Dinosaur BBQ Pt.II

Welcome to THEJNSREPORT’S: Sometimes Ya Gotta Eat Son!!! Dinosaur BBQ PT. II!!!!

Another mundane week passed by as days began to blur together for me and at a certain point I couldn’t distinguish the routine Wednesday feeling from a Sunday or say a Friday. I awoke today feeling like the image below.

This is what that means

It’s been a while since I had some good Cue’ and so a revisiting of Dinosaur BBQ was in order. A quick trip to and from this spot was made as the order was phoned in ahead of my arrival for pickup (Thinking smart). After a slight mixup in the name put on the order ticket my order was found and I was on way home to enjoy this meal. Above what you see is Dinosaur BBQ’s half rack of ribs and Catfish with a side of honey corn bread, Cole slaw, and that spiced up Mac n Cheese. Mmmm Mmmmmm!!!!! You understand? Sometimes you just have to indulge in the small pleasures in life especially, when you consider how hard one has to work just to afford a decent quality of life.

Dinosaur from the Side

Yassum!!!!

Not that I’m trying to tease you…well maybe just a little, here are some more mouth watering images I had to savor before ruining that masterpiece.

Yes that would be a second honey cornbread. It had to happen. LOL

HaWhat?!! I can see your smoke ring!

I began to study it.

I sat in contemplation over this amazing color on my fall of the bone tender baby back ribs. There is wisdom and learning in that there meat. If you ever get that feeling like you just have to have you some good ole BBQ baby back ribs, then Dinosaur BBQ ribs are a must eat!!! The spicy kick in the Mac N Cheese really got my taste buds going and the contrast in texture from the Ribs and crunch from the Cole Slaw just had me feeling in a much better mood. I spare you the evidence of the destruction of that meal.

Take my word for it only bones were left, it was that good. The Catfish I expected to be cornmeal crusted and fried but it was moist and blackened. It’s officially called Bronzed Catfish. The fish was excellent as an alternate flavor from the ribs. Just look at the char on em. As for the honey Corn breads. They too… didn’t make it. Under heavy questioning I got there sweet secrets as they went down into my stomach to join the rest of the meal. I must remember next time to also sample their burgers to see if they hold up the par excellence standard the Ribs, Catfish, Mac N Cheese, and Cole Slaw have.

Till next time this has been another report from THEJNSREPORT. Stay hungry my friends.

Welcome to THEJNSREPORTS NYC Summer 2012 Food Travel Log – Dinosaur BBQ Edition

First stop on this year’s summer food destinations NYC is in Harlem at Dinosaur BBQ!!! I’d kept a pulse on this place since it had been mentioned to me about a year ago by a friend. I hadn’t managed to actually stop in and sample the fare until today. With that said let’s get down to the experience. Located at 700 W 125th Street just off the West Side High Way and Riverside Dr. This Dinosaur BBQ location actually is quite a nice spot to stop and eat in with the beautifully designed pier just to its west, perfect for sight seeing or people watching. Many a picture was taken while I waited for a friend to join in the Dinosaur experience.

The Entrance

The Sign

Doesn’t that just say it all? With eyes and stomachs wide open in anticipation of BBQ goodness we went inside the establishment and were promptly seated. Once inside I had to take a picture of the mural on the wall adjacent us.

Foreshadowing???

The feel of the place was modern rustic. I liked the overall atmosphere and despite the mural pic above it got busy shortly after we were seated. I had shall we say a prehistoric appetite and based on the name of the place, I figured portions to be over sized like at Dallas BBQ. How wrong I was. Not that it’s a bad thing I mean clearly obesity is one of the biggest hurdles America faces along with debt but that’s for another post.

I expected however, when reading the menu and seeing Jumbo Sized Wings that naturally they would be huge. When they came out looking like any ordinary pieces of plain buffalo wings I felt cheated to say the least. So far not looking like we’re off to a good start but let’s continue. My friend decided to order the Fried Green Tomatoes and Salmon Fritters, while I ordered The “Jumbo Sized Wings”.

Next up was the Yuengling Beer on tap. I’m personally not a big fan of beer but Yuengling wasn’t bad at all especially at $4 a pint. The Salmon Fritters I give good marks as they tasted great with a hint of spice to them while the Fried Green Tomatoes for me were good but just a bit greasy. The wings were great despite their size with smoke flavor infused into them. I should have taken pics of them but sadly neglected to. In any event I had them plain but dipping some in a variety of sauces at the table made them very worth while. Our appetites were piqued for the main course. I decided to try the Dinosaur Platinum Margarita for the perfect summer day cocktail. When it came it to the table it looked like a glass of lemonade as shown below but…

Dinosaur BBQ’s Platinum Margarita!!! Uh…Yesssuh!!!

when I tasted this drink I nearly lost it! Oh my goodness!!! The bartenders who make the Platinum at Dinosaur are to be commended whichever of them makes this drink because it was outrageously good. A perfect blend of patron tequila Cointreau, sour mix, and Gran Marnier mixed together where the Gran Marnier plays subtly but significant enough in the drink that you know why it costs as much as it does. I sipped this slowly while waiting for the meat and sides to arrive.

Now the ribs!!! These pork ribs I believe are smoked after they’ve been marinated for 24 hours. Wow were they worth the preparation that went into them. I went to pick up a rib after separating it with my knife and fork and the meat literally fell off the bone which was delicious down to the marrow and juices. Mmmm Mmmm!!!

Ribs and Sides

Oh yes I cleaned those ribs to the bone, bit off the rib tips, and chewed that marrow. They were that good! The sides however, underwhelmed. Let’s start with the Mac N Cheese. While creamy this side tasted like too much paprika or something was added to it and there was far less of a desirable cheesy flavor to recall me to take more than two bites of this dish. The creole potato salad was also just another lackluster potato salad. In my opinion I’ve actually had supermarket potato salad that tasted better. The simmered collard greens were delicious and saved the sides from a total 3 for 3 disappointment. I used what was left of my amazing Platinum Margarita to wash away the after taste of the Mac N Cheese and Creole Potato Salad…

Platinum Margarita Finished

Desert followed this…

Dino Cheese cake Vs Peanut Butter Pie

Like the caption it was Peanut Butter Pie vs Dino Cheesecake. I sampled a small piece of the cheesecake which, while looking amazing, lacked in taste and flavor. It actually tasted to me like a fluffy bland tasting cheesecake topped with fruit preserve. The crust of the cheesecake was a bit too thick and even with my fork I had trouble breaking the crust away with a piece of the cheesecake. The Peanut Butter Pie I had was the star of the night next to my Platinum Margarita and those Ribs.

I took my time working that Peanut Butter and Chocolate w whipped cream down to streaks on the plate. Man was it delicious and decadent.

What Pie?

I reckon that slice will be worth 30 minutes of high intensity cardio tomorrow.

Overall the experience eating at Dinosaur was worth writing home about. I’d say for my first visit to this place I’d give it 3/4 of a Rack. Definitely know my go to’s for main course, cocktail, and desert. Full Rack of Ribs, Platinum Margarita, and Peanut Butter Pie. I’ll skip the Mac N Cheese, and the Potato Salad. Price for the meal was definitely reