Pigtrip.net BBQ Reviews - Boston, New York, New England, Long Island and the Hudson Valley

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning five states. This time there are eight new joints, one return from the dead, one closing and another probable closing, one name change, two new websites and one disqualification based on menu.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Talde (Brooklyn NY) is a Park Slope newcomer that joins the ranks of the Asian/BBQ eateries. The menu has no ribs but is heavy on bacon and shrimp (both smoked), also featuring brisket, pork shoulder, lemongrass chicken, Hawaiian buns, Korean fried chicken and pretzel-pork-and-chive dumplings. Reviews have been positive. Thanks to Tiffani for the lead. www.taldebrooklyn.com
SuzyQue's BBQ & Bar (West Orange NJ) describes its 'cue as "a unique blend of Southern BBQ" that draws "from the flavors of Memphis, St Louis, texas and North Carolina." Okay, so maybe that's not so unique, but they do have a well-rounded menu that features real smoked barbecue, steaks and seafood. www.suzyques.com
Smokehouse Barbecue (Somerville NJ) is a barbecue restaurant that also dabbles in seafood, Italian and burgers.
www.smokehousebbqnj.com
The People's Pint (Greenfield MA) is an environment-conscious, local-conscious, beer-centric hang in the western part of the state that serves beers made in their own brewery. The smoked fare includes wings, a sausage of the day, pulled pork and house-smoked bacon, and there's also a burger whose blend combines bacon and grass-fed beef. Thanks to Mark for the lead. www.thepeoplespint.com
The Mill at 185 (West Boylston MA) is a typical modern American pub food restaurant with a large bar area, an assortment of Italian specialtiers and a Smokehouse menu featuring ribs, pulled pork, Andouille sausage, smoke-baked salmon and smoked prime rib. http://www.themill185.com
Al's Cookout (Brookfield CT) is primarily a wing joint, but they do also offer ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. www.alscookoutct.com
Three Little Pigs (Armonk NY) is an extension of Opus 465 and its barbecue catering operation. Barbecue selections can be picked ip at the parent restaurant or delivered to the door. Thanks to Vinny for the info. www.threelittlepigsofwestchester.com
HanBones BBQ (Hamden CT) is a new over-the-counter joint whose photographed practice runs are looking good. They may be open by now, so in the directory they go. Thanks to Teague for the heads up. Facebook

CLOSINGS

A Taste of Soul (Everett MA) has been closed for at least half a year now.

OTHER CHANGES

The Saw Mill Pizzeria and Smokehouse (Dracut MA) reopened in late 2011 under new ownership. Thanks to Dave for the info. www.sawmillpizzeria.com
Calvin's Royal Rib House (Brooklyn NY) is the new or corrected name for the joint I had listed as Royal Rib House. Thanks to Vinny for the info and for supplying their website. www.calvinsbbqonline.com
G&G's Quick Bite (Dracut MA) was admittedly a stretch as a barbecue joint all along, but a quick visit this weekend revealed they're not even close, so I grayed it out. It's probably just as well, because I probably would have been taking one for the team had I ordered a meal there. www.gandgquickbite.com
Big Paws BBQ (Biddeford ME) hasn't updated their Facebook page (on which would-be customers complained about no-shows) in months, doesn't answer their phone and doesn't return messages, even in summer, so I'm graying this one out as well. Facebook
Kansas City Smokehouse (East Meadow NY) not only has a new name after its split with RUB (NYC) but a new website as well. Thanks again to Vinny for the info. www.kcsmokehouse.com

(01/17/12)

Boston Burgers: Griddler's Reviewed

Griddle me this: when does a burger joint use potato rolls (which I love) and a griddled burger (which I love) and serve a burger I don't come close to loving? If you haven't figured it out by now, check out my review for Griddler's Burgers and Dogs (Boston MA).

See my burger review for Griddler's

(01/15/12)

Connecticut Burgers: BGR Burger Reviewed

Here's another burger review, this time for BGR Burger (West Hartford CT), a Northeast outpost of a small national chain. Not only is Connecticut burger country, but West Hartford specifically is an area with an unusually high representation of burger joints.

