Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck


Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck
Parked near 22nd & 6th, 15th & 5th, other various spots

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Take Out (truck)
Cuisine: American, Ice Cream, Dessert, Coffee
Favorite Dish(es): Ginger $6

This is one ice cream truck that doesn’t need a jingle. Labeling themselves as purveyors of artisan hand-crafted ice cream, the Van Leeuwen truck whips up small batches of a select list of simple gourmet flavors from Peppermint and Chip, to a bit more less traditional ingredients such as Red Currant and Gianduja, chocolate with hazelnut and almond paste. Their ice cream is luscious and creamy, softer than a hard ice cream but much thicker than a gelato. The flavors are clean, delicate, and not overbearing, so it’s easy to eat a lot. It’s definitely on the sweet and smooth side, and one of the best consistencies that I’ve found in NYC. Some of the best food in a city is often found in its street food, so don’t be surprised when there are huge lines waiting for food from a truck, and in the summertime, this yellow cream-mobile gets quite popular.

They have two trucks which can often be found at 22nd & 6th ave, and 15th & 5th ave, but they are often on the move, so you can keep track of their whereabouts on their Twitter feed. Sometimes they even carry coffee and pastries at the truck, so keep a lookout on the way to work. Scoops are available at select locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, and pints are now available at various places including Whole Foods. Check out their nifty site for more information on their craft. Bring a friend, and don’t feel bad about asking for an extra spoon – they even use sustainable, biodegradable dishware.

Keep an eye out for this yellow vehicle and you're in for a treat.

You get just what it says. Ginger. Sweet, lovely ginger.

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Roberta’s – American (Pizza), Bushwick (Brooklyn)


Roberta’s
261 Moore St Brooklyn,NY
(718) 417-1118

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: American, Pizza
Favorite Dish(es): The Beast Master ($17)

For our anniversary we wanted to go somewhere low-key and unpretentious, instead of doing a fancy reservation-only spot. Upon recommendation from my friend (and new daddy) David, a true man about the town, we trekked over to the far industrial reaches of Bushwick for Roberta’s Pizza. This is no ordinary New York brick-oven pizza joint by any means (go to Lombardi’s, John’s or Grimaldi’s for that). Their ingredients are unconventional, super fresh, and many are grown right on the premises in their cool little DIY greenhouse out back. The service is better than top notch – you’re bound to learn a thing or two. Roberta’s is a really special place – almost magical if you will. You should make sure to add to your must-go list.

Let’s get right down to the pizza. The crust is simply amazing. It’s super light and crispy on the outside with big bubbles (for those who love them), and chewy and tender on the inside. It almost has the consistency of a super light naan (the Indian tandoori-oven baked bread). The ingredients are right on par with the crust in their quality, using really fresh mozzarella and just the right amount of ripe tomato sauce. Their toppings are the real star. The “Specken Wolf”, one of their trademark pizzas, features Speck, a salty, smoky ham originating from Austria and Italy, sliced super thin and accompanied by mushrooms, oregano, onions, and mozzarella. The “Beastmaster”, our favorite, is a monster of a pizza combining seven toppings: tomato, mozzarella, gorgonzola, capers, onions, Berkshire pork sausage, and jalapenos. It’s a flavor rollercoaster ride of salty, savory, sour, and sweet that puts any “Supreme” pizza to shame. The other pizzas also have a good combination of toppings, and we’re definitely aiming to try each and every one.

Shpecken ze Wolfen?


You can't Master this Beast at the Hut.

It’s also worth mentioning that we started off with a homemade pasta dish that we shared as an appetizer. “Orechiette (little ear-shaped pasta) with braised oxtail and parmagiano”. It had good flavor and was seasoned well, but the portion was a bit on the tiny size, even for one person, so it’s definitely only fit as an appetizer. In retrospect we could have done without the pasta and just ordered more pizza – which we ended up doing in the middle of the meal. We split 3 pizzas between the two of us, with 2 slices left over for a midnight snack.

Roberta’s is more than just a pizza spot, with a warm inviting ambiance, and plenty of areas to lounge. The interior is super low-brow, decorated in a homey way with a hodge-podge of random trinkets and little bits of artwork. There’s a decent size bar area for people waiting for takeout orders. The backyard is a special spot, with a cozy fireplace with another bar that serves warm mulled (spiced wine) during cold weather. There’s even a small local internet radio station that shares part of the patio, and the greenhouse is built directly on top of their room, that you can walk up to and check out. Roberta’s is like a Romper Room for big kids to hang out at for hours on end. Brooklynites in the area should consider themselves truly lucky.


