Our 10 Best Barbecue Restaurants in NYC

Robert Sietsema

Memorial Day weekend = meat-eating weekend

The long weekend is soon approaching, and frolicking in the cool Hamptons waters and firing up the grill are surely top of mind. Stuck in the city this weekend? Don't despair -- you can still enjoy the pleasures of backyard barbecue ... restaurant-style. So without further ado, we present Our 10 Best NYC Barbecue Restaurants.

10. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: The first Dinosaur Bar-B-Que was founded by a couple of bikers in Syracuse back in the 1980s, and this branch is appropriately decked out with biker regalia. While the spot doesn't serve the city's best 'cue (the pulled pork isn't bad, though), it offers a cheery and boisterous environment (often packed with Columbia University students), with 20 beers on tap and lots of fun to be had. 700 West 125th Street, 212-694-1777

The Village Voice

Things are smokin' at the Smoke Joint.

9. The Smoke Joint: The chopped-beef sandwich stands out on the menu of this Brooklyn barbecue restaurant, as do the Flintstone-size beef ribs. Also noteworthy are the hot links, Brooklyn-style Buffalo wings, roasted corn on the cob, and its general welcoming vibe. Here, small batches and lots of wood (mainly maple) mean good 'cue. 87 South Elliot Place, Brooklyn, 718-797-1011

8. R.U.B.: Don't be deterred by its pompous name, which stands for "Righteous Urban Barbecue." The ribs done Kansas City-style are quite good, and so are the sausages, though you never know which of the three (hot links, spicy barbecue, Italian sausage) will be available at this Chelsea spot. 208 West 23rd Street, 212-524-4300

7. Daisy May's BBQ: Barbecue guru Adam Perry Lang set up shop on the far west side of the city to dish up his 'cue. The ribs are finger-licking good, and the sides (collards, corn, mac 'n' cheese) here are actually better than at most barbecue joints. 623 Eleventh Avenue, 212-977-1500

The Village Voice

Rack and Soul: The name says it all.

6. Rack and Soul: This joint project of Harlem's Charles' Southern Kitchen and barbecuist John Wheeler blends soul food and barbecue. The fried chicken is, naturally, crispy and moist, but parts of the 'cue menu -- like the pulled pork and the excellent baby-back ribs -- are even better. 2818 Broadway, 212-222-4800