BBQ in New Jersey

Found incredible bbq in NJ! Hot Rod's BBQ in Mine Hill has wonderful dry-rub ribs that rival any we've had in other parts of the country. It's housed in a roadhouse-type local bar, but the food is great. Sampled the corn bread, baked beans & slaw - all fabulous!

Morris County is just too far to drive for dinner or lunch. Why oh why do they not have anything decent in BBQ in Camden County anymore???

I think there are some BBQ stands in South Jersey, along Route 40 between The Turnpike and Atlantic City. I think one is in the town of Buena..Anyone know about these? Ya' know some of South Jersey IS BELOW the Mason Dixon Line, so good BBQ is not out of the question..Right?

The only good BBQ is in the deep south and there is a reason for it. Most of us were so poor, we could not afford to pay attention, had no stove and had to cook outside. Everybody BBQ'd cause that was the only way. Now it is the in thing. Sure smells good too!!!
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

that's true that parts of southern NJ are below the Mason-Dixon line, so good BBQ is definitely not out of the question.

I don't know any of those you mention near AC, but so far in northern NJ, Hot Rod's is the only decent BBQ.

Shaynas Mom --

Is Red Hot & Blue still in the Holiday Inn across the highway from what's left of Garden State Park? Great wet & dry ribs, pulled pork, slaw, etc,. plus a lot of other stuff we've never tried. It's Memphis-style. With live blues entertainment certain nights. They have several locations in Maryland and Virginia also.

We went to "Red Hot & Blue" in Virginia a few years ago & it was pretty good. I didn't know they had one up here. Where is the Garden State Park (do you mean Garden State Plaza in Paramus?).

There are only a couple of BBQ contests in NJ. One is a new event in Philly..close enough, eh? It is to be held on June 20-21.

The other is in North Wildwood, NJ. This is the New Jersey State Championship held July 11-12.

These are sanctioned events and quite different than the Rib Festivals. There are usually upwards of 20 teams that compete in 4 meat categories....chicken, ribs, pork butt and brisket. The entries are judged by Certified BBQ Judges. It is the single best BBQ you will ever taste on this planet.

There are a few others scattered around the east and several up in the New England area.

If you want more info on these or any others let me know!

Stogie

Garden State Park is the defunct horse racing track about 2 miles west of I-295 in Cherry Hill on Rt 70. The Holiday Inn is just east of the NJT train overpass on the eastbound lane of 70.

OT: have you tried the ChickFile sandwich in the upstairs food court at the Paramus GSM? Excellent!

We used to visit Red, Hot And Blue in Cherry Hill regularly for years, but we have to say that it seems awfully tired these days. The Q used to be similar to Corky's in Memphis. These days, it's not very good.

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle

We used to visit Red, Hot And Blue in Cherry Hill regularly for years, but we have to say that it seems awfully tired these days. The Q used to be similar to Corky's in Memphis. These days, it's not very good.

Corky's Ribs and BBQ just opened
in Atlantic City NJ. It's right on the board walk by the Tropicana
Casino. Great Q and alot of fun.Note This is a 300 plus seat
restuarant with 2 bars and live blues on Friday and Saturday nights.

quote:

Originally posted by AndyNYC1

... There must be a reason. For now, I guess I'll have to keep flying to Memphis, KC and Texas to get my fill...

I'm gonna sample King's in Indianapolis next month. Any reviews here?

P.S. Discussions about chain food from mall food courts should be banned from this site!!!

A question we've often pondered is why even the most well-meaning barbecues, outside the barbecue belt, just do not measure up. Never found the answer. But please, please take pictures at King's and post a review here when you go. We didn't get to go there last time in Indianapolis, and regretted that fact... Years ago when we ate there, we loved the spare ribs, and also the terrific side dishes (mac & cheese, baked beans, and chess pie for dessert).

Dinasaur in Rochester and Syracuse is damn good BBQ with a great ambience - last i knew it was north of the BBQ belt . We had a pretty good BBQ in Kingston, NY , but it lasted only about a year. Red Hook, NY has had a very good BBQ for about the last five years- I think it's stil there. In Newburgh, NY there is the Barnstormer in a slightly shoddy mall that serves very good
North Carolina style BBQ in a suitably clean but shabby looking room. However, I have to agree that something is lacking in the best of these places that makes BBQ so much better in the South.

Creating good BBQ is not all that difficult if one is willing to put in the time and effort. My son makes very good BBQ in his Big Green Egg and makes very good sauces, and slaw to go along with the pulled pig. I hate to say it, but it isn't great BBQ because the ambience is just not right - most of our friends, the people we feed, are just not big BBQ fans, they dont really care about it, they never go out of their way to eat it on the road. You go in any place in the South and you are among people who know and love the stuff - that's why, I think you have to go south for great BBQ - the people and the ambience...

