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pulled pork sandwich/BBQ?
Posted: 5:05 pm, June 5th, 2009 in Midtown Eating
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44 Comments
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Daisy May's
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I'm partial to Virgil's on 44th 6th and 7th. If you grew up in NYC not knowing what "good barbecue" is, then Virgil's is great (I fall into this case). If you have a long thorough exposure to "real barbecue", supposedly Virgil's will disappoint.
That said, my current favorite barbecue joint is Hill Country BBQ on 26th.
Adam
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I agree, Virgil's is good if you didn't grow up having BBQ. Brother Jimmy's, midtown at Penn Station on eighth, is also about the same quality.
Haven't had Hill Country yet but RUB BBQ on 23rd and Seventh was pretty good.
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My only problem with RUB is that I don't like room temperature BBQ. It tends to be less tender served at that temperature. Otherwise, it's damn fine bbq (but not "better than virgil's").
Hill country has a wider variety of meats, rather than your usual pulled pork / ribs / chicken / brisket offering. I'm partial to the beef ribs, and they had a "whole hog" last time I was there, as well as some different smoked sausage.
Plus they have a recession special on mondays, all you can eat chicken and ribs for $25.
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I've gotta ask the question...
Anyone here ever been to DALLAS BBQ? Seen the ads for the cheap eats there, but have never gone to any of their locations.
... and Virgil's?
One can never be too shy to ask to have the unfinished portion of your meal wrapped. A great bang for the buck!
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The chicken at Hill Country's Monday special was pretty good, but the (pork) ribs were *not* good at all. I actually preferred ribs from Dallas BBQ (*gasp* to HC's ribs that they served. (Yes, they were that bad.) Sides were OK, but they still charge extra for the decent sides (mac & cheese, etc.)
Dallas BBQ is not top notch by a long shot, but their wings (hot or sticky) are huge and very good, lightly breaded but not like 'fried' chicken. Their bbq chicken isn't bad; ribs are generic but (unlike HC's) rather tender and had some flavor. Dallas bbq is more of a generic bbq chain--rib tips are good though.
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Oh yeah: Virgil's is definitely very good BBQ. If you want really tasty bbq, it's worth making the trek up north to Dinosaur BBQ.
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Hill Country has no pulled pork (which Talida kindly explained to me is because it's Texas style, and Texas BBQ is all about brisket & sausage).
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Good example of how subjective tastes are :)
I love Dallas, but I kinda think they shouldn't be considered barbecue, or they're protecting themselves by saying "BBQ" instead of calling it "barbecue". Semantics aside, Dallas is one of the best values for dinner in NYC. It's easily half the price of any of the upscale barbecue joints, the food is satisfying (ignoring that it's "not real barbecue"). Lastly, I love the wings. Not sure how it's breaded but it's ultra crispy (I think it's some mix of wheat and corn flour).
As for Dinosaur, I thought it was highly overrated and I was thoroughly unimpressed. Then again I went on a friday night so it was an hour wait for the table (my guitar teacher plays there so we were waiting anyway).
Yvo, you're right. My wife always has pulled pork, and I assumed she had it. I just asked her and she said she had pork ribs and brisket when we went. My bad.
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I just re-read your comment. All you can eat chicken & ribs! Too bad the sides will boost your cost exponentially (as much as I'd like to, eating all ribs would probably not be a good idea)... and their ribs were not a hit with me or my friends.
I have to say, though, that I was also born/raised in NYC, so I went to Dallas BBQ my fair share throughout college/directly after. It's tasty and super cheap (that dinner-for-two deal is ridiculous, if you can get to one early enough). I can't say it's authentic - I can't even say anything is or isn't authentic since I have no scale by which to judge - but it tastes good and is super cheap. Except the one on University Place, which I think is not part of the whole chain (the location isn't/wasn't listed on their website)... that one is super dirty and disgusting, the food doesn't taste the same, even when you're stoned.
Oh, also, the 'brisket moist' from Hill Country was REALLY good. I mean damn. But I really cringe at paying $23/lb. for that - even if I go to another BBQ place and it's probably the same price, please don't braek down the price like that for me! Ignorance is bliss!
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I appreciate all the feedback. I've been to Dinosaur and Dallas BBQ and while they were both good, I was hoping to find a place in midtown where you can BBQ takeout for around $10.
I went to college in DC and there was a BBQ place we went to where they served brisket, turkey, pulled pork, and ribs with your choice of sauce and 2 sides for 9 bucks. It was awesome and I can't understand why there is no place like that in the city. They have every other type of food on the cheap, why no BBQ?
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Dallas BBQ is about as cheap as you'll get in the city, except for maybe some hole-in-the-wall places (that can be good) up in Harlem. BTW, I had a brain freeze above--the rib tips I mentioned were from Brother Jimmy's.
Hill Country is overpriced/overrated IMO. I really didn't like their ribs--a hint of smoke, but mostly dry and tasteless. Their lean brisket was also very dry--too dry.
Another very good and underrated bbq option is Dallas Jones BBQ, down on Houston. Very good 'regular' bbq (not the high-end fancy stuff, but solid).
And it's hard to beat the bbq-oriented brunch at Bone Lick Park. Many bbq items like beef ribs, pulled pork, turkey sausage w/gravy, fried oysters, sides like cheese grits and au gratin potatoes, very good eggs with most dishes, and AYCD, for well under $20.
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Probably because "real bbq" isn't particular compatible with NYC real estate, so much more handling is involved.
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i mean the daisy may's cart is probably your best option, except you can't get any sides. the pulled pork sandwich is really good though.
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Daisy May's cart is better than Virgil's imo. AND it's cheaper than if you go to the Daisy May's restaurant over on 11th Ave. You can get sides from the cart. They have cole slaw and rice and beans which they sell for $1 a small serving. That cole slaw is spicy and GOOD.
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They no longer have a cart downtown and I was never able to try it while it was here, so I can't speak to what sides they have at the cart, but dude, the corn/cheesy/creamy corn goodness, wow. Lurve. And their beans are pretty good too, not gonna say the best, but up there from what I've tried.
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yeah sorry i didn't mean that you couldn't get any sides, just that they were very limited and nothing like the cheesy corn, mac and cheese and creamed spinach. oh and the beans and tips. yum.
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alot - do you like their creamed spinach? I had it once from the restaurant and I'm not one to really talk sh*t about food but that was one of the nastiest things I've ever eaten.
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Worst creamed spinach I've ever had is at a steakhouse in Riverdale called "Jake's Steakhouse" (right near the last stop on the 1 train).
The creamed spinach was more like spinached cream. Equal amounts glop and spinach. (think of creamed corn from a can, but spinach instead of corn). I'm sure the spinach was fresh but the glop was just horrifying.
(well yah, of course I ate it, but still)
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Adam - Daisy May's creamed spinach was completely creamed. I mean there was no texture to it but smooth, and not in that nice, smooth, creamy melt in your mouth way. Baby food.
http://feistyfoodie.blogspot.com/2008/10/daisy-mays-bbq.html
The pic is in the middle.
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I can make all sorts of vulgar comments about that creamed "spinach"...
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'nuff said.
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Believe it or not, the best ribs in NYC are at Houston's.
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Hey Fork--- Dig your blog and I know you are wise in the ways of food, but Houstons? I have had them but not my fave..... I think RUB and Virgil's are both up there...
I like this place, Over All, for all my BBQ Needs: http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hog-pit-new-york . I especially like to go on a Friday Night and watch the Meatpacking District become the Meatpacking District if you know what I mean....
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Hmmm, sorry to hear that Dinosaur BBQ isn't that good. Haven't been to the NYC one but I've been to the one up in Syracuse which had excellent wings. I enjoyed the ribs and chicken but I also was kind of hammered when I had them because the wait for the entree (wings were apps) was over an hour on a Sat. night after a 'Cuse home football game.
