467359 Fri Dec 07 11:29:56 -0800 2007 14 18 Manhattan 0 3188391 I'll be at Radio City for the Christmas show and wanted to know if there is a good BBQ place around there. Thanks! Fri Dec 07 11:29:56 -0800 2007 46248 plove53 1 3188428 The only two near Radio City are Virgil's and Spanky's. Virgil's is far better; BBQ purists are unimpressed, and it is indeed something of a cheesy tourist joint, but the meat is good enough and that's the main thing. There's better elsewhere in Manhattan. Fri Dec 07 11:37:32 -0800 2007 3188391 10475 Wilfrid 1 3188555 The closest is probably Johnny Utah's, but I wouldn't recommend. I had to go last night for a work holiday dinner--it's all about the scene (and the mechanical bull), not the food. Fri Dec 07 12:12:03 -0800 2007 3188391 10216 Lucia 2 3201975 We ended up going to Daisy Mae's... it WAS VERY GOOD! Wed Dec 12 11:16:06 -0800 2007 3188555 46248 plove53 3 3207473 Glad to hear you liked Daisy May's. While it's not exactly close to Radio City, it truly is the best bbq in that general vicinity. Fri Dec 14 07:40:26 -0800 2007 3201975 13867 RGR 1 3188998 A bit of a walk, but Daisy Mae's is on 11th Ave on the corner of 46th Street. Fri Dec 07 14:12:14 -0800 2007 3188391 11407 JoanN 1 3189194 Yeah, that area is a bit of a culinary wasteland when it comes to barbecue. Virgil's is a bit touristy, but I've been there twice and had good meals. Not the best barbecue I've ever eaten, but I would go back. Spanky's was terrible. No smoke flavor, mushy meat, and just not inspired on any level. An offshoot of Heartland Brewery just trying to cash in on the tourist bucks and ride the recent NYC barbecue "wave" til it hits the beach, so to speak. If you're willing to try something new, the Halal carts are usually open at night on 6th Avenue from 53rd Street to about 46th Street. For me, the best is the cart right on the corner of 53rd and 6th. They wear yellow shirts with red lettering that says "53rd and 6th". Excellent chicken and lamb over rice with salad and pita. The white sauce is fantastic, but beware the red sauce as it is incendiary. They don't put it on, but give you little containers of it to apply as you see fit. Also, the DC burger chain Five Guys just opened on 55th Street (I think they're between 5th and 6th). Haven't eaten there yet, but I scoped it out and it smelled pretty good and the fries looked great. Fri Dec 07 15:34:44 -0800 2007 3188391 14117 billyboy 1 3194246 I agree with the last two posters: - Virgil's is not the best but quite serviceable. Best bet: pulled pork sandwich. - Spanky's is not even close to serviceable except for the beer. - Daisy May's is worth the few extra blocks. Best bet: ribs (try 'em both ways) and chili. You can see food photos of all of the above at www.pigtrip.net . Mon Dec 10 01:24:18 -0800 2007 3188391 11421 GaryLovesFood 2 3197612 At Daisy May's on Saturday, pulled pork luke warm, overcooked and came on refrigerated roll. While a zoo, Hill Country has perfect fatty brisket, sides brutal tho Tue Dec 11 05:01:56 -0800 2007 3194246 71113 Delucacheesemonger 3 3198111 Coincidentally, I ate at Daisy May's on Saturday too (dinner) and it was by far the best bbq I have had in NYC. The pulled pork sandwich was great (roll was not cold), but it was the memphis pork ribs that really blew me away. And the sides were the best I have had at a bbq joint (beans and potatoes especially, though the creamed spinach was not good). Loved the sweet tea in the mason jar. I am not a brisket fan, so Hill Country may indeed be better for that. In fact I don't even remember if Daisy's offered brisket. For me (and I think also for the rest of my party of 6) Daisy's was noticeably better for ribs and side dishes than Dinosaur, Hill Country, Virgil's, Blue Smoke and Bone Lick. Tue Dec 11 08:31:34 -0800 2007 3197612 12887 josephsm 4 3198482 Hill Country is indeed better for brisket-- in fact, I call Hill Country's brisket the standard by which all other briskets must be judged-- but it's not near Radio City, which is where the original poster was looking. Tue Dec 11 10:15:22 -0800 2007 3198111 11421 GaryLovesFood 1 3197880 I vote for Virgil's in the area. Tue Dec 11 07:17:49 -0800 2007 3188391 10763 Miss Needle 1 3200752 If you are thinking of BBQ in NYC, my advice is think again. If someone recommends Virgil's they must either be mean spirited or have never traveled below the New York, New Jersey line. Virgil's reminds me of the Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. Wed Dec 12 04:53:38 -0800 2007 3188391 95931 foodfme 2 3201825 Everyone's entitled to an opinion, but BBQ is not that bad here, especially given all the choices in the current market. I recall being sick as dog after eating some chopped BBQ beef in Dallas, TX once...there's plenty of great BBQ in the south, but there's plenty of bad BBQ in the south too. Wed Dec 12 10:44:35 -0800 2007 3200752 13427 Ora 1 3207143 I would have thought Virgil's would have been the closest option. That said I wouldn't wish that place on my worst enemy. When I was there it was a complete zoo, with families piled into greasy booths. It was so loud and ruckus I felt like I'd stumbled into some awful tourist trap, or like the Big Apple circus had just let out next door or something. Food wise, it represents a previouse generation of BBQ in NY. Before we had psuedo pit masters, and BBQ fairs. There's some great bbq in NYC these days though! Fri Dec 14 04:07:43 -0800 2007 3188391 145096 sugartoof