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

And now for something completely different—and arguably very different from American barbecue: my review of Fogo de Chão (Boston MA), the churrascaria that's replaced The Palm in the Westin Copley. Endless fire-cooked meats on skewers—who's in?

See my review of Fogo de Chão

(11/20/12)

Boston BBQ: Sweet Cheeks Re-reviewed

Last week Sweet Cheeks (Boston MA) celebrated its first birthday, so it make sense—especially considering their many changes and my many visits—to check in with an updated review. Check it out via the Reviews page, the link above or link to reviews using the red icons in the Joints directory.

See my updated review of Sweet Cheeks

(11/15/12)

Boston Burgers: Catalyst Burger Reviewed

Time for another burger review, this time for Catalyst (Cambridge MA), a darling of the local bloggers. Was it a darling of mine?

See my review of the burger at Catalyst

(11/05/12)

Joints Directory Madness

Here's the latest batch of barbecue Joints directory activity, spanning five states. This time there are four new joints, one joint returned from the dead, one chili joint that became a barbecue joint, thirteen closings, two restaurant name changes, two website address changes, two new websites and three new Facebook pages.

NEW JOINTS and/or NEW TO THE DIRECTORY

Fletcher's Brooklyn Barbecue (Brooklyn NY) is a Gowanus over-the-counter joint that opened last Friday. Meats sold by the pound include the basics plus a rotating selection of unusual cuts and preparations. The pitmaster is Matt Fisher, most recently of RUB in Manhattan. www.fletchersbklyn.com
JW's Burger Bar (Scituate MA) is a burger joint that offers smoked barbecue far (ribs, pulled pork) starting at 5PM nightly. One of the principals is Jimmy Burke, a veteran of the Boston restaurant scene. www.jwsburgerbar.com
Smokehouse Tailgate Grill (New Rochelle NY) has been around awhile as a chili joint; now they've expanded their menu to include barbecue. Thanks to Sledneck for the heads up a few years ago and Eric for the recent lead. www.smokehousechili.com
Brother's BBQ (New Windsor NY) has resurfaced in the Hudson Valley within the last few months next door to their previous location that was destroyed by fire. Thanks to Thomas for the info. www.thebrothersbarbecue.com
Three Little Pigs BBQ (Newburgh NY) is a new Hudson Valley joint that features the barbecue staples as well as smoked salmon, fried fish and "crispy BBQ" chicken. Thanks again to Thomas for the lead. Facebook
Rebels Roadside BBQ (Bullville NY) is a Hudson Valley trailer operation whose meats cooked by Lang smoker are available 'til 4:00PM every day but Monday and Tuesday, 6:00PM on Saturdays. Thanks once again to Thomas for the lead. Facebook

CLOSINGS

Southern Hospitality (NYC) closed its original Upper East Side location in late October. The Hell's Kitchen location is still open. Justin Timberlake's involvement is still uncertain. Kudos to the restaurant for announcing the closing on their Facebook page the day it happened, rather than just slinking off in the night like so many do. www.southernhospitalitybbq.com
Strawberry's Sports Grill (Queens NY), a sister restaurant to Southern Hospitality, also closed earlier in October, posting a similar message. Whether the two closings are related is probably moot.
Beauford's Southern Barbeque (Hillsborough NH) has recently closed. This is a heavy blow to New Hampshire barbecue, as it was a joint that I viewed as one of the top 3 in the Granite State. Thanks to Erik for the info.
Mobay (NYC) decided to go 'way. But they haven't slinked off into the night either; the business will continue as a catering operation.
Backroad Grille (Bristol RI) has closed. Judging by some Yelp reviews down the stretch (not that I trust Yelp reviews implicitly), I didn't miss much.
Christine's Barbeque (Newburgh NY) closed about a year ago. The Yelper who announced the closing surmised that it may have had to do with the "crappy neighborhood" ( I trust that implicitly).
Longhorn's Saloon and Barbeque (Rockville Centre NY) has closed. Probably a while ago. Second closing of a barbecue joint in the same building.
Lenore's Southern Southern Cuisine (Baldwin NY) has closed. Another Long Island business with the second closing of a barbecue (or near-barbecue) joint in the same building.
Que Pasa (Henniker NH) has closed.
Everglades BBQ (Wilton NY) has closed in the Hudson Valley.
Rubbin' Butts Bar-B-Q (Schenectady NY) has closed.
Laney's Restaurant (Manchester VT) has closed.
Pete's BBQ Pit (Dracut MA) announced its closing via Facebook last Saturday. Thanks to Joshua for the lead.

OTHER CHANGES

Zeke's Smokehouse Grille (Bernardston MA) has a new website: www.zekesbbqgrill.com
Lonestar Sportsbar (Brooklyn NY) is a Bay Ridge watering hole that's added "Sports" to its name and website address. www.lonestarsportsbarandgrill.net
Sweet Fire (Claremont NH) no longer has a (functioning, at least) website, so the Facebook is used instead.
Hot Chix (Brooklyn NY) has gone the other way around, ditching its Facebook page in favor of a website. (No, there are no hot chicks pictured. Believe me, I looked.) www.hotchixrestaurant.com
Barnwood Restaurant (Catskill NY) is the new name for Bar-B-Que Barn, although both names get used. Facebook
Spicy's BBQ (Riverhead NY) now has a Facebook page. Facebook
Cue to Go (Germantown NY) now has a website. www.creativecuisine.com/cue2go/index.html