New Jersey is not known as a state for having lots of BBQ restaurants and does not have a BBQ style of it's own. However, because of this, it does have a a number of very good BBQ restaurants with different BBQ styles of cooking.
Styles of BBQ
Kansas City BBQ is mostly pork spare ribs or beef brisket and it's the sauce that distinguishes it from other styles. It is very thick, just enough to stay on the meat and not fall to the bottom of the pit, and is largely tomato based.
Memphis BBQ Mostly ribs. The sauce is similar to Kansas City Style, but spicier and dry rubbed.
North Carolina BBQ is mostly a roast of the entire pig or major parts of it, and then the different parts are chopped up and mixed together before adding the sauce. The sauce is vinegar based, more so in the Eastern part of the state, and not too sweet and is shaken before applying it to the meat.
Texas BBQ is mostly beef brisket and is cooked slowly smoking with a spicy thick, tomato-based sauce.
Portuguese BBQ (Churrasco). In a churrascaria restaurant, they serve up a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, and poultry that are slowly roasted in specially designed charcoal grills to preserve the natural flavors with little or no sauces added. They are usually served on skewers and carved at table side.
The Right Way to Cook Ribs
Rib meat, when properly cooked, should easily be removed off the rib bone with a gentle bite.
Some restaurants advertise that their rib meat easily "falls off the bone" ---- beware as they are serving BBQ ribs that have been overcooked. Rib meat should be cooked slowly to allow the meat fibers to become tenderized. Rib meat should be soft and moist, not mushy, and not overly chewy. The meat should be able to be pulled off the rib bone in one piece, the same size as the length of the rib bone.
Best Barbecue in Northern Jersey |
Indigo Smoke BBQ Restaurant, Montclair - Haven't yet been to Kansas City for barbecue? Try this place if you are a lover of outstanding smoked barbecue cooking, the way they make it in Missouri.
Cubby's BBQ, Hackensack - This is a Hackensack BBQ eatery that is family-friendly in a cafeteria-like atmosphere and a menu that covers the full range of BBQ food. The service is fast, the portions are huge, and the price is reasonable.
28 BBQ, Bound Brook - This small Portuguese (churrascaria) restaurant serves up tasty seafood, fish, and BBQ meats at very reasonable prices. They are especially noted for the BBQ cooking prepared on real wood charcoal. The style and atmosphere are not your typical BBQ roadhouse down home setting. It's a great value! |
Best Barbecue in Central Jersey |
Big Ed's BBQ, Old, Bridge - Driving up to this place makes you think your are no longer in New Jersey. The roadhouse setting resembles a scene from the south and midwest. It's a great place to take the family or with a group of friends watching a football game with a beer and ribs. They have a bar with over 20 TV's and 9 HD Flat Screens.
D and L BBQ, Asbury Park - This new Asbury Park Southern Country-Caribbean fusion restaurant is located away from the hub of restaurant activity on Cookman Ave, and is in a Main Street storefront setting with a country, relaxed ambiance.
Famous Daves, Hillsborough and other NJ locations - This BBQ chain with 5 locations in New Jersey is popular with families and people who love good BBQ served with large portions, and a beer to go along with it at a reasonable price. |
Best Barbecue in Southern Jersey |
Christines House of Kingfish Barbeque, Shamong - If you are from the rural south and have a longing for some in expensive, down home, country style BBQ, than this is the place for you.
Rude Hawgs Pit BBQ, Bellmawr - This very good BBQ eatery serves up a large variety of Kansas City BBQ and Nah Lins style food at a reasonable price.
Fat Jack's BBQ, Cherry Hill - This chain operation serves up a variety of well prepared, different U.S. styles of BBQ cooking and sauces.
Texas Roadhouse, Millville - The popular restaurant meets the expectations of a well run chain serving up BBQ, steaks, and ribs --- it's rustic, has peanuts on the floor, with a western feel, and is noisy and energetic. |
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