New BBQ joint in NYC

Paul Kirk has opened a bbq joint in NYC.

RUB BBQ
208 W. 23rd St., nr. Seventh Ave.
212-524-4300


Pit Master
Paul Kirk, teacher, legend, Kansas City “Baron of Barbecue.”


The Pits
Three customized fire-engine-red pits fueled by “green” hickory.


Specialties
Brisket, deep-fried spareribs, pastrami, Sichuan duck.


Urban Concession
A massive BBQ tasting and bottle of Dom for $250. Your choice of any two sides included, of course.

Raine, that's really cool. I wasn't sure, after he got his rig stolen last year, that he would go ahead.
He might be the most famous resident of my "real" hometown of Roeland Park, Kansas

Real KC 'Que in NYC run by the Baron?!? Keep an eye out for Calvin Trillin! What's next, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie lining up in Soho for $300 plates of Stroud's fried chicken?

He did recover his pit. Here are a few pictures.

I have been very sad since yesterday. Last night, the boyfriend and I went over to RUB. Hating to say this- but it was a very bad experience. I love great barbeque- but most of this was, at best, "edible." I had such high hopes. I thought we were going to get a truly great bbq haven. Instead, I experienced a mediocre, at best, barbeque experience. Being a "seasoned" pro, no pun intended, I guess I expected soooooooo much from Paul Kirk.

We were able to be seated, no problem, Sunday evening about 530. The dining room is very casual, and thats ok, although, there was a sharp protubance in the wooden table. The service seemed a bit confused, but friendly. I ordered a full rack of ribs- figuring, we would take some home. This rack was $26.95, and included NO sides. I did however, order the onion straws ala carte. My boyfriend ordered a 2 meat plate- brisket and pulled pork, with 2 sides- beans, and fries. The good news- he loved his beans and fries, and the onions were just fine. The incredibly bad news- each of the 3 barbeque items were not worthy of Paul Kirk's reputation.

The presentation of the ribs was a bunch of separated ribs tossed on a plate. I guess I expected a rack to be a rack. The ribs were not meaty, and they were tiny. No, I didn't order the babybacks. In addition, these ribs tasted re cooked. Sure they were smoky- but tasted like a gritty layer of spice was applied. For $26.50, I expected much more. The brisket was served in short slices, and chunks. This in no way, ever tasted like the wonderful Texas Brisket. It was chewy- sort of like a London Broil. No brisket worth it's salt, would be chewy. it should flake, and melt in your mouth. This was horrible. Unfortunately, the pulled pork was just as bad. It was just not cooked properly, not falling apart. It was chewy, and fatty. Both meats suffered from undercooking.

Needless to say, no food was taken home as leftovers. In NY now, we have Blue Smoke, Piersons, Dinosaur, and Daisy Mae Takeout. All 4 are much superior. My own favorite is Dinosaur. Is RUB going through growing pains? Or, is this the Q that is to be presented day in and out? I guess I will continue making the trek up to Harlem to go to Dinosaur for my bbq yens. Having just gone to Angelo's in Ft. Worth last week, I had much to compare to.

Sighs... so much disappointment!
Nadine

Hey there! I recently went to RUB as well. It was okay, but not terribly impressive. I had the two meats platter and asked if they would give me pulled pork and burnt ends (the ends are usually only at certain times) and they were very accomodating. It came with two sides (I chose beans and potato salad) and white bread. The pulled pork was okay, somewhat dry and the burnt ends were good, but I wish they were a little more on the "burnt" side. The potato salad was good and the beans were okay. One thing I found troubling was the sauce. I don't know if its a home recipe, but it tasted very commercial, like Hunts or Kraft. I'd definitely go back to try other meats and sides, but not impressed over all.
I also made it to Texas Smokehouse BBQ on 2nd Ave at 25th St. Not impressed at all. Couldn't even finish my food. I had the chopped brisket and it came drowned in sauce. Any BBQ that had that much sauce is hiding something. They said on the menu that it was cooked for 14+ hours but I couldn't detect any smoke flavor in it. I'm almost sure that the beans I had were flavored with liquid smoke. If the word Smokehouse is in the name, I'd better be able to taste the smoke. Nuff ced.
Bone Lick Park in the West Village is alright. The $6.95 lunch combo is a nit unusual, but tasty. I had a chopped pork sandwich ( with slaw on it, naturally) and it came with a cup of potato leek soup and a cup of tea. Not traditional, but good nonetheless.
If you get to Pearson's try the brisket. It's mindblowing! 14+ hours of good smoking and its shows. The cracked corn side is hard to describe, but I get it every time. Its like corn pudding meets creamed corn. Very tasty.
To echo other sentiments. My personal favorite is the Dinosaur. I grew up near the original in Syracuse and have many fond memories of eating there with family and friends. I just went to teh Harlem locale and loved it! Their beans are the best I've ever had. Somewhat thick with pulled pork in them and a spicy, slightly sweet sauce. The pulled pork is moist with some soft and some blackened outer parts included. The ribs have a great dry rub crust and the meat comes off the bone with the slightest pull. They sauce their meats, but just a tiny bit to accent it. The sauce is great too. Tomato based with that is somewhat sweet and had good spice.

YAY !!!

I never knew pastrami was a BBQ menu item.

quote:

Originally posted by CaryMG

YAY !!!

quote:

Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

What's next, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie lining up in Soho for $300 plates of Stroud's fried chicken?

No way, unless the paparazzi show up first.

quote:

Originally posted by CaryMG

quote:

Originally posted by CaryMG

YAY !!!

Uh .... I Meant "Boooooo ....."

Going to the Dinosaur in Syracuse in about an hour. I was up at 2 this morning going over the menu and dreaming of what I would eat tonight. With apologies to Homer Simpson: Forbidden donut, er, barbque, must not touch!!

Don't forget to check out the mixed grill specials, they're usually really good. Enjoy!!!