A couple months ago, our friend DY announced that she would be quitting her job (where CT used to work) and going to grad school to pursue her MBA. More recently, she announced that she decided on becoming the newest student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Go Blue Devils! Since she would be moving down to Durham shortly, she created a “bucket list” of NYC places to visit before she leaves. One of these items was going up to Harlem to eat at Dinosaur BBQ. CT & I had both been to Dinosaur before (on separate occasions) and didn’t need any motivating by DY to return. This was also our first time to the new location since they moved last year due to the “Columbia-fication” of the neighborhood. It turned out that not only is it now one block closer to the subway, it is marginally bigger than the old location too.
With eight people strong, the hostess ended up sitting us outside at one of their picnic tables. It had cooled off a lot, so it wasn’t too unpleasant to sit outside. Although street construction started during our meal and the sound of a jackhammer doesn’t help with dinner conversation, we were protected by a couple different biker gangs that were hanging around outside too.
The group decided to start with some wings and then get the “FAMILY STYLIN’ BBQ 1 whole chicken (6 pieces), 1 whole rack of ribs, 1 pound pork or brisket, 3 homemade sides + Honey Hush cornbread (Serves 4-6) for $64.95.” We figured that most restaurants usually serve less rather than more, so we did two orders of the Family Stylin’ to cover our bases. Yes, of the eight of us, five were girls, but go big or go home right?
Before we ordered, I noticed to big bottles of homemade bbq sauce. “Sensuous Slathering” aka mild and “Wango Tango” aka hot since it had habaneros in it. I used some of the Wango Tango on the ribs later on in the meal, but they didn’t necessarily need it. I’m glad the sauces were there just in case.
Wings come in odd increments: 3, 6 and 13, so we decided to order 16 and split them half mild (sesame hoison) and half hotter (garlic chipotle). The wings had a good char and were gently sauced in that they weren’t drowned. The sesame hoison had just the right amount of sweetness and perfect for those of you looking for a new flavor of wing that doesn’t bring the heat. The garlic chipotle had a subtle recurring heat that lingered for quite a while. They weren’t pure heat as some wings tend to be. I think everyone enjoyed them. The blue cheese dressing was pretty bland, but wasn’t especially necessarily as it only took away from the flavor of the wings.
CT says: These were pretty good wings. Large and tender. I had read reviews that the “hotter” wings were really spicy, but I didn’t think so. I would like to try the next step up next time I’m there, but I would also be happy eating the same ones again too.
Apologies for the rest of the pictures. It was quite difficult to get good shots outside as it was already late and I was at a table with seven other people, so it was more about speed than getting the perfect shot. Everyone was super nice about me taking pictures, but it would have been wrong/rude to keep them waiting any longer to eat.
With the family meals we got two whole chickens, two racks of ribs, one pound of brisket, one pound of pulled pork, six sides, and twelve pieces of Honey Hush cornbread. This group was not FBM, so we may have been a little out of our minds when we ordered all of this. In fact, when the food came out, there wasn’t enough room on our picnic table for everything. Our waitress offered to bring the brisket and pulled pork out later.
St. Louis Cut BBQ Pork Ribs. These ribs had great bark that was crispy and packed full of flavor. I used some of that Wango Tango sauce to give the meat a little more moisture as some pieces were pretty dried out.
CT says: These were fantastic! I’ve been on a rib-kick and these definitely fulfilled the cravings.
BBQ Chicken. This was some of the juiciest chicken I have ever had. Although I didn’t get much smoke flavor until leftovers the next day, the flavor was quite good. It must have taken the Chef a long time to figure out how to smoke a whole chicken without it drying out before it was fully cooked. Definitely check this out the next time you go, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
CT says: I’m not a big chicken-orderer, but after reading some reviews, I was really excited to try this. It was really delicious – very moist, juicy and flavorful!
We got two orders of Mac & Cheese because we heard good things. This was a smart idea as we cleaned the two heaping bowls quite quickly. The pasta still had a little chew to it which was good since many bbq places serve mac & cheese that is mushy and sad. The flavor of the cheese was pretty mild, but enough for all of us to keep eating it.
One of the girls wanted to be “healthy” so we got the Simmered Greens which was listed as vegetarian. The greens were surprisingly good only because it tasted as if they were sauteed with bacon. Maybe they just add a ton of salt and liquid smoke instead?
BBQ Beans with Pork. A better than average bowl of beans.
Honey Hush cornbread. It was a little too dry for my taste and it wasn’t served with any butter or honey. They was so much food on the table that I didn’t really bother with this after a disappointing first bite. I’ll stick to the jalapeno cornbread that CT’s sister makes.
Fresh Cut French Fries. I would have preferred them cooked a little longer for extra crispness, but it was not to be. They did taste better when dipped in the beans.
Cole Slaw. Although it looked like it was drenched in mayo, it was actually light and refreshing. The cabbage was nice and crisp.
CT says: The mac and cheese and baked beans were my favorites by far, but the baked beans where the true winner. So flavorful and perfect. I think I dipped all the other sides into them. Yum!
As we kept eating all of us were getting fuller and fuller and the waitress never came back with our brisket or pork. When we were able to remind her of this, she apologized and offered to bring out the two additional pounds of meat immediately. We suggested she just deduct the cost off the bill, since the only thing we would have done was pack up the meat with our other leftovers. We made the smart move and ended up saving about $35, just about half the cost of one family style meal. In the end for all of us(including plenty of beer) we paid $27 each with a healthy tip. Not bad at all for a super filling meal. We were also all able to take some leftovers home.
All in all, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que continues to be one of the better bbq joints in the city. It is only two or so blocks from the 1 train, which makes it very easy to get to. In addition to a wide variety of meat choices, they have a full bar that includes a nice beer selection. Give some consideration to ordering the chicken, you might be pleasantly surprised like I was. Good luck in school DY!
Hungry says
Oooh man, I need to back here and fatten up! RIBS!
Feisty Foodie says
Yum! What, no link to my long-ago review? 😛 Hahahaha! Also, I foresee a trip to Durham in your future!
T.C. says
I want a Bronto Burger and a rib big enough to topple-over my feet-powered vehicle.
Dinosaur adventure in the future.
Goats says
I’m not a huge fan of Harlam Dinosaur (having gone to syracuse, Iprefer the original location), but I do like their chicken wings. One time, they were literally the best I’d ever had. But when I went back, not quite as good.
Frank says
Nice review, next time try the new housemade sausage and the fried green tomatoes with housemade ranch dressing. No liquid smoke at Dinosaur, go for the brisket – moist and tender….
TT says
Thanks Frank! I love a good BBQ sausage.
DY says
i totally missed this post, but i think it has only been up for 2 days at least (i’ll blame it on orientation and no time for internet). i had been wanting to try dino bbq for about 7 years (after studying abroad with syracuse ppl) and i enjoyed it. i hope that there is a durham trip for ct and tt and will then read a post comparing dino bbq to the appropriate southern bbq joint.
TT says
Have fun at orientation!
Start scoping out the best places to eat down there.
Feisty Foodie says
I want to invite myself along on this trip.
DY says
the more, the merrier!
BeerBoor says
I lived there for nine years during/post-Duke and go back all the time (including next month). Since I’m required to go to Bullock’s every trip, I might have time for one other barbecue stop. Have a favorite?
CT says
definitely!! Yum southern bbq!