Big Apple BBQ

Somehow, despite being a meat-loving Kansan living in NYC, I have never made it out to the Big Apple BBQ until this year. Now that I've been, I'm kicking myself for not making it a priority sooner.

I think the fear of huge, messy crowds played a part in keeping me away. However, I found (at least this year) these really weren't so bad. The couple of lines my friends and I waiting in moved quickly and efficiently, there was plenty of grass in Madison Square Park to picnic on, and the pork was so worth any of the annoyances. I only made it to a few of the stands this year: Ed Mitchel's Whole Hog, Big Bob Gibson's Pulled Pork Shoulder, and the Blue Smoke Dessert shop for Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp and Root Beer Floats. Next year I plan on sharing plates with friends so I can get in even more meaty goodness in my belly.

A few phone photos for you to see some of the action:

Folks enjoying their BBQ in the window of a gym, taunting those within.

I want to make this cheese spread soon.

Yeah, she is caramelizing the meat with a torch.