BBQ is Back and Better Than Ever at These Great Restaurants

By DIANA DENZA
July 23, 2011

Hill Country Barbeque Market offers Texas-inspired cuisine such as delicious Longhorn Mac and Cheese. (Joe Marvilli/ The Observer)

Published: May 5, 2010

The sun is blazing over Central Park as you lay on the lush grass. Flowers are in full bloom all around you as you take in the fresh smell of the morning dew. While it may be difficult to remember the beauty of summer after a long and frigid winter, it is right around the corner. And lazy days lounging under the sun aren’t the only things you’ll get to enjoy this summer… restaurants are just waiting for the season to roll in so they can cater to your every food-related desire.

When you think of summer, ice cream, fresh fruit and smoothies are all delicious and sorely missed options that may come to mind. But remember those family barbeques (BBQs) when you were younger? Beef ribs doused with homemade BBQ sauce accompanied by corn pudding and rich and gooey macaroni and cheese were just some of the mouthwatering treats available at those outings. Now, you and your friends can recreate the memories at some of the best BBQ restaurants right here in the city.
So celebrate the rising temperature and the end of classes by indulging in some delicious BBQ. For the vegetarians, there are options for you, too!

Hill Country Barbeque Market
30 West 26th St.
Price: $10-$30
Phone: (212) 255-4544
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 12 p.m.-12 a. m.
Friday-Saturday: 12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Getting There: D train to 34th Street/Herald Square
Hill Country serves Texas-style BBQ in a cafeteria-style setup at reasonable prices. Customers are able to place orders at different stations for meats and sides. Enjoy the convenience of a meal prepared exactly how you like it. Don’t forget to choose a delicious side, since there’s bound to be something for everyone with the restaurant’s extensive selection. Choices range from the Longhorn Mac and Cheese to the Sweet Potato Bourbon Mash. Be sure to watch the live band in the lower level while you enjoy your meal.

Brother Jimmy’s BBQ
181 Lexington Ave.
Price: $10-$20
Phone: (212) 779-7427
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Friday-Saturday: 5 p.m.- 2 a.m.
Sunday: 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Getting There: D train to 34th Street/Herald Square
North Carolina-style, home-cooked BBQ at affordable prices makes this restaurant a hot spot for casual group dinners. Be sure to try the hush puppies or the BBQ grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. Great food at unbeatable prices and lively weekend crowds make this restaurant a must-try.

Blue Smoke
116 E 27th St.
Price: $15-$35
Phone: (212) 447-7733
Hours: Sunday-Monday: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.
Getting There: D train to 34th Street/Herald Square
Blue Smoke’s oversized booths and late-night jazz club makes it ideal for an evening out with friends. The restaurant is stylish and lively with fire-engine-red booths, photographs on the wall and the sound of jazz music. High-quality ingredients make the moderate prices worth it. Try the creamy deviled eggs and hush puppies with jalapeno-marmalade as appetizers and the pulled pork for a delectable meal.

Virgil’s
152 W 44th St.
Price: $15-$35
Phone: (212) 921-9494
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 11:30 a.m.-12 a.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Getting There: 2 train to 42nd Street/Times Square
Virgil’s two-level setup is perfect for groups that aren’t fans of long waits. Selections include crab cakes, fried catfish, sliced brisket, Georgia chicken-fried steak, po’ boy sandwiches, 10 different barbeque platters and Memphis barbeque beans. Enjoy the high-quality meat, which is cooked in delicious homemade tomato-based sauces.

Dinosaur Bar B Que
646 W 131st St.
Price: $10-$30
Phone: (212) 694-1777
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m.- 12 a.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m.-10 p.m.
Getting There: 1 train to 125th Street
The Syracuse-based BBQ restaurant is unlike any other with its wood-beamed ceiling, burlap bag curtain, and the sense of dining in the remote countryside. Perfect for groups and casual dates, the menu ranges from fried green tomatoes and pork ribs to Texas brisket and bronzed catfish. But certain to impress are the jumbo spice-rubbed, pit-smoked chicken wings. Winning sides include macaroni and cheese, baked beans, fries, salt potatoes, and corn bread.

Fette Sau
354 Metropolitan Ave
Price: $16-$25
Phone: (718) 963-3404
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 5 p.m.-2a.m.
Friday-Saturday: 5 p.m.-4 a.m.
Getting There: L train to Lorimer Street
Return to your youth and grab a weathered picnic table with a few friends. The brisket and the house-made pastrami are delicious picks, and the rolls are fluffy, buttery and mouthwatering. Make sure to arrive by 7 p.m. to beat the dinner rush. The meat is so tender and delicious that it makes up for the run-of-the-mill BBQ sauce. Happy bloating!

Counter
105 1st Ave
Price: $15-$25
Phone: (212) 982-5870
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
Friday: 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Getting There: F train to Second Avenue.
Calling all vegetarians! If you’re looking for southern-style substitutes for meat, try the popular lentil-based version of meat loaf with mashed potatoes (there’s a reason why it’s so popular). If that doesn’t sound appealing, there’s always the smoked-tofu po’ boy and a variety of delicious burgers.