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

Here's another one-and-done review, perhaps moved to the head of the queue because it was where I saw the Patriots' drubbing of the Bengals a week ago. The site's 186th barbecue joint review is now posted for The Draft Sports Bar and Grill (Concord NH). Check it out via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

(09/14/10)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning three states. This time there's one new purveyor (but no new joints), one expansion, three closings and one new website.

Big Apple Barbecue (Glen Cove NY and Port Washington NY) mysteriously closed both of their Long Island BBQ locations late last month. It's rare for a joint to expand to a second location within its first three months of operation. It's rare for a joint to close after only six months of operation. It's really rare for a joint to do both. I had hoped to gain some insight as to why Poppa Rick's tandem closed so suddenly before mentioning, but I can't dig up anything. It has to go beyond the caliber of the 'cue, which certainly wasn't stellar but certainly wasn't horrible. Someday the story behind the story will surface. Thanks to Andrew for the lead.
Blue Collar Barbeque (Bondsville MA) no longer has a working phone or website, so I'm pronouncing them dead.
HNH BBQ (Brooklyn NY) is a roving barbecue operation started by a quartet of Houston transplants. They've become a fixture at the Brooklyn Flea, Trophy Bar and other locations announced on their website. www.hnhbbq.com
Buck's Naked BBQ (Freeport ME) has a second location in Windham ME. www.bucksnaked-bbq.com
Buck's Roadside BBQ (Auburn MA) now has a website: www.bucksroadside-bbq.com

(09/10/10)

Worcester BBQ: Smokestack Urban Barbecue Reviewed

There have been eight visits with nary a word about this 3 month old Worcester barbecue restaurant. Until now. The site's 185th barbecue joint review is now posted for Smokestack Urban Barbecue (Worcester MA). Check it out via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

(09/08/10)

Worcester BBQ: Firewood Cafe Under Construction on Chandler Street

It looks like Worcester is finally getting a barbecue presence in line with its stature as New England's second largest city. Firewood Cafe (on Chandler Street a block east of Park Street) will soon be the third barbecue restaurant within the city's environs. It'll be more of a multipurpose restaurant, with a smoker and a wood fired oven; the menu will feature pizza, sandwiches and smoked meats including ribs and pulled pork. The owner hopes to be up and running within a month. That might be optimistic, but the building has made quick progress in the previous month.

Speaking of Worcester barbecue, I'm putting the final touches on my review for Worcester's 3 month old Smokestack Urban Barbecue, and I'll post that review this week.

(09/03/10)

The Only Earl That Matters

Forget the hurricane. I'm talking about the Earl of Sandwich, who according to legend invented the sandwich. Here are two dozen memorable ones from over the years.

(09/02/10)

Long Island BBQ: Big Daddy's Reviewed

The site's 184th barbecue joint review is now posted for Big Daddy's (Massapequa NY). Check it out via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

(08/31/10)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning four states. This time there's only one new joint, four closings, one temporary close due to fire, one contraction and one new website.

Seconds BBQ (Amityville NY) is now done. I suspected as much when they weren't open for operation on my last visit, and now the website is defunct and the phone is not working. Thanks to Robert for the lead. www.secondsbbq.com
Uncle Bones (Brooklyn NY) is a new barbecue joint whose two Yelp reviews both rave about the fish tacos: nice extra or faint praise? Thanks again to Robert for the lead.
Eddie B's Comfort Food & BBQ (Portsmouth NH) is a new joint with more emphasis on the comfort food than barbecue, and like that other new Portsmouth joint, they offer breakfast. Thanks to Maureen for the lead.
Smokin' Barbecue (Cornwall CT) is no longer in business. Thanks to Daniel for the info. www.smokincornwall.com
Ed's Barr-B-Q (Barre VT) is no longer in business. Thanks to Tom for the info. www.edsbarrrbq.com
Brother's BBQ (New Windsor NY) is temporarily closed due to a fire that hit about two weeks ago. Thanks again to Tom for the info.
Uncle Brotha's BBQ (Modena NY) is no longer operating the roadside shack on wheels. First there was a "for sale" sign, then a disappearance. Thanks again to Tom for the info.
CnDs BBQ (Wakefield MA) has a website: www.cndsbbq.com
BT's Snack Shack (Sturbridge MA) closed last night. When it was one town over from the former Brimfield main location, the tiny satellite shop in the side of a liquor store made sense. Now that BT's Smokehouse has moved to Sturbridge and the two locations are so close that even Johnny Damon could throw a baseball from one joint to the other, the Snack Shack is a redundancy. Thanks to Brian for the info. www.btsmokehouse.com

(08/30/10)

Massachusetts BBQ: T Bones Reviewed

The site's 183rd barbecue joint review is now posted for T Bones Roadhouse (Plymouth MA). Check it out via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

(08/24/10)

Massachusetts BBQ: Po's Ribs and Barbecue Reviewed

The site's 182nd barbecue joint review is now posted for Po's Ribs and Barbecue (Acton MA). Check it out via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

(08/18/10)

Massachusetts BBQ: Firehouse BBQ Reviewed

The "one and done" barbecue reviews just keep on coming, this time for Firehouse BBQ (Amesbury MA). Check out the site's 181st barbecue joint review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

Less than two weeks after they opened, I made an appearance. Less than a week after that, I'm posting my review in an effort to improve my reaction time for new joints and to reduce the number of joint visits per review. I know that reviewing a joint after only a few weeks of operation isn't the best practice—not because it's not "fair" (it's no more unfair than a new joint charging me for the meal) but because what I'm describing here may not be indicative of what's being served a few months from now after some things improve, some things get worse, some things get added, some things get dropped and some things simply get changed.

