New York City may seem like an unlikely place for traditionally Southern barbecue, but these restaurants say otherwise. In fact, NYC benefits from the many restaurateurs who hail from across the country and have brought their regional fare with them. There’s the North Carolina slow cooked pig at Arrogant Swine, the soulful Louisiana barbecue of Blue Smoke, and the Kansas City-style, juicy, fall off the bone barbecue at John Brown Smoke House. Several, like Hill Country Barbecue Market, reflect the central Texas hill country famous for its barbecue and live music. Daisy May’s BBQ USA brings different regional barbecues together under one roof cafeteria style.
Hometown Bar-B-Cue
Hometown Bar-B-Que opened in 2013 with a menu focused on authentic pit-smoked meats prepared using the classic Southern technique of smoking over oak wood. They set their barbecue apart from the rest by utilizing a variety of flavors that represent their local communities. Guests will enjoy a traditional barbecue experience with their walk-up service counter, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis until the day’s specialties sell out. Beef and spare ribs, pulled pork and brisket tacos, and thick slabs of pastrami bacon are just a few of their delicious selections easily paired with sides of smoked pit beans, Texas-style mac & cheese, and collard greens.
454 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 347-294-4644
Arrogant Swine
Restaurateur Tyson was on a mission when he brought traditional North Carolina BBQ to New York City with Arrogant Swine. The menu at his Brooklyn restaurant focuses on a technique of slow cooking an entire pig for a full day until it’s mouthwateringly tender and packed with flavor. He then mixes all parts of the pig together so guests get to taste all its different flavors in each bite. The choices are simple: guests can choose a half-pound serving of either an entire East Carolina Whole Hog or Western North Carolina Outside Brown Shoulder paired with one of his delicious Southern sides.
173 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-791-3842
Mighty Quinn's BBQ
Mighty Quinn’s BBQ restaurant applies a simple technique to create their mouthwatering barbecue – source the best quality ingredients they can and don’t mess with them too much. They use an old-school method that pays homage to the many pitmasters before them using all-natural meats and poultry lightly seasoned and cooked over smoked wood for several hours, allowing their natural goodness to seep out. Diners can relax in the warm and inviting sustainable restaurant that was built with reclaimed wood, while enjoying the many creations of Pitmaster Hugh Magnum. Brisket, spare ribs, pulled pork, chicken wings, and pastrami make the perfect partners to sides of sweet corn fritters and buttermilk broccoli salad.
103 2nd Avenue, New York, NY, Phone: 212-677-3733
Daisy May's BBQ USA
Daisy May’s BBQ USA started from humble beginnings with six food carts scattered across downtown Manhattan, Midtown, and Park Avenue. After making an impact on the city, they decided to coalesce their efforts into a cafeteria-style restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. This is now the go-to location where diners can get a taste of authentic BBQ representing different regions of the United States. Tourists, transplants, and locals will find everything from Texas Chopped Brisket to Carolina Pulled Pork. Those new to the restaurant should try their famous St. Louis Cut ribs, affectionately known as Sweet & Sticky Ribs.
623 11th Avenue, New York, NY, Phone: 212-977-1500
Dallas BBQ
Dallas BBQ is a family-run restaurant chain owned by the Wetanson family. They’ve built their ten restaurant empire across every New York City borough except Staten Island. With more than 30 years in the business and three generations currently running daily operations, guests can indulge in home-style BBQ served in hip and trendy establishments. They specialize in slow-cooked rotisserie chicken and baby back ribs, but are also well known for their burgers, wings, seafood, and Texas-size frozen drinks. When in the downtown Brooklyn location, diners should grab a bowl of the house-chili served with cheese, sour cream, and Cool Ranch Doritos.
180 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-643-5700
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que built its foundation on a menu that utilizes fresh ingredients to create homemade and high quality Southern barbecue-style dishes. Diners will appreciate the commitment to traditional staples that have been revitalized with a twist of new flavors, giving them their own distinctive personalities. The BBQ Salmon Fritters are a perfect example – house smoked salmon crispy fried with red peppers, corn, and chives in a creamy Creole mustard sauce. For those looking to get elbow deep in Southern barbecue, the menu item of choice is the Big Ass Pork Plate, slowly smoked, hand pulled, and piled high.
