We went and checked out the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party on Sunday. We sampled five or six of the 'cue vendors. The baby back ribs from pitmaster Mike Mills were my favorite, although the brisket and sausage from The Salt Lick was pretty fine too. The North Carolinian BBQ, flavored with a thin vinegar-based sauce, was not to my personal liking -- give me Memphis or Kansas City style any day -- but others enjoyed it.
On the way out, we sat for a second to listen to a panel on America's "barbeculture". Listening to folks argue about BBQ is right up there with listening to people argue about blogging, but panelist Lolis Eric Elie's use of the phrase "barbecue diaspora" made our short time in the audience worthwhile.
More on the BABBP: NYC Eats finds a hardcore BBQ fan and eGullet prepared an extensive report, going in-depth on Ed Mitchell.
There are 7 reader comments
• Jun 14 2004 • 10:56AM
The Salt Lick has a website... It's about 30 mins or so outside of Austin and is highly recommended... All the food is served family style and all you can eat. It's also in a dry county so it's bring your own, which works out great for parties and such. If you're really jonesin, they deliver - check out the store...
• Jun 14 2004 • 11:29AM
up here in the land where barbecue = grilling
Heh. They touched on that in the panel too.
And as many times as I've been to Austin, I've never made it to the Salt Lick. If I ever attend SXSW again, I'm definitely putting it on the list, no doubt about it.
• Jun 14 2004 • 11:51AM
You opened an entry about BBQ for comments?
You might as well have posted your feelings about abortion rights and done the same.
"In North Carolina, they put cole slaw on barbecue. In Georgia, they'll cut you for doing that." --Lewis Grizzard
• Jun 14 2004 • 12:08PM
You didn't try the pig snoot sandwich?
• Jun 14 2004 • 12:39PM
the salt lick also has a place on 360 in austin if you can't make it to the one out in dripping springs. but it's a lot cooler to drive for it for some reason.
• Jun 23 2004 • 12:55PM
You visited 5 or 6 vendors? How? You must have been there all day with 95% of your time standing in line. I couldn't believe how crowded it was with hopelessly inadequate planning for crowd/mob/line control. I overheard one girl talking on her cell phone: "Yeah, I'm here at the BBQ, but it sucks compared to last year. Last year nobody knew about it and it was great. I'm getting out of here." So did I.
Anyway, however you managed to do it, I commend you. The whole fun of events like this is getting to sample from all over. But I'm not going to wait in the kind of absurd lines they had there. Even in New Orleans at jazzfest, among a MUCH larger crowd, you can get in and sample food and get back to the music quick-like.
This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Michael • Jun 14 2004 • 10:06AM
Hey there's a good article on Oklahoma City barbecue in the most recent issue of Saveur magazine. Made my mouth water just reading it, esp up here in the land where barbecue = grilling, which is just wrong.