The best BBQ spots in NYC right now

What is it? A Red Hook barbecue institution in an unfussy warehouse space. It’s top of everyone’s list for a reason.

Why we love it: This may be the only place on the list that feels plucked from elsewhere and transported to NYC-the fact that it’s in Brooklyn feels almost incidental. The Red Hook location has a lot to do with it, affording the kind of space one doesn’t easily find elsewhere in the five boroughs. That goes a long way. Split oak stacked high outside, the pit cranks out the flavor and texture. Is it exactly the same as what you’ll find roadside in Texas? Is Texas pizza the same as ours? Joy thief aside, order brisket and pulled pork, throw in some drinks, and you’re in hog heaven.

Time Out tip: Take the ferry from Manhattan. The walk from the dock to Hometown is ~11 minutes-a considerably shorter trip than the train to Smith/9th and a 30-something minute walk. Go on the weekend for their special Reuben sandwich, which (God forgive me) goes toe-to-toe with the best delis.

Address: 454 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Opening hours: Tue-Thu noon-10pm; Fri, Sat noon–11pm; Sun noon–10pm

Expect to pay: ~$14-22/half-pound meat; ~$6-9/side; ~$14-18/sandwich; ~$8-10/cocktail

What is it? Now that the Gowanus location is kaput, this is the last NYC outpost of Rochester’s own barbecue chain. 

Why we love it: This is dependable, crowd-pleasing barbecue. The vibe is upstate roadhouse. It’ll definitely satisfy a craving. Sandwiches are really where you should look here. Their pulled pork is good on its own but practically begs for their sauce, so slap that on a soft potato bun with pickles and you’re happy. It comes in two other varietals: Memphis style (which would be my choice) is the standard plus a heap of coleslaw whose vinegary pop, moisture, and crunchy texture do a lot of good work. The Cuban is delicious, yes, but veers away from barbecue style with a saucier pulled pork, ham, swiss, and horseradish mustard on a long roll.

Time Out tip: Dinosaur has more vegetarian-friendly options than almost any other BBQ joint, so it’s a good bet for a big crowd.

Address: 700 West 125th St, New York, NY 10027

Opening hours: Mon-Wed noon-9pm; Thu noon-10pm; Fri, Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-9pm

Expect to pay: ~$14-22/plate; ~$9-14/sandwich; ~$6-8/side

What is it? Oklahoma-style barbecue in Williamsburg.

Why we love it: If you can’t appreciate the clear homage to a certain type of roadside joint, you’re probably a sourpuss. Mable’s is a fun departure, a little portal to a Country Bears version of the heartland where people genuinely aren’t creepy when they call you sugah or darlin’. Oklahoma BBQ is sort of between Texas and Kansas City style. The meats are smoked with Oak, and the sauces are less sweet. The brisket is great here with a sturdy, dark bark and nice smoke ring. It’s also great to see kielbasa on a menu; Oklahoma BBQ tends to feature bologna and subbing it out for a sturdier sausage is smart.

Time Out tip: Two words: Frito Pie. If you’ve never had the pleasure, this is a ridiculous dish in which a bag of Fritos corn chips is sliced open and invested with chili. It’s crunchy, spicy, savory, salty—you’re gonna eat it, then crave it.

Address: 44 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Mon-Thu noon-9pm; Fri, Sat noon-10pm; Sun noon-9pm

Expect to pay: ~$14-22/plate; ~$9-13/sandwich; ~$6-8/side; ~$10-14/cocktail

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A post shared by Eastern Parkway BBQ man (@9bellsbbq)

What is it?  This is one dude and some bicycle-mounted smokers parked up on Eastern Parkway at Franklin Ave. 

Why we love it: This is a labor of love, a devotion to a cuisine that is often at its best in the most nondescript locations. But this is a somewhat frustrating recommendation. On the one hand, the barbecue is easily some of the best in the city. On the other, actually finding it can be tough. He only operates on Saturday and Sunday, but not every single one. And his social media is inconsistent. One could take their chances and cruise by the corner where he does his thing-he usually starts serving around 630, but the wait begins well in advance. Follow the line of people and wafts of smoke. He has a nice menu of meats and sides, but there are no tables at which you can eat them. You’ll likely find yourself on a bench facing the Parkway, eating out of a takeout container on your lap. How bad do you want really good, really inexpensive BBQ?

