December 9th, 2008
I will be the first to admit that my BBQ knowledge is limited. I’ve only recently learned about all of the different styles i.e. Memphis, Texas and North Carolina. What I do know, is that I’ve yet to have REALLY good BBQ prior to my trip to Hill Country. Oddly enough, BBQ has been a bit of a NY trend lately, with old timers like Blue Smoke and Dinosaur BBQ continuing their popularity and new kids like Wildwood BBQ and Q in Westchester popping up. I’d tried a few of these places and for some reason, they fell flat. The meat wasn’t moist enough, the sides were bland. Hill Country was the first place I’d heard was actually fantastic, said to be authentic Texas style BBQ in Chelsea. I’m not sure what made it authentic but it was DAMN GOOD, that’s for sure.
Hill Country is a lively duplex with large communal tables filled with hungry carnivores who rub elbows while watching the football game, projected onto the big screen or listening to regular band performances on stage. Upstairs, patrons line up with trays and butcher paper (no plates) and approach the counter to make selections from the meat masters behind. You order brisket, ribs, and chicken by the pound and the guys will pile it onto your plate while checking off your personal ticket, which serves as a bill at the end (leaving you free for seconds if you dare).
I ordered the brisket moist (fattier than the brisket lean) which was my favorite part of the meal. It was definitely moist, smokey, and perfectly tender. With a dash of hot sauce it was sublime. The gigantic beef ribs had a nice sweet, smokiness though they were a bit dry, I’ve heard the pork ribs are better. The sides I had were phenomenal: creamy, sharp mac and cheese plus string beans with salty fried onions. I tasted a yummy bite of the corn pudding too. They also run a special on a bucket of Lone Star beer, 6 beers for $30 I believe. If you love BBQ, you can’t miss Hill Country.
Hill Country: 30 W 26th Street (betw Broadway and 6th ave)
Cuisine: Texas BBQ
Average Entree Price: Anywhere from $15 to $50 depending on your appetite!
Food: Very Good
Service: Good
Value: Very Good
You Gonna Finish That? Every last bite.
Related Posts:
CountryWildwood Barbeque (A Scrumptious Surprise)Blue Hill (Fiddleheads and Fuddled Service)
Filed under BBQ, Restaurant Reviews |
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If you shoudl ever come down and visit us in SC, we’ll take you to some of the BBQ buffets around here. Fun fact: There are 4 different styles of BBQ native to South Carolina.
I thought it was ok, but was less impressed than you were. My food was good (brisket lean with a side of corn pudding), but Katie’s was gross. She got the short rib special, which not only cost $22/lb, but the butcher guy didn’t mention that the smallest piece possible was 1.3 lbs! To top it off, the piece she got was about 70% fat. Ick.
To a Southerner, NYC and BBQ sounds as weird as GA and Knish.
Beef ribs… have yet to meet any I liked. Beef brisket is another story.
As a former vegetarian (11yrs), it was the Que that lured me back to the darkside…
If you ever make it to the ATL, you’ll need to try Daddy D’z, or Harold’s for the real deal.
Being an avid BBQ and have been to over 350 BBQ restaurants around the country, I am a BBQ NUT! So there is another BBQ area and that is Kansas City! really know for adding sauce to there BBQ. Where in Memphis, they do a lot of dry ribs with sauce on the side.
Try Salt Lick next time your in Hill Country Or head down to Lockhart just south of Austin. It’s BBQ HEAVEN!
I was a huge fan of the Tang drink they had. Probably a bit overpriced for some vodka and Tang…and not really strong…but anything with Tang makes me feel like a kid and makes me smile :)