BBQ in NNJ

[BeerGut]

So first I lose Fink's (I really miss those atomic dogs and Bar-B-Rubens)and now Stickey's is closed (when and where are they re-opening?) I know I'm not the only lover of pulled pork, smoked meats and honest BBQ around here. Look at the success of Blue Smoke, Dinosaur, and RUB in NYC. Or Famous Dave's in Watchung area. For now I go to the Mason Jar for pulled pork, I go to the internet for ribs (Corky's or Rendezvous).

Where can I get my fix in the Bergen area? And WHY CAN'T a BBQ PLACE MAKE IT AROUND HERE?!?

[tsure]

So first I lose Fink's (I really miss those atomic dogs and Bar-B-Rubens)and now Stickey's is closed (when and where are they re-opening?) I know I'm not the only lover of pulled pork, smoked meats and honest BBQ around here. Look at the success of Blue Smoke, Dinosaur, and RUB in NYC. Or Famous Dave's in Watchung area. For now I go to the Mason Jar for pulled pork, I go to the internet for ribs (Corky's or Rendezvous). 

Where can I get my fix in the Bergen area?  And WHY CAN'T a BBQ PLACE MAKE IT AROUND HERE?!?

←

I've spent some time in that area and I hate to tell you but I haven't found any decent BBQ at all. Mason Jar is a pale imitation of the real thing. I can tell you where to find good sushi or pizza but I have no idea where good BBQ is hiding. I have the advantage of living in Virginia so I can get my BBQ fix but Bergen County is a BBQ wasteland. (dammit!)

[Anonymouze]

I know that Silver Oak Bistro's Chef Gary makes a mean BBQ sauce - real tasty! From their website here is the following:

12.18.05 Chef Gary is now working on a per pound carry-out menu that will feauture our home-made Sausages, BBQ, Crabcakes and other party items with Silver Oak quality and taste!

http://www.silveroakbistro.com/

YUM I can't wait till the spring or summer to bring a few pounds home for our house-parties or just for ourselves and family!

[MJP]

What's the name of the rib place in Hackensack that's not too far from the prison or I-80? My dad took me there all the time when I was younger, and I remember that they had decent ribs, probably BBQ as well.

[TongoRad]

What's the name of the rib place in Hackensack that's not too far from the prison or I-80?  My dad took me there all the time when I was younger, and I remember that they had decent ribs, probably BBQ as well.

←

That's Cubby's. I used to go there a lot a while ago- mostly for the cool truck stop vibe, chili dogs, beer, grilled chicken and stuff like that. They do have tasty ribs, but they are not something that a BBQ afficianato would like- if I remember correctly they aren't even smoked. Good place, though- really used to pack 'em in.

[Jason Perlow]

Cubbys is actually really good for hot dogs and hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, and their ribs are tasty. However, as Tongo points out, its a baked rib, with BBQ sauce slathered onto it, not a smoked rib.

[menton1]

There is a place just off Rte 17 in Mahwah called Mason Jar. I have heard that they use an actual BBQ pit here, they slow-smoke everything, and that the quality is excellent. They have been there for about 30 years. If anyone has hands-on info, please post. Here is the website:

http://www.masonjar.com/

Edited February 20, 2006 by menton1 (log)

[richl2214]

I have a friend who moved from Kansas City about 5 years ago and now lives in Essex County. He breaks into laughter every time we mention B-B-Q in NJ. It just simply is not available on the level that it is elsewhere(KC, Texas, etc.) If you've been to a real KC BBQ place you'd know what I mean. Clsest I've gotten is Indigo Smoke in Montclair and they aren't even close.

[hitmanoo]

I have a friend who moved from Kansas City about 5 years ago and now lives in Essex County.  He breaks into laughter every time we mention B-B-Q in NJ.  It just simply is not available on the level that it is elsewhere(KC, Texas, etc.)  If you've been to a real KC BBQ place you'd know what I mean.  Clsest I've gotten is Indigo Smoke in Montclair and they aren't even close.

