Pigtrip.net BBQ Reviews - Boston, New York, New England, Long Island and the Hudson Valley

The site's 239th barbecue joint review is for Sea Smoke BBQ (Scarborough ME), a Route 1 over-the-counter joint that opened last August. Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Sea Smoke

(12/27/11)

Boston BBQ: Red Eyed Pig Reviewed

The site's 238th barbecue joint review is for Red Eyed Pig (West Roxbury MA), a Boston newcomer with a tiny space and a huge menu. Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Red Eyed Pig

(12/25/11)

Merry Christmas

(12/21/11)

New Hampshire BBQ: An Updated Review for MoJo's BBQ Grill and Tavern

I said it before and I'll say it again: never let it be said that I don't give a second chance to joints that got a less-than-favorable review the first time around. In 2008, I wasn't too high on the first incarnation of MoJo's BBQ Grill and Tavern (Portsmouth NH), a joint that traded in its over-the-counter operation for a full service pub in 2010. Shortly before the end of 2011, I found myself in Portsmouth (coincidentally, enjoying a burger in the restaurant that took over the previous location) and decided it was time to give MoJo's another try.

Check out the updated review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my updated review of MoJo's

(12/18/11)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning just two states. This time there are five new joints, two closings, one new website, one new Facebook contact and one franchisee splitting.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Nicky's Beer Garden BBQ (Bronx, NY) is supposedly the first beer garden in the Bronx, they supposedly have a smoker and the menu has a definite Cajun slant. Thanks to Sledneck for the info. www.nickysbbq.com
Poor Freddie's Rib Shack (Jamaica, NY) is a decades-old Ozone Park takeout joint specializing in Southern comfort food and demands a slower pace. Most of the Yelpers who weighed in are high on the place, so—smoker or not—it may be worth some investigation. Thanks again to Sledneck for the info.
Red-eyed Pig Downhome Southern BBQ (West Roxbury MA) is a new Boston joint that opened within the last two weeks. The joint is tiny, the menu is huge (pork belly, fried chicken, burgers) and the flavors are somewhere inbetween. Yes, I visited last week and will probably stop in one more time before posting a review. www.red-eyedpig.com
Chip Shots Grill and Sports Pub (Littleton MA) is a typical watering hole that recently added barbecue to the menu. Oddly, neither their website (not updated in 5 years) nor their Facebook page can substantiate the claim, but two separate readers have alerted me, one even supplying a scan of an ad with the barbecue menu. Thanks to John and Dave for their ongoing help. www.chipshotspub.com
Abigail's (Cambridge MA) is a restaurant that's been around a half year or so, but has only recently started strutting its barbecue personality. First came a Sunday barbecue brunch (the only time to get babybacks). Then, gradually, the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches begat smoked shrimp, smoked wings, smoked lamb and smoked lamb ribs. www.abigailsrestaurant.net

CLOSINGS

Spoon Food Truck (Boston MA) is now defunct. Thanks to Steven for the lead.
Tennessee's (Leominster MA) is no longer open, leaving just three remaining Massachusetts outposts in the mini-chain. Thanks to Michael for the info. www.tenn-bbq.com

OTHER CHANGES

Twain's Chicken and Ribs (Oceanside NY) now has a website. www.twainschicken.com
Slippery Pig BBQ and Saloon (Holbrook NY) now has their Facebook contact added. Facebook
RUB (East Meadow NY) was a franchise operation that until recently was affiliated with RUB in Manhattan. That affiliation is no more. Thanks to Vinny for the reminder. www.rubbbq.com

(12/14/11)

Connecticut Burgers: Max Burger Reviewed

Here's another burger review, this time for Max Burger (West Hartford CT), an establishment that could also squeak by as a barbecue joint. They have smoked wings, ribs and pulled pork, but the emphasis here (and in this review) is the burgers.

See my burger review for Max Burger

(12/12/11)

Boston BBQ: Sweet Cheeks Reviewed

The site's 237th barbecue review is for Sweet Cheeks (Boston MA), the month-old upscale barbecuery helmed by celebrity chef Tiffani Faison. While my intentionally vague first look in early November was based on a single visit, this more detailed full fledged review represents four visits spaced out over a 3-week period. I'm guessing this review will be accused of being both too kind and too critical by the various factions, but it is what it is and it is what I think. Check out the review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my review of Sweet Cheeks

(12/07/11)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning three states. This time there are five new joints and one closing.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Yellow Rose BBQ (Willimantic CT) is a one-month old Texas style barbecue joint. Thanks to owner Brad (yes, owners are welcome) for the info. Facebook
Butcher Bar (Queens NY) opened last week, bringing a new hybrid of meat counter and barbecue joint to Astoria. Their high end products have already garnered some positive reviews. Thanks to Josh and Chuck for the info. www.butcherbar.com
Harley's Smokeshack (NYC) is a new, just-opened joint (soft opening last night) in East Harlem. It's the Big Apple debut of legendary pitmaster Dave "Fink" Finkelstein, a veteran of cult New Jersey barbecue joint Fink's Funky and more recently Bailey's Smokehouse (Blauvelt NY) and Johnny's Smokehouse (Pearl River NY). He'll still be involved in Johnny's while headlining at Harley's. Thanks to Robbie and Fink for the info. Facebook
Little Brother BBQ (Brooklyn NY) is the latest barbecue offshoot from Craig Samuel and Ben Grossman, the duo behind Smoke Joint. This just-opened venture features antibiotic Berkshire hogs, Creekstone Farms beef and a little more ambience than the flagship. Thanks to Robert for the lead. www.littlebrotherbbq.com
Sista's BBQ (Brunswick ME) is a 2-month old joint north of Portland. This former coffee shop had creatively made good use of the bovine beauty of the existing structure. Thanks to Simon for the lead. Facebook

CLOSINGS

Big Daddy's (Acton ME) has been closed for a while now, replaced by another biker bar with no lobster deals, a smaller wing selection and no barbecue. Thanks to Steven for the info.

(12/05/11)

New Hampshire Burgers: Gilley's PM Lunch Reviewed

Gilley's PM Lunch (Portsmouth NH) is as known for its late night appeal as for its lunch, but either way, it's well known that it's well known, at least in burger circles. But is it any good?

See my burger review for Gilley's PM Lunch

(12/01/11)

Massachusetts BBQ: An Updated Review for Theodore's Booze, Blues & BBQ

Never let it be said that I don't give a second chance to joints that got a less-than-favorable review the first time around. I first visited Theodore's Booze, Blues & BBQ (Springfield MA) in the summer of 2006, liking the place overall and appreciating the value, but not being all that impressed with the 'cue, which I didn't think came from a smoker. Fast forward five years to the Facebook age, where I 'liked' every barbecue joint in the region to keep tabs on activities. Some of the photos I saw of the Theodore's 'cue caught my attention, making me think they might be using smokers afterall. They are. The food looked different and it looked good enough to warrant a return.

Check out the updated review via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.