Time Out tip: Check his Instagram before heading over, but even then you might not get any info. Bring a chair or a friend to hold your spot; the wait can stretch past two hours, putting dinnertime at 83:0-9pm.

Address: Eastern Parkway & Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225

Opening hours: Check @9bellsbbq on Instagram. He doesn’t update regularly, but he’s typically out there on warm evenings, weather and supply permitting. This guy is kind of elusive.

Expect to pay: ~$25 for two meats + two sides

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A post shared by Izzy’s Smokehouse (@izzysbbq)

What is it? A casual kosher smokehouse turning out excellent Texas-style barbecue.

Why we love it: Swine does not barbecue make and this place proves it. In case you don’t know, Kosher isn’t a style of food, but a set of laws governing which foods are permitted for consumption and the conditions under which they’re prepared; for example, no mixing dairy with meat; no bottom-feeding fish or birds of prey. That leaves eighteen-hour smoked brisket, smoked fried chicken, and polish sausage well in the clear. This place is zero-compromise; the pulled beef, burnt ends, and lamb ribs are so smoky, juicy, unctuous that you’ll forget about pork. The hefty dinosaur beef short ribs are the must-order showstopper.

Time Out tip: In weekly observance of the sabbath, Izzy's closes at sundown on Friday and reopens on Sunday. To avoid the crowds, aim to go during the week.

Address: 397 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Opening hours: Mon-Thu noon–11pm; Sun 1–11pm

Expect to pay: ~$16-24/sandwich; ~$28-36/rib plate; ~$8-10/side

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What is it? Good ol’ Texas-style barbecue a few blocks from Barclays Center. 

Why we love it: This place has a pitmaster pedigree that traces back to famed Franklin Barbecue in Austin. And if you think that’s nothing but words, go ahead and try the fatty brisket or smoked sausage. Actually, both. Also some sticky ribs. And a side of creamy chili mac and some bitter collards. Then, some tart key lime pie. Of course, it bears stating that the bar New York’s barbecue has to clear is lower Texas’. With that out of the way, let’s go ahead and state that Morgan’s is very good and you’re sure to lumber away satisfied. That’s its own extraordinary feat considering the constant threat of chaos one endures daily living in this crumbling, dystopian, socialist hellhole. Morgan's is also open for brunch. 

Time Out tip: The place only has so much of their most popular meats and when they run out, that’s it for the night; you should set proper expectations if you’re planning on going Fri-Sun. And people make too big a deal out of sitting on the patio. Cars sideswipe, honk day and night *bing-bong, bing-bong* way down on Flatbush.

Address: 267 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Opening hours: Daily noon-11pm

Expect to pay: ~$15-24/plate; ~$9-14/sandwich; ~$7-9/side; ~$8-12/cocktail

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What is it? Kansas City-style barbecue in a converted warehouse with a backyard patio. 

Why we love it: John Brown BBQ won't convert any Texas zealots to the Kansas City camp, but its pork belly, rib tips, and burnt ends may inspire a crisis of faith. Unlike NYC’s other sweeping cathedrals of smoke and char, John Brown’s feels more like a modest temple to meat and the KC Chiefs. This place is wonderful if you order right; the fattier cuts pick up delicious caramelization while retaining juiciness. The brisket’s not the thing, but you won’t miss it when you’ve got a pile of rib tips and burnt ends in front of you.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the locally-made sausages. Not typical BBQ fare, but absolutely delicious. 

Address: 27-20 40th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-9pm; Sat noon-9pm; Sun noon-8pm 

Expect to pay: ~$13-20/half-pound meat; ~$9-13/sandwich; ~$6-8/side

What is it? An enormous barbecue joint in Queens. 

Why we love it: The place has some gentle brodude vibes owing to conspicuous TVs and cornholing. That may not be your speed, but the restaurant is huge with plenty of outdoor seating. Once you’ve got a pile of smoked meat in front of you, you won’t notice anything else. Pig Beach is pumping out great, classic hickory-smoke barbecue. The brisket is terrific; they’re letting smoke do a lot of the heavy flavor lifting. But the star, as far as we’re concerned, is the smoked lamb shoulder with white sauce and pita. It’s a version of the cart classic but notched way up.

Time Out tip: The lamb sells out fast, always. Go early to get it. And don’t sleep on their smoked wings; buffalo is always good, but the hot honey dry rub is delicious.

Address: 35-37 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 2pm-10pm; Fri, Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10pm; closed Mon

Expect to pay: ~$14-20/sampler item; ~$9-13/sandwich; ~$6-8/side

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What is it? This is a Bed-Stuy classic. Formerly Royal Rib House, it closed in 2019 and returned in 2022 under a new name at a new address, but it’s the same family with the same recipes.

Why we love it: Royal Rib is in a more soul-food register than that self-serious artisanal barbecue with all the brisket and bark and smoke. This is a rib joint-notice ‘barbecue’ isn’t in the place’s name. But now that your expectations are set, know that the ribs here are very good. Slow-cooked until tender (we suspect a braise, which we’re not mad at in the least) a rack here is a spicey, saucy, sticky situation. Plus their fried chicken is great to boot. The sides are tasty, satisfying, and come in generous portions. And the peach cobbler is famous among those who know. If you’re looking for value, this place is hard to beat.

Time Out tip: Go on a Thursday afternoon to avoid the worst of the wait. Evenings and weekends draw a serious crowd for what's still a counter-service operation.

Address: 256 Malcolm X Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 12:30pm-9pm

Expect to pay: ~$12-18/plate; ~$9-13/sandwich; ~$5-7/side

What is it? NYC’s tribute to Central Texas barbecue. Two floors, live music, counter-service.

Why we love it: It’s not a schtick; it’s reverence. Hill Country carts in central Texas post oak (a sub-species of white oak) to smoke their brisket for 14 slow and low hours. The results speak for themselves-fatty, juicy, tender. While I don’t dare say this is the real McCoy, it’s as damn close a facsimile as you’re gonna get in Gotham. The vibes are more NYC steakhouse than BBQ shack; it’s on the upscale side with some Lone Star-state kitsch around. Brisket aside: the spare ribs, jalapeño cheese sausage, and pork belly burnt ends are all also stellar. The sides hold their own, too: sweet potato mash with some dimension beyond sweetness, properly bitter and porky collards, hearty cowboy beans.

Time Out tip: This place has a very competent bar program. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday 4 to 6pm. $7 beers and $10 cocktails, smoked wings for $2 apiece and pulled pork/queso fries for $12. Though I can’t imagine why you’d come here without eating barbecue.

Address: 30 West 26th St, New York, NY 10010

Opening hours: Mon-Thu noon–10pm; Fri, Sat: noon–11pm; Sun: noon–9pm

Expect to pay: ~$15-22/half-pound meat; ~$32/pitmaster special (serves 1); ~$7-10/cocktail

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What is it? THE place to get barbecue in The Bronx. This place opened right before the 2020 shutdown but, thankfully, made it through to the other side. 

Why we love it: The food tends more toward the Kansas/Missouri style barbecue, trading that molasses-y, tomato-y, or vinegary coating for dry rub. Seasoning before cooking yields sturdy bark and flavorful meat. Both are on full display in the brisket and ribs. But wings are the sleeper hit here. Seasoned, smoked, fried, and finished with sauce-these little morsels have outside character. You can go all flats or all drums. And there’s a generous selection of sauces to choose from, too. Sides are no afterthought here, either. Rather than the perfunctory slaw, you get a choice of creamy or vinegar; roasted corn plays the perfect, bright textural counterpoint to the fatty meat, and the Green Beans & Bacon with sweated onion and pepper feel like a dish unto themselves. Not a Mott Haven local? You’ll wish you were.

Time Out tip: There are weekly specials. And their beef ribs are only available on Saturdays, but they sell out fast. You’re going to want to get here early. This place is worth the trip.

Address: 37 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10454

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 11am-8:30pm; Fri, Sat 11am-9:30pm; Sun 11am-8pm

Expect to pay: ~$13-19/half-pound meat; ~$9-13/sandwich; ~$6-8/side

Devour porterhouses, sirloins and rib eyes at some of the best steakhouses and steak restaurants in NYC