Big Apple BBQ Block Party

This past weekend was the Big Apple BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park, bringing the best BBQ from cities around the country to NYC. Boy were we excited!  We headed over with some friends on Sunday to sample all the pig we could get our hands on. 

Yes, that's a full pig in between those smokers. No, this is not uncommon at the BBQ Block Party.  Yes, your clothes stink of BBQ after you leave.

After taking a lap around the perimeter & taking in all of the free sights & smells, we found our first little piggy... a pulled pork shoulder sandwich with a side of coleslaw from Ubon's (out of Yazoo City, MS).  I thought it was delicous but not nearly as delicious as Eric thought.  I must say that the pork did have great flavor and their bbq sauce really added to the sandwich...throw some coleslaw into the mix & you got yourself a damn good sandwich.

Looking back, we probably could have shared one sandwich, but who knew what was going to come next?

Next up was homemade smoked sausage with pimento cheese & saltines from Jim 'N Nicks BBQ (Birmingham, AL). All 4 of us agreed that this was up there with the best sausage we've ever sampled. It had the perfect amount of heat & an abundance of flavor in every bite! We also came to a consensus on the sides... meh!

Lastly, we finished off the day with baby back ribs & beans from Pappy's Smokehouse (St. Louis, MO). While waiting in the 30 minute line, we didn't know that we had saved the best for last.  These were finger-licking good and if we ever make our way down to St. Louis, we will be visiting Pappy's once again!

If you dine on swine, and live in or around the city, then this is a festival that's not to be missed. We're already looking forward to next year!

More info can be found at http://www.bigapplebbq.org/