Dinosaur BBQ

So if I am going to talk about restaurants I have to start with the one I have been in love with for over 16 years - Dinosaur BBQ. It is as close as I get to religion and I frequent this temple of BBQ located two blocks north of the world famous Cotton Club in West Harlem.

The Dinosaur Bar-B-Q was started in 1983 by three bikers, bound together by the love of good food, a 55 gallon drum cut in half and for five years traveled motorcycle shows, fairs, and festivals up and down the east coast selling BBQ. In 1988, burnt out from the road, they settled into downtown Syracuse and opened up as a take out BBQ joint. By 1990 they doubled their space added a bar and the Dinosaur I love was born. I landed at college in Syracuse in 1991 and over the next four years Dinosaur was the backdrop for a lot of my best college memories. Give me amazing BBQ, a jukebox full of great blues and good friends and I am in heaven.

For the outpost in NYC parking can be a little tricky. I would try and find a spot on the street if you can, but if that fails there is a small but nice indoor parking lot half way down the block on 131st Street which only charges $10 no matter how long you stay. Do not park across the street at the Fariway grocery store parking lot which will be tempting because they will have your car booted or towed in a heartbeat - they don't play around.

You need to have reservations no matter what time of day you want to go because there is always a wait even though it is a large restaurant. Friday and Saturday nights are the worst when you will wait 20-30 minutes with reservations and 2-3+ hours without them. I find the best time to be lunch on Saturday or Sunday when the crowds are thinner.

The food is a mix of classic BBQ and southern fare usually done with enough of a twist to make it unique. I recommend starting with either the fried green tomatoes or the chili on the half shell. Their AK Chili (ass kicking) is probably the best I have ever had and really hits the spot on a cold New York day. For dinner I would go with either the ribs or the hamburger. The ribs are large pork ribs done with a dry rub and smoked to perfection. Strange it sounds, their hamburger is probably the best I have ever had and get it with their thick cut smoked bacon. Pair either of those with a Saranac root beer on draft and you will be all set.

Once you have had the food you should grab two things on your way out the door. Some of their sauce and a copy of "Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse" which has over 100 of their recipes and techniques. It has all the flavor and humor you find in the restaurant and has been the cornerstone of cookbook collection since it came out. So run don't walk to Dinosaur ASAP!