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Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Nightlife Bars Restaurants Chicken Wings Barbeque, Bars, Chicken Wings [Edit]
246 W Willow StSyracuse, NY 13202
(315) 476-4937
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 1 am
Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
309 reviews for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Review Highlights
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"The pulled pork was excellent and very tender." In 81 reviews -
"The fried green tomatoes are a must to try." In 27 reviews -
"The mac 'n' cheese is surprisingly good." In 23 reviews
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309 reviews in English
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Review from Caitlyn D.
Red Hook, NY
5/18/2012
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is just great. The first time I went was on a Wednesday afternoon to get lunch, and the place was packed. We had to wait 20 minutes to be seated-on a WEDNESDAY. Pretty crazy. Once we were seated, I ordered pretty much every different kind of meat on the menu with mac and cheese and chili on the side. I practically licked my plate clean it was so good.
The second time I came here I brought some friends from college to try it on a Saturday night. Well that was a huge mistake. We waited an hour and a half-crazy packed! But, when we were seated it didn't matter anymore-still amazing food that was still definitely worth the wait.
One weird side story about that time: There was a group of about 15 people sitting at the table behind us. It was a birthday celebration for one of the women (who claimed she was 25 but she was definitely NOT 25-probably closer to 45), and they were super loud. Whatever, it's a bar, we expected that. At some point a group of the girls took the birthday girl (er, woman) into the bathroom with two pitchers of beer and drank in one of the stalls. Don't ask me how they crammed 5 girls into one of those stalls, but regardless-it was pretty entertaining. -
Review from Wendy C.
5/20/2012
One of the best BBQ restaurants "up north". This place gets a lot of love, and deservedly so.
Beef Brisket is simply superb, the smokey flavour and tender texture is second to none. Big fan of their St Louis style ribs too, fruity smoky meaty deliciousness. Feel free to embellish with any of the house made sauces that are on every table, but really, the BBQ flavour speaks for itself. Chicken is juicy good; catfish strips tender and flaky (serving size a bit too small); the only thing not so memorable or repeat-able is pulled pork, dry!
Sure the waiting time, especially on weekends, can be substantial. Grab yourself a cold drink and a cool spot to check out the bikes and bikers, enjoy the whole experience. -
Review from Michael J.
Liverpool, NY
4/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is good for being up north. The BBQ is tender and that is what matters. However its not better than famous Dave's and the charge way to much for the BBQ brisket. It says piled high but it really means 2-3 pieces and lots of boring sides. The slaw is OK, the Mac and cheese was dry, beans were decent.
In my opinion its just as good as limp lizard in Liverpool. Definitely a waste of money for what they charge and very confusing. Didn't know how to get a table and had trouble finding how to sit in.
The waitresses are nice. We had Annie and she was dedicated. So OK BBQ, pricey for the quality and no parking. -
Review from Chris B.
Austin, TX
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was unprepared.
So fucking good. -
Review from Justin B.
San Diego, CA
5/23/2012
This is my favorite restaurant in the world. I havent lived in Syracuse for over 10 years, but every time I go back, this is a must stop place to eat. The ribs are the best Ive ever had and the sides and apps are also of the best quality. Their fried green tomatoes are amazing, the chili is the best, and their wings are awesome. I love the Dinosaur. I hope their expansion doesnt dilute the atmosphere or food quality.
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Review from Jeremy M.
Mays Landing, NJ
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Possibly the best BBQ anywhere, move over Memphis! I love NY and I love Dinosaur!!!!
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Review from Sugartime X.
Boston, MA
5/9/2012
The real deal..it was killa good,,,everything.. and I mean everything!! Pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, even their pickles and cole slaw..perfect Yummy! Service decor wholesome classic...One of the best BBQ places Ive ever been too! Always shall return! Probably should be a 5star....
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Review from Coy W.
