Wildwood BBQ

I just ate at the newly opened Wildwood BBQ here in NYC. Complete review on my blog http://beefaficionado.blogspot.com/2008/04/wildwood-barbecue.html, but here are some pics to whet your appetite:



A thoroughly modern space



Beef Brisket, as good as any in NYC



Pulled pork, also delicous



The bone in beef short rib.

Beef Brisket, as good as any in NYC

That doesn't necessairly say very much, now does it?

No it don't. As good as any in NYC. Does the author have any frame of reference? Does Hillary eat there? What???

No Hillary doesn't eat here...but Rev. Wright and Obama do.

The pitmaster is Big Lou a retired NYC motorcycle cop and a veteran of the BBQ circuit. He also had his hand in the development of Hill Country and was one of the judges at the Sayville BBQ event last year. This link is courtesy of my brother.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04162008/entertainment/food/nypd__cue_106712.htm

Well I must say that I am rather disappointed by the comments re: NYC and barbecue. I thought that Roadfooders where open minded and actually interested in seeking out quality food rather than perpetuating regional stereotypes.

Best brisket in NYC doesn't mean that much? A few years ago I might have agreed with you but these days we are involved in a barbecue renaissance. Aside from all the new restaurants opening lately lets not forget that Adam Perry Lang has won numerous competitions on the National level.

As for my frame of reference I have eaten at the following NYC joints:

Hill Country
RUB
Dinosaur BBQ
Blue Smoke
Daisy May
Virgil's
Spanky's
Brother Jimmy's
Bone Lick Park
Fette Sau
The Smoke Joint
Mo Gridders

Do you think that that is enough to form a frame of reference?

quote:

Originally posted by BeefAficionado

Well I must say that I am rather disappointed by the comments re: NYC and barbecue. I thought that Roadfooders where open minded and actually interested in seeking out quality food rather than perpetuating regional stereotypes.

Best brisket in NYC doesn't mean that much? A few years ago I might have agreed with you but these days we are involved in a barbecue renaissance. Aside from all the new restaurants opening lately lets not forget that Adam Perry Lang has won numerous competitions on the National level.

As for my frame of reference I have eaten at the following NYC joints:

Hill Country
RUB
Dinosaur BBQ
Blue Smoke
Daisy May
Virgil's
Spanky's
Brother Jimmy's
Bone Lick Park
Fette Sau
The Smoke Joint
Mo Gridders

Do you think that that is enough to form a frame of reference?

While I agree that most people may not think of NYC as a BBQ haven, I'm very certain that there are people in NYC that are just as passionate about BBQ as any where else in the country, so the possibilty of a great BBQ joint is cetainly possible. BTW BeefAficionado I check out the blog, very nice I've bookmarked it. And yes I agree with you that some comments on this thread were appear to be from people who are not too open minded.

piney
longing for good BBQ in western WI.

BeefAffic...affician...

OK, how about BeefyA?

Although not BBQ, I recall eating at a Jewish Deli on 7th Ave, a few blocks north of Times Square, and I had the beef brisket on rye bread sandwich. The menu said it was a full pound of meat. They weren't kidding. By the end of the meal, which consisted of nothing but the sandwich and maybe iced tea, I had to forego the bread and I still couldn't finish all the brisket! Why...IT WAS A WHOLE POUND! And I had indulged in a NYC street vendor hotdog, a smoothie, a free snow cone promoting the new series Psych, and a Chock Ful-A-Nuts coffee that day.

It was great beef brisket, albeit not BBQ style. So, NYC IS a great place for Brisket! Just find a good deli and you are in...

Now, if you want to talk about Salsa in New York City? I could understand the incredulity.

the pulled pork looks dry.

quote:

Originally posted by uncledaveyo

the pulled pork looks dry.

It wasn't in the slightest, very moist and flavorful.

quote:

Originally posted by brisketboy

No it don't. As good as any in NYC. Does the author have any frame of reference? Does Hillary eat there? What???

No but Bubba Bill did

BeefyA. Lighten up a bit dude. I was only pulling your chain a little bit.

AFAIC NYC is always an open target for jabs and put-downs.

MikeS.

You think them's comments bad BA, you should try it on the KCBS competition circuit.

But I've been to many of the legendary bbq regions in the country and NYC can easily hold its own against any of them now.

RUB, Hill Country, Daisy May's, Blue Smoke and now Wildwood. All very different experiences. All damn good.

Ya know in the big apple...a city of so many people of so many talents and types, it just wouldn't surprise me if a restaurant was open serving great food of what ever type you wanted....barbecue or whatever!!!

It's funny to see the New Yorkers jump to the defense of the usual subjects, and even a place that's been open for one day, while at the same time they refuse to take Southern Hospitality seriously because of our celeb owners.

I'll put my credentials against anybody in the city. Wanna know who won the LI Grill Kings cookoff the last time we were all there? Look for the Championship trophy in the case at Southern Hospitality.

Doc,

I haven't heard anyone that I believe know what good bbq is not take Southern Hospitality seriously. I think you're being a little too sensitive. But I do hear that the food has improved since you've joined the staff.

It's not in my list because I ain't been there yet to determine if it belongs in my top 5.

I know what it's like to loose to you. We all know you can cook.

