Really, really awful BBQ

My girlfriend and I went to see Ricky Gervais do stand-up at The Theater at Madison Square Garden a couple of nights ago and were really hungry after. We didn't want to go too far, so we walked into Shady Jake's Bar-B-Que 'N Booze right across the street from the Garden. Normally, the quality of food in that area is pretty sketchy at best as most places cater to a tourist clientele that isn't going to risk trying what they don't know. So, I didn't expect much. After we ordered, I noticed a sign on the wall indicating that this place was part of a chain which includes KFC, Pizza Hut, and Friday's, among others. I should have run, not walked, run out. But nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Wrong!
I had one of the worst meals in recent memory, not worst BBQ, but worst meals. I ordered a two meat combo sandwich of burnt ends and smoked turkey with a side of sweet potato fries. My girlfriend got the brisket sandwich. My sandwich came out and there were just regular fries. It took a while to flag down our server and get the sweet potato fries, but eventually they came. When they did, to paraphrase Cheech and Chong, "they looked like sweet potato fries and felt like sweet potato fries", but they sure didn't taste like them. There was absolutely NO sweet potato taste at all! Just old fryer oil taste.
The meat on both of our sandwiches were way too salty which overpowered the flavor of the meat. The "burnt ends" on mine was actually brisket. Yes, I know burnt ends come from the brisket, but there is a difference and after having consumed a great deal of 'que I can say that "I have met burnt ends before and you, sir, were no burnt end". I think the worst part is that the turkey and the "other meat" on my sandwich were both very dry and crumbly. Cookies are supposed to be crumbly, not barbeque. I couldn't even eat half of my sandwich or get thru a handful of fries. And those of you who know me know I don't waste good eats.
In all fairness though, the meat did have a good smoke flavor to it that seemed authentic and the iced tea was very refreshing (the high point of the meal, in fact). It's too late for me, but please do not go there if you really love barbeque!!

That area is suspect...you need to venture away fron the Garden to the less touristy-trap places. That would tick me off too.

when visiting nyc a friend and i were trying to find a place to eat. he pointed at a bbq joint and i asked, why would you ever want bbq in nyc? so many other great foods in nyc and you want bbq? i think we ended up at a bland bar with bland food and beer.. cant be certain though. eating in certain towns should reflect the food best served really.

quote:

Originally posted by snaggle

when visiting nyc a friend and i were trying to find a place to eat. he pointed at a bbq joint and i asked, why would you ever want bbq in nyc? so many other great foods in nyc and you want bbq? i think we ended up at a bland bar with bland food and beer.. cant be certain though. eating in certain towns should reflect the food best served really.

I agree with this theory. However, when trapped in midtown with a large group (who didn't have time to wait for a table at the Carnegie Deli), I have enjoyed going to Virgil's bbq (44th and Broadway). I don't think it is outstanding barbecue by the high standards of this group, but given my (regrettably) limited experience, I think it is very good. And the extremely spicy popcorn at the bar is to die for. It is worth going just for a drink and some of that.

Yeah, I have to say that Virgil's is pretty decent. Not the best I've ever had, but I'd go back if in the area. I can usually look past one or two bad things in a meal, but so much about this meal was so bad and so wrong. It just seemed like they were completely clueless as to how barbeque should taste and what cuts of meat were called what name. Even for a chain, that's pretty bad. That being said, I think NYC has some pretty tasty 'cue. I don't know how it stacks up against the BBQ kings (Texas, K.C., Memphis, and the Carolinas), but some of ity does taste good. I hear what you're saying though about trying the specialty of the city you're in.

quote:

Originally posted by artphon

quote:

Originally posted by snaggle

when visiting nyc a friend and i were trying to find a place to eat. he pointed at a bbq joint and i asked, why would you ever want bbq in nyc? so many other great foods in nyc and you want bbq? i think we ended up at a bland bar with bland food and beer.. cant be certain though. eating in certain towns should reflect the food best served really.

I agree with this theory. However, when trapped in midtown with a large group (who didn't have time to wait for a table at the Carnegie Deli), I have enjoyed going to Virgil's bbq (44th and Broadway). I don't think it is outstanding barbecue by the high standards of this group, but given my (regrettably) limited experience, I think it is very good. And the extremely spicy popcorn at the bar is to die for. It is worth going just for a drink and some of that.

I agree that Shady Jake's is horrible.........
About 5 months ago, "Doggydaddy", from roadfood.com, and I decided to arrange a "meet and greet" for the 2 of us in NYC. The only part I really liked was their outdoor signage, and the cute name.


We had wonderful burgers and chocolate malteds for lunch over at Island Burgers on 9th ave.
Well, at least lunch was good. As was the conversations..

If you stayed and ate after learning of the KFC/Taco Bell affiliation, well, you get no sympathy! The best BBQ near the Garden is the Korean variety. Kangsuh on W32 and Broadway is my favorite.

Best bet in NY is to get out into the neigborhoods. Stay away from the Penn Station area and stay FAR away from Times Square.

If you ate BBQ in NYC you deserved to get garbage. There are so many great restaurants in NYC that to choose BBQ you must having been...in a REAL bad way for Q.