3/12/2012
This places serves up some awesome BBQ! We ended up trying the pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork, 2 types of hot chicken wings, the bbq chicken, cornbread, beans, mashed potatoes and coleslaw.
The rumours are true, the ribs and chicken are awesome as well as the mashed potatoes.
The mac and cheese, beans, coleslaw and pulled pork are also very good.
I'm not sure what it was about the brisket but it was ok...super fatty, pretty tender and barely sauced. The wings had very good sauce but not my style as I prefer wings that are fried and crispy on the outside and nice and juicy on the inside. These wings are soft and tender all around and makes it taste a bit sloppy.
I did not like the cornbread. It was extremely dense and not that moist.
The place can be considered pricey for a BBQ place but portions are large and food is awesome.Listed in: 2012: 366 Day Challenge, Syracuse Road Trippin'
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Review from Joni R.
Watertown, NY
4/29/2012
My family and I went there after going to the Zoo nearby. My sister-in-law and niece knew about the restrurant from the show Diners,Drive Ins and Dives. Since we were close by we decided to stop by. We had to wait an hour and half to be seated we decided to take the chance. While the place was small the wait was worth it.
The food was amazing espically the ribs which my family had. I decided to try one of the chicken dishes. The only downside was that my niece didn't like the mac and cheese so my sister-in-law ended up eating it. My niece is a mac and cheese person so she's very picky on her mac and cheese. Other than that she did eat all her ribs and fries. Also while we had a long wait to be seated the food came out quick. Which was supprising since it was soo busy.
As a former waiter on a cruise ship please be mindful of the waitstaff. While standing up the waitstaff would say hot food coming by and some of the customers didn't move. One of the waitress was short and she hit a tall guy on the head with her tray. Soo glad she told him that she was short and what did she want him to do about it. She did say coming behind with hot food. I used to hate it when I would be coming with a bus tub full of dirty dishes and say excuse me and the guest would look at me like I was an idiot.
FOOD WAS AMAZING AND WORTH THE LONG WAIT. I ONLY WISH THEY HAD THIS RESTURANT ON GUAM. -
Review from Max C.
Brooklyn, NY
3/8/2012
The Dinosaur BBQ is drowning in its own legacy. The food is good, but lacks any excitement anymore. It's become a tourist attraction. And all of the flavor from the dirt and vomit is no where to be seen. I feel like the only people who actually even go to this place anymore are people from out of town who have asked someone whats cool to do in Syracuse. And the Syracuseian sorta looks uncomfortable and shlumpingly say, "I don't know, I guess there's the BBQ..."
I get the feeling that if the biker who used to park his chopper at this place back in the day walked in today, we would gasp and vomit all over the floor, and not from all the crystal meth. This place is like going to see Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2010. A poser band playing to a poser crowd. Its hard to eat here and not feel a little sad, like you're missing something. Like they've forgotten to put in the secret spice. Or maybe its just the 24 year old girl who graduated college, looking for a job to get by while she figures out what to do with her Communications degree, breathing heavily into the over head microphone, announcing to the whole restaurant that the Morgans, party of 4, is ready to be seated, that might take you out of things a little bit.
I ordered some medley of ribs, pulled pork, brisket, cornbread, and two sides, I went with mac and cheese (duh) and potato salad (also duh.) The meal was good. Solid. Tasty. BBQ'ey. Corn bread tasted a little eggy, don't care for that. Mac and Cheese was fine. Potato salad was fine. Brisket was good. Ribs were good. Pulled pork was good. And yet somehow by the end of the meal I didn't care about any of it. I just couldn't get excited. I even tried a few of the bbq sauces that are lined up, sorta like a series of free samples for you to go to the gift shop afterwards and pick up a bottle of your own. Because clearly I'm not going to be using the Dinosaur BBQ spice rub on my already marinated and cooked food.
