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Fink, the roving Q master, has just opened his own place (Fink's) in Dumont. It's getting quite a positive buzz. Menu looks terrific, especially the "Daily Carving Station".
It's on my list to get to ASAP. Anybody been there?
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recently heard that Fink was yet again on the move, now opening up shop in Dumont on Madison ave in the former Madison's - (and Daley's before that). Has anyone had a chance to try Finks newest place out yet? if so, would love some feedback.
thanks in advance›3 Replies-
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re: fourunder
Finally got to the blind boar and what a huge disappointment. The night started great, as we walked in, you can smell the smoke they're using in back. The dining room was nice with a fire going, and nice bar in the corner and some big tvs on the wall. so far so good. We started with a pulled chicken quesadilla which actually was great. came with a corn salsa / relish which was very tasty but came in a tiny little cup ( like a tablespoon's worth)along with some guac and sour cream. pretty tasty quesadilla. for entrees i got the 1/2rack of spare ribs "slathered" and my wife got the dr pepper baby backs. for sides (you get 2) we both got collard greens, i decided to try the homemade bbq potato chips, wife went with fries. heres where things went terribly wrong. my "slathered" ribs were the farthest from "slathered" one could possibly imagine, to the point where i asked the waitress if they were mine, to which she said yes, and asked me if i wanted some bbq sauce. i did, and she brought out two different bottles of bbq sauce. either way, the ribs seemed like they were in the smoker a few DAYS too long, and were as tender as my belt. i tried adding the sauces to these bland, dried out, jerkylike ribs, and both sauces were ice cold, right out of the fridge, with one being less tasty than the next. so basically my meal sucked. Terribly. My wifes dr pepper ribs, although not leather boot consistency like mine, still were far from tender, or tasty for that matter. just plain bland. fries were the same you would get at any diner, and my bbq chips were so pedestrian, id say they tasted like they used a bag of shoprite bbq chips, but id being doing a disservice to shop rite chips lol. surprisingly, the collard greens were really tasty??? to top it all off, waitress never came by to ask how everything was. all in all, besides the quesadilla and greens, this place was an absolute disappointment. How can you call yourselves a bbq joint, and both rib options be outright disgusting, borderline unedible??? next time, we definitely will just take the extra 10 minutes ride up 303 to Baileys which just blows this place away.
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Not too far out of Bergen County but Suzy Q's should be added to this list. Was there for the 1st time yesterday and thought the ribs were excellent! Will be going back to get through the rest of the menu.
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re: RayP
I went here a few weeks back (thanks to a Groupon I had) and I also thought they were very good. The portions were generous, the barbecue sauces were great (especially the spicy orange-based one) and the owner (Suzy) came around to all the tables and was very gracious too. I'm planning to return as well.
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re: RayP
darn, i wish you posted this a day or two ago... was at the turtle back zoo with wife and the little man yesterday, and Suzy Q's looks like its only a few minutes away. next time! was gonna grab a bite at mcloones boathouse next door. looked like it had a nice outside deck overlooking the water but we were all pretty beat after the zoo and just came home.
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Dinosaur Bar-b-que in Newark is now open! http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dinin...
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How about Golden Pub in Saddle Brook? They advertise authentic Memphis BBQ... any one been there?
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Golden Pub
335 Market St, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663›11 Replies-
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re: yogi70
I usually go to New York City for BBQ....I find most places sell same day only Ribs and Brisket.. Dinosaur, RUB, Hill Country or Virgil's. ....not a fan of Blue Smoke Dinosaur is the most frequent choice as many also enjoy their Chicken Wings.
I really can't recommend or think of any BBQ place in Bergen I have enjoyed since the place in Teaneck went out of business.....and prior to Fink's involvement. I've tried more than a few over the years, but they are not worth mentioning or have gone out of business already. Using Route 78 as the boundary, I have not found any place better than what Famous Dave's serves...however there is one place that I am looking forward to trying, the recommendation of friends who practice Backyard BBQ and eat it out quite a bit....The Grub Hut in Manville. They tell me it's very good there and AYCE on Monday's.