See my burger review for BGR Burger

(01/11/12)

New York BBQ: Butcher Bar Reviewed

The site's 240th barbecue joint review is for Butcher Bar (Queens NY), an Astoria eatery that's another in a growing regime of barbecue restaurants serving chemical-free, humanely raised, locally sourced meats. Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Butcher Bar

(01/09/12)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning four states. This time there are seven new joints, one expansion, one name change, one phone number correction, one schedule change and one new website.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Blue Smoke (New York NY) has another location scheduled to open today in Battery Park. www.bluesmoke.com
Christine’s Barbeque (Newburgh NY) is a joint run by a retired Virginia newspaper publisher and his son that’s just as heavy on Southern soul specialties (fried whiting, fried pork chop) as the barbecue staples, which are also onboard. Thanks to Vinny for the lead. www.christinesbarbeque.com
Kansas City Smokehouse (East Meadow NY) is the new name for the joint that until last month's "breakup" was RUB BBQ, a franchise of RUB in Manhattan. Thanks again to Vinny for the info.
Jenny's BBQ (Stanfordville NY) at Jenny's Country Manor is a barbecue joint that's part of a bed and breakfast in the Hudson Valley area not too far from the intersection of the NY, MA and CT borders. If you think a barbecue joint in a bed and breakfast has to be faux 'cue, check out the menu with photos and think again. Thanks again to Vinny for the info. www.jennysmanor.com/bbq
BBQ Master (Staten Island NY) is an all-purpose joint whose barbecue selections are but a bit player on its sprawling menu. Thanks to Robert for the lead. www.bbqmastersi.com
Miss Maude's Spoonbread Too and Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too (New York NY) are a pair of uptown eateries known more for their chicken and waffles than barbecue, but they do have North Carolina ribs and chopped barbecue sandwiches. www.spoonbreadinc.com
Bubba's BBQ (White Lake NY) is a seasonal lakeside joint. www.putalittlesouthinyourmouth.com
Knuckleheads (Wallingford CT) is a month-old joint whose main attraction is burgers and dogs, but there are smoked pulled pork and brisket sandwiches on the menu. Thanks to Teague—who is very high on the burger—for the lead. Facebook
4Points BBQ & Blues House (Winterport ME) is a popular northern Maine joint that I announced as added once before, but I forgot to actually add it 'til now. www.4pointsbbq.com

CLOSINGS

none

OTHER CHANGES

Harley's Smokeshack (New York NY) now has a website, with a menu more interesting than I had already imagined. http://www.harleyssmokeshack.org
Scratch Kitchen (Salem MA) has changed their hours: closed Monday through Wednesday, open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Saturday and brunch only on Sunday. www.scratchkitchensalem.com
Pies 'n' Thighs (Brooklyn) has an updated phone number and zip code. www.piesnthighs.com

(01/06/12)

Brooklyn BBQ: Pies 'n' Thighs Reviewed

The site's 240th barbecue joint review is for Pies 'n' Thighs (Brooklyn NY), a Williamsburg eatery that's known more for its bakery goods (the pies) and fried chicken (the thighs) than the 'cue, but this is a joint that's been slinging pulled pork sandwiches well before barbecue got cool. It's a joint I've wanted to visit for a long time, but their brunch-instead-of-lunch prior to 5:00PM on weekends made it tough. Was it worth the wait? Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Pies 'n' Thighs

(01/04/12)

Boston Burgers: Gallows Burger Reviewed

Here's another burger review, this time for the "Our Way" burger at The Gallows (Boston MA), a South End eatery that blends sophistication and fun.

See my burger review for The Gallows

(01/01/12)

Ringing In The New

(aka Joints Directory Madness)

Happy New Year!