700 West 125th Street, Harlem, NY, Phone: 212-694-1777
Fette Sau
Joe Carrol opened Fette Sau in the early spring of 2007 with a dream of marrying high quality barbecued meats with local craft beer and small production American spirits. Their menu is all about the meat, conceptualized as part Central Texas barbecue and part New York Deli. It features hormone and antibiotic-free meats from small family farms that house naturally raised heritage breeds. Diners will taste the difference in menu selections like their Black Angus Beef Brisket slow smoked in house and Duroc Pulled Pork made with a house made dry rub. Guests with adventurous palates will love delightful selections like Beef Tongue Pastrami.
354 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-963-3404
Fletcher's Brooklyn Barbecue
Fletcher’s Brooklyn Barbecue is a 50-seat counter service restaurant in the edgy and innovative Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. True to the spirit of the neighborhood, they aren’t trying to recreate other regions’ barbecue styles but instead are focusing on their own brand of barbecue. They’re inventing their local version using wood fired cooking with flavor profiles that represent the many ethnicities found in New York City. Farm-cooperative meats are smoked over maple and red oak creating mouthwatering dishes like Brisket Flat, Beef Tri Tip, and Char Siu Pork. The sandwich menu favorite is their Brisket Cheesesteak, topped with house-cheese sauce, and onions.
433 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 347-763-2680
Fort Gansevoort BBQ
Fort Gansevoort BBQ is a hidden gem in the world of New York City barbecue, and that’s just how pitmaster Franco V wants it. Best described as “low, slow, and on the down low,” the take out window location in the artsy Fort Gansevoort building of the Meatpacking District offers a seasonal barbecue. Each spring Franco pulls out the 108-foot smoker he uses to create his famed tangy pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches served on rotund brioche buns. Other specialty items include half-rack and full-rack Baby Back Ribs, Umami Mac N’ cheese, Slaw, and Smoked Potato Salad. Fort Gansevoort BBQ also caters private events.
6 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY, Phone: 917-639-3113
Georgia's Eastside BBQ
Georgia’s Eastside BBQ was established in 2007 by founder and owner Alan Natkiel who set out to provide delicious barbecue served up with a heaping side of Southern Hospitality. His menu has achieved national acclaim thanks to his take on Southern classics like BBQ ribs, fried chicken, and catfish. He sets his restaurant apart from other barbecue spots by cooking up delicious Soul Food classics to pair with his smoky meats, such as freshly baked cornbread, mac ‘n’ cheese, and collard greens. In addition to his savory menu, Alan surprises diners with inspired daily specials like his smoked BBQ empanadas.
192 Orchard Street, New York, NY, Phone: 212-253-6280
Harley's Smokeshack
Harley’s Smokeshack is a lively, countrified local hang out for those looking to dine on classic barbecue dishes while watching their favorite sports teams play. They specialize in house smoked meats made with their jumbo sized southern pride smoker that can smoke up to 1000-pounds of meat at a time. It’s no wonder that they keep their focus on established favorites like their beef brisket, St. Louis Cut spare ribs, and pulled pork. Diners will agree that pairing these slow-smoked meats with classic sides like bacon mac & cheese, sweet corn soufflé, spicy Southern greens, and gravy mashed potatoes is the proverbial cherry on top.
355 E 116th Street, New York, NY, Phone: 212-828-6723
Hill Country Barbecue Market
Founder and owner Marc Glosserman set out to create a restaurant reminiscent of his Central Texas roots when he opened Hill Country Barbecue Market in 2007. The menu is based on the Hill Country of Texas – the state’s barbecue and live music capital – using the region’s distinctive dry-rub style. Diners will appreciate selections from a menu centered on low and slow cooking using a simple dry rub and post oak wood. They offer classic selections of beef, pork, sausage, and bird, a few pitmaster specialties, and divine hot and cold sides such as Sweet Potato Bourbon Mash and Confetti Coleslaw.
