246562 Tue Jul 05 15:15:28 -0700 2005 19 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1310102 Haven't gotten an email from the mail list, and no info on the website. Anyone have the scoop? It's been so much fun these last two summers . . . AH Tue Jul 05 15:15:28 -0700 2005 0 Alex Halsey 1 1310155 If you're talking about the one in Madison Square Park, it was in June. I went there, it was a total disaster and I would never go again. I waited 1 1'2 hours in the rain, & when I got near the front they ran out of food. No warning whatsoever. There were over 100 people behind me on line. It was a joke. Didn't even apologize. I would steer a wide berth. Don't be tempted. Wed Jul 06 22:47:29 -0700 2005 1310102 0 Ray 2 1310162 I didn't have quite the same experience as Ray, but I wasn't impressed by the Big Apple BBQ either. I got there early enough that the line wasn't an issue, the weather was fine, and they didn't run out of food; but the food I got was not worth the price. I was one of the first people at Mitchell's on the second day, and all we got for our 6 or 7 dollars (don't remember) was basically two tablespoonsful of pulled pork *under* a bun, with a small side of coleslaw. When they handed me the container, I didn't even know the meat was under the bun. I picked it up and was like "oh, there it is." Though I'm guessing since this was posted on the outer boroughs board, he might be talking about a barbecue in Queens? I heard something about it a few weeks ago and signed up for the mailing list, but I haven't heard anything since. Wed Jul 06 23:58:09 -0700 2005 1310155 0 marrin 3 1310210 I went to a BBQ NYC event a few summers ago that was on Randall's Island. It was a god-awful waste of time. My family is from South Carolina, and my then-roommate is from North Carolina--both places may be considered barbeque country. Anyway, the event was completely disorganized (nothing was ready until hours after schedule), and the food was nothing special. We paid a $20 fee, and it was not worth it in any remote way. One place that has decent barbeque is Dinosaur, which is around 12th avenue and 130th Street (across from Fairway, I believe). Also, several soul food joints in Harlem serve bbq ribs. Thu Jul 07 19:15:37 -0700 2005 1310162 0 b 4 1310218 Do you know of a soul food joint in Harlem that makes real bbq ribs? That is, slowly smoked as opposed to oven-baked with "bbq" sauce? Thu Jul 07 23:32:31 -0700 2005 1310210 0 meatme 4 1310220 For anyone who actually attended that first bbq-nyc event (or the second for that matter), to hear you call it a "god awful waste of time" is downright laughable. It was all you can eat and drink...great cue and great beer with nice people and good vibes. nothing god awful about that...Maybe the reason it took a little time to get the food was because there was a friggin BLACKOUT the day before! and I'm tired of people saying stuff like "my brother-in-law is from north carolina so I know good cue" or "I was raised by the three little piggies so I know what pulled pork should taste like..." Just because you hail from a certain place doen't automatically make you an authority on its food. you could be a cue lover with a bad palate. Fri Jul 08 00:36:39 -0700 2005 1310210 0 tuber 5 1310222 Let me guess--you're somehow affiliated with the event? I can't imagine why you'd get so defensive otherwise. While I haven't attended the French Culinary Institute, I do not feel that I have a "bad palate." I thoroughly enjoy eating and cooking a variety of food. My main point was that I am someone who enjoys barbeque and has eaten it since childhood, and that the friend with whom I attended the event was similarly familiar with BBQ. I recognize that one pays for what one gets, but I do not feel like the BBQ NYC event a couple of summers ago was worth the fee. I and my friends arrived on time and stayed a few hours, and the event simply did not live up to its description. If the failings of the event were a result of the blackout, then it simply should have been cancelled. However, I do not understand how a blackout could affect the basic preparedness of the cooks (it appears that everything was started far too late). There was a lot of hype surrounding the event--over a month's worth on their website. It ended up being quite a disappointment. Fri Jul 08 01:27:33 -0700 2005 1310220 0 B 6 1310246 I am affiliated with the event. I was the volunteer dude in charge of the beer for both years... and almost all of the staff are volunteers. All of us were effected by the blackout. We had families and homes and jobs to deal with during the blackout, plus try to do our volunteer work for the event. "If the failings of the event were a result of the blackout, then it simply should have been cancelled." The event couldn't be cancelled for several reasons: By the time the organizers knew that the blackout was going to cause problems it was way too late to do anything but forge ahead. Remember there was No electricity to email people and phone and cell phones were jammed and always busy. There was no way to contact the 100+ people who had all paid in advance. Also many people were coming from large distances and were already in transit. Plus everyone was running around like crazy trying to deal with preparing for the event and not knowing how many days the blackout would last. It was a nightmare that had everyone