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity for the new year, spanning three states, all with "New" in their name. This time there are four new joints, no closings, one new website, one new Facebook contact and one upgrade from trailer operation to full service restaurant.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Billy Bob's BBQ (Poughkeepsie NY) is a lively saloon with an interesting menu featuring the usual barbecue suspects, plus "armadillo eggs" (jalapeno poppers stuffed with pulled pork) and the "pork explosion" (bacon wrapped in sausage, wrapped in more bacon). thanks to Sledneck for the discovery. www.billybobsbbq.biz
Billy Joe's Ribworks (Newburgh NY) sits on the left bank of the Hudson, strutting a wide-reaching menu that includes three kinds of ribs, stuffed potatoes, smoke prime rib and smoked steak. www.ribworks.com
MB&B Memphis Blues and Barbecue (Milford NH) is a new joint with not much of a web presence, but they do have a fledgling Facebook page. Thanks to Marty for the lead. Facebook
The Blind Boar (Norwood NJ) is the third barbecue restaurant effort of Jay Lippin, formerly of Backwoods BBQ and recently featured on Food TV's Chopped. There's wet and dry spares, Dr Pepper babybacks and an all-you-can-eat rib special on Tuesday nights. www.theblindboar.com

CLOSINGS

none

OTHER CHANGES

Round Up Texas Smoked BBQ (Cold Spring NY) is no longer a trailer operation. This straightforward operation with meats by the pound and in combos has indoor dining 'tear 'round, and a website too. www.rounduptxbbq.com
Bob-B-Q's (Shrub Oak NY) now has a website: www.bobbqs.com
Pig's Ear BBQ (Lincoln NH) now has a Facebook contact included. Facebook

(12/30/11)

Maine BBQ: Sea Smoke Reviewed

The site's 239th barbecue joint review is for Sea Smoke BBQ (Scarborough ME), a Route 1 over-the-counter joint that opened last August. Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Sea Smoke

(12/27/11)

Boston BBQ: Red Eyed Pig Reviewed

The site's 238th barbecue joint review is for Red Eyed Pig (West Roxbury MA), a Boston newcomer with a tiny space and a huge menu. Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Red Eyed Pig

(12/25/11)

Merry Christmas

(12/21/11)

New Hampshire BBQ: An Updated Review for MoJo's BBQ Grill and Tavern

I said it before and I'll say it again: never let it be said that I don't give a second chance to joints that got a less-than-favorable review the first time around. In 2008, I wasn't too high on the first incarnation of MoJo's BBQ Grill and Tavern (Portsmouth NH), a joint that traded in its over-the-counter operation for a full service pub in 2010. Shortly before the end of 2011, I found myself in Portsmouth (coincidentally, enjoying a burger in the restaurant that took over the previous location) and decided it was time to give MoJo's another try.

Check out the updated review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my updated review of MoJo's

(12/18/11)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning just two states. This time there are five new joints, two closings, one new website, one new Facebook contact and one franchisee splitting.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Nicky's Beer Garden BBQ (Bronx, NY) is supposedly the first beer garden in the Bronx, they supposedly have a smoker and the menu has a definite Cajun slant. Thanks to Sledneck for the info. www.nickysbbq.com
Poor Freddie's Rib Shack (Jamaica, NY) is a decades-old Ozone Park takeout joint specializing in Southern comfort food and demands a slower pace. Most of the Yelpers who weighed in are high on the place, so—smoker or not—it may be worth some investigation. Thanks again to Sledneck for the info.
Red-eyed Pig Downhome Southern BBQ (West Roxbury MA) is a new Boston joint that opened within the last two weeks. The joint is tiny, the menu is huge (pork belly, fried chicken, burgers) and the flavors are somewhere inbetween. Yes, I visited last week and will probably stop in one more time before posting a review. www.red-eyedpig.com
Chip Shots Grill and Sports Pub (Littleton MA) is a typical watering hole that recently added barbecue to the menu. Oddly, neither their website (not updated in 5 years) nor their Facebook page can substantiate the claim, but two separate readers have alerted me, one even supplying a scan of an ad with the barbecue menu. Thanks to John and Dave for their ongoing help. www.chipshotspub.com
Abigail's (Cambridge MA) is a restaurant that's been around a half year or so, but has only recently started strutting its barbecue personality. First came a Sunday barbecue brunch (the only time to get babybacks). Then, gradually, the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches begat smoked shrimp, smoked wings, smoked lamb and smoked lamb ribs. www.abigailsrestaurant.net

