Big Apple BBQ 2009

What is summer without barbecue? Well, technically it wasn't quite summer yet when I went to the Big Apple Barbecue in Madison Square Park, NYC on June 13, but close enough. It being my fourth year in a row going to the event, I already had an idea of how to get the most out of my visit—go early, share food, and hope for good weather. I think I made out pretty well, for the most part. I got there right at the 11AM start, so I didn't have to wait in very long lines. I split the barbecue servings with another person, and I was able to try the most I've had at the BBQ so far: 4 kinds. As for the weather, I sort of got what I wanted. It was nice and cool compared to the sauna that was last year's, but it began to drizzle around 1PM, which then became stronger later. That didn't much bother me, however, because I was out before the more steady rain began to fall.

Below are some photos I took during the day.


Homemade smoked sausage with pimento cheese & crackers from Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, Alabama:

A sign for Jim 'N Nick's. Who didn't take a picture of this?:

Ribs on the grill:

St.Louis-style ribs & jalapeno coleslaw from Baker's Ribs in Dallas, Texas:

Western Tennessee-style whole hog from Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint in Nashville, Tennessee:

Beef Brisket, sausage & coleslaw from The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, Texas:

One of the musical acts that day, SaRon Crenshaw:

He did this trick where he strummed the guitar strings with his tongue, but it can't really be captured in a photograph.

There weren't any interesting desserts at the BBQ this year, so a stop at Il Laboratorio del Gelato in the Lower East Side was in order. Scoops of hazelnut and pistachio gelato:

Chocolate hazelnut and banana gelato: