Big Apple BBQ Block Party - Day 2 - June 12, 2011

This weekend marked that most wonderful time of the year in NYC with the Big Apple BBQ Block Party, a 2-day meatathon in Madison Square Park featuring some of the country's top pitmasters.  This year's festival was as mouthwatering—and as crowded—as ever.  I attended the second day of the event, and had the pleasure of stuffing my gullet with what in my not so humble opinion was the cream of the crop of the event.

Pitmaster Ed Mitchell of Wilson, NC was in town for the event once again, serving his divine pulled pork sandwiches (with cracklin'!) and—new for this year—smoked turkey.

To get my rib fix, I went visited tent for Memphis' 17th Street Bar & Grill.  

 The Salt Lick from Driftwood, Texas, offered up brisket and sausage that were well worth the wait in line.

As it does every year, Eleven Madison Park offered Mint Juleps, glasses of bourbon, and good music.

Pitmaster Bob Lilly of Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur, Alabama, smoked some amazing pork butts.  The line to the Big Bob stand was by far the longest of any at the festival, but I'm glad I waited it out.

Finally, Jim 'N' Nick's is always a go-to for some excellent smoked sausages.

And with that, I can't wait until Big Apple BBQ Block Party 2012!

The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

I took a brief break from my Greenmarket Challenge yesterday to attend the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, a two-day festival that brings some of the country's top barbecue joints to Manhattan's Madison Square Park each year. As has always been the case with the festival, the lines at all of the best establishments were long, but the long waits were worth it to sample some topnotch barbecue.

I was lucky enough to have a friend who lives right next to Madison Square Park. We brought up loads of food from the festival to his apartment and enjoyed our barbecue on the balcony while watching the crowds of people below:


Despite the comforts of my friend's apartment, I did escape for a bit to enjoy the festival below:


Despite eating twice my weight in barbecue yesterday, I am still contemplating a return to the festival today as it was just that much fun.