Barbecue Cuisines
Urban Grilling
We may not seem like the type (hard core foodies who love a good four star meal), but we’re obsessed with all things barbecued. There’s just something so quintessentially simple, satisfying, and well, American, about grilling up burgers, steaks, corn, freshly caught fish, and even peaches…
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Fatty ‘Cue
Fatty ‘Cue has a smoker and they’re not afraid to use it. Whether they’re cooking scallops, chicken, or beef brisket, almost everything on the menu is touched by the smoker. Even one of the cocktails gets the smoke bath treatment: the “Smokin’ Bone.”
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Fatty ‘Cue Williamsburg
First, Zak Pelaccio changed the dining landscape in New York when he opened a funky Malaysian called Fatty Crab. A few years later, he caught everyone’s attention again when he opened a notably hip, Southeast Asian BBQ joint in both Williamsburg and another outpost in the West Village. Where to begin? You might not think cocktails at a barbeque joint, but we suggest you start with a Fatty Manhattan with smoked cherry coke, vermouth, bitters and lemon zest. Then, head straight for their now, infamous “ham, jam, butter & bread.” This ain’t your ordinary bbq joint, which is why you can find a to-die-for buttermilk fried rabbit on this menu. The menu lends itself to modern barbecue, like deep-fried bacon and smoked brisket with aged gouda (That’s right....
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Grill Wrangler: Three-In-One Barbecue Tool
While the summer lasts, you’ll want to squeeze in as many grill side dinners as you can. But who wants to deal with the hassle of toting a bundle of barbecue tools to and from the grill? Not to mention the frustration of forgetting a necessary utensil and trying to make do with what you have. With this Three-In-One Barbecue tool you’ll never again have to stress about having the right equipment for the job, since it puts the utility of all your grilling tools in the palm of one hand. The Grill Wrangler is the only thing you’ll need next to the grill as you masterfully chef up anything your taste buds desire.
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Sizzling BBQ Spots for Summer
There’s really no need to travel cross-country in search of a smoked meat fix this summer. Because from the Brontosaurus Ribs at Mighty Quinn’s in Manhattan to the pepper-rubbed beef at BrisketTown in Brooklyn and caper-brined pastrami at The Strand Smokehouse in Queens, our city is shaping up to become one of the next great hubs of righteous, wood-fired ‘cue!
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Restaurant Spotting: Brooklyn’s Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Almost a year and a half after it was first announced to the public, the newest outpost of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has finally roared to life on Union Street in Brooklyn, straddling leafy Park Slope and industrial Gowanus. It’s really the perfect location for the rowdy restaurant — well enough removed from potentially put out residents on the other side of Fourth Avenue, and less than a half a block’s stumble to the subway.
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Adjust-A-Burger Press
Okay, so we’ve got dad on the brain right now. After all, Father’s Day is just around the corner and we’ve been on the hunt for great gift ideas. Well, we just found another one. If your dad is like most men, he’s got a thing for the grill and he’s probably spent half his life perfecting his burger blend or trying to achieve the ideal medium rare. But one of the most challenging things about burgers is molding them to fit the bun.
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Gizmo Girl’s Chef BBQ Set
As the weather warms up and summer days roll in, barbecue season has finally arrived. Whether you are firing up the grill in your own back yard this weekend, planning a tail gate party before the ballgame, or traveling to an outdoor picnic for July Fourth fireworks, you’ll need the right tools to grill the perfect burgers and hot dogs—not to mention less traditional but equally delectable barbecue fare like sizzling salmon, charred shrimp and even grilled veggie-and-fruit kebabs. Enter the Travel Chef BBQ Set!
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Q & A with Dinosaur Bar-B-Que’s John Stage
When you think of the great BBQ capitals of America, like Texas, North Carolina or Tennessee, you’ll notice that East Coast states never make the list. Yet John Stage, founder of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, has spent the last 25 years working magic with a smoker, producing some of tenderest brisket, tastiest pulled pork, and most lip-smacking ribs you’re likely to find North of the Mason-Dixon line.
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Jazz Standard
Swing the night away at this world-class jazz club, which will herald in 2013 with a performance by the Grammy Award–winning Mingus Big Band. And don’t worry about eating beforehand…an all-inclusive, $125 ticket also buys a three-course BBQ dinner at Blue Smoke, the award-winning, upstairs...
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Best Southern Comfort Cooking – Hill Country
Here at Restaurant Girl, we consider knowing how to select the perfect place for dinner an essential skill. Of course, picking the ultimate spot in a city so full of choices isn’t always easy – so whether you’re looking to get down and dirty with a plate of barbecue, need a romantic (but not too romantic!) place to take a first date, or just want to decompress after work with a good, stiff drink, we’ve got five ideal options for you.
