NYC Barbecue Restaurants -- Master List

Fat Guy · June 10, 2005

Okay, everybody, thanks for the recent round of PM/e-mail input. This is the pre-final list. If you have any last-minute corrections or additions, please speak now. The list will be printed and copied tonight, so last chance to comment is the end of the workday today, New York time.

New York City Barbecue, 1980s – Present
1980s
Tennessee Mountain
143 Spring St.
212.431.3993
www.tnmountain.com
Opened: 1982
Owner: Alan Fleischman
Specialty: Beef and pork ribs, five styles in all
Pearson's Texas BBQ (formerly Stick to Your Ribs)
170 East 81st St.
212.288.2700
Owners: Robert Pearson and Ken Aretsky
Opened: Robert Pearson opened the original Stick to Your Ribs in Stratford, Connecticut, in 1983. He opened in Long Island City, Queens, in 1988, and later changed the name to Pearson's Texas BBQ. He sold his interest in the restaurant in 1998 and consulted for barbecue restaurants across the country. In 2003 he opened Pearson's Texas BBQ on East 81st Street in Manhattan.
Specialties: Pork ribs, brisket
Brother Jimmy's
1485 Second Ave.
212.288.0999
(Also at 1644 Third Ave. and 428 Amsterdam Ave.)
www.brotherjimmys.com
Owners: Josh Lebowitz and partners
Opened: 1988 (original location at 1572 First Ave.)
Specialties: Pork ribs, three styles in all
Waterfront Ale House
155 Atlantic Ave. (Brooklyn)
718.522.3794
(Also at 540 Second Avenue)
Owner: Sam Barbieri
Opened: 1989
Specialty: Pork ribs
www.waterfrontalehouse.com
1990s
Virgil's Real BBQ
152 W. 44th St.
212.921.9494
www.virgilsbbq.com
Opened: 1997
Owners: Founded by the late Artie Cutler and partners
Specialties: Pork ribs, pulled pork
2000-Present
Bar BQ
689 Sixth Ave. (Brooklyn)
718.499.4872
Opened: 2005
Owner: Frank Turnitza
Specialties: Pulled pork, sausage
Biscuit
367 Flatbush Ave. (Brooklyn)
718.398.2227
Owner: Josh Cohen
Opened: 2002
Specialties: Pulled pork
Blue Smoke
116 E. 27th St.
212.447.7733
www.bluesmoke.com
Opened: 2002
Owner: Danny Meyer/Union Square Hospitality Group
Chef: Kenny Callaghan
Specialties: St. Louis, Memphis, and Kansas City Ribs; Texas-Style Brisket; bourbon
Bone Lick Park
75 Greenwich Ave.
212.647.9600
Opened: 2005
Owner: Nick Accardi
Specialties: Beef and pork ribs
Daisy May's BBQ USA
623 Eleventh Ave.
212.977.1500
www.daisymaysbbq.com
Opened: 2003
Owners: Chef Adam Perry Lang and Richard Gans
Specialties: Pork and beef ribs, brisket
Dinosaur BBQ
646 W. 131st St.
212.694.1777
www.dinosaurbarbque.com
Opened: 2004
Owner: John Stage
Specialties: Pork ribs, brisket
Earl's
560 Third Ave.
212.949.5400
www.earlsnyc.com
Owner: Michael Schatzberg
Opened: 2004
Specialties: Pulled pork, chopped brisket
Mara's Homemade
342 E. 6th St.
212.598.1110
www.marashomemade.com
Opened: 2004
Owner: Mara and David Levi
Specialties: Pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork
Pig'n Out
60 Henry St. (Brooklyn)
718.522.5547
Opened: 2005
The Ranger Texas Barbecue
Legends Sports Bar
7104 35th Ave. (Jackson Heights, Queens)
718.779.6948
Opened: 2005
Owner: Canobio Canalizo (formerly operated by Robert Pearson and Ellen Goldberg)
Specialties: Pork and beef ribs, pulled pork sandwich on Portuguese roll
R.U.B. (Righteous Urban Barbecue)
208 W. 23rd St.
212.524.4300
Opened: 2005
Owner: Paul Kirk
Specialties: Brisket, burnt ends, pastrami, duck
Smoked
103 Second Ave.
212.388.0388
www.smokednyc.com
Opened: 2005
Owner: Keith Bullock (Tennessee Titans Linebacker)
Chef: Kenneth Collins (of Ida Mae's)
Specialties: Brisket, duck confit
Spanky's BBQ
127 W. 43rd St.
212.575.5848
www.spankysnyc.com
Opened: 2005
Owner: Heartland Brewery
Specialties: St. Louis ribs, pulled pork sandwich
Addresses are in Manhattan unless otherwise specified

Burt1961 · June 10, 2005

Since when do you have a chef at BBQ restaurant, I thought they were Pit Masters???