CLOSINGS

Spoon Food Truck (Boston MA) is now defunct. Thanks to Steven for the lead.
Tennessee's (Leominster MA) is no longer open, leaving just three remaining Massachusetts outposts in the mini-chain. Thanks to Michael for the info. www.tenn-bbq.com

OTHER CHANGES

Twain's Chicken and Ribs (Oceanside NY) now has a website. www.twainschicken.com
Slippery Pig BBQ and Saloon (Holbrook NY) now has their Facebook contact added. Facebook
RUB (East Meadow NY) was a franchise operation that until recently was affiliated with RUB in Manhattan. That affiliation is no more. Thanks to Vinny for the reminder. www.rubbbq.com

(12/14/11)

Connecticut Burgers: Max Burger Reviewed

Here's another burger review, this time for Max Burger (West Hartford CT), an establishment that could also squeak by as a barbecue joint. They have smoked wings, ribs and pulled pork, but the emphasis here (and in this review) is the burgers.

See my burger review for Max Burger

(12/12/11)

Boston BBQ: Sweet Cheeks Reviewed

The site's 237th barbecue review is for Sweet Cheeks (Boston MA), the month-old upscale barbecuery helmed by celebrity chef Tiffani Faison. While my intentionally vague first look in early November was based on a single visit, this more detailed full fledged review represents four visits spaced out over a 3-week period. I'm guessing this review will be accused of being both too kind and too critical by the various factions, but it is what it is and it is what I think. Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Sweet Cheeks

(12/07/11)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning three states. This time there are five new joints and one closing.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Yellow Rose BBQ (Willimantic CT) is a one-month old Texas style barbecue joint. Thanks to owner Brad (yes, owners are welcome) for the info. Facebook
Butcher Bar (Queens NY) opened last week, bringing a new hybrid of meat counter and barbecue joint to Astoria. Their high end products have already garnered some positive reviews. Thanks to Josh and Chuck for the info. www.butcherbar.com
Harley's Smokeshack (NYC) is a new, just-opened joint (soft opening last night) in East Harlem. It's the Big Apple debut of legendary pitmaster Dave "Fink" Finkelstein, a veteran of cult New Jersey barbecue joint Fink's Funky and more recently Bailey's Smokehouse (Blauvelt NY) and Johnny's Smokehouse (Pearl River NY). He'll still be involved in Johnny's while headlining at Harley's. Thanks to Robbie and Fink for the info. Facebook
Little Brother BBQ (Brooklyn NY) is the latest barbecue offshoot from Craig Samuel and Ben Grossman, the duo behind Smoke Joint. This just-opened venture features antibiotic Berkshire hogs, Creekstone Farms beef and a little more ambience than the flagship. Thanks to Robert for the lead. www.littlebrotherbbq.com
Sista's BBQ (Brunswick ME) is a 2-month old joint north of Portland. This former coffee shop had creatively made good use of the bovine beauty of the existing structure. Thanks to Simon for the lead. Facebook

CLOSINGS

Big Daddy's (Acton ME) has been closed for a while now, replaced by another biker bar with no lobster deals, a smaller wing selection and no barbecue. Thanks to Steven for the info.

(12/05/11)

New Hampshire Burgers: Gilley's PM Lunch Reviewed

Gilley's PM Lunch (Portsmouth NH) is as known for its late night appeal as for its lunch, but either way, it's well known that it's well known, at least in burger circles. But is it any good?

See my burger review for Gilley's PM Lunch

(12/01/11)

Massachusetts BBQ: An Updated Review for Theodore's Booze, Blues & BBQ

Never let it be said that I don't give a second chance to joints that got a less-than-favorable review the first time around. I first visited Theodore's Booze, Blues & BBQ (Springfield MA) in the summer of 2006, liking the place overall and appreciating the value, but not being all that impressed with the 'cue, which I didn't think came from a smoker. Fast forward five years to the Facebook age, where I 'liked' every barbecue joint in the region to keep tabs on activities. Some of the photos I saw of the Theodore's 'cue caught my attention, making me think they might be using smokers afterall. They are. The food looked different and it looked good enough to warrant a return.

Check out the updated review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.