So I left feeling a little poorer and little fatter and sorta forgot about the place. And thats the problem with this place, It's living in a shadow of expectation that they could never actually succeed at. They slap you in the face with all the weird shit on the wall and the t shirts, saying, "this place is the coolest fucking place mother fuckkkker, Syracuse! woooo get a load of woo!" when in reality you look next to you and you see your neighbor with his ugly annoying kids waving at you. Sadly the magic...is gone. And those bikers who once made this place great, have sadly, drukenly ridden to the next sleazy bbq qoint. And maybe that place will start to be cool. And maybe they'll start expanding, and selling tshirts, and letting soccer moms feel comfortable there. And then maybe that place will suck too. And the circle of life will continue. -
Review from John B.
3/10/2012
3.5
I am really surprised that this place rates so highly so unanimously in peoples' hearts. The best I can say is that Dinosaur is the actualization of what "family style" chain restaurants should be: good...but not extraordinary, by any means. Ribs are tender, but in a weird sort of way that seems more like science than cooking. The sides are good, but mostly in the sense that they're about 1/3 as heavy as I'd expect them to be.
I am happy on Syracuse's behalf that it's managed to export something to New York City besides drunken post-collegians. -
Review from alan p.
Houston, TX
5/7/2012
A huge crowd, which is a good sign. I got a pork sandwich and a beef brisket sandwich. The pork is very good. They have a very good sauce, and the pork is tender. The brisket was good but the pork was better. I recommend this place.
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Review from Ron M.
Manhattan, NY
3/9/2012
What can you say, this is one of the best BBQ joints out there. The food maintains its biker plus Southern comfort style and has been consistent (or so I've heard) over several decades.
While its popularity and commercialization have probably altered the type of crowd that typically goes to Dino's, its safe to say the quality of the establishment has been true to its history. So even though two-thirds of the people there are tourists or non-locals, they still do a great job of accommodating everyone and still producing quality food.
Dino's gives you great service, an awesome beer selection, a pleasant bar-like atmosphere, while serving you some of the best BBQ you've ever had, all while managing hoards of people.
If that's not a sign of a great restaurant, I don't know what is. -
Review from E S.
Nanuet, NY
3/3/2012
Food is just so-so (although the spareribs are outstanding) - What really makes this place is the great service (bartenders are friendly helpful pros), and the atmosphere which is really crowded, but with a good mix of younger and older people and no d-bags. Background music is clasic and indie rock, but the band that night (Stroke) was awesome. A lot of people were up and dancing and the whole place was having a great time.
In short, the whole place has a great vibe, it's just a shame the food isn't a little better. -
Review from Vera D.
Los Angeles, CA
2/28/2012
So driving upstate through NYC to Canada is pretty boring. The only thing I look forward to is dinosaur bbq. Pitiful huh? True fatty status here.
(Yay for having dinosaur bbq in Syracuse and Harlem, I have the option of being a fatty twice on the same trip) Good times.
Get the mac n' cheese, beans, and ribs! -
Review from Byron K.
Annandale, VA
3/8/2012
Wide variety of delicious BBQ. Try the tres hombres for a taste of all their top
Choices Great place ! -
Review from Robert F.
Madison, WI
5/15/2012
A place NOT to be missed! During the last decade when I am in town, I've been coming to Dinosaur's. They have wonderful food, an excellent variety of beers on tap, and one of the most diverse and interesting clientele! For particulars on the food and experience, just read the reviews.
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Review from Chelsey C.
Syracuse, NY
2/5/2012
I love this place. It's really crowded but still fun. It's loud, with the music, people, silverware and dishes clanking, and the motorcycles outside combined. But that's what makes it fun. There's a lot of memorabilia and painted dinosaurs on the walls and it's all really fun to look at.
The food is amazing. I almost always order the ribs. I don't usually like pulled pork sandwiches but I like theirs. I've even met one of the creators of this place and he was very nice and cool. The biker thing is kind of a theme/attraction here, but it's not a gimmick. It comes from a biker background.
