Carnivores On Patrol - The Big Apple BBQ Block Party

This is what carnivores in action look like.  If you couldn't tell, we're gnawing on the flesh of grass fed Vegans.

The troops gathered and invaded the Big Apple BBQ Block Party like a horde of hungry Huns.  Pillaging and destroying charred, smoky flesh wherever it was to be found.  Here's the story of our rampage through this meaty utopia.

Salt and Pepper Beef Rib - Blue Smoke, NY

 I did mention that the one exception to not bothering with NY stands was Blue Smoke's beef ribs.  They were still fantastic tasting but not enough meat, which is something not often said when eating a beef rib.  There's a lot of bone here.  I'm not saying you shouldn't get it, just understand what you're getting.  I'd say it'll be much better should you get it at the actual restaurant as you'd likely get a full beef rib.

Brisket and Smoked Sausage - Salt Lick, TX

Salt Lick's brisket was OK.  Not great, but OK.  Every year I miss out on this because they run out before I get to their stall.  This year I got to it and there was a 30 minute wait to get some...and that was with the FastPass.  I can't imagine what the wait time was on the other side of the stall.  Not sure it was worth waiting for.  The sausage was really good though.  I was a little disappointed here.  Dinosaur's brisket was much tastier.

Baby Back Ribs - 17th Street Bar and Grill, IL

There's a reason 17th Street Bar and Grill wins awards for their ribs.  It's because they're fantastic.  Completely falling off the bone.  Tender and smoky.  Excellent ribs.  And if ribs don't do it for you, there's a bit of boob in the picture to make you smile.

St Louis Ribs - Checkered Pig, VA

These were the best ribs we had...at least I thought so.  These were fucking fantastic.  Even the slaw that came with it was fresh and tasty.  Complete worth getting sauce all over your face when the ribs are this good.

Brisket - Dinosaur BBQ, NYC

This was the brisket to get.  I know in my rules for going to the Big Apple BBQ, I said don't bother with NY stands other than Blue Smoke.  I was wrong.  Dinosaur BBQ knocked it out of the park.  Every other year they've done ribs and I wasn't all that impressed.  This year they rocked out some brisket, and I'm a brisket whore.  I'd sell myself under the Gowanus for the right amount of really good brisket.  I'd consider selling myself for this.  The jalapenos and sauce added a nice counterpoint to the richness of the meat.  The beans had a nice kick to them too.





Pulled Pork from Big Bob Gibson never disappoints.  I get it every year.  And every year I'm happy to ear it.  The habanero sauce isn't nearly as hot as you'd expect it to be.  But still damn tasty.  This was the only pulled pork we got.  We preferred the whole hog we got over it.

Smoked Sausage and Pimento Cheese -
Jim 'N Nicks, AL

The thing I come to this event for is pimento cheese.  It's so insanely white trash and disgusting and it makes me ridiculously happy.  The smoked sausage is pretty fantastic too.  Spicy, smoky and flavorful.  It's probably best saved for last because the spicyness could blow out your tastebuds for anything else afterwards.  But I simply couldn't wait to get the pimento cheese.  I think I'll be making another batch soon.  Seems like a yearly thing.  Angry Grilled Cheese here we come! Use this butter on the bread and that cheese in it.  You'll be a happy fat kid.

Whole Hog - Scott's BBQ, SC

Our first stop on the BBQ adventure turned out to be whole hog from Scott's BBQ.  If you couldn't guess, whole hog is where they smoke the whole damn pig.  Then they cut that sucker open, chop up everything they can pull out and serve it to you.  Scott's whole hog comes with chicharrons, fried pork skin.  They add a whole new level of goodness to whole hog.  This was almost the best thing I ate today...almost

Whole Hog - Ed Mitchell, NC

Since Scott's whole hog was ALMOST the best thing I ate today, Ed Mitchell's whole hog WAS the best thing.  Absolutely fan-fucking-tastic!  I love Ed Mitchell.  I've taken pictures with Ed Mitchell.  If he had a semi-attractive daughter, I'd marry her just so I could be related to Ed Mitchell.  I was somewhat disappointed that he didn't have the smoked turkey this year.  Then I ate the whole hog and didn't care anymore.  That's the way it is was great food.  What you're missing doesn't matter, because what you have is all that does.





This was a great time.  I strongly suggest that if you like good BBQ, and I don't mean hot dogs and hamburgers, you get your ass to this event next year.  It's completely worth it.  You get to wander around for a few hours eating GREAT food and hanging around with your friends.  I can't think of a better way to spend my afternoon.  It just ended and I already can't wait to go next year.  Let me just say thanks to Dor, Zayra and Ugo for their company on this year's meaty expedition...and for a couple of pictures too.  I had a great time!

If you can't look at it's head, you have no business eating it.

7 Things to Remember If You're Going to the Big Apple BBQ Block Party

The BigApple BBQ Block Party is an event at Madison Square Park in NYC. They gather 17 of the best pitmasters in the country and feed us cityfolks some of the best BBQ available. It's going on today and tomorrow. I've been going to the Big Apple BBQ for a few years running now. I thought it might be a nice thing for me to share some of the things I've learned over those years. Things that make for a more pleasant experience while dining on the slowly, lovingly smoked flesh of dead animals. Here are the Top 7 things to remember while going to the BBQ Apple BBQ Block Party. (I left off “get a FastPass because I thought it was too obvious. If it's not too obvious consider that 1A.)

1. Horde napkins, wet naps and forks...you'll need 'em. You'll forget to take 'em at every other stand so it's better to just have extra.


2. Always keep a bottle of water handy. You'll be eating meat for hours and need something to wash it down with. Don't waste your time on the beer lines. They're long and you can only drink in designated areas in the park. Just not worth the effort. You can always take a break from eating and go across the street to Live Bait if you really need a frosty beverage.


3. Don't bitch about lines. We're all waiting. Put a smile on your face, talk to your neighbors. Maybe you'll make a new friend. You've already got something in common...you're carnivores.
4. Don't bother with most of the NY stands. You can get that anytime. Except the Blue Smoke beef rib, that sucker is fantastic!


5. Get a picture with Ed Harris...he's fucking cool!


6. Wear comfortable footwear. Plan on standing the whole time you're there. There isn't much bench space and going into the park to find a spot on the lawns in ridiculous. Suck it up and use your legs, that's what they're for. Besides, it can't hurt to be burning all the calories you're consuming as you go, can it? Don't be a douchey chick and wear heels to something like this. You're going to be standing in a crowd for hours eating...sneakers is the way to go.


6A. Leave your babies and dogs at home! I know you all love your kids and puppies, but they don't belong in crowds like this. Getting slammed in the back of my knees with a stroller or getting tangled in someone's dog's leash sucks. It's going to suck even more if I can't see your lil dog and I kick him accidentally or spill a plate full of hot ribs on your baby. And I promise I'll walk away from that encounter guilt free, because it wasn't me that choose to put your dog or baby in that bad situation. In the baby's case, maybe I'll offer a wetnap.

7. DON'T EAT THE BREAD! No reason, it just takes up space in your gut. (Yes, if you're at a BBQ eating event...you don't have a belly or a stomach, you have a gut. No, it doesn't matter if you're thin or not. You have a “gut”...accept that shit and move on.)

There you go, folks. A few helpful hints to make your day of carnivorous delight a more pleasant one. Hope I get to see you there with a smudge of BBQ sauce on your cheek, a bottle of water in your pocket and a smile on your face.