that are simply oven baked ribs.  Baked in food factories, vacu-sealed, shipped, then simply warmed and sauced in house. 

Now let’s give credit where it is due – I think Applebee’s, TGIF’s, and Chili’s slap them on their grills for a minute or two just to burn in the sauce a little.[V] 
 
I wonder what Tony Roma’s (The Place for Ribs!) does.  Never smelled any smoke around there save for cigarettes back in the day.  The last two of those i visited were truly excreable.