This past Sunday a bunch of us went to the 4th Annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party by Madison Square Park on 23rd. It was a gorgeous day (a little windy but so sunny and not too hot) to have a little picnic on the grass with jazz playing in the background. I had always wanted to go (forgetting about which weekend it's on every year) so I'm glad I was told about it last minute.The event is actually a gathering of 10 renowned 'experts' from around the country that come to barbecue for two days. There were pitmasters from TX, MS, MO and other southern states from the bbq belt. They each charge $7 for a sampling of their food (which in retrospect, is not exactly the best bargain out there) but ppl will wait in lines to get a taste of some good 'cue.
We split up into 3 groups, each waiting on different lines so that we could most efficiently taste as many different things as possible. While deciding what to do on the Salt Lick BBQ line (TX), a woman said that she enjoyed the rib tips from Smoki O's (MO) so we headed there.
Here are the Smoki O's rib tips with baked beans. Some of the ribs had barely any meat on it (hence tips) but when it did, it was yummy! What really surprised me were the beans though. I normally hate beans, especially the baked variety but these beans were hearty, smoky, creamy and sweet (no bean flavor!). You could tell a lot of molasses and bacon went into making them.
Pulled pork shoulder from Ubon’s “Championship Choice” (MS) -- I loved this (as I generally love pulled pork) b/c it was so tender and flavorful. Their famous BBQ dipping sauce was not so great though. I thought it was overly sour and too loose. Their coleslaw was interesting though -- it was very peppery, a little sweet, and had no mayo.
And the long-awaited beef brisket and sausage from Salt Lick -- we finished eating the other two plates before they came back with the goods and they were waiting on the line before we did. So, unfortunately, I was quite full already and I couldn't enjoy it as much. But that first bite was soooo good! The smokiness (there were smoke rings) and overall flavor was very good. The sausage, quite sizeable, was alright (I'm not a big fan of sausage unless it's in small portions) and the coleslaw was just ordinary (not a fan of slaw either).
I kept smelling something like barbecued yams but couldn't locate it, much to my dismay. But still some good eating! If I had to rate everything, my favorite was the pulled pork, then the brisket, then the rib tips. I'm not sure if I'd go again next year (kinda expensive and I think my dear does 'cue better).