Daniel · June 10, 2005

Although i have never eaten at either Duke or Earl's i have certainly drank at both.. My question is though, if you add Earl's shouldnt you add Dukes?

Duke's

Barbecue, Southern & Soul

99 E 19th St, New York 10003

At Park Ave S

Phone: 212-260-2922

Fax: 212-260-3088

also

Texas Smokehouse BBQ

212-725-9800,

438 Second Ave., New York, NY

Edited June 10, 2005 by Daniel (log)

Fat Guy · June 10, 2005

Daniel, I've never been to Duke's or Earl's -- I'm just going by the information that has been sent to me, that I've found online, etc. Based on what we've said we're trying to accomplish with this list, do you think the thing to do here is 1) include Duke's as a parenthetical after Earl's, 2) give Duke's its own listing, or 3) list neither?

In terms of Texas Smokehouse, I'd certainly include it but are you sure it's still open? I wasn't able to get an answer when I called -- just endless ringing and no machine -- and I can't seem to find anyone who has been there recently.

Daniel · June 10, 2005

Texas is still opened.. Called two minutes ago.

In terms of Duke's and Earl's I know nothing about there set up in the back.. But i would guess niether of them are all that good..

Fat Guy · June 10, 2005

Thanks Daniel. Did you by any chance ascertain their opening date, name of owner and specialties?

Pan · June 10, 2005

Were there no barbecue places in the Five Boroughs before 1980, or is it just that all the places that opened before then are out of business?

Fat Guy · June 10, 2005

I've heard old-timers tell of some older places (all of which, as far as I know, closed long ago) but I haven't been able to track down the references or ascertain whether they were cooking with wood or not.

ahr · June 10, 2005

I've heard old-timers tell of some older places...
←

Smokey's. Late 70s/mid 80s(?). Josh(?) Levin and his wife. Three stores: Ninth/24th, Amsterdam/93rd, Third/24th. Good ribs and chili; infernal hot sauce; those vile, greasy little shredded-potato nuggets ("Tater Tots").

Smokey's reappeared some years later in Florida, transgendered, with what looks to be an identical menu.

ahr · June 10, 2005

Okay, everybody, thanks for the recent round of PM/e-mail input. This is the pre-final list. If you have any last-minute corrections or additions, please speak now. The list will be printed and copied tonight, so last chance to comment is the end of the workday today, New York time.
←

Hmm. If Rob (whom I've followed since Stratford) gets a multi-line bio, and the linebacker gets a mention of his other career, doesn't Paul Kirk deserve credit for his barbecue championships and books?

Edit: Clarified by the addition of the word "barbecue," to avoid any confusion with Super Bowl championships.

Edited June 10, 2005 by ahr (log)

Fat Guy · June 11, 2005

Pitmaster CVs in general weren't a part of this project. I simply felt that Pearson, as the foremost trailblazer of New York City barbecue, required some explanation on account of his multiple ventures over time. The linebacker's credential was amusing enough that I couldn't resist.

Fat Guy · June 11, 2005

Here's the final list as it will be distributed on Sunday. You can also click below to download it as a .pdf file, with better formatting, if you want to print it out for personal use.

New York City Barbecue, 1980s – Present
The following list was prepared by members of the not-for-profit eGullet Society for Culinary Arts & Letters (eGullet.org). The list is a work in progress; please e-mail corrections and additions to nycbbq@eGullet.org. The latest version of the list can be found online at eGullet.org/nycbbq.
1980s
Tennessee Mountain
143 Spring St.
212.431.3993
www.tnmountain.com
Opened: 1982
Owner: Alan Fleischman
Specialty: Beef and pork ribs, five styles
Pearson's Texas BBQ (formerly Stick to Your Ribs)
170 East 81st St.
212.288.2700
Owners: Robert Pearson and Ken Aretsky
Opened: Robert Pearson opened the original Stick to Your Ribs in Stratford, Connecticut, in 1983. He opened in Long Island City, Queens, in 1988, and later changed the name to Pearson's Texas BBQ. He sold his interest in the restaurant in 1998 and consulted for barbecue restaurants across the country. In 2003 he opened Pearson's Texas BBQ on East 81st Street in Manhattan.
Specialties: Pork ribs, brisket
Brother Jimmy's
1485 Second Ave.
212.288.0999
(Also at 1644 Third Ave. and 428 Amsterdam Ave.)
www.brotherjimmys.com
Owners: Josh Lebowitz and partners
Opened: 1988 (original location at 1572 First Ave.)
Specialties: Pork ribs, three styles in all
Waterfront Ale House
155 Atlantic Ave. (Brooklyn)
718.522.3794
(Also at 540 Second Avenue)
Owner: Sam Barbieri
Opened: 1989
Specialty: Pork ribs
www.waterfrontalehouse.com
1990s
Virgil's Real BBQ
152 W. 44th St.
212.921.9494
www.virgilsbbq.com
Opened: 1997
Owners: Founded by the late Artie Cutler and partners
Specialties: Pork ribs, pulled pork
2000-Present
Bar BQ
689 Sixth Ave. (Brooklyn)
718.499.4872
Opened: 2005
Owner: Frank Turnitza
Specialties: Pulled pork, sausage
Biscuit
367 Flatbush Ave. (Brooklyn)
718.398.2227
Owner: Josh Cohen
Opened: 2002
Specialties: Pulled pork
Blue Smoke
116 E. 27th St.
212.447.7733
www.bluesmoke.com
Opened: 2002
Owner: Danny Meyer/Union Square Hospitality Group
Chef: Kenny Callaghan
Specialties: St. Louis, Memphis, and Kansas City Ribs; Texas-Style Brisket; bourbon
Bone Lick Park
75 Greenwich Ave.
212.647.9600
Opened: 2005
Owner: Nick Accardi
Specialties: Beef and pork ribs
Bubby's
120 Hudson St.
212.219.0666
(Also 1 Main St., Brooklyn)
www.bubbys.com
Opened: 2002 (restaurant opened 1990; barbecue added in 2002)
Owner: Ron Silver
Specialties: “Frog Parker Pulled Pork,” St. Louis ribs
Daisy May's BBQ USA
623 Eleventh Ave.
212.977.1500
www.daisymaysbbq.com
Opened: 2003
Owners: Chef Adam Perry Lang and Richard Gans
Specialties: Pork and beef ribs, brisket
Dinosaur BBQ
646 W. 131st St.
212.694.1777
www.dinosaurbarbque.com
Opened: 2004
Owner: John Stage
Specialties: Pork ribs, brisket
Earl's
560 Third Ave.
212.949.5400
(Also Duke's, 99 E. 19th St.)
www.earlsnyc.com
Owner: Michael Schatzberg
Opened: 2004
Specialties: Pulled pork, chopped brisket
Mara's Homemade
342 E. 6th St.
212.598.1110
www.marashomemade.com
Opened: 2004
Owner: Mara and David Levi
Specialties: Pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork
Pig'n Out
60 Henry St. (Brooklyn)
718.522.5547
Opened: 2005
The Ranger Texas Barbecue
Legends Sports Bar
7104 35th Ave. (Jackson Heights, Queens)
718.779.6948
Opened: 2005
Owner: Canobio Canalizo (formerly operated by Robert Pearson and Ellen Goldberg)
Specialties: Pork and beef ribs, pulled pork sandwich on Portuguese roll
R.U.B. (Righteous Urban Barbecue)
208 W. 23rd St.
212.524.4300
Opened: 2005
Owner: Paul Kirk
Specialties: Brisket, burnt ends, pastrami, duck
Smoked
103 Second Ave.
212.388.0388
www.smokednyc.com
Opened: 2005
Owner: Keith Bullock (Tennessee Titans Linebacker)
Chef: Kenneth Collins (of Ida Mae's)
Specialties: Brisket, duck confit
Spanky's BBQ
127 W. 43rd St.
212.575.5848
www.spankysnyc.com
Opened: 2005
Owner: Heartland Brewery
Specialties: St. Louis ribs, pulled pork sandwich
Texas Smokehouse BBQ
438 Second Ave
212.725.9800
Opened 2004
Addresses are in Manhattan unless otherwise specified

nycbbq.pdf

Fat Guy · June 11, 2005

So, some thoughts for the future:

- It would be great if somebody would volunteer to be the list maintainer. We would take that nycbbq@eGullet.org e-mail address and forward it to you, and also your job would be to update the list any time a new place opens or an old place closes.

