NYC BBQ Tour
Every Monday at @ 6pm
Meet at Madison Square Park
in front of Chester Alan Arthur statue
(E. 26th Street & Madison Avenue)
$88.88 (includes all BBQ, sides, & soft drinks)
www.nycbbqtour.com

Barbeque, a staple of the South, is blowing a great trail of smoke right through New York City. So much in fact, that foodies have organized a barbeque tour of four of the best BBQ restaurants in NYC - Blue Smoke: Jazz Standard, Rodeo Bar & Grill, The Hog Pit, and Hill Country. The tour gives you behind-the-scenes access to these restaurants to meet the talented chefs and pitmasters who are behind the finger-licking succulence.

Blue Smoke: Jazz Standard
116 East 27th Street (Between Park & Lexington Aves)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 447-7733
www.bluesmoke.com

From ultra-successful restaurateur Danny Meyer, Blue Smoke gives us a selection of regional barbeque flavors from St. Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, North Carolina, Texas, and other Southern cities. At Blue Smoke, you can feast on barbeque upstairs and swing to the rhythm of live jazz music downstairs. Authentic barbeque and southern flavor can be tasted throughout every dish on the menu. Memphis Baby Back Ribs are coated with their Magic Dust seasoning and doused in Blue Smoke's Original Sauce. Kansas City Spareribs are juicy and get a sweet and spicy flavor from their own K.C. Sauce. Texas Salt & Pepper Beef Ribs do not need any sauce, as they are dry-rubbed and smoked. A Rib Sampler is offered for those you cannot decide between the three, but why should you have to?

Rodeo Bar & Grill
375 3rd Avenue (Near E. 27th St.)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 683-6500
www.rodeobar.com

With BBQ flown in from Black's Barbeque of Lockhart, Texas, the authenticity of Rodeo Bar & Grill's barbeque should not be questioned. Live music fills the rooms pretty much every night, as does the aroma of slow smoked Texas BBQ. Rodeo has an extensive menu, so choose wisely. Barbeque items include BBQ ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and a smoked beef brisket platter. Lively music and Texas BBQ should be shared with friends, just don't let the gargantuan stuffed buffalo discourage you.

The Hog Pit
37 West 27th Street (Between 6th Ave & Broadway)
New York, NY 10010
(212)213-4871
www.thehogpit.com

Rock-a-roll, cheap beer, and barbeque, what could be better? The Hog Pit brings us North Carolina styled barbeque and a real Southern experience, compete with country music and cowboy hats. Homemade meatloaf, BBQ baby back ribs, chicken fried steak, and grilled pork chops are some southern favorites topping The Hog Pit's menu. Perfection comes in the form of their Famous Mac & Cheese and Fried Pickles.

Hill Country
30 West 26th Street (Between 6th Ave & Broadway)
New York, NY 10010
(212) 255-4544
www.hillcountrynyc.com

What can I say about Hill Country that has not already been said? Winner of countless awards, including "Best Barbeque of New York", Hill Country produces some of the finest Texas hill country barbeque this side of the Mason Dixon Line. Their authentic flavor comes from the imported Texas oak wood smoker. Hill Country's menu offers pretty much every type of meat imaginable, from beef shoulder, to pork shoulder spare ribs, to beer can game hen. At Hill Country, deciding on a dish may be a painful process, but with the knowledge that any dish chosen will provide the same barbequed perfection should be comforting.