If you want a place with atmosphere and good food, and don't mind waiting or loud restaurants, go here. -
Review from L M.
Syracuse, NY
1/20/2012
When I decided to complete a two-year MA program here in Syracuse I quickly concluded (after my first three weeks here) that I would not miss it when I left..that was until I went to Dino BBQ.
My boyfriend and I come here at least once a month (we want our arteries to be kind of healthy) and I always leave crying for more.
I am obsessed with their fried green tomatoes, pulled pork, chocolate chip cupcakes and the root beer they serve on tap.
Let us just say, it is worth the 40 minute wait on weekends and their service is awesome (they are just so fun!!).
I have drastically changed my attitude towards this whole Syracuse experience in light of Dino BBQ's amazing culinary feats and I am willing to bet that Dino has the power to compel others who had similar initial reactions to do the same. -
Review from Amanda P.
Anchorage, AK
1/30/2012
Wow, it's impossible to go wrong here! Hmm, what have I tried.... pulled pork, mac and cheese, cole slaw, fried okra, BBQ chicken, ribs...oh, my God, the ribs.
If you are thinking about going here, do it. But get there early to avoid the wait! If you would like to see live music at 9pm on a Friday...get there by 5:30-6 so you can have a table. Dino BBQ, I miss you so much. -
Review from Jennifer T.
Quincy, MA
1/5/2012
Some of the best BBQ I've had in the northeast. Def. make a stop if you are driving through upstate NY. The joint was wicked crowded at 6p on a Friday, wait was over 1.5 hrs, and bar area was packed. Thank goodness for take out, so we only waited about 15 mins and our food was ready. We ordered the brisket, which was super tender and flavorful,with some fatty grisel parts. The ribs were delicious, with the nice crisp top and tender, fall-off-the-bone meat under that, packed with flavor.
As for sides, the mac n cheese was unique, it had some sort of spice and a bit sour hint to it, not sure what was added. The black beans and rice were standard, but I was a big fan of their cucumber tomatoes (very refreshing to pair with the bbq). I also liked their cornbread which was the perfect texture and sweetness. -
Review from Katherine W.
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
My brother and I went here for dinner after I spent about 6 months talking about wanting to go. I've always had an internal conflict over eating at barbeque places, but maybe that's just in Texas. In my pre-Dinosaur experience, the meat is divine and everything else is slathered in mayonaise.
That was totally not the case here. The sandwich I got was amazing, AND I got a flight of beers I've never tried, and there wasn't anything remotely mayonaise-like anywhere near my food. If I lived in Syracuse, I would probably eat here twice a week. My stomach is growling at reliving the experience.
In what may have been the most brilliant decision I've ever made, I bought their Cajun spices while we were there. I've been making bitchin burritos using it since then in an effort to alleviate the pain of living 6 hours from Dinosaur. I kinda wish I'd bought all of their everythings and/or stolen all condiments not bolted to the floor. C'est la vie.Listed in: 300
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Review from Spike D.
Syracuse, NY
Updated - 1/1/2012
Check-in a year after my last review. Still sublime. Eventually working through all the sides and barbecue sauces to find the right cosmic combination. Think it might be the wango tango sweet habanero with just a dash of garlic chipotle.
The bbq is terrific, but I always have more fun trying out the sides. There must be a dozen:
- Mac and cheese is great but my personal preference is slightly overcooked noodles (sorry )and Dinosaur does it al dente.
- Mashed potatoes are real mashed potatoes - excellent delivery vehicle for meat and bbq sauce;
- Carrot and raisin salad - tastes better than you expect. Dash of cinnamon.
- Tomato and cucumber salad - good and garlicky
- Baked beans are spicy as advertised
- Chili is tasty.
- Cornbread is sweet and moist
Next time... collard greens and turkey neck. (I'm not kidding)
While not an official side, pay a little extra if you like fried green tomatoes. They're worth it.
