Big Apple BBQ releases 2018 lineup featuring the country’s best pitmasters

Put out your stretchiest pants, because The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is bringing together New York ’cue powerhouses with pitmasters from the best barbecue restaurants in America for an extravaganza of pulled pork and brisket. Taking over Madison Square Park for an entire weekend, this party will let you get a taste regional and global barbecue styles, from Texas (Baker’s Ribs) to Tennessee (Martin’s Bar-B-Que) and beyond. While you gorge on heaps of meat and sides, you can even take in outdoor summer concerts on the park’s main stage for free. Here’s everything you need to know about Big Apple BBQ 2018.

What is the Big Apple BBQ?

Established in 2002 by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, the Big Apple BBQ is an annual, open-to-the-public barbecue and music festival.

When is the Big Apple BBQ?

The Big Apple BBQ is on Saturday, June 9, 2018 and Sunday, June 10, 2018 from 11am to 6pm.

Where is the Big Apple BBQ?

The Big Apple BBQ is held at Madison Square Park.

The food

17th St. BBQ (Murphysboro, IL)- Mike Mills & Amy Mills
Apple City Barbecue Baby Back Ribs with Tangy Pit Beans

Baker’s Ribs (Dallas, TX)- Joe Duncan
St. Louis Ribs with Jalapeño Cole Slaw

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q (Decatur, AL)- Chris Lilly
World Championship Pulled Pork Sandwich with Spicy Mustard Coleslaw

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (New York, NY)- John Stage & Leland Avellino
St. Louis Ribs with BBQ Beans

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Atlanta, GA)- Jonathan Fox & Justin Fox
Brisket & Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage with Jalapeno Slaw & Pickles

Hometown Bar-B-Que (Brooklyn, NY)- Billy Durney
Chopped Brisket & Jalapeño Cheddar Link Sandwich with Queso and Tater Tots

Blue Smoke (New York, NY)- Jean-Paul Bourgeois
Fried Smoked Chicken with Tabasco-spiked Honey, Broccoli & Black Eyed Pea Salad

Ed Mitchell’s Que (Wilson, NC)- Ed Mitchell & Ryan Mitchell
Eastern NC Whole Hog Sandwich with Slaw

Hill Country (New York, NY)- Ash Fulk
Brisket Sandwich with House Pickle & Coleslaw

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint (Nashville, TN)- Pat Martin
West Tennessee Whole Hog Sandwich with Coleslaw

Memphis Barbecue Co. (Horn Lake, MS)- John Wheeler
Baby Back Ribs with Mamma June’s Baked Beans

Rodney Scott’s BBQ (Charleston, SC)- Rodney Scott
St. Louis Ribs with Coleslaw

Skylight Inn / Sam Jones BBQ (Ayden, NC)- Sam Jones
Eastern NC Whole Hog Sandwich with Sweet Slaw

The Salt Lick BBQ (Driftwood, TX)- Scott Roberts
Brisket & Sausage with Sesame Coleslaw

Ubon’s Barbeque (Yazoo City, MS)- Garry Roark & Leslie Roark Scott
Mississippi Chicken Wings with Bloody Mary Cucumber Salad

Guest Butchers:

Jocelyn Guest & Erika Nakamura
Hot Dog with Kimchi & Mayo
Kielbasa with Mustard
Bratwurst with Kraut & Mustard

Sides ($6):

Pies ‘N’ Thighs (New York, NY)- Carolyn Bane & Sarah Sanneh
Vegetarian Sides: Mac & Cheese, Spicy Watermelon Salad, Biscuits & Sausage Gravy and Cornbread

Sweets ($4-8):

Ample Hills (Brooklyn, NY) “Corn to Run” – Creamy Corn Ice Cream with Cornmeal Crumble & Blueberry Swirls

Doughnut Plant (New York, NY) Selection of Seasonal Doughseeds + Doughnuts

Original Fried Pie Shop (Dallas, TX) Apple, Apricot, Blackberry, Cherry, Peach, Pecan

THE MUSIC

Saturday
12:00 – 1:00pm Ben Sparaco & The New Effect
1:30 –2:30pm Mo Lowda & The Humble                                                    
3:00 – 4:00pm Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers                                         
4:30 – 5:30pm The Felice Brothers                                                                  

Sunday
12:00- 1:00pm Cypher Music                                                                               
1:30 – 2:30pm The High Divers                                                                             
3:00 – 4:00pm The Vegabonds                                                                              
4:30 – 6:00pm Max Creek