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Special News Update: Halloween Treats!

Some of our fine NYNYEATEAT establishments are getting ghoulish in the Halloween spirit this year:

1.  Bouchon Bakery at Columbus Circle has some devilishly tasty-sounding specialty items this season.

  • Bat TKO’s – A Bouchon Bakery Halloween favorite; crisp, bat-shaped chocolate cookies filled with sweet white chocolate ganache; $2.75 each
  • Pumpkin Cupcake – These decadent devils food cupcakes are shaped as a pumpkin, complete with a rich, cream cheese center and finished with fondant; $4.50 each (see pic below)
  • Spider Cookies – Homemade shortbread cookies festively decorated with fondant; $3.25 each
  • Pumpkin Brittle – This classic brittle is fused with pumpkin seeds to highlight the flavors of the season; $5.75 per bag
  • Caramel Apple – fresh, crisp apple smothered in house made caramel; $7.50 each
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Check out these decked out pumpkin cupcakes. I can just imagine how sweet and buttery that fondant frosting must be...

…and….

2.  Cafe Du Soleil on the Upper West Side is holding a costume party dinner with a $24.95 Prix Fixe menu and $50 to the best costume.  Click the flyer image below to make reservations on their website.

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This soiree looks sinful...

Sylvia’s – American (Soul Food), Harlem

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Sylvia’s
328 Lenox Ave (btwn 126th & 127th)
(212) 996-0660

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: American, Soul Food, Southern
Favorite Dish(es): Fried Chicken with Mac & Cheese, Collared Greens ($13.95)

When New Yorkers talk about “soul food”, they always mention Sylvia’s in Harlem. It’s somewhat of a historical landmark, having served homestyle Southern cooking for over 40 years. Upon entering the original diner-style section of the restaurant (the middle building), you’re instantly blasted back to 1962, when Sylvia Woods first opened the spot with her husband Herbert. Since then, Sylvia’s has become a pillar of the community as evident by all the pictures on the wall of Sylvia and her family with almost every celebrity and famous African-American person to date, including, most recently, President Obama. There’s a very good reason why Sylvia Woods has been nicknamed the “Queen of Soul Food”. The food is just plain good.

For our first visit, we ordered some of the most typical and traditional fare that came to mind when thinking of “soul food”. Entrees: Fried Chicken and Ribs.Sides: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Collared Greens, Mac & Cheese, Blackeyed Peas. There are plenty of other traditional Southern dishes on the menu as well, such as Smothered Chicken, Catfish two ways (fried or grilled), and the infamous Fried Chicken and Waffles combo, as well as daily specials. We were told by our friendly server, Jesse, to try the BBQ Salmon and Beef Short Ribs next time, whose advice we will surely take to heart (and stomach).

The food came out lightning fast, giving us barely enough time to sample the sweet, crispy, warm cornbread with butter served while we waited. The cornbread was so good I took the last piece home in a napkin. To give a proper assessment of all the food, here is the breakdown:

Fried Chicken:

    Crust – Very crispy skin and great flavor. Not very crusty. Very light on the batter.
    Meat – HUGE, supersized chicken. The biggest pieces we’ve ever seen. Choose between white meat (breast+wing) or dark meat (leg+thigh). Super moist and tender, the actual meat was not very seasoned but still flavorful. Tastes like fried chicken.

Ribs:

    Sauce – Red, sweet and sour, tangy, sticky and translucent, like the red Chinese sweet&sour sauce. Very sassy. Lemon slices and vinegar pack a punch.
    Meat – Big, succulent, moist slabs of pork that come off the bone very easily. Some good caramelized bark on the ends. Very juicy and well-marinated, and very different from Texan smoky ribs (a la Dinosaur BBQ).

Sides:

    Garlic Mashed Potatoes – so creamy, buttery, and garlicky that one bite will keep vampires away for weeks.
    Baked Mac & Cheese – emphasis on the “baked”, my favorite. super cheesy, with the right ratio of cheese and grease. macaroni cooked perfectly.
    Collared Greens – a Southern food staple, flavored with tasty bits of turkey ham.
    Blackeyed Peas – really tasty, especially for beans, prepared in a flavorful stock.