Oh, about those reviews I'm working on for joints I've hit a few times—they're coming too. Next in the queue are the long overdue Po's Ribs and Barbecue (Acton MA) and Smokestack Urban Barbecue (Worcester MA). Farm Bar and Grille (Essex MA), Big Daddy's (Massapequa NY) and Roundabout Diner (Portsmouth NH) aren't too far behind. And I'm working on updating my reviews for Harbor Q (Port Washington NY) and BT's Smokehouse (Sturbridge MA). But who knows, maybe a joint I hit next week will get the quick treatment.

(08/16/10)

Long Island BBQ: Big Apple BBQ Reviewed

Here's yet another of my "one and done" barbecue reviews, for the newest Big Apple BBQ in Port Washington. I'll tip the content ever so slightly by saying that unlike the previous two "one and done" reviews, this one is classified as such only because it was compiled after a single visit, not because I wouldn't go back. To see just how badly I'd want to go back, check out the site's 180th barbecue joint review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

(08/13/10)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning seven states. This time there are nine new joints, two closings, one re-opening, one move, one looming takeover, one new website and one website with long overdue content.

American Glory BBQ (Hudson NY) is a promising new joint that not only specializes in "legendary regional BBQ of the United States and classic American comfort food" but also claims to have the coldest beer in the country. Thanks to Eric for the tip. www.americanglory.com
Firehouse BBQ (Amesbury MA) is a two-week-old joint in the Bay state's northeasternmost town. The interesting menu has good appetizer flexibility, and the one that caught my eye most was the smoked, bacon-wrapped chicken. Thanks to Wayne for the lead and for accompanying me on my first trial. www.amesburybbq.com
Smokey's Char Grill (Hamden CT) is a new roadside burger joint that also has a smoker and the full arsenal of standard barbecue fare from ribs to pork to chicken to brisket. Thanks to Teague for the lead. www.smokeyschargrill.com
Buck's Roadside BBQ (Auburn MA) is a converted bagel shop on Auburn's Route 12, in the main drag not too far from the Mass Pike's exit 10. Smoked turkey drumsticks are included among the menu offerings that mostly sticks with the basics. Thanks to an anonymous tipster for the info.
Binga's Stadium Smokehouse (Portland ME) is named for its location across the street from the Cumberland County Civic Center. The space is as huge (several game viewing options) as the menu is tight (wings, pulled pork, ribs, meatloaf). www.bingasstadium.com
Ladder 133 (Providence RI), according to one mole, closed briefly then re-opened under the ownership of the Foxy Lady strip club. Thanks to the Milford Marauder for this still-unconfirmed info. www.ladder133.com
Hill's Top BBQ (Bartlett NH) is a North Conway area joint whose barbecue roster includes a unique pulled pork sandwich on garlic bread that a trusted source calls "one of the best I have ever had." There's also a fiery wing challenge. Thanks to Jay for the tip. www.hillstopbbq.com
Mexicue (NYC) is a roving barbecue truck (see site for locations) offering a fusion of smoked goodness and Mexican flavors. Each meat is smoked with a different wood; salsas and peppers augment the sauces. www.mexicueny.com
Slippery Pig BBQ & Saloon (Holbrook NY) is a new Central Long Island barbecue joint. Thanks to Sledneck for the tip.
Po's Ribs and Barbecue (Acton MA) now has a website and soon will have a review. www.posribs.com
Smokestack Urban Barbecue (Worcester MA) had a website from the beginning, but within the last week or so it started to show content. I've been meaning to weigh in and will do so shortly. A tentative review is already written, but this joint is so close to my office I may visit one more time before pulling the trigger. www.bbqstack.com
Picnic Smoked (NYC) has moved to a different location, now at 1 State Street. Thanks to Kevin and Robert for the heads-up. www.mypicnick.com
Sports Depot (Allston MA) has closed. The 'cue wasn't as good as at neighbor SoulFire and the beer wasn't as good as at neighbor Sunset Grill, but their TVs kicked butt during game time.
Jersey Shore BBQ (Belmar, NJ) is a recently opened joint close enough to the beach to ride the wave of both barbecue popularity and Jersey Shore popularity. Some of their online photos look good and their events schedule has a number of pig roasts looming, so this could be the real deal in an otherwise bleak barbecue area. Thanks to Robert for the lead. www.jerseyshorebbq.com