New York has a smattering of everything delicious, many of my out-of-state friends have winced at the deplorable standing of “American” cuisine in the city. Outside of the nouveau realm, the umbrella under which we can expect to find anything and everything, there is a dearth of West Coast and Southern favourites that many sorely miss. Today, I offer small consolation to those who dream and pine for BBQ.
BBQ resonates with just about everyone who is not chosen the lonely path of the vegetarian. New York does have its token purveyors like Blue Smoke and Hill Country BBQ, but Brother Jimmy’s is the feel good restaurant for feel good food. Utterly unpretentious in its set-up, with wide panel Tvs playing more sports than I could possibly follow in a lifetime. The wooden interior and hodgepodge of Southern knick knacks might make the space overly hackneyed, but with a shot of Jack—everything seems to be just fine.
At Brother Jimmy’s the menu is not for the size 0 individual. Brisket and pulled pork reign supreme, both slow-cooked with tears for 12 hours—probably somewhere in the basement (kind of takes away from the BBQ master imagine doesn’t it, when the cooking doesn’t happen in the great outdoors). This is all made better with a generous serving of collard greens and fried okra, which has just enough butter and batter to kill a small child.
Mini brisket slider and deviled egg.
For the tasting, we had a cocktail with every dish, and that my friends, is not to be done with regularity. However, I would like to recommend the Carolina Ice tea, which has sweet tea (vodka) in the mix. I hear the swamp water bowel with plastic crocodiles is a hoot, so give that a shot when you have friends around to share the drunken madness.
A large cocktail to pair with every plate.
The dessert was a little lacklustre, but that might be due to the flood of food that had come before. Saving room for sweets might be a challenge, but with enough willpower the brownie is certainly a fitting end to the meal, and don’t think for a moment that it doesn’t come with ice cream.
Pulled pork with slaw, marinated loin.
There really isn’t much to say except that Brother Jimmy’s is a fun place to let your hair down and make room for a few more holes on your belt. The food is solid and plentiful, as are the drinks and television entertainment. At the start of my meal, I was at a table of strangers, but something about Southern food and liquor made us friends before the entrees. If any of you are reading, hope you all got home wobble-free and shoot us a message!
Chow on,
Jessie
Rating: 
What does this rating mean?
The meal was complimentary, though it did not affect our opinion, nor were we obligated to write.
Brother Jimmy’s BBQ
116 E 16th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 673-6465
http://www.brotherjimmys.com