←

Does that mean places like Fink's weren't even close to real BBQ?

I haven't been to KC, but I'd consider a trip for BBQ alone!

[likztacook]

The Mason Jar in Mahwah may claim to have a real bbq pit, but it takes

like steamed meat, with hardly any flavor

[richl2214]

I have a friend who moved from Kansas City about 5 years ago and now lives in Essex County.  He breaks into laughter every time we mention B-B-Q in NJ.  It just simply is not available on the level that it is elsewhere(KC, Texas, etc.)  If you've been to a real KC BBQ place you'd know what I mean.  Clsest I've gotten is Indigo Smoke in Montclair and they aren't even close.

←

Does that mean places like Fink's weren't even close to real BBQ?

I haven't been to KC, but I'd consider a trip for BBQ alone!

←

Took him to Fink's. He laughed at that too. Real KC BBQ is an etheral experience for those that have never had it. I warn you though, once you get the real thing, you won't want anything else.

[tommy]

I have a friend who moved from Kansas City about 5 years ago and now lives in Essex County.  He breaks into laughter every time we mention B-B-Q in NJ.  It just simply is not available on the level that it is elsewhere(KC, Texas, etc.)  If you've been to a real KC BBQ place you'd know what I mean.  Clsest I've gotten is Indigo Smoke in Montclair and they aren't even close.

←

Does that mean places like Fink's weren't even close to real BBQ?

I haven't been to KC, but I'd consider a trip for BBQ alone!

←

Took him to Fink's. He laughed at that too. Real KC BBQ is an etheral experience for those that have never had it. I warn you though, once you get the real thing, you won't want anything else.

←

i'm not sure Fink was serving just KC BBQ, or if he claims to specialize in KC BBQ.

i'm sure there are some mediocre BBQ places in KC, just as there probably are in the carolinas and texas.

[hitmanoo]

I have a friend who moved from Kansas City about 5 years ago and now lives in Essex County.  He breaks into laughter every time we mention B-B-Q in NJ.  It just simply is not available on the level that it is elsewhere(KC, Texas, etc.)  If you've been to a real KC BBQ place you'd know what I mean.  Clsest I've gotten is Indigo Smoke in Montclair and they aren't even close.

←

Does that mean places like Fink's weren't even close to real BBQ?

I haven't been to KC, but I'd consider a trip for BBQ alone!

←

Took him to Fink's. He laughed at that too. Real KC BBQ is an etheral experience for those that have never had it. I warn you though, once you get the real thing, you won't want anything else.

←

i'm not sure Fink was serving just KC BBQ, or if he claims to specialize in KC BBQ.

i'm sure there are some mediocre BBQ places in KC, just as there probably are in the carolinas and texas.

←

I'm sure that there are average restaurants wherever you go.

And I'm sure I'll start some kind of a debate with this, but is "Real KC BBQ" considered the gold standard of BBQ, or would that be Texas or Carolina BBQ.

What are the major differences between the various styles?

[tommy]

And I'm sure I'll start some kind of a debate with this, but is "Real KC BBQ" considered the gold standard of BBQ, or would that be Texas or Carolina BBQ.

What are the major differences between the various styles?

←

the differences are pretty clear (i'll let experts address them), but so is the commonality: people think their version is the best and the gold standard. given that, i have a hard time taking anyone's opinion on BBQ without a grain of salt.

[menton1]

Putting aside this regional competition, has anyone recently been to Mason Jar and can offer a review of the place? The menu actually sounds interesting, and they do state that they use an actual pit and slow-smoke. How bad could that be?

http://www.masonjar.com

[MJP]

I have a side job where I do tech support; one of my clients is in Ramsey. That shouldn't be too far. Next time I head up there (don't hold your breath) I will skip my usual trip to Ginger and Spice in favor of some BBQ.

[dbrociner]

  And WHY CAN'T a BBQ PLACE MAKE IT AROUND HERE?!?

←

This, I think is the real question. There seems to be a market for BBQ, so many of us on egullet are always clammering for it as an example. I think its the economics. BBQ is supposed to be cheap, or at least resonable. Yet if you want to make any money up here you need to sell a rack of ribs along with a couple of sides for around $20. I have no idea about the rents in places like Kansas City but if the housing market is any barometer then its a lot cheaper there than it is here. When I lived in the Chicago area, Evanston to be exact, I used to go to a BBQ place and get "rib tips" in a tin with two slices of white bread for around $5. This wasn't a transcendent experience but it was good and cheap. I don't think its plausible to do something like that around here.

On the regional differences: I think what most of us think of as BBQ is Kansas City BBQ. Now I'm not saying that thats better than the Carolina or Texas variety but I do think its the variety most often exported to BBQ wastelands such as ours.

Also on regional differences: have the guy who laughed at all our BBQ places take us to the best pizzeria or deli back where he lived and we'll see whose laughing then. I know that Lidia Bastianich has a restaurant in Kansas City but I'll bet you can't get a good slice there or a pastrami on rye.

[tommy]

Putting aside this regional competition, has anyone recently been to Mason Jar and can offer a review of the place?  The menu actually sounds interesting, and they do state that they use an actual pit and slow-smoke.  How bad could that be? 

http://www.masonjar.com

←

barely passable BBQ. a pretty cool place overall.

[menton1]

barely passable BBQ.  a pretty cool place overall.

←

Well, you whetted my appetite, how about some details? Good burgers?

[scott123]

Also on regional differences: have the guy who laughed at all our BBQ places take us to the best pizzeria or deli back where he lived and we'll see whose laughing then. I know that Lidia Bastianich has a restaurant in Kansas City but I'll bet you can't get a good slice there or a pastrami on rye.

←

I can't speak for Kansas City, but St. Louis has one good pastrami on rye and one good slice. One. Not more than that, though. And that's downtown St. Louis. Once you get out of the urban areas, forget about it. I'd wager to say Kansas City is similar.

It's not likely, but Kansas City, by a mere fluke, might have a good slice and a good pastrami. But a good Chicken Tikka Masala, Jerked Chicken, Pad Thai, Cuban Sandwich, Gyro, Chicken and Broccoli, Falafel, Doro Wat, Paella? No way.

[dumpling]

We should convince Alan to make barbecue his career and open up his Kamado for us all. His meat is fantastic! Ask Jason and Rachel; they know.

He makes such wonderful pulled pork and kalbi. Mmmmmm!

I'll be his agent and just take a small percentage of the cut.

A little food porn:

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/images/bulgoki9.JPG

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/images/lambribs3.JPG

how one makes food porn:

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/bulgoki.htm

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/bbribs.htm

[Jason Perlow]

We should convince Alan to make barbecue his career and open up his Kamado for us all.  His meat is fantastic!  Ask Jason and Rachel; they know.

He makes such wonderful pulled pork and kalbi.  Mmmmmm!

I'll be his agent and just take a small percentage of the cut. 

A little food porn:

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/images/bulgoki9.JPG

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/images/lambribs3.JPG

how one makes food porn:

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/bulgoki.htm

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/bbribs.htm

←

All of these are grilled items, though, not "barbecue". Korean BBQ isn't Barbecue in the technical sense, i.e., low temperature slowly smoked meats over a wood fire. Korean BBQ is cooked over charcoals pretty quickly at a very high temperature.

Alan DOES make a fine BBQ pork butt, with that Kamado of his, however.

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/pulledpork.htm

One of the nice things about the Kamado, as it is made of ceramic, is it can function at low temperatures and very high temperatures, so it can do barbecue smoking, grilling and even bread and pizza baking, and it can use both gas and wood coals as fuel.

I'm hoping to put in an order for a Kamado thru Alan in a few months, he's a sales rep for the company.

http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/kamado.htm

[menton1]

Did I miss whom "Alan" is?

[Jason Perlow]

Member alanz

[menton1]

Is Mason Jar a mixed bag, or totally forgettable?