Conclusion:
This place is truly something special. To be honest, it wasn’t the best food we’ve ever had in our lives (For us, Good’N'Plenty in Pennsylvania still wins for best fried chicken, and you just can’t beat Texas ribs). BUT, it WAS really good, authentic, down-home, soul-nourishing food in generous portions and prepared with care. You can tell that Sylvia’s recipes have been perfected over the years, without skimping on any ingredients or shortcuts of any kind. This is food with character, made from the heart. Beyond the food, the service is top-notch, adding extra warmth to the experience. It could be because we came offpeak before the dinner time rush on a Friday at 5 PM, but we’re pretty sure that the management likes to keep the vibe very family-style. The waitstaff are attentive, laidback and honest, and the manager even stopped by every table to welcome each guest. That and the fact that the food is priced very reasonably ($14 average an entree), makes Sylvia’s a rare treat in NYC. We’re looking forward to filling up on more soul food during the upcoming winter months, and any time we have a hankering for some fried chicken.

Warm, sweet and corny cornbread with crispy crust

Warm, sweet and corny cornbread with crispy crust

Southern fried white meat chicken (breast+wing), garlic mashed potatoes, mac and cheese

Southern fried white meat chicken (breast+wing), garlic mashed potatoes, mac and cheese

Fried Chicken and Ribs combo, collared greens

Fried Chicken and Ribs combo, collared greens

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Sushi of Gari (East) – Japanese (Sushi), Upper East Side

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Sushi of Gari
402 E 78th St, between 1st and York Aves
(212) 517-5340

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
Favorite Dish(es): Omakase, also called “Gari’s Choice” ($$$$)

If you love sushi, you must try the chef’s special “Omakase”. If you’re not sure about sushi but you’re adventurous, you’re in for one of the best Japanese experiences you’ll ever find in NYC. Sushi of Gari is about serving contemporary Japanese creations with fresh, quality fish. The UES location is small and semi-upscale, and the waitresses are attentive, gracious, and very polite. Reservations are a must.

Now, on to the food.
Even though I love sushi, I’m pretty limited to salmon and any white fish. I don’t like tuna because it tastes too iron-y and everything else is too “fishy”. Now having said that, I was able to eat every single piece of sushi they brought out (all 12) and loved all but two. Each piece is specially prepared to bring out their best flavors and mask the negatives (such as fishiness or mushiness). Whether it be pairing the fish with a sauce, adding different textures with vegetables, or cooking it to add firmness- it’s obvious that each one is thought out and intentionally choreographed. Case in point, the seared rock cod had a fantastic smoky flavor, which if served unprepared is just another white fish. The yellowtail is just another white fish, but paired with the jalapeno sauce is crunchy, spicy and one of my top 3 favorites. Remember I mentioned earlier strongly disliking tuna? The seared tuna with shredded onions and crispy garlic is truly the best tuna I’ve ever had. I still don’t like tuna in general, but I’ll gladly eat it here.

Let me toss in my least favorite of the group, so we don’t end on a bad note. The raw sweet shrimp with bell peppers. It’s not their fault. It’s the shrimp’s fault. The crunch of the peppers just wasn’t enough. They’re just so gooey. Slimy. And sea-y…

Moving on.

Now my ultimate favorite was the salmon with tomato and minced onion. I love salmon- so what can go wrong with this combo? It’s melt-in-your mouth goodness. Reminiscent of the toppings on a lox bagel, even moreso because there was a dollop of cream cheese under the tomato. *shiver* (I’m re-living the moment as I type wondering what special occasion I can think up to have Justineateat take me here again…)

After 3 courses, surprisingly full from fish, we had just enough room to be tempted with their fried red bean ice cream. I’ve had bad experiences with fried ice cream (being served goopy and melting) so I was hesitant to order it, but THIS was really yum. All in all, would definitely recommend this place for a special occasion.

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cool gari logo

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"omakase" is the chef's choice

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pickled burdock root appetizer. crunchy.

And onto the Sushi Porn…

Round 1

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Round 1 begins..

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seared salmon. like a lox bagel.

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seared rock cod, very smoky and tasty.

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whiting with a little salad and crispy lotus root on top. pretty but pointless.

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fatty tuna (toro) with grated radish. so rich and buttery.

Round 2

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Round 2 has some interesting pieces.

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seared mackerel. very fishy and oily in a good way.

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poached alaskan king crab with a generous dollop of wasabi hidden underneath.

spicy jalapeno sauce on some white fish

spicy jalapeno sauce on yellowtail. one of our favorites. the combo works so well.

tofu-based sauce on tuna

tofu-based cream on tuna

excellent up until this point when we got a fish flake from one of the pieces

excellent up until this point when we got a fish flake from the mackerel.

Round 3

Round 3

Final Round. Getting full on fish.