Also, forgot to mention this place which I thought was pretty good, Duke's BBQ on 19th(?) St. and I think there is a Murray Hill location also.
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I like Duke's also--- Great Po' Boy Sandwiches! I think it is called Dukes FKA Earls?
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LWL - Actually it seems like it's mixed reviews. Some people love Dinosaur in Harlem, some don't :) Similarly, I thought hill country was good and someone else didn't. Go there and try for yourself :)
I want to check out Rack and Soul on 109th next.
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yvo-yeah i actually did like the creamed spinach, the one i had was lighter in color than yours, but the texture was similar. definitely baby food consistency but i liked the flavor. i could see how it could completely not be someone's preference. personally i like dinosaur, but i am from upstate so it might just be a loyalty thing. duke's is fine, but the mac and cheese tastes weirdly sweet and the service seems to be universally bad, just slow and rude. plus they have a habit of ALWAYS bringing entrees out while you are still eating appetizers.
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It's not in midtown.. but i'm partial to Georgia's in LES. Actually being from GA, its a pretty good contender.
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Good info everyone, now expanding lists of places to try to include Georgia's and Rack & Soul (is the name a play off the old Hall and Oates record?) along with the Dinosaur and Hill country.
Anyone every make it out to Ft. Greene and the Smoke Joint and try the food there? Also, I've been to Blue Smoke and thought it was good also but way overpriced, any thoughts?
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Oh, I really love Dinosaur, it's tops on my list for pulled pork in the city, except it is far away and I'm not comfortable walking by closed/abandoned? factories late at night.
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i think hill country is WAY overrated, esp with the ribs! they're really fatty and not even that tender. sides aren't great either. blue smoke, which isn't too far away, is a LOT better, but also pretty pricy.
of all the bbq i've had in ny, daisy may's was the best. dinosaur and rack and soul are both pretty good but way too far. rub on 23rd has pretty good pulled pork, but the ribs are mediocre, best thing there are the burnt ends. and i haven't been to wildwood, but i've heard great things about them.
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Of those mentioned and that I have tried:
Blue Smoke is good and as El Dubya El says a bit pricey.
Dinosaur has some of the best wings in the city, but it is far away in West Harlem. Ditto for Rack & Soul.
Dallas BBQ is the cheapest of the bunch, but not 'real' Q and undistinguished, except for the fact that it is better than the over-priced dreck they foist on unsuspecting tourists and suckers at Virgils.
Best bet in mid-town would be Daisy May's shop on the far west side.
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Went to Daisy May's cart for the pulled pork and it was OK. The sauce was way to thick and sweet and I dont like when the pork is mixed in with the sauce. I prefer my sauce to be thin, vinegary (is that even a word?), and not mixed in with the pork.
I'm definitly going to have to make some pulled pork at home this weekend after all this talk about BBQ and the dissapointment of Daisy Mays...
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Something tells me that there needs to be a Midtown Lunch BBQ-a-palooza.
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about houston's - i would def say that they are top 3 in the city for ribs. flavor is great and they're so tender they fall off the bone.
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I've said it before-- Houston's ribs are pretty darn amazing. Yes, it IS sad a chain is even in the running here, but it's true. Neither Hill Country, Dinosaur, Virgil's or Blue Smoke is head and shoulders better than Houstons. I also maintain Houstons has one of the better burgers in the City....
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The only good pulled pork/bbq in this city is at Fette Sau in Billyburg. Daisy May's is okay, Dinosaur is okay (some items are better than the others), and nothing else I've had is worth speaking of.
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Dinosaur has the best wings I've ever had---but their ribs were only so-so. I do like their sauces, though not quite as good as Anchor Bar.
Is there any place in midtown that serves a pulled pork sandwich? For that matter, is there even a place with good BBQ in midtown?