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Recap: Snapple Big Apple BBQ 2010

June 17, 2010

Last weekend was the eighth annual Snappble Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, a two-day affair that brought some of the most maniacal and talented Pit Masters from around the country to our beloved Madison Square Park. CONT'D

My love for barbecue was truly in its infancy until I visited Martin's BBQ Joint in Nolansville, Tennessee two years ago.  That meal was easily one of the best in my life: spoon-tender pork ribs, collards and beans in a styrofoam cup, brisket to-die-for, griddle corn bread, my goodness, that f%#$ing cornbread! 

Now when I hear someone say, "barbecue" I have to stop myself from drooling.  I wondered, as my friend Arielle and I headed up 5th avenue to Madison Square Park, if the Block Party would be as formative as my previous barbecue experience.  As we approached the park the smell of charcoal and burning animal became as dense as the smoke rising from the trees.  Fire trucks anxiously crept down 23rd street, waiting for the park to explode in flames.  As we entered from the Madison Avenue side, we were instantly overwhelmed.  I scanned the park and saw that Martin's from Tennessee had a stand! We quickly ran over to talk with Patrick Martin, the pit master and proud new owner of a second restaurant right outside of Nashville.  We talked about BBQ as he offered us some BBQ Pork Sandwiches and "burnt hog skin" (his words...).  Pit Master Martin's BBQ was as delicious as I remember, but there was some stiff competition from all sides. Barbecue mutton sandwiches from Kentucky, dry-rubbed pork ribs from Texas, Pappy's St Louis Style Ribs, and Hill Country's beef brisket were all favorites as well.  

As for the people?  I saw a petite woman eat two stories of barbecue, another woman pushing a stroller filled with 'Cue as her toddler trailed behind, and yet another woman double fisting plates of pork as she ran down Madison Avenue, all the while cradling a cellphone.

I think it's safe to say that barbecue has a primordial pull over even the snootiest of New Yorkers.

Posted in FOOD on June 17, 2010 9:09pm by Adam Samuels | 13 comments

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We are young (early 20's) and hungry (for knowledge! music! art! food!) friends living on (or in areas which border) Manhattan. We moved to the city seeking higher education, and an alternative to frat parties and gin buckets. We prefer a bottle of Chianti to a keg, lunches at City Bakery to a dining hall, Joe's to Starbucks, Frankie's Amatriciana to Batali's. Our uniting factor is our love for food. For detailed, personal information, keep reading.
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