New York City may not rank among the barbecue capitals like Texas, the Carolinas, or Memphis; however, it has come a long way since sauce-drenched pork ribs. Here are a few of New York City’s finest barbecue spots.
Cadman Plaza’s year-old eatery offered an eclectic assortment of meats, such as fatty brisket and Alabama-style chicken thighs seasoned with black pepper rub, mac and cheese, and Dominican congri rice as sides.
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For lovers of barbecue in NYC, there are numerous places where they can indulge. From elegant smokehouses to cozy dives, there is no shortage of succulent meaty goodness here. From casual family dinners to large group outings – whatever your tastes, NYC has many excellent barbecue joints that will satisfy them.
West 32nd Street’s bustling Jongro Restaurant provides outstanding smoked chicken wings with dry rub and other delectable meat and BBQ sides. Perfect for gatherings of any size, the atmosphere here evokes old Seoul: walls covered with movie posters and tin cigarette signs are decorated, while white brick pillars and tables set under a gazebo make an inviting ambiance for dining alone or as part of a group. They even boast an impressive patio space perfect for larger parties!
Food at this New York City landmark is flavorful and authentic, and service is attentive and helpful. Choose from an impressive variety of taco options like brisket or pork belly tacos and side dishes like collard greens and mac n’ cheese.
This esteemed BBQ restaurant boasts three locations across the city, and each one deserves to be visited. Their melt-in-your-mouth tender brisket comes with their homemade tangy sauce for maximum enjoyment. At the same time, sides include fresh ingredients such as smashed potatoes and collard greens – not forgetting something sweet like their banana pudding or apple cobbler!
Hometown Bar-B-Que is one of the premier destinations for barbecue in Brooklyn and has quickly become a local favorite. This industrial-style eatery provides traditional barbecue in an authentic environment with cement floors and an inviting ambiance. It gives a walk-up service where customers can order their meal on butcher paper before returning it to one of their communal picnic tables for consumption.
NYC doesn’t have one specific type of barbecue style, and many of the city’s best barbecue restaurants use an amalgamation of different techniques and recipes in their cooking techniques and menu items. Pig Beach in Brooklyn and Queens serves a tasty smoked brisket topped with provolone sauce alongside other Southern classics such as Creole deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes – one example of many excellent options across both boroughs!
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New York City offers many choices for Korean BBQ enthusiasts. From Koreatown and Queens through Brooklyn and central Manhattan, restaurants specializing in this style of cuisine serve fresh meat with spicy seasonings and sauces for you to grill at your table – and many even provide fun karaoke experiences for an added twist!
Head over to Murray Hill in Flushing in Queens for delicious Korean cuisine. This neighborhood features several authentic eateries like Mapo, specializing in top-quality seafood and barbecue dishes like shrimp, pork belly, or short ribs, all served alongside rice, kimchi, or other traditional side dishes – an ideal place for family meals and group outings!
Yoon Haeundae Galbi offers authentic Korean BBQ in NYC. Their cuisine draws inspiration directly from Buson, South Korea – providing modern Korean flavors with a touch of fusion cuisine. Indulge in their hand-pulled noodles and kimchi pancakes; try their chicken stew for something different. They even offer duck options that may please those who prefer poultry over beef!
The Kunjip is an intimate restaurant in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood, run by a husband-and-wife team who also run Good Fork Pub in Red Hook and Gage and Tollner Steakhouse. Their menu offers delicious small plates and Korean BBQ options such as cured pork jowl and kimchee cream ramyun; private karaoke rooms can also be reserved.
Love Korean BBQ offers food and music lovers alike. Their karaoke/Korean restaurant features drinks and food in an ideal location two minutes from the Empire State Building, featuring DJs who spin tunes nightly as they offer up a variety of Korean barbecue offerings on their menu. Plus, there are several sizes of karaoke rooms so that groups of friends can come together quickly!
Snack Bar BBQ
Snack Bar BBQ in NYC offers delicious barbecue dishes at reasonable prices, including perfectly prepared cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chicken dishes. Their friendly staff is always on hand to assist, with prices being so affordable even Google users have given this location high marks!
This popular eatery’s extensive menu boasts golden fried flounder, shrimp skewers, and crabcakes. Additionally, their extensive bar offers excellent beers, cocktails, and wine; the best time to visit is between 4-6 p.m. for daily happy hour specials.
John Brown BBQ
New York City has grown into a barbecue mecca over recent years, earning itself the nickname of Brooklyn BBQ. This remarkable transformation comes despite traditional southern-style BBQ being more prevalent elsewhere; yet just decades ago, New York was known more for oven-baked meats with no distinct American taste than actual barbecue offerings.
Over the past 20 years, an unprecedented explosion of new barbecue joints opened across America – representing various styles such as Memphis, Oklahoma, and Texas barbecue – with high-quality ingredients, casual settings, and craft beers as hallmarks of quality service.
But one restaurant stood out among all of these newcomers – John Brown BBQ in Queens took its inspiration from Kansas City sports bars and restaurants by serving slow-smoked meats that had long since been entrenched in Kansas.
John Brown stands out as an unusual Manhattan barbecue restaurant with its red-and-white checkered tablecloths and outdoor live music performances, pink juicy brisket, perfectly charred edges, salty-sweet burnt edges, and pinkish color brisket, making this popular with both locals and visitors on weekend afternoons alike.
Josh Bowen from Hill Country serves as head chef in this 1,600-square-foot barbecue joint decorated with Kansas City sports memorabilia. While its menu specializes in barbecue, customers can order sandwiches and burgers or enjoy half a pound of burnt ends. It is so satisfying a portion is enough for two.
COVID-19’s pandemic has taken its toll on NYC’s substantial collection of barbecue restaurants. Many, like Ducks Eatery and Blue Smoke’s original location, have closed permanently, while Mighty Quinn’s and Morgan’s BBQ have reduced their areas. But despite this loss in numbers, there are signs that New York is continuing its barbecue renaissance.