30 West 26th Street, New York, NY, Phone: 212-255-4544
Hog Pit
The Hog Pit has been the go-to restaurant in the booming Chelsea neighborhood since 1995, providing their guests with mouthwatering, homemade dishes daily. They keep it trendy and eco-friendly by serving their amazing creations on tin plates and trays lined with newspaper, exuding an old-school Southern charm. Their extensive menu features starters like fried frog legs or catfish strips with jalapeño tarter. Main dishes include Southern favorites like chicken fried steak and baby back ribs. For those with an insatiable appetite, the Ultimate Feast offers three types of meat, catfish, and five sides. On the lighter side catfish tacos and pulled pork burritos capture diners’ imaginations.
37 West 26th Street, New York, NY, Phone: 212-213-4871
Blue Smoke
Blue Smoke opened in 2002 with one goal in mind, and that was to provide New Yorkers with the diverse culinary traditions of the American South. Executive Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, a native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, has produced a menu featuring a variety of soulful barbecue classics. Revived family recipes and a few of his newer creations add flavorful experiences not to be missed. Whether its lunch, dinner, or brunch, this kid-friendly restaurant delivers. Weekday specials like Louisiana Shrimp Boil, Wild Boar & Crawfish Jambalaya, and Smoked Ribs, plus an expansive weekend Southern Brunch make this a hot spot every day of the week.
116 East 27th Street, New York, NY, Phone: 212-44-7733
John Brown Smokehouse
The ambiance at John Brown Smokehouse blends a down-home feel with a downtown vibe. They welcome guests to experience entrées from their delicious Kansas City-style barbecue menu. The restaurant focuses on keeping it fresh by producing a limited amount of food per day to ensure each diner gets only the juiciest, fall-of-the-bone meats to pair with mouthwatering classic side dishes. Guests can choose from one-third and half-pound BBQ mains like pulled pork, pork belly, rib tips, and beef brisket and pair them with sides like corn bread, coleslaw, hand-cut fries, and baked beans. They also offer sandwiches, specialties, platters, and salads.
10-43 44th Drive, Long Island City, NY, Phone: 347-617-1120
Mable's Smokehouse
Mable’s Smokehouse is a family-run establishment that has been creating a slice of Southern comfort in the heart of Williamsburg for more than five years. Their menu is just as simple and delicious as their motto: “We offer no frills, no attitude, good old-fashioned BBQ made with fresh ingredients in a laid-back atmosphere.” Guests can enjoy meat platters with a choice of two sides, sandwiches, salads, snacks, and bowls for lunch and dinner. On the weekends, it’s all about brunch, bringing the best of both worlds together with choices like Crawfish Ètouffèe & Cheese Grits – spicy crawfish gravy served over cheese grits topped with a fried egg.
44 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-218-6655
Main House BBQ
Main House BBQ showcases a new style of barbecue in Brooklyn that honors a heritage of local barbecue styles with Jewish influences. The warm and welcoming environment is based on the Borscht Main House concept of bringing people together. Their modernized version of barbecue and premium craft beers is a must-try experience. The Main House BBQ menu features smoked meats such as brisket, beef ribs, house pastrami, turkey, and even “Smo-Fu.” Hot and cold sides include Shmaltzy Mashed Potatoes and Pasta Salad among others. Sandwich favorites include turkey, pastrami, brisket, and the Sloppy Yosef – saucy brisket burnt ends topped with pickle chips and slaw.
6001 Strickland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-673-8773
Morgan's Barbecue
Morgan’s Barbecue was opened by long-time friends Joel Bolden and Chris Morgan in 2013. It was ground zero for their shared passion of bringing a laid-back, neighborhood, Texas-style barbecue eatery to Brooklyn. Their menu was created based on Morgan’s Port Arthur, Texas roots and the generations of family cookouts that inspired his love for this style of cooking. Appetizers include Frito pie, catfish sliders, turkey tails, and candied bacon. Meats are delivered in quarter-pound to full-pound servings. There is an array of sides to die for and nine types of mac and cheese. Brunch keeps on giving with everything from spinach and goat cheese omelets to biscuits and gravy to chilaquiles.
267 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-622-2224
Pig Beach
Pig Beach is a seasonal outdoor haven opened by award-winning restaurateurs Shane McBride, Ed McFarland, and Matt Abdoo, providing award-winning barbecue. This dynamic team opened their waterfront eatery with the intention of bringing together their prized signature meats in a fun and friendly environment, and they’ve more than accomplished the task. Picnic tables, corn hole, and ping pong bring in the fun while their championship baby back ribs, brisket, and homemade sausage bring on the mouthwatering flavors. Guests are encouraged to try their fan favorite the Pig Beach Burger, topped with house pickles, white American cheese, and a secret sauce.
480 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-737-7181
Southern Hospitality BBQ
Southern Hospitality BBQ is the love child of friends Justin Timberlake, Eytan Sugarman, and Trace Ayala created in 2007 to bring Memphis-style barbecue to the streets of New York. Their critically acclaimed menu boasts a wide selection of roadhouse grub including Tennessee-style beef ribs, buttermilk marinated fried chicken, and hickory-flavored pork ribs. There is a little something for everyone here beginning with their Fire Starters that include fried green tomatoes and dill pickles, burnt-end brisket chili, and wings. Southern Hospitality also offers several signature plates, sandwiches, and more than ten side dishes to go with their smoked meats like pulled pork shoulder.
645 9th Avenue, New York, NY
The Smoke Joint
The Smoke Joint was opened in 2006 by Ben and Craig, owners of the B+C Restaurants group to provide their guests with real New York barbecue in a casual, relaxed urban-roadhouse setting. Their menu was created utilizing tried and true traditional barbecuing methods and blending them with the regional essence of local communities. Guests can indulge on deliciously slow-smoked meats and poultry such as St. Louis Cut spare ribs, beef short ribs, and tender hickory smoked chicken to be paired with sides of smoky greens, corn on the cob, and barbecued beans. They also offer seafood, sandwich, and salad selections.
87 S Elliot Place, Brooklyn, NY, Phone: 718-797-1011
Virgil's Real BBQ-New York
Virgil’s Real BBQ was established in 1994 in the heart of Times Square where it has maintained critical acclaim as one of the top BBQ restaurants in America ever since, thanks in large part to their smoking style. The barbecue process uses a unique blend of hickory, oak, and fruit woods to bring out the most flavors while their meat smokes over indirect heat at a low temperature for hours. They set themselves apart from the competition with their in-house bakery and menu diversity, which includes a variety of regional cuisine from Mexican to Cajun and Creole classics.
152 W 44th Street, New York, NY, Phone: 212-921-9494
Sammy’s House of BBQ
Sammy’s House of BBQ is all about the classic barbecue, using only fresh ingredients from their small-farm meat purveyors to their daily deliveries of fresh vegetables. Chef Big Lou Elrose creates smoky magic in his kitchen with a menu of succulent and tender meats, signature sauces, and spices. He has created a whopping 15 side dishes to be paired with his meaty creations as well as a collection of burgers, BBQ sandwiches, platters, and appetizers. Diners will clamor for some of his Texas Brisket, St. Louis Spare Ribs, and Hot Link Sausages with sides of Lonestar Chili, Dixie Disco Fries, Cheese Grits.
258 W 44th Street, New York, NY, Phone: 212-944-6900
BBQ Smoke House Restaurant
The BBQ Smoke House Restaurant got its start thanks to the Butcher Bar, an old school Butcher Shop that expanded into a full-fledged restaurant next door. Their belief in traditional methods and exclusive use of high quality, pasture-raised meat is what gives them their competitive edge in the barbecue world. BBQ Smoke House welcomes guests into a warm and friendly restaurant built with reclaimed red and white cedar wood. A full bar features bourbon, whiskey, moonshine, and craft beers to pair with their fine Butcher Platters. Porky’s is a fan-favorite with quarter-pound servings of pulled pork and pork belly, and a quarter rack of ribs with one side.
37-10 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY, Phone: 718-606-8140
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