- There are things we can add to this list that would make it even better: links to relevant eG Forums discussions of each place, pitmaster CVs, expanded menu notes, specifics about cooking equipment . . .

- There must be some folks who could volunteer to generate similar lists (or act as contributors to this list) for Northern New Jersey, Southern Connecticut and Long Island/Westchester/Rockland.

Anybody? Shoot me a PM if you're up for it.

bbq chef · June 13, 2005

I own the Barnstormer Barbeque in Orange County. Maybe that is too far North for y'all?

Daniel · June 15, 2005

Has anyone tried the BBQ at Mara's Homemade.

jdmuse · April 17, 2006

Has there been any word on a BBQ party for '06??? i need some more of that good barbecue.

Sneakeater · April 17, 2006

I guess it should be noted that Biscuit on Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn has closed.

johnder · April 17, 2006

I have a thread going for it here

Has there been any word on a BBQ party for '06??? i need some more of that good barbecue.
←

phaelon56 · April 17, 2006

1.Dinosaur BBQ 646 131st St. Manhattan, 212-694-1777
.... John Stage’s Syracuse operation was already an institution when he made the decision to come to New York; as a result, he has an established barbecue method that has been tested for years – albeit on an uninformed and parochial clientele.

←

Bold italics added by me for emphasis. As a native Syracusan I'm understandably defensive and take umbrage (but only a small bit) at this remark. It's my opinion that the average NYC resident, albeit more informed about world matters in general and food in particular than the typical Syracusan, is no less parochial when it comes to barbecue.

I'll guess that outside of a core group of food / dining enthusiasts such as those in these forums the vast majority of folks in Manhattan who taste something like the ribs at Tennesee Mountain on Spring Street will declare them to be "real barbecue".

Do you agree?

plattetude · April 17, 2006

I'll guess that outside of a core group of food / dining enthusiasts such as those in these forums the vast majority of folks in Manhattan who taste something like the ribs at Tennesee Mountain on Spring Street will declare them to be "real barbecue".
Do you agree?
←

I for one agree in principle, though as for your specific case, it should be noted that Tennesee Mountain recently shut its doors for good after some 20-odd years.

It appears that the waterline for NYC 'cue is rising. And that speaks volumes about parochial tastebuds getting more edumacated in all things BBQ.

Christopher

Fat Guy · August 11, 2007

Would love to get this list updated. What are we missing? Has anything closed? Anything coming down the pike?

weinoo · August 11, 2007

Would love to get this list updated. What are we missing? Has anything closed? Anything coming down the pike?
←

Closures (that I know of!):

Tennessee Mountain

Pearson's Texas BBQ (formerly Stick to Your Ribs)

Smoked

Texas Smokehouse BBQ

Also, which ones are good enough that people are going back again for more?

donbert · August 13, 2007

Would love to get this list updated. What are we missing? Has anything closed? Anything coming down the pike?
←

A few new places:

Hill Country

30 W 26th St, New York, NY

(212) 255-4544

Opened: 2007

Owner: Robbie Richter and Marc Glosserman

Specialties: TX style brisket and sausage

Fette Sau

354 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY

(718) 963-3404

Opened: 2007

Owner: Kim and Joe Carroll

Specialties:

Rack & Soul

2818 Broadway, New York, NY

212-222-4800

Opened: 2006

Owner: Charles Gabriel and John Wheeler (?)

Specialties: pan-fried chicken and waffles

Pies-N-Thighs

351 Kent Ave., Brooklyn, NY

(347) 282-6005

Opened: 2006

Owner: Stephen Tanner (?)

Specialties:

edited to add Rack & Soul

Edited August 13, 2007 by donbert (log)

mjr_inthegardens · August 13, 2007

Updates needed

Biscuit (reopened, new location)

230 5th Ave (brooklyn - park slope)

718.399.2161

Owner: ?

Opened: 2006

The Smoke Joint

87 South Elliot Place (brooklyn - fort greene)

718.797.1011

Owners: Ben Grossman and Craig Samuel

Opened: 2007

Specialty: Wings, Beef Short Rib

Fat Guy · August 13, 2007

Mo Gridder's has been championed by Peter Meehan in the Times, but I don't know much about it.

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