Category: Eat & Drink

Barbecue and New York make quite the interesting couple

By aliciak
updated 2 months ago

As I don't originally hail from the South or any authentic barbecue area, the idea of dining on succulent ribs in an urban place like New York doesn't initially seem too far-fetched. But then I recall my days as a teacher here and I remember that the majority of New York kids have never seen a live pig or cow and know next to nothing about farms and where food comes from. Hmm, is it possible then to find good barbecued grub in such a place? I say it is, as long as you don't approach it expecting something identical to that Texas roadside stand you swear by. Additionally, the city has seen an onslaught of bbq joints in the last 5 years or so, some hits, some misses, but all a testament to our collective desire for charred, juicy meat in its many forms.

An Introduction to Barbecue

Barbecue is a tricky subject, with everyone throwing in their two cents about dry rubs, vinegar-based sauces, and what can fall under this food category, in general. I wish I were an expert, but to be honest, I am merely another barbecue lover whose mouth waters at the words, “pulled-pork” and “ribs.” Yep, watering right now!

Here is the basic geographic breakdown:

Memphis: tomato-and-vinegar sauce
Carolinas: tangy vinegar sauce, home of the pulled pork sandwich
Kentucky: dry rubs all the way
Texas: bbq is about beef, not pork, and relies on rubs, rather than sauces
Alabama: mayonnaise sauce
Georgia and Tennessee: pork with sweet tomato-based sauce

Naturally, each state has its own regional breakdowns to further complicate things.

The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party Website

The BABBP is one of New York’s biggest summer events, boasting barbecue masters from all over, countless smokers and platters of sizzling meat, and lines, lines, lines! Actual admission is free, but most of us don’t go for the live music or people-watching; plates cost $8 and sides are $4. But seriously, bring a long novel or your knitting like I do (or friends, I guess!), and prepare for epic waits.

This year’s Block Party takes place June 7-8, noon-6pm at the usual spot, Madison Square Park.

Root Beer Pulled Pork Recipe

Two years ago, I decided to try my hand at making pulled pork for a big summer party in Brooklyn. Now, I am inhibited by the fact that it’s illegal of me to be operating a full-blown smoker in the backyard, so I found this crock pot recipe using one of my favorite drinks, root beer! It takes about 10 hours to make, but the actual prep time is minimal.

When representatives from the deep South arrived, I was worried! With my apron still on, watching them chew, the most amazing culinary compliment fell on my ears: “This is the best pulled pork I have ever tasted.”

And to this day, these friends of friends still bring up my famously good pulled pork that rivals all.

Hill Country

30 W 26th Street, New York, NY 10010

I will venture to say that Hill Country is as close to “real” barbecue as New York will ever get: brisket wrapped in butcher paper, served up counter-style, with a spacious 250-seat dining room akin to rough-around-the-edges bbq joints.

But, when you wait 45 minutes like I did on a Friday night, it’s easy to remember that, yes indeed, this is New York. The waiting area is small, so I suggest making reservations or avoiding the dreaded 7-9pm dinner time. The upside to Hill Country’s counter service is that as soon as your table is ready, you head up to the food stations and within 2 minutes, your meat, sides, and drinks are ready.

Bar BQ

689 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Take a typical Brooklyn dive bar (the real deal, not the cool ironic kind), add a barbecue menu, and you get 6th Avenue’s Bar BQ. There’s Abita beer for those of you drawn to this New Orleans export, but just remember that the pulled pork sauce in bottles is there for a reason! I ate my entire sandwich, finding it not flavorful enough, before I realized it’s up to you to sauce it! Doh.

Also, this is one of the few restaurants/bars where I have dined alone (I hate to!) and I have to say that I enjoyed it. I sat at the bar, to avoid awkwardly taking up an entire table, and had a nice chat with the bartender about their upcoming demos at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Chile Pepper Festival.

Wildwood Barbecue

225 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10017

This is the newest kid on the block, having entered the competitive barbecue world on April 24 in its “rustic and industrial-chic” digs. Formerly at Hill Country, “Big Lou” Elrose will be managing the invaluable pit, but I have yet to try out Wildwood. Isn’t it funny that a down-home bbq place is on Park Avenue, though? Check out the below link to a very long and detailed review.