WhiteTrash aka BrooklynQ

This Texas boy sure thinks the above BBQ looks good enough for even a Texan to eat. Especially that rib. Great smoke ring too.

If that's the Q they're serving...outta biz in a few months. Good luck!!

Thanks for the informative post, Nick. Lots of good-looking stuff in your photos here and on your blog.

Forty years ago, BBQ in NYC meant grilled burgers and chicken. It sure looks like that has changed!

If they have problems selling that brisket they can wrap it in bacon. BBQed bacon. Some white bread on the side and some good BBQ sauce. Do it yourself brisket and bacon sandwich

I've had great brisket and beef ribs in Texas. I prefer pastrami and corn beef sandwich to Texas BBQ brisket

quote:

Originally posted by whitetrashbbq

Doc,

I haven't heard anyone that I believe know what good bbq is not take Southern Hospitality seriously. I think you're being a little too sensitive. But I do hear that the food has improved since you've joined the staff.

It's not in my list because I ain't been there yet to determine if it belongs in my top 5.

I know what it's like to loose to you. We all know you can cook.

WhiteTrash aka BrooklynQ

That's kind of the point. Neither you or BeefAficionado have even tried us, yet Wildwood is open for a day and you're both all over it.

quote:

Originally posted by drbbq

quote:

Originally posted by whitetrashbbq

Doc,

I haven't heard anyone that I believe know what good bbq is not take Southern Hospitality seriously. I think you're being a little too sensitive. But I do hear that the food has improved since you've joined the staff.

It's not in my list because I ain't been there yet to determine if it belongs in my top 5.

I know what it's like to loose to you. We all know you can cook.

WhiteTrash aka BrooklynQ

That's kind of the point. Neither you or BeefAficionado have even tried us, yet Wildwood is open for a day and you're both all over it.

I review them as I get to them. There's a few places in the city I haven't been to yet, unfortunately Southern Hospitality falls into that category.

I can't speak for Beef Aficionado, but in my case, it's the luck of the draw or the neighborhoods I frequent. I have no reason to be in Southern Hospitality's neighborhood and from what I had heard from people who's opinion I trust was that it WASN't (past tense) worth a special trip.

As I mentioned earlier I've heard that the food has improved since you joined the staff. It's on my list to visit, but for personal reasons it won't be happening too soon.

A restaurant only gets one opening and that's usually when it gets the most press. A new chef joining a place that is already open happens every day in NYC.

you guys call pitmasters "Chefs"? Isn't that an insult?

quote:

Originally posted by drbbq
That's kind of the point. Neither you or BeefAficionado have even tried us, yet Wildwood is open for a day and you're both all over it.

Well, I have been to Southern Hospitality; but not Wildwood (yet). I guess that my situation is exactly the opposite of Rob's.

I can categorically state that the BBQ at Southern Hospitality when I was there was excellent. The beef ribs were outstanding. You can find reviews of Southern Hospitality and other BBQ places in NYC at www.pigtrip.net. Gary (owner of pigtrip) is a great source and a knowledgeable BBQ guy.

Speaking of Grill Kings, it's too bad that there aren't more grilling or BBQ competitions in NYC. Sayville is expanding this year and we have plans for at least two more in 2009 (for a total of 3), but that's not much help for those that don't want to travel to Long Island.

Hmmmm, does anyone know of any upcoming grilling events in the area?


Eric

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

you guys call pitmasters "Chefs"? Isn't that an insult?

Speaking for myself, I'd rather be called pitmaster but chef isn't really an insult.

quote:

A restaurant only gets one opening and that's usually when it gets the most press. A new chef joining a place that is already open happens every day in NYC.

Who knew there were such strict rules for bloggers?

Coincidently, I had just heard of this place for the first time while on the Austin Roadfood bus tour.
My bus-mate turned out to be a pork buyer named Andy; (you can't beat his meat) . He works in Hunts Point, Bronx, and he told me about Wildwood. Of course, I got very excited.

(but at first I thought he was talking about Wildwood, NJ, which could always use a new restaurant that's not a Jersey shore tourist trap)

Appreciate you sharing your Wildwood bbq experience & pics, beef afficiado!
I'll definitely have to put Wildwood, NYC on my to-do list.

--ellen

@ Dr BBQ here you go: http://beefaficionado.blogspot.com/2008/05/southern-hospitality.html

Thank you very very much.

quote:

Originally posted by motoeric



Hmmmm, does anyone know of any upcoming grilling events in the area?


Eric

Why yes Eric, there are a lot of BBQ and Grilling events coming up in New York this year.

Here's a pretty good list...

Smoke n' Steam - Oyster Bay, Long Island, MAY 10, 2008 (http://www.lirr35.org/dates.htm)
Grillin' On The Bay - Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, June 7, 2008 (http://grillinonthebay.org)
I Love BBQ Festival - Lake Placid, NY, July 4, 2008 (http://www.ilbbqf.com)
Troy Pig Out, Troy NY, July 18, 2008
Hudson Valley Ribfest, New Paltz, August 15, 2008 (http://www.hudsonvalleyribfest.org)
Oinktoberfest, Clarence, NY, Sept. 26, 2008 (http://www.oinktoberfest.com/)
Battle of the BBQ Brethren, Sayville, NY, Oct 25,08(http://www.greatersayvillechamber.com/events.htm)

I don't know if that's complete, but it's pretty close.