What are you looking for in BBQ.....pulled pork, St. Louis Style, Baby Backs. Beef Ribs or Brisket. Is the meat most important, or are you looking for the sides to compliment.
My extended family went to the Blind Boar before the Lippin departure.....no one was excited by their meal. The large sampler was impressive, but very dry. I passed by recently and noticed they have a banner outside advertising they have an All You Can Eat Night on Tuesdays.
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re: doxy216
I recently went to Bailey's with some friends, and it was good. I enjoyed it more this last time than ever before. Don't get me wrong, I've been there before -- it was OK. On occasion good. But for BBQ/smoked/etc. -- there's nothing near me, so I have to drive -- and if I am driving, my first choice is always Johnny's.
I've tried all the others, because I enjoy BBQ/smoked/etc. food. I didn't like the Blind Boar, or any of the others mentioned. I don't count Cubby's. I might head over there for a BBQ beef sandwich if I was in the mood, nearby, etc.
My recommendation -- try Bailey's and try Johnny's. Try them more than once. I've never had a problem at either, not with quality, consistency or anything. I do like Johnny's much better, but that's just my opinion. My friend likes Bailey's much better. That's him, his tastes, etc. I don't begrudge him or anyone else who likes, dislikes, etc.
Enjoy!
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re: fourunder
all of the above! : )
actually brisket, ribs and sausage are what i like best. sides too, so yeah, i guess everything.
funny you mentioned you dont care for blue smoke, as i ate there for lunch on tuesday and thought the brisket (mix of lean and marbled) was great. Love Rub, and Dinosaur, havent been to Hill country yet and Virgils its been a while ago so i cant recall. think it was really good too. would love something of that caliber, or close, somewhere here in bergen. just dont feel like hitting the city every time for great Q. guess ill just stick w/ baileys which is pretty good imho. thought finks new joint in pearl river was good too.-
re: yogi70
tommy
May 26, 2012 05:31 AM
If you like sausage and brisket, every second that you haven't been to Hill Country is a second of disservice to your mouth. It's one of the few places (only?) in Manhattan serving sausage. I haven't seen sausage at Rub, Blue Smoke, or Dinosaur. And Virgil's isn't on my list.
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Bourbon BBQ (www.bourbonribs.com) on Goffle Road in Wyckoff re-opened today. We went for lunch. It's a lovely, cozy space. The service was helpful and friendly. The food was a bit disappointing to these returning customers....and I trust that it's just an opening week kind of problem. We had hickory smoked chicken (all their poultry is from the excellent Goffle Road Poultry Farm)...it was very tasty. We also ordered dry-rubbed spare ribs, but they were tough and dry. I hope that they can refine some issues.....I know that it's difficult to go thru a fire and rebuild. They have rebuilt a very pretty restaurant.
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re: wereboar
I've gone there several times. Is it "traditional" BBQ, smoked food, or whatever you want to call it? No. That's OK though. If it's not what you want or are looking for, so be it. Yes, I do know people who argue about semantics and what is BBQ, smoking, etc., as opposed to "grilling" and all that. I get that.
That said, however, I often say you don't go to a deli for sushi. That's an extreme of course, and I don't know what Cubby's is claiming to be, advertising as or anything of the like. If you want something specific, go find it. Cubby's is a "good" place. I've never had truly "great" or awesome food there, but it's "good" -- and that can be a relative term. I've never had bad food there -- never at all. They have good wings, the burgers are good, and their BBQ beef sandwiches are very good IMO. Some people like their dogs, Texas Weiner's, etc. Personally, I don't go there for the ribs, but I've had them. They are "good" as in OK, if you want ribs you can have them. I like ribs a lot so I look elsewhere. I don't think you want to order them if you are looking for real good, down home, low and slow smoked ribs, etc.
Cubby's has also been around a long time, not a very common thing in the restaurant business. Try it. Depending on what you are looking for -- you might like. Enjoy.