stressed and freaked out. "However, I do not understand how a blackout could affect the basic preparedness of the cooks (it appears that everything was started far too late). " Everything was delayed and impacted by the blackout in many different types of ways. The BBQ team had to run around like crazy to buy hundreds of pounds of ice to keep the meats fresh. Driving was crazy because no traffic lights were working and the traffic jams and amount of accidents were unbelievable. They event organizers took a huge loss, since when they had bought out all the ice that was left in stores within a 45 minute drive, they still didn't have enough and had to basically throw away ALL the racks of ribs for safety's sake. Then they had to deal with umpteen delays from other effects of the blackout. So you are complaining that the meats were an hour late in being served? At an all day event with tons of other foods out to eat? (Including gallons of my amazing, fresh made that morning, maple-mango salsa. LOL) "I recognize that one pays for what one gets, but I do not feel like the BBQ NYC event a couple of summers ago was worth the fee." $20-25 for all you can eat BBQ by an award winning BBQ team that has won the top awards for most of the north-East states. Plus tons of sides and fixin's... and all you can drink of three different types of Dogfish Head brew plus Rolling Rock and tons of soft beverages? What do you want from this type of event? How much do you think it's worth? I have to say that I did attended the French Culinary Institute. And worked for an award winning Georgia BBQ pit as assistant pitmaster for two years. And am a specialty foods consultant. And own a specialty foods business. I personally think the food was pretty darn good and so do the many other professional chefs and professional BBQ experts who have attended these events and eaten the teams BBQ. But everyone has a right to their opinion. There are styles of BBQ that I don't like either, because of my past experiences and exposure. So I am sorry you didn't enjoy yourself. But it sounds like you may have had some unreasonable expectations. Fri Jul 08 10:44:13 -0700 2005 1310222 0 The Rogue 7 1310250 Take a deep breath and then repeat the mantra of Bill Murray in "Meatballs" - It just doesn't matter ... it just doesn't matter ... I went to last year's event in Flushing and it was outstanding. You'll sell out in 3 hours and don't need Mr. B. to make it a success. Fri Jul 08 10:52:12 -0700 2005 1310246 0 Bob Martinez 8 1310326 This year I hope to enjoy the event... the last two years I was pouring beer non-stop... now I will be pinch hitting on the BBQ crew... and giving away tons of samples of some of my products that are in the works... stir fry sauces, hot sauces and pastes, savory spicy unique jams and jellies, tangy syrups, and maybe a few incredible boutique gins (folks in the food and wine bizz are going absolutely nuts over them), liquers, and other spirits... Fri Jul 08 23:25:10 -0700 2005 1310250 0 The Rogue 7 1310264 HEY!!! That's a lot being expressed, but I have one thing to ask of you..... Maple-mango salsa?!! What is THAT all about?! Need info, STAT! Fri Jul 08 12:01:15 -0700 2005 1310246 0 chowgal 8 1310325 Well... that's highly classified information since I am in the process of marketing it soon... I did post the rough recipe here awhile back... but at BBQ-NYC this year... End of August at Randall Island... there will be a salsa competition... and I will make several gallons... so you can come to the festivities... and ask me in person... Fri Jul 08 23:19:26 -0700 2005 1310264 0 The Rogue 7 1310327 There needs NO explanantion to the dissatisfied poster...the event was perfectly executed...if the sausage was late, so what. My appreciation to the original Wards Island BBQ crew...I hope to get the e-mail for '05. Sat Jul 09 00:31:26 -0700 2005 1310246 0 Mike R. 6 1310275 If you are "familiar with barbecue," I'd think you'd realize why a city-paralyzing blackout might throw a wrench in the preparedness of the cooks given the slow cooking process, etc. big hitter, the Lama. Fri Jul 08 12:55:34 -0700 2005 1310222 0 tuber 5 1310318 as they say, "more barbecue for the rest of us" Fri Jul 08 20:21:10 -0700 2005 1310220 0 babar ganesh 2 1310240 BBQ-NYC is not the Manhattan event in Madison Square. Two years ago, the day after the blackout, it was on Randall Island. Last year in Queens. Fri Jul 08 10:11:02 -0700 2005 1310155 0 The Rogue 1 1310238 Alex, Yes it is on. You should recieve an email soon, as in any day. Last years volunteer staff got their info email yesterday. Just in case, go to the site and make sure you are on the list. There are more names on the list than available spots so respond immediately. Fri Jul 08 10:09:28 -0700 2005 1310102 0 The Rogue 2 1310257 thats great news! Im looking forward to going this year for the first time. Fri Jul 08 11:28:12 -0700 2005 1310238 0 jen kalb 1 1313445 I just got back from BBQ NYC- I have to admit I'm disappointed: They ran out of beer really early; You had to wait forever for the 'cue; and Worst of all, the food was only OK. Perhaps I was spoiled by Stick to your Ribs/Pearsons at Legends, but I was expecting more, especially for $45 bucks. Any other returnees agree/disagree? Sat Aug 27 20:31:43 -0700 2005 1310102 0 Dennis 1 1313489 Well - How was it? :-) Mon Aug 29 01:03:13 -0700 2005 1310102 0 Suzette