John Brown Smokehouse

 

Amazing BBQ!  This is exactly what this area needs.  The BBQ flavor is deep, the spices are perfect, not just salt, pepper, paprika, but a lot more.  Walking in for the first time we were greeted by the owner with a sample of most of the meats to try, nice service.  I love that they do Pork Belly and Lamb Sausage in addition to the more typical BBQ cuts (Brisket, Pulled Pork).  The Pork Belly was delicious and perfectly fatty, I look forward to ordering it next time.  The brisket was as expected juicy and delicious, with a small strip of melt in your mouth fat on the top. 

 

  


After trying a few items my company and I both decided on the Burnt Ends.  One of the best BBQd items I've ever had, ever.  Despite the name 'burnt' they do not have a burnt taste, are perfectly crispy on the outside and still miraculously moist on the inside.  Its well marbled, and served at the perfect temperature, the fat just melts in your mouth and helps to keep the meat perfectly moist.  Salty, sweet from I believe brown sugar in the rub, umami, and spicy from the addition of the excellent BBQ sauce, make this perfect food!

The selection of the day

The side dishes was good to great.  The Mac and Cheese was good and cheesy, very tasty, although it was a bit on the mushy side, which I find typical at BBQ places, its not a dish cooked to order.  The BBQ beans however were memorable, they tasted like the usual canned, sweet, rich, smokey beans, however instead of the more mild pork that is usually added, this version has (it was explained to me) brisket and some burnt ends.  Really good beans, very rich.  The portion too is a large size, very good value.  The fries are standard frozen fries, but they did cook them well done, as ordered, so they were good, and perfectly seasoned.

Burnt End sandwich 1/2

  The platters are very well priced considering the quality and portion of the food.  Absolutely delirious real BBQ, unmatched in the area, perhaps in NYC.  Go out of your way for this place!