After I posted about John Brown Smokehouse many months ago, my friends really wanted to go check it out. After a false start, we rescheduled for just after the New Year, and traveled 4 strong to the remote location in Long Island City. Coincidentally, we were there the same night Frommers was there checking it out…
Dean way over-ordered; cole slaw, burnt ends, lamb chops, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, collards…
We each got our own trays overflowing with food, but since I hadn’t yet tried the mac & cheese, I took a photo of TC’s m&c and tried a bite. A little mushy and not enough cheese flavor; this is definitely the kind of dish that I feel benefits from not being served cafeteria-style, as sitting there tends to make it continue cooking… but I understand it’s difficult to make m&c just right (and I also know I’m pretty picky about it, too).
My own tray bore pulled pork, burnt ends, and ribs, collards and cole slaw. Once again, I loved the cole slaw, while the collards were simply good. The ribs weren’t quite as delicious as last time, and the pulled pork fell far short for me… but those burnt ends? Oh, those burnt ends were heavenly, and the reason I will return again and again… and again… This was way too much food for me, and I took more than half of it home, haha.
If you haven’t yet been to John Brown, you’re seriously missing out.
See previous post for address information and more drool-worthy photos!
gwong says
Those burnt ends are legit. I have half an order sitting in my fridge right now – it’s taking all my willpower not to tear into them right now. Though I would imagine they’d go lovely in a nice hash…
Feisty Foodie says
Oh my, I may need to come raid your fridge!
Danielle says
Yeah, I tried John Brown a couple of weeks back after reading about it from Food Mayhem. I also researched it on Yelp since I’m a dork, and I found it to be true that it’s very hit or miss. The collards disappointed me too, everything else was dry, sadly. We got brisket, pulled pork, ribs, burnt ends.
The burnt ends made it, as did the ribs. The cole slaw was incredible, the beans were meh. The sweet potatoes were good, and strangely enough we didn’t bread. Eh, after this I’d rather save a bit more and go to Hill Country. I wasn’t hungry afterwards, but it wasn’t what I thought it would be.
I wouldn’t want to go back, and I live in Queens. I feel bad for those who actually schlep out to LIC to come here.
Feisty Foodie says
I agree that consistency is a big issue with many BBQ places – I’ve noted this about other places – and it’s truly unfortunate because if your first visit is on an off-night, why would you want to return just to see if it’ll be as good as it could be? However, personally, enough items are really good (cole slaw, burnt ends – though I’m repeatedly told those run out early, and I’ve simply been lucky to get them) that I will return for those items, though I might skip the other ones.
T.C. says
Burnt ends FTW.
I’d definitely go back for that.
Feisty Foodie says
Me tooooo~!
hungry says
I had the same experience that night. Burnt ends, cole slaw, and lamb chop was good. The rest? Meh.
Kareem says
I went their this past Sunday and also thought the burnt ends were amazing. If we waited a little longer, we would’ve gotten some smoking hot ones. The pulled pork was a bit disappointing because it was bland and cold by the time we started eating it .
The ribs needed a bit more seasoning and cooking time. The cole slaw and baked beans were very good. Im glad this place doesn’t use mayo on their cole slaw. The baked bean was very tasty and not overly sweet. The mint sweet tea hit the spot when you need to wash down the fatty bbq’ed meats. Too bad we killed the pitcher of sweet tea and couldn’t go for more. I guess that’s what happens when you offer free refills.
Next time, I will try the pork belly, chicken, and some more burnt ends. See you this Saturday, John Brown.
Feisty Foodie says
Glad you enjoyed! And yes, the sweet tea is no longer free refills. The pork belly is pretty legit too… yum!