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re: ELA
menton1
Nov 28, 2011 07:33 AM
Cubby's? Not BBQ at all, in my mind. NO SMOKER!!! Kinda dingy as well, needs a makeover. With all the good burger joints around lately-- BUCU, Bobby's, Cheeburger, Smashburger, etc. Cubby's is not on the radar.
Looks like Bailey's in Pearl River gets the real BBQ vote for these parts...
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re: menton1
I wouldn't go to Cubby's for a burger. I'd go there for the BBQ beef sandwich, only because it's closer, time constraints for lunch, etc. For a burger, I'd drive a bit further or if I was nearby, I'd go to Cheeseburger Cheeseburger. Bobby Flay's is 30 seconds from my office and I like it so I'd certainly go there.
If it was dinner with some friends, and I wanted BBQ, etc. -- I'd drive. It wouldn't be a lunch, time constraint, nearby factor. As far as where'd I'd drive, real BBQ in my mind -- I wouldn't go way out of my way to go Bailey's, but I think it's ok to good. I like Johnny's much better, but that's just me.
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sixelagogo
Aug 1, 2011 08:58 AM
At Defiant brewery in Pearl River, NY, they have really amazing bbq pulled pork/brisket et al on Saturdays and Sundays(ok, the pork is excellent, though i'm not much of a brisket gal). They only smoke on the weekends, but you can stop in a drink a beer while waiting for your dinner. Cheap prices (by the pound, though i don't remember spending more than $10 for 2 people). BYO bread/slaw.
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re: sixelagogo
michele cindy
Aug 11, 2011 06:28 AM
I really enjoyed the ribs I had there. It was last year, but thanks for reminding me that I need to go there again.
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Thanks everybody. May have to make our way to Blauvelt. Although we've been known to cross the GW Bridge and get food from Dinosaur Barbecue to bring home.
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menton1
Jul 28, 2011 02:51 PM
Johnny's BBQ in Pearl River is getting kudos, the guy manning the smoker is Fink of BBQ fame in River Edge.
N.B. Cubby's is NOT Barbecue, they just use BBQ sauce and call it that. No smoker there.
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re: menton1
I second Baily's Smokehouse in Blauvelt. The Bergen bbq scene is pretty sad these days.
The construction is progressing over at Bourbon bbq, but it still wasn't as good as Bailey's. GIve it a shot. Good beer and I hear they do southern fried chicken now as well. We need to know if it's any good.-
re: billmayo
Bourbon BBQ? It's re-opened, but don't bother. I ordered a 10 piece smoked chicken to take out. I actually received 6 pieces of chicken- they cut each of the 2 breasts into 3 pieces and considered it to count as 6 of the 10 pieces! When I called to politely suggest that when one orders 10 pieces of chicken they expect 10 pieces- the response was rude, loud, belligerent, and then they hung up on me. Oh, and I had prefaced my remarks by telling them I had eaten there 2 weeks prior, and that they might remember I had also picked up a large order the night before.
Management's attitude, and deceptive menu, must be the reason why the parking lot is usually empty when I pass by every day. This place won't last.-
re: mccallen
I get very disappointed when I hear stories like this.....my MO is usually to write them off when this happens to me, but lately, it seems more and more businesses do not care about their reputations and customers satisfaction. In one specific instance with a Country Club, I plan to sue....not really for the return of monies, but to prove a point. The CC has basically ignored the situation, so I plan to bring suit. I suspect then they will offer to settle, but I do not plan to accept. In a small claims court situation, the business is required to hire an attorney to respond to my complaint. I just plan on causing them some pain and money now.
For the record.....I hear more stories like this about Bourbon BBQ, than good ones....same goes for the owner, it seems like he is fighting with everyone
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re: fourunder
I am a former small business owner who struggled to make a living for 35 years, so I am very sensitive, and supportive, and will go the extra mile to give the benefit of the doubt. A bad meal or poor service- I can chalk it up to a bad night (we all have them) and give it another chance, or two, or maybe even three. In this particular case, I just can't. 10 pieces is 10 pieces- not 6! The whole incident has left me disgusted. Raise the price if that's the problem, and give the customer what is advertised. As Judge Judy likes to say: "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining".
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re: menton1
michele cindy
Aug 11, 2011 06:27 AM
I went to Johnny's 2x. The 1st time the spare ribs were perfect, the 2nd time they seemed like they were re-heated, and so so so salty you could just about eat them. Will give it another shot. They mentioned they were expanding into the store next door. Draft beer selection was very nice. I had one called Palin (?) liked it, a tad on the sweet side, but overall nice.
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re: michele cindy
Quite frankly, I do not understand all the love for Fink, or even for Lippin for that matter. Both cannot hold down the fort in any place either has been associated with. The same complaints come up over and over.....they both suffered greatly from consistency issues. One visit good, another bad. My complaints go back to 2006-2007 and apparently they continue today.
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re: tommy
I wouldn't have a problem with re-heated barbecue myself........presumably the Q is made and held for an amount of time before being served. The question for me is, how is the food held? In the original smoker oven, a cook and hold oven or in the refrigerator. I don't have a problem with any of the methods.......however, I do expect the Q to be from the same day from any location billing itself as a Barbecue Restaurant or destination..
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re: fourunder
michele cindy
Aug 11, 2011 09:06 AM
Let's see if I can describe the difference... The 1st time the ribs were moist, the fat was soft, giving an almost juicy like quality to something not inherently juicy as in a burger, and they fell of the bone. The last time it was similar to when I have leftovers, put them in the toaster oven to heat up, they were nicely charred, but there was a slightly off taste, and a more dry then the 1st batch. I have no clue as to how the 2nd batch was prepared but my above description reflects the difference in the flavors. The main put off was the saltiness. Really over the top. Thinking back, I should have returned them.
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re: fourunder
duh, yes i know how to copy and paste. I'm talking about something like this:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/Hi-guy...
)
(see the 3rd post as an examplewhere the quoted post includes attribution to the original poster and the font is different. Guess not available here.
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While it's not technically a full barbecue place and it may be a bit of a ride for you, Buffalo's Chicken Shack in Wood-Ridge is awesome and has a lot of 'cue items, including ribs, pulled pork (the pulled pork sandwich may be the best $6.49 you ever spend, it's like two pounds!) and pulled chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and lots more. Oh, and the best, hugest buffalo wings in Bergen County! The food's incredible, portions are large, and prices are fair.
Bergen County does not have a lot of BBQ places. There's also Cubby's in Hackensack, and ??? I'm not sure. Bourbon BBQ in Wyckoff is supposed to reopen in a few months (the place was destroyed by a fire about two years ago). They were good, but were definitely stronger in meats than sides and got a touch expensive for some items. Still, they'll be welcomed back!
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re: zhelder
ZH, gotta disagree with you on the best wings in Bergen at that place in wood ridge. huge, yes. best, no way. im actually still trying to find the best wings in Bergen, so far ive found pretty good, but nothing wows me. the problem i have with buffalos chicken shack in Wood ridge is their wings aren't buffalo wings. they had a weird sweet/spicy creole or cajun rub/sauce and it just wasnt to my liking. i will, on your recommendation, go back and try some of their bbq. as far as pretty good wings ive found in Bergen, id say the wings at steve's sizzlin steakhouse on 17 were very good, as well the pub in Hackensack called General Pours tavern. As far as good bbq in bergen, im still looking. i agree w/ Menton below, cubbys is not great for bbq (surprisingly decent wings tho) and although its not Bergen, we recently had a very good bbq at Dave Finks new place Johnny's BBq up in Pearl River. I still think Fink's old place Bailey's is still real good (in Blauvelt NY) and better than any option in Bergen. Otherwise still searching for great wings as well as bbq in Bergen county. The Porterhouse in Northvale (formerly Jose O'reilys, Cormacks, etc) is turning into a bbq place with Jay Lippin manning the smoker (formerly of Backwoods bbq in Westwood, then Washington township) so we may actually get a good bbq place in Bergen. fingers crossed...