Shredded onion and crispy garlic on some seared fish

Shredded onion and crispy garlic on some seared tuna

tomato and minced onion on salmon. so good. our #1 pick.

tomato and minced onion on salmon. so good. our #1 pick.

pepper slaw (possibly with celery) on sweet shrimp. not our favorite.

pepper slaw (possibly with celery) on sweet shrimp. her least favorite.

mushroom pate concoction on a seared bluefish. her least favorite.

mushroom pate concoction on a seared bluefish. not our favorite.

And Something Sweet.

fried red bean ice cream w strawberry sauce. so good and served un-melted!

fried red bean ice cream w strawberry sauce. so good and served un-melted. perfection!

green tea to cap it off and cleanse the palate. what a meal. gari's logo in the middle of the sumo cup!

green tea to cap it off and cleanse the palate. what a meal. gari's logo in the middle of the sumo cup!

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Artichoke Basilles Pizza & Brewery – Pizza, East Village

Artichoke Basilles Pizza & Brewery
328 E 14th St
(212) 228-2004

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Take-Out
Cuisine: American, Italian (Pizza)
Favorite Dish(es): Margarita Slice ($3.50)

Artichoke Pizza is a fairly recent newcomer to the NY gourmet pizza scene.  They offer two signature pizzas that you won’t find anywhere else – Artichoke (of course) and, of all things, Crab.  But for our first visit, we opted for the traditional Margarita slice: mozzarella, fresh basil, and fresh tomato sauce. One word describes this pizza that makes it stand out from the rest of NYC’s many gourmet slices – “CRISPY.” This crust is super crispy, almost cracker-like and crunchy like melba toast, with very little bending or doughiness. It’s not the kind of pizza you can just fold in half and walk around with. It deserves your full attention, from tip to crust. They use quality ingredients, and don’t skimp on the cheese. We’re anxiously waiting to try the Artichoke and Crab slices next time. The Artichoke slice is a white pizza without tomato sauce, with a bit thicker, softer crust embedded with bits of artichoke and spinach.  Can’t wait to go back and test them out.

The famed Artichoke slice.

The famed Artichoke slice.

Margarita slice, as they call it.  I think it's actually spelled "Margherita".

Margarita slice, as they call it. I think it's actually spelled "Margherita".

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Cafe Du Soleil – French, Upper West Side

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Cafe Du Soleil
2723 Broadway, at 104th St
(212) 316-5000

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit-Down
Cuisine: French
Favorite Dish(es): Moules De Bruxelles (dinner $17.95) – steamed mussels, beer and shallots; Veal Sausage (Brunch); Pommes Frites a L’Ail (side $2.95) – garlic french fries

Nice Parisian style cafe perfect for weekend brunches with friends and family. They open their doors to the outdoor seating patio during spring and summer when the NYC weather is nice and warm. Basically all the dishes are semi-fancy with good, garlic and herby flavors. They have, in my opinion, THE yummiest garlic fries in authentic European style- thin, crispy & lightly seasoned. Try their steamed moules frites cooked in beer or white wine. Both excellent. They have great weekly specials including 1/2 price wine night and Steak Night for $12.95. Check out their website for details!

*Update 10/13/09: Added New Pics!*

Moules Frites - Mussels with French Fries

Moules Frites - Mussels with French Fries

Garlic french fries. Arguably the best fries in NYC.

Garlic french fries. Arguably the best fries in NYC.

A very nice rainbow trout, prepared however you like it.

A very nice rainbow trout, prepared however you like it.

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Kefi – Greek, Upper West Side

good-enough2

Kefi
(*new bigger location*)
505 Columbus Ave, between 84th and 85th Sts
(212) 873-0200

Pricing: Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: Greek
Favorite Dish(es): Spreads selection – Yogurt, Caviar, Eggplant, Chickpea ($9.95 appetizer), Grilled Octopus and Bean Salad ($9.95 appetizer), Meatballs ($6.25 appetizer)

You might totally miss this little place on 79th, but inside is some awesome Greek food. It’s cramped and not good for groups, but still totally worth checking out. UPDATE 8/09: Kefi has moved into a larger location, and also expanded their menu a bit. The food is super flavorful, the ingredients are fresh, and portions are just right. There are so many menu selections that we can’t wait to come back and try every single one. You’ll be surprisingly full just dining on the appetizers, tapas-style.

*new pics!*

Man cannot live by bread and water alone. But at least they give you a full bottle of water.

Man cannot live by bread and water alone. But at least they give you a full bottle of water.

Crispy tender calamari with tzatziki yogurt dip.

Crispy tender calamari with tzatziki yogurt dip.