BBQ, is about the only item I have never seen done well in NYC. My family is from NYC and ALWAYS requests a trip to Lexington, NC for BBQ when they visit. (I live about 30 miles from Lexington)

You can't get a decent pastrami, bagel or noodle bowl in NC but our BBQ is the best.

Nice attitude Jake. Nobody here will miss you, believe me.

quote:

Originally posted by V960

If you ate BBQ in NYC you deserved to get garbage. There are so many great restaurants in NYC that to choose BBQ you must having been...in a REAL bad way for Q.
BBQ, is about the only item I have never seen done well in NYC.

V960

Although I actually agree with you for a change, I know many New Yorkers who will not. Many think that the best of everything is there. I know, I grew up there.

However I still disagree about the Sushi there- nothing special[|)]

quote:

Originally posted by V960

If you ate BBQ in NYC you deserved to get garbage. There are so many great restaurants in NYC that to choose BBQ you must having been...in a REAL bad way for Q.

BBQ, is about the only item I have never seen done well in NYC.

V960,

Did you ever try RUB or Daisy May's? Saying there is no good Q in New Yorq is a pretty strong statement. NY, especially Long Island, is going through a Q revolution right now. Lots of new places, some good, some bad, a couple that are excellent.

Eric

quote:

Originally posted by artphon

quote:

Originally posted by snaggle

when visiting nyc a friend and i were trying to find a place to eat. he pointed at a bbq joint and i asked, why would you ever want bbq in nyc? so many other great foods in nyc and you want bbq? i think we ended up at a bland bar with bland food and beer.. cant be certain though. eating in certain towns should reflect the food best served really.

I agree with this theory. However, when trapped in midtown with a large group (who didn't have time to wait for a table at the Carnegie Deli), I have enjoyed going to Virgil's bbq (44th and Broadway). I don't think it is outstanding barbecue by the high standards of this group, but given my (regrettably) limited experience, I think it is very good. And the extremely spicy popcorn at the bar is to die for. It is worth going just for a drink and some of that.

I'm in Midtown Manhattan off & on for business, and I usually make a beeline to Virgil's for my traditional meal at the bar (after the theater crowds thin-out at 8pm):

BBQ Wings
Mac & Cheese
One biscuit
3 Red Stripes

The seasoned popcorn at the bar is indeed fantastic as well. The actual BBQ - I had it once, didn't really care for it, and don't really recommend it.

John
(gonna try Dinosaur BBQ next trip to NYC)

V960,

Did you ever try RUB or Daisy May's? Saying there is no good Q in New Yorq is a pretty strong statement. NY, especially Long Island, is going through a Q revolution right now. Lots of new places, some good, some bad, a couple that are excellent.

Eric


I had a real stiff beef brisket sandwich from RUB (Righteous Urban BBQ)...
not tender at all. I had my hopes up so high, too.
I too out the sandwich (it's in the Chelsea area), had a few bites , and threw the rest out.

ellen

quote:

Originally posted by V960

If you ate BBQ in NYC you deserved to get garbage. There are so many great restaurants in NYC that to choose BBQ you must having been...in a REAL bad way for Q.

BBQ, is about the only item I have never seen done well in NYC. My family is from NYC and ALWAYS requests a trip to Lexington, NC for BBQ when they visit. (I live about 30 miles from Lexington)

You can't get a decent pastrami, bagel or noodle bowl in NC but our BBQ is the best.

Well I'll have to go ahead and disagree with that theory. You don't have to go to Italy to get good Italian food. Sure the odds off walking into a joint in NC and getting good Q is better than NYC, and conversley that of finding a good bowl of pho. However, its meat, spices, smoke and experience that make good Q and all that can travel very nicely.

I don't think I "deserved" to get garbage. As Cosmos said, good food of all types can be found in many places, not just their native areas. The thing is that taste is subjective and people walk into a food situation and don't check their bias at the door. We all know what we grew up with and what we like and that is usually our yardstick. The hard thing though about getting good 'cue in NYC is the smoke factor. From what I understand, second hand mind you, is that getting a permit to operate a smoker in NYC is pretty tough (not impossible as a coal oven for a pizzeria) but pretty tough and a lot of places fudge it with liquid smoke or go without. My problem wwas that I wasn't willing to go far that night and made a quick choice and ignored the red flags that popped up. Now, for that, I deserved to get garbage!

Billyboy is likely right about the smoke factor. Commercial barbecuen' machines that can pass emissions muster in metro areas are probably now utilized. I doubt that NYC will ever see the big brick pits that are required to produce real barbecue. Hell, wood burning brick pits are illegal in Charlotte, NC!

I live in Texas, the dallas-ft worth metroplex and eaten bbq not only here but in Ark.,Lousiana, Miss., Georgia, Memphis, Fla, S. Car., and I still think the best was at Dinosaur bbq in Syracuse N.Y.

Have to agree on Dinosuar BQ in Syracuse. I believe they are using JR cookers, that or Jedmaster's.

I'm sure NYC is probably stricter than other parts of NY.

One day, the old traditional, historical pits of NC will most likely be illegal.