Oh my! I haven't visited this forum in quite awhile for a few reasons, and I saw two posts kinda directed to me. I wasn't ignoring anybody! ANYway...directed to Mobley in response to the places on Route 40. OK. We used to go to Uncle Dewey's until we admitted to ourselves that we just don't like North Caroline-style sauce, I'm sorry. I LOVE the atmosphere of Uncle Dewey's, however, so I DOrecommend it. And the ribs taste great but, well...maybe I'll ask next time for without sauce. It gave both me and my daughter major stomach problems, maybe all the vinegar. Kingfish on that same road we just never stopped at because #1 it looks unsanitary ie. saw an employee picking his hair out while he was cooking. Not trying to be snobbish about it, but I like my food without hair in it. One place we went to recently which is off Route 40 but close enough to it is http://www.hollyeats.com/RibShanty.htm(hope that link copied and pasted OK) It's the Rib Shanty and it's right near Routes 54 and 40. This place is indoors and the owner smokes 'em out back. My boyfriend knew the owner's grandson. The ribs were FABBUUUUU!! I did not like the potato salad, however; I found it mushy.

Oh, and directed to njmike about Red Hot & Blue. I dunno; I used to like it somewhat, but I found the servers annoying and the food not out of the ordinary. Maybe it's that lounge atmosphere. We did go once for the music and it was fun. I'm looking for the word I feel when I think of Red Hot & Blue...contrived? Forced? Maybe it's me...

HAve you tried Brother Jimmy's? There are three of them, 77th and 2nd, 92nd and 3rd, and 81st and Amsterdam. Sure it is a drunken frat bar at night, but the food is very good. They recently hired a new chef and things have improved. All of the ribs are smoked centrally ( at the 77th St store) and then distributed to the others. I prefer the northern style with a tomato based BBQ sauce, but they have Southern and dry rub as well. Go on a Sunday for the $19.95 all you can eat and draft beer beer special to try them all. Get the mac and cheese as a side.

quote:

Originally posted by AndyNYC1

Living in Manhattan, the BBQ choices are pretty slim. There's some tasty stuff: Blue Smoke, Virgil's, Tenessee Mountain, but none of it is authentic. I guess real BBQ needs a bigger cooking apparatus than can be housed in a NYC kitchen? Or an outdoor pit or grill? Perhaps the profit margins are too low to justify NYC rents? There must be a reason. For now, I guess I'll have to keep flying to Memphis, KC and Texas to get my fill.

I'm gonna sample King's in Indianapolis next month. Any reviews here?

P.S. Discussions about chain food from mall food courts should be banned from this site!!!

quote:

Originally posted by AndyNYC1

Living in Manhattan, the BBQ choices are pretty slim. There's some tasty stuff: Blue Smoke, Virgil's, Tenessee Mountain, but none of it is authentic. I guess real BBQ needs a bigger cooking apparatus than can be housed in a NYC kitchen? Or an outdoor pit or grill? Perhaps the profit margins are too low to justify NYC rents? There must be a reason.

According to some reviews I read of Virgil's, the major problem with Q in NY is that local ordinances forbid wood smoke, at least in the amounts that proper pit-cooking requires. They do it mostly in metal with gas, but do manage to get a little smoke in. Many believe that the best Q in New York (yes, that is like being the most prestigious synagogue in West Texas) is from Pearson's in Queens. The kicker, though, is that many of their meats are now available at the Rodeo Bar, 375 Third Avenue at 27th Street, and worth a short detour.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Abraham

quote:

Originally posted by AndyNYC1

Living in Manhattan, the BBQ choices are pretty slim. There's some tasty stuff: Blue Smoke, Virgil's, Tenessee Mountain, but none of it is authentic. I guess real BBQ needs a bigger cooking apparatus than can be housed in a NYC kitchen? Or an outdoor pit or grill? Perhaps the profit margins are too low to justify NYC rents? There must be a reason.

According to some reviews I read of Virgil's, the major problem with Q in NY is that local ordinances forbid wood smoke, at least in the amounts that proper pit-cooking requires. They do it mostly in metal with gas, but do manage to get a little smoke in. Many believe that the best Q in New York (yes, that is like being the most prestigious synagogue in West Texas) is from Pearson's in Queens. The kicker, though, is that many of their meats are now available at the Rodeo Bar, 375 Third Avenue at 27th Street, and worth a short detour.

Just read on the Zagat's web site that Pearson's is opening a restaurant on 81st St. and 2nd Ave. I don't know much else about it. I remember them from Long Island City. It's about the best in NY but that's still not saying much!

FYI
3 guys that founded Red White and Blues studied under Corky's when it was basically a one store Mom and Pop before they really exploded on scene-------paid 10 grand to know all and I beleve that also gave them sauce recipie!! That's why it reminds you of Corky's. RW&B in Williamsburg,Va. is thumbs up.Looking forward to Corky's in AC.