Adult Material Warning! Sea creatures including giant octopus tentacles may not be suitable for small children, but are full of flavor and fork-tender.

Adult Material Warning! Sea creatures including giant octopus tentacles may not be suitable for small children, but are full of flavor and fork-tender.

Pasta in a Greek restaurant?  With olives and feta, of course. Zesty with zing.

Pasta in a Greek restaurant? With olives and feta, of course. Zesty with loads of zing.

Assorted dips, appetizer. Garlic reigns throughout.

Spread of Appetizers: meatballs, assorted dips, grilled octopus, fava bean soup. Garlic reigns supreme throughout.

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Food Destination: Good ‘N Plenty, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

travel_lancaster

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Good ‘N Plenty
Route 896
Smoketown, Lancaster County, PA 17576
(717) 394 – 7111
Open Monday thru Saturday from 11:30 am till 8:00 pm
Lancaster County is a very special place for us. It’s like a blast from the past, where Amish, Dutch, and American culture come together in an area that is essentially a traditional rural setting with a spattering of modern conveniences such as premium outlet malls and Walmart.  Not much is known about this locale other than the curious anachronistic culture of the Amish and Old World Dutch craftsmanship yielding a plethora of antique shops, but with every antiquated culture usually comes good old-fashioned food in some shape or form.  Tucked away on the side of a rolling hill with its own babbling brook is one of the Lancaster’s most famous eating establishments and cultural meccas, known for its traditional charm and amazing fried chicken. Welcome to Good ‘N Plenty.
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Homemade apple butter (applesauce reduced to a jam), cottage cheese, and butter

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Looks like cole slaw, but they call it Pepper Slaw since it has no mayo and has chopped green peppers. Sweet and tangy.

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Can't beat fresh squeezed lemonade on a hot summer day!

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The main attraction - FRIED CHICKEN! Crispy, crunchy, organic, hormone-free and fresh from the farm across the street... Best we've ever had.

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There's also other dishes that they change on the menu from time to time, from roast beef to a sweet ham meatloaf, and plenty of sides including mashed potatoes, egg noodles, and corn... but in our opinion, you can't beat the chicken.

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After the meal comes a selection of desserts including fresh, organic, ice cold chocolate milk and chocolate ice cream made from the same milk. Both are creamy with a clean chocolate flavor, not artificial or chemical tasting.

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Some lemon crumb pie to finish it off. Totally unnecessary, but still good. They regularly change up their dessert selection depending on the fruit in season.

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Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

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Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
646 W 131st St, at 12th Ave
(212) 694-1777

Pricing: Not Cheap
Venue: Sit Down
Cuisine: BBQ
Favorite Dish(es): Wango Tango Chicken Wings (appetizer), Sweetheart Deal Ribs for Two ($27.95)

In a city where almost anything is readily available (for a price), a real down-and-dirty BBQ joint is actually very hard to find. There are a few spots worth mentioning that do a proper ‘cue, but they mostly specialize in Cajun / Soul Food, which tend to focus more on a secret fried chicken recipe than BBQ. Not here. This place does ribs – the real deal, smoky, finger-suckin’, crispy and juicy ribs. There’s also some BBQ chicken, pork, appetizers, and burgers, but you won’t see too many people ordering anything but ribs here. Dinosaur’s ribs are seasoned with a dry rub and slow-cooked instead of being basted in a wet BBQ sauce. This yields a crispy and zesty bark, which is perfect for dredging in a generous pool of their trademark BBQ sauce. Their bottled sauce, btw, is a mighty fine, smoky, vinegary, slightly sweet, and sassy sauce. These spare ribs are super flavorful and are about as good as anything you’ll ever get this far north of the Mason-Dixon.

Make Reservations! Be warned that the crowds flock here on the weekends, hungry for grilled meats, and the wait can get up to two hours anytime after 6 PM. Your best bet is to make a reservation well in advance, or make the trek out to the west side for lunch. The bright side is that bar and outdoor seating is first-come-first-serve, and the dining room is super spacious and accommodates big groups. Even with a reservation you’ll probably have to wait a bit at the bar, so make sure your guests come thirsty.

country atmosphere in a concrete jungle

country atmosphere in a concrete jungle

serious about beers

serious about beer

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note, it's not Southern, it's a "rib joint".

Wango tango wings are worth getting your fingers dirty

Wango tango wings are worth getting your fingers dirty

ribs for two, the Sweetheart Deal for $27.95

ribs for two, the Sweetheart Deal for $27.95

it's da rub...

the magic is in the rub...

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