The 5 Best BBQ Bites of 2019
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During 2019, I ate at a lot of barbecue joints locally and around the country. When I look through all the great food I tried, it was difficult to select just a few.
For this list, I decided to focus mostly on mains instead of sides or desserts and not to include what I ate at big food events. Otherwise, this list would be way too difficult to assemble. Plus, I want my readers and fellow barbecue fans to be able to actually go and try all these great items at local joints.
Without further adieu, here are the five best barbecue bites I ate in 2019.
The brisket and ribs at Juicy Lucy left me impressed.
Brisket and Ribs Platter - Juicy Lucy BBQ
After gaining a lot of attention for winning Brisket King 2019, Staten Island’s Juicy Lucy BBQ had high expectations when it opened in early July. The perfectly smoked brisket and ribs both left an impression on me and my stomach. I loved it and I’m looking forward to trying it again soon.
This delicious platter at Mike’s BBQ in Philly was only half of what I tried.
Brisket Cheesesteak, Korean Wings, and More - Mike’s BBQ
I visited Philadelphia earlier this year for a day and the one barbecue joint I had been recommended more than any other was Mike’s BBQ in South Philly, so I had to stop in. The joint didn’t disappoint and I loved nearly everything I tried, including the brisket cheesesteak, Korean smoked wings, pork spare ribs, Gouda mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans, and caramel-drizzled banana pudding. If you're ever in Philly, be sure to say hi to Mike.
My favorite burger I ate in New York this year was from Emmy Squared in Brooklyn.
Le Big Matt Burger - Emmy Squared
While it may not technically count as barbecue, the Le Big Matt Burger from Emmy Squared is so good it’s staying on my list. Emmy Squared first attracted buzz for its burger a few years ago but for some reason, it took until this year for me to try it. It features two 3.5-ounce grass-fed beef patties, white American cheese, pickles, and “Sammy sauce” and is incredibly filling. It's a little messy but that doesn't matter when it's so good. (My second favorite burger I ate in 2019 was the Peter Luger-inspired 45-day dry-aged burger from Hometown Tavern in Red Hook.)
The pastrami sandwich is only available at the Hometown location in Industry City.
Pastrami Sandwich - Hometown Bar-B-Que (Industry City)
My visit a few months ago to the new Hometown Bar-B-Que highlighted its smoked pastrami sandwich, and for good reason. Pastrami is a classic New York meat and this take on it is smoky, peppery, rich, and better than almost anywhere else you could get it in NYC. This item is not available at the original Red Hook location, so it’s worth getting over to the new venue. (While the pastrami sandwich was a knockout, I also want to give a shout out to the great lamb belly bahn mi and brisket taco I ate at Hometown this year as well.)
I fell in love with the ribs at Mothership Meat Company.
Pork Spare Ribs - Mothership Meat Company
Mothership Meat Company, which is owned by the same team as John Brown Smokehouse and similarly located in Long Island City, is one of the best new joints to open in NYC in 2019. The joint has the potential to become a staple for New York barbecue fans looking for experimentation, but also does a nice job with classics. Case in point: the enormous pork spare ribs are smoky, peppery, and flavorful, and I’ll order them every time I go.
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There are plenty of other outrageously delicious bites I ate this year, and if you want to see more check out my Instagram or Facebook profiles. If you want to tell me about an amazing BBQ bite in the area that’s not on my radar, give me a shout.
And for those wondering, my worst BBQ meal of the year was the Subway brisket sandwich. Maybe it’s not fair to even call it barbecue!
Sean Ludwig
Founder, NYC BBQ
EAT ALL ABOUT IT
Here are the top BBQ (and related) food news stories you need to know about this week:
Water Dog Smoke House in NJ includes much more than fish on the menu. (Photo by Water Dog Smoke House)
A new profile in New Jersey Monthly has brought to my attention the curiously named Ventnor City-based restaurant Water Dog Smoke House. I followed up with the owners for more specific details about their barbecue offerings and they told me they serve “baby back ribs that have been smoked for 4-to-6 hours and lightly touched with a hybrid Memphis-Carolina BBQ sauce.” They also serve pastrami burnt ends, delicious sounding bagel sandwiches, and a smoked-and-grilled Beyond Meat burger. (I also approve of their dog-filled Instagram account.)
Eater NY editor Robert Sietsema included several barbecue or meat-centric joints on his list of 10 worst dishes he ate 2019. They include the cheesy corn at Mothership Meat Company, the Chicago dog at Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda at JFK airport, and the beef shank stroganoff at Hudson & Charles Dinette. (For the record, I’ve had the cheesy corn at Mothership and loved it.)
World War II veterans were honored this past Monday at the opening of a new Mission BBQ location in Wilkes-Barre Township, the Times Leader reports. Mission BBQ is patriotic-themed barbecue chain to those who aren’t familiar. Co-founder Bill Kraus attended the opening and said the Township made sense because it has a large veterans presence. “It just felt that we should be here,” Kraus said. “And with a Veterans Administration facility just up the road, we hope they all come down to see us. Every day is Veterans Day at Mission BBQ.”
Finally, in a sad bit of news, Morrel's BBQ in Stoughton, Massachusetts has closed. The restaurant has been open for two years and was “known for its ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken and more,” Patch reports. "It is with mixed feelings that we announce that Morrell's BBQ RESTAURANT is transitioning to offer catering and the food truck for private and corporate events, and the restaurant is being transferred to a new restaurateur ...," the owner said on Facebook.
IRL BBQ
Here are the top BBQ (and related) food events coming soon to the New York metro area:
The Vice Night Market in Brooklyn is back for those looking for a fun-and-food-filled Friday night.
Friday, December 13: If you want to try some of the hottest eats in Brooklyn, check out the Vice Night Market tonight at the Villian space in Williamsburg. Vendors including Mao's Bao, Palenque Home Made Colombian Food, Baonanas, Mattitaco, Mekelburg's, Archie's Pizza, and Uptownn will be there to give your taste buds a workout. RSVP for free here.
Saturday, December 14: Pitmaster Robert Austin Cho will be hosting a Brisket Master Class at his restaurant Kimchi Smoke in Westwood, NJ. He will go over the basics and advanced level techniques from selecting a brisket (different grades), trimming, seasoning, cook times and temperatures. He’ll also take a deeper look at issues like tenderness, bark, smoke ring, and finally eat some brisket together. There will be a Q&A afterwards where Cho will give personalized tips for different types of smokers. Wherever you are in your smoke journey, you’ll be sure to take it the next level. Buy tickets here.
Saturday, January 18: The 10th Annual Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival is leaving Manhattan after a decade of fun and heading to Brooklyn. A ticket buys you access to tasting great local barbecue, hot sauces, and tons of spirits. The “Beast Cage” will be back with exotic smoked meats, including alligator, lamb, bison, longhorn rounds, and much more. There will also be whole hog as well and you won’t want to miss it. Buy tickets here.
Saturday, January 25: The 12th Annual Cassoulet Cook Off will take place on Jan 25 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Cassoulet is the ultimate winter dish, where French traditions meet New England baked beans, Texas BBQ brisket burnt ends and beans, California vegetarian beans casserole, and many other chef driven styles. There will be 10+ chefs and more food than ever, plus craft beer, hard cider, wine, and spirits. Buy tickets here.
SAY HELLO
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