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Harlem has become such a
melting pot in the last ten years in terms of people, shops, and
especially restaurants. Made in Harlem pizzerias, southern food,
fusion bistros, Spanish food, soup shops, and even the only IHOP
in Manhattan are benchmarks of progression. One of the most recent
components of the culinary renaissance is the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
This new haunt in the hood is deemed a ‹Syracuse styleŠ eatery.
I am convinced its true origin is the American south or the southwest.
These folks can smoke! (Barbecue)
I know as an eastern metropolitan resident, many of my friends have
yet to have authentic barbecue. We tend to do the Mt. Morris Park
or Riverbank State Park thing with the coals from the supermarket
and the fast cooked lighter fluid flavored meat. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
does it the way it is supposed to be done. Meat is dry rubbed, slow
cooked over a wood fire and served with your choice of sauces (wet)
or dry (no sauce). You will taste the smoked flavor in the meat
that rivals the Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina country
competitions. If you had it done right, you will love this joint!
Ribs are sold by the rack, 1/2 or 3/4 racks or in combination platters.
Chicken is sold whole, half or quartered. If you really want to
get smoked out, try the pulled pork sandwich I never knew why the
place was called Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. until I saw my plate. With
the ample helpings of meat and handsomely sized side orders (I‰ll
get to that later), I assumed the name was associated with Jurassic
park. Do not eat before you get here. The sauces range from a modest
honey mustard, to spicy chipotle to a habanera sauce made with pure
fire. You can sample the sauces that are on your table to be sure
you pick the sauce that is right for you. Also, trust your server.
They seem to know their menu very well.
For the mild barbecue enthusiast, there
are 1/2 pound burgers, Chicken Cordon Bleu, BBQ grilled chicken
wings, peel and eat spicy shrimp, country favorite fried green tomatoes
and a buttermilk pan fried catfish platter. All of these items are
worth a go. The Deviled Eggs are ideal if you like the Cajun thing.
The side orders are as familiar as fries, macaroni salad, cole slaw,
baked beans and the semi exotic Syracuse salt potatoes (just try
ëem). The honey topped corn bread is definitely made from scratch
and is nice and hot. The bar is slamming with signature drinks and
a huge beer variety.
I will advise the buyer to beware; this is not Dallas BBQ! The prices
and the menu are comparable and that is where the similarities cease.
The nostalgia, the wood floors, colorful table cloths and wall art
will let you know that you are in a ‹new townŠ. Be sure to bring
a magic marker to tag (write on) the restroom walls. I saw friends
that have their names up that I had not seen in years.
To the folks at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que! welcome to the ëhood! The barbecue
scene in the city has just gone up another level, and Harlem is
claiming Dinosaur as its own!
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