Read MorePies ‘N’ Thighs Concord Grape Pie
Pies n Thighs’ fried chicken is so good you might forget that they are also all about pies. You can purchase the Apple, Banana Cream, Key Lime, Choco Peanut Butter Crunch, Sour Cherry, and Smores Pies whole or by the slice.
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Hill Country Chicken’s Maker’s Mark Bourbon Pecan Pie
Made with fresh pecans, brown sugar and Maker’s Mark whiskey, this pie adds something sweet (with a boozy kick) to enjoy with their amazing fried chicken and biscuits.
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Char. No. 4’s Half-Hog Wednesdays
When is a bar not just a bar? Char No. 4 makes a compelling case. This whiskey bar and restaurant won us over a few years ago with terrific Southern comfort cooking and a collection of nearly 200 whiskeys. (You can read our 2008 review here!) The chef, Matt Greco, got his feet wet at Cafe Gray and A Voce before settling into this Carroll Gardens kitchen to share his Southern food roots.
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Grill Gadgets: Himalayan Salt Plate
Grilling is without a doubt the way to cook in summertime. The thing is we often get stuck in a rut, using the same dry-rub or marinade every time, flipping burgers or turning corn. There’s always ways to up the ante and we just found one:
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Brother Jimmy’s BBQ
Brother Jimmy’s has been keeping the convivial spirit of barbecue alive for over twenty years with authentic North Carolina grub and an atmosphere that keeps the nightlife spirit going strong all night long. Whether it’s the prime sports viewing, casual vibe, or the hush puppies, Brother Jimmy’s seems to have no problem drawing people in and we’re pretty sure their Carolina-bent BBQ menu has something to do with it. ”Put some south in yo mouth” is the unofficial motto at all of the Brother Jimmy’s locations, and we say, why not? Take the starters for example. Southern staples include popcorn shrimp, fried green tomatoes, rib tips and peel and eat shrimp. Still hungry? There’s lots of BBQ to choose from — dry rub ribs, pulled chicken, or sliced brisket – and all of it’s smoked over Hickory wood for anywhere between five and 12...
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Wildwood BBQ
Reminiscent of real deal American smoke shacks, Wildwood BBQ is a reliably lively spot to take part in Carolina-style pulled pork, Kansas City baby back ribs and Texas-Smoked brisket. The space is outfitted with two smokers, wood beams, sawdust, bourbon and beer. While it’s not the best barbecue around, it’s got the whole package from vibe to sports and plenty of beers on tap. The menu choices are endless, but an easy favorite is “The Three Little Pigs,” which includes spare ribs, pulled pork, double-cut bacon, and two sides. While you won’t need them, extra helpings of the housemade pickled jalapenos and Sweet Potato Tots with mustard-molasses sauce are still an essential part of the dining experience here. An all-American classic, the Texas-Smoked brisket at Wildwood BBQ consistently delivers as...
Read MoreVirgil’s
Sure, the Times Square location of this popular BBQ spot might make you a little worried. (It certainly warrants pause.) But, if you can fight your way past the tourists, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. A lot of barbecue in these parts can taste like it’s slathered in sauce and thrown on the grill. Not here. This is deeply smoky barbecue, just like the kind you’d find proudly served down south. And Virgil’s is owned by Artie Cutler, founder of Carmine’s (you know, that Italian place in Times Square that gives you those monstrous portions fit for kings), so you know you won’t be leaving hungry. The beef brisket is by far the shining star on the menu. Be sure to order it with a side of coleslaw (the traditional pairing for brisket) and some collard greens with ham...
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Rack and Soul
Did you know New York boasts a world champion BBQ Pitmaster of its own? Pitmaster John Wheeler and his partner and co-chef, Charles Gabriel, have brought their own brand of BBQ to the Upper West Side. At Rack & Soul, they specialize in ribs and chicken, neither of which disappoint. Each plate of barbecue is artfully smoked for hours over apple wood and charcoal. Plates piled high with BBQ chicken wings, half-chicken, beef short ribs, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and oxtails dominate the tables, along with a host of sides. But it’s not all about the barbecue at this Upper West Side BBQ joint, there’s also fried catfish, fried chicken and oyster...
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Mable’s Smokehouse
Hop over to Williamsburg, step into Mable’s, and dig right into some of the best Oklahoma City-style barbecue in the city. The menu is simple, yet packed with flavor and fixin’s. Diners can pick between beef brisket, St. Louis ribs, or pulled pork, all served as a sandwich or platter. It’s up to you. And everything comes with pickles, jalapenos, Wonder Bread, and a cup of creamy slaw – authenticity right down to the sides. While they’ve got the carnivvores covered, they also cater to the vegetarians among us. I know, I know… seems almost blasphemous at a BBQ joint, right? But trust me, you won’t miss the meat once you bite into the veggie BBQ Sloppy...
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