PS - Customer service is still very well organized and a 30 minute wait is actually kind of fun.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/19/2010
All the good things you read about the food are true. This was our second visit. Barbecue is… Read more »
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Review from Jerry E.
4/14/2012
Fun; one of those must go to places; the barbecue is good but the people and the atmosphere are excellent.
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Review from Ant T.
Fresh Meadows, NY
3/18/2012
When it comes to rating BBQ restaurants I am a stickler for authenticity; having tasted the best from all over the county, unfortunately (for me) there is much to be desired at DBBQ. I am sure Dinosaur has a lot of satisfied customers; and the food IS good, but having tasted the best from all over the country, there was minimal authenticity; not enough to get me excited.
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Review from Christine P.
BAYSIDE HILLS, NY
4/15/2012
Ive been to both the Syracuse and Rochester locations several times and stick to the rib-eye steak and the pulled pork sliders; it never disappoints, especially when paired with an Ommegang Witte... As for their ribs, I'm not a fan
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Review from Amber S.
Manhattan, NY
4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great beer selection, awesome BBQ sauces and Mac and cheese but the corn bread was not even worth a bite.
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Review from Ryan F.
Syracuse, NY
4/11/2012
Although once the crown jewel of Syracuse, new owners and management have certainly downgraded the quality. You can wait an hour for a table to get a small over priced sandwich simply selling of its name. Not to mention it now has several locations. They don't smoke their own meat anymore I mean really what's the catch. They show up to the Rachel Ray's Big Apple BBQ in the city and serve pulled pork to people who never eat BBQ food in the first place. Dinosaur is nothing special. Save yourself the calories.
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Review from Jessica B.
Syracuse, NY
12/21/2011
I highly enjoyed the meat and bread components of my meal!
But, and it's ok to call me a hippy, I really needed some fucking vegetables. Don't get me wrong, I did order the vegetable of the day, which was zucchini smothered in pizza sauce AND I did get the applesauce which was delicious, but oh so sugary. Can I at least get some corn? Something that isn't totally degraded into junk food. -
Review from Hyun Y.
Boston, MA
2/28/2012
I love Dinosaur BBQ! Love the sides...mmmm....The corn bread, mac n' cheese, homemade chunky applesauce....drool...And I love their bbq sauces. My favorite is Wango Tango, and I recommend it to ppl who love sweet and HOT bbq sauces. If you're in Syracuse (or Rochester), def try this place!
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Review from Anna K.
Brookline, MA
11/25/2011
This is THE best Bar-B-Que you can get anywhere in the Northeast. I remember when my Dad first took my brother and I to this place when I was about 10 and he was about 8. Everything about this place is authentic. From the food to the patron's motorcycles lined up outside.
When I moved to Boston 5 years ago, I wasn't at all surprised to see a Dinosaur Bar-B-Que bottle of sauce in the grocery store. I just happily bought it and, smiling, took home a taste of my childhood.
If you live in Syracuse or are visiting and want to eat at one of the best and most iconic restaurants in the city, stop by the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. :) -
Review from Ira S.
Langhorne, PA
5/4/2012 2 photos
Who would have thought that a fabulous BBQ place would be in Syracuse NY? Great food, you MUST go there is you're in the area!
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Review from Jim B.
Odenton, MD
12/1/2011
Had dinner here with fellow team members. Ordered the NY strip, it was prepared well and came with delicious sides.
The beer was outstanding. Service was excellent too!
This place gets crowded early and parking is a bit of a pain, but well worth it! -
Review from Katie D.
4/8/2012
This place is ok but doesn't live up to the hype. I wasn't unhappy with the food but I wouldn't go out of my way to return.
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Review from Mari M.
2/25/2012 2 photos
Really good mac and cheese!