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re: WarmBeer
im not sure WarmBeer. when i stopped in a few weeks back, the waitress/hostess said that at this time, only the bar is open with a very limited bar menu. i believe they are doing some renovations and plan on opening as a new bbq place in the fall. i agree, it really is welcome news as i enjoyed Lippin's "backwoods bbq" when it shared a spot at the washington township "doghouse saloon" - never got to his westwood locale. i thought the q was better on some nites than others, but still better than anything else Bergen county had to offer, and was convenient when i didnt feel like going up to Bailey's in Blauvelt.
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re: yogi70
Just read Elisa Ung's review of the Blind Boar in todays record - the new Jay Lippin BBQ spot in Norwood (formerly the Porterhouse, Jose Oreilly's, Cormacks) and she gave it 2 1/2 stars. Has anyone been there yet??? As ive said before, Bergen county NEEDS SOME GOOD Q!!! - if i didnt just go to Baileys on Saturday, i would take a ride to Norwood, but after that, and then thanksgiving, im doing a few days of salad cause my clothes are tight lol
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re: yogi70
menton1
Nov 25, 2011 11:12 AM
I have yet to go to Bailey's-- found Blind Boar a bit lacking-- frozen french fries, and the ribs and pulled pork were fairly tasteless-- Brisket was terrific. A mixed bag. Music in the dining room is piped in to deafening levels.
What's your take on Bailey's?
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re: menton1
That is really disappointing to hear menton1. I have to get over there and give it a shot myself as mom lives a few towns away. Yelp had some good writeups on Blind Boar, as did Elisa Ung in the Record, - surprised to hear the ribs were tasteless, as that was Lippin's specialty (imo) at his old Backwoods bbq. As far as Bailey's goes, tried it last year from a recommendation on another bbq thread on here, and very glad I did. By the time I got up there, Fink was gone already, but I still think their bbq is great. Really tasty brisket, ribs (spare or baby back), bbq chicken, pulled pork etc. dont care much for their pulled chicken but with all the other options, thats fine. they also have a really great cornbread souffle. love their "lollipops" of bacon wrapped around smoked sausage. pretty good beer selections. upstairs has lots of tvs for all the games, and downstairs more of a restaurant dining room. Right off of 303 a few minutes past the nj border. Also have been to Finks new place in Pearl River and really liked that as well. Rockland folks are seriously spoiled with Baileys, Finks new joint Johny's Smokehouse, and I hear that also in Pearl River, the Defiant Brewery does some really nice bbq on the weekends.
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re: yogi70
michele cindy
Nov 26, 2011 03:28 PM
I like Bailey's but find it a little inconsistent. The one thing I love there is the Screaming Chicken wing sauce. It's never the same. The ribs have been good on all of the occasions I've ordered them. And the corn souffle is sometimes, a bit too sweet, but I still enjoy it just the same. Johnny's is also pretty good, but again the same thing not consistent. I'd rather have these joints then none, so I'm not complaining. I'll have to try the Blind Boar. I was in the mood for wings one night, headed over there solo, but there was no one in the place, so I never went in. The menu said the wings were extra large in size, I prefer them tiny, like at Baileys, so I headed over to Liberty in Tappan, and the wings were ok, but what killed me was that they were 9.99! Never again... I think they give you 7 wings at most.
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re: yogi70
I know what you're saying, the sauce they use at Buffalo's is a bit different than the typical buffalo wing sauce, but no matter, they're still, IMHO, the best wings any local joint has turned out. By far.
They have four levels of sauce for their buffalo wings: mild, spicy, firestarter, and numb ya face. The mild and spicy are made with cayenne, the firestarter and numb ya face are made with habaneros. I usually get spicy, but tried the firestarters for the first time last night. Well, Bergen County's best wings just got better! They're a bit hotter than the spicy (not too much though, although the heat does stay in your mouth longer), and the sauce seems to be a more traditional blend than the spicy wings. Give them a shot!
Oh, and Buffalo's now turns out the best jerk wings in Bergen County in addition to the best buffalo wings!
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