Glad to come to the original! My girlfriend kept being told to come here if your at Syracuse and the 2 nights we came here, it seemed like the whole town was at this place. They don't take reservations and it was packed!! Both nights we were told the wait will be an hour and a half or 2 hours. Because some people give up and leave, our wait was about 45 minutes and an hour and a half. But it's allllllll worth it! Even our girlfriends who were vegetarian came and enjoyed the food. I think the best deal was the 1/4 rib entree that comes with 2 sides. This will fill you up plenty and it's only $9! Definitely get the mac and cheese for sides because it is really good. The pasta is not mushy and still has good texture and the melted cheese strings when you scoop it up with your fork. I wasn't a fan of the collard green because it was sweet but the beans and the tomato and cucumber salad was good.
If your like me and have never had a good souther cooking, you can also get the sampler. Also they have their ginger ale made for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. You'll have to try it with their home made whip cream!
I think this is the place to come if your in Syracuse.
There's a take out section but it doesn't have everything on the menu. -
Review from Jim H.
8/25/2011
Im not sure if Dinosaur BBQ exceeded my expectations, but it certainly smoked them, covered them in BBQ sauce and served it with cornbread.
Finally got to try this place out after both seeing it on Man vs Food and hearing about it first hand from friends and family. It has a neat little quirky, Coyote Ugly vibe to it, which works well for the concept. From what i understand, DBBQ is ALWAYS packed, as it should be for food that good.
The hostess walked that thin line between surly and overly friendly. While being annoyed at having to seat our party of 9, once we were sat, she made a few trips back to the table to see how I (we) was doing. I kept waiting for her to ask if I liked my Sloppy Joes "real sloppy". She was, however, very charming and the perfect fit for that place.
The food was BBQ done right, although I think I still like Sweet Lucys better, on all counts. I ordered the meal that had Ribs, Brisket, and pulled pork with 2 sides (mac and cheese and mashed) It was real good and enough to get a second meal out of it, the next day* (* 2 hrs later).
Something notable was our server (I think it was Adrianne). She was as good as it gets. She handled our pain in the ass party of 9 like a champ. Never missed a beat or got flustered. Handled all of our special requests and got the food out to us in great time. I was impressed.
I dont usually find myself as far north as Syracuse, but you can bet if another opportunity arises, I will be getting my Dinosaur Bar B Que fix again.
P.S Re: Humorous Anecdote
We had to walk about a block to get to DBBQ from where we parked. I had my kids and crippled mother in tow. We simply cant walk slow enough for the woman to keep up and instead just keep looking back to see if she is still with us. We made the turn on to Willow St and apparently forgot to see if Mom noticed. Upon arriving, we turned to see if she was behind and she was nowhere to be seen. I sent my Daughter back to retrieve her.
Of course, Mom kept walking straight to the next corner. When she couldnt see us anymore, she asked a woman nearby where DBBQ was. The woman replied, " Back at that last corner...DIDNT YOU SMELL IT!?"Listed in: Southern Tier
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Review from Rob K.
8/31/2011
The thick aroma of BBQ is so deliciously dizzying that it should be considered an appetizer and be sold for $4.99 to any waiting customer lucky enough to be in its presence.
To be seated, you must go through a feat of strengths. First, try your shot at parallel parking between two motorcycles, while an anxious crowd sadistically hopes the bikes fall like dominos. Pass the test, but walk uncomfortably past a staring biker with a vintage Americade tank top. Try to feel cooler by taking off your tie mid-walk.
Now the wait, at least twenty five minutes- and that's during the slow period. You must trust me, it's well worth it. When describing Dinosaur BBQ, Jesus once stammered, "Wayyy better than anything my mom ever cooked."
Get served by the roughest, but surprisingly coolest waitress that has ever taken your order. Experiment with a Sweet Tea to start. Not quite sure how you southerners drink a glass of sugar. If you decide to order a water, fear that the waitress will call you a pussy to your face. You're best off with an ice cold brew (they have plenty to choose from). The wait was long, you should be on your third by now. Don't fill up, let this one linger.
It's time to devour an appetizer sampler with your friend. Fried green tomatoes, deviled eggs, wings. Get a taste of everything. Fried green tomatoes are good, right?
If you're a man, you will order the sweetheart deal for two. If you are a 145 pound man-boy like myself, you're better off with a half rack, two sides, and corn bread.
Let's talk about the ribs. Tap one on your plate and watch the meat fall right off. Try all the sauces. The sauce is more potent than paint. Wash your hands for days and traces will still appear. And that smell will not disappear. It wakes you up in the middle of the night when the food hangover kicks in.
A lot of food has just been ingested, but remnants of the sides remain. You did your best, but it was not impressive enough, according to the waitress. Taunting you like a pissed off mother, she insists you clean your plate.
Thank you for the coma. For the record, this review only applies to the original location. -
Review from Mike S.
8/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went to Dinosaur about two weeks ago and my meal there is still haunting me. The pulled pork and brisket are both amazing: juicy, perfectly cooked and amazing sauce. I would kill for some of the mac and cheese right now. The coleslaw was just okay but I can overlook that. Overall, a sandwich platter with two sides and a soda cost me around $12. Totally worth it. I would gladly pay that money for another meal at Dino. Definitely a must if you're in the area.
PS. Buy a bottle or two of the sauce for home. I completely forgot to and I am still kicking myself. -
Review from Jessica T.
Brooklyn, NY
9/5/2011
Holy goly, BBQ is not like this in NYC. I haven't been everywhere, but I have been to Fatty 'Cue, Fette Sau, Wildwood BBQ, and the Big Apple BBQ in Madison Square Park. NYC BBQ cannot compare at all. It is too tidy, ungenerous, precious. A serious love affair started. Here's an play-by-play of a beginning of a love affair (and more pics and the full review here: http://bit.ly/rrfg05)
- Drunken Shrimp -- boiled in beer and Old Bay, and dipped in a bbq-horseradish-tabasco sauce. This is messy, spicy, garlicky, and makes regular shrimp cocktail seem impossibly prude.
- St. Louis-cut pork ribs -- thick and awe-inspiring. I typically like ribs with meat that falls off the bone. Here the meat is tender, but demands gnawing. I didn't mind. They are perfect -- spicy, sweet, smoky, complex, juicy in some parts and jerky-like in others.
- Moist chicken is one of life's greatest and simplest pleasures. Apple-brined and glazed with Dinosaur's sauce, it is transcendent.
- The pillowy pulled pork invokes giggles, it is so good. The brisket was probably the weakest meat -- a little dry and thin, and lacked the voluptuous swagger of the others.
- The Dinosaur cookbook tells me their chili includes jalapenos, ancho chile, pasilla chile, ground cumin, brown sugar, bacon... None of those ingredients are that unusual or can solely account for the masterpiece that is this earthy, sweet, raisiny chili that is meaty yet bright.
- For sides, we had collard greens with turkey neck, honey cornbread, and french fries. They were all exemplary, more reasons why I kept chanting to myself throughout the meal, This is good, this is really good, this is really, really good.
This is all photo-documented, of course. Check 'em out here: http://bit.ly/rrfg05 Now let the BBQ withdrawal begin... -
Review from Alyssa P.
9/4/2011 2 photos
Oh Dino BBQ. I hadn't been to the restaurant in a couple years. and it hasn't changed much. The restaurant, even on a Thursday afternoon was packed! But the food was just as fabulous as ever.
I ordered the Original Pulled Pork sandwich. The pork was juicy and smoky. and the sauce sweet and tangy.
And of course, for the sake of YELP, I had to order 2 sides with my sandwich... the first was the Mac&Cheese, which was cheeeeeeesy and a little bit spicy. The black pepper mixed in is fantastic. My second side was the mashed potatoes. As expected they were were creamy and when paired with Dino's gravy perfect.
The entire meal was delish. This continues to be a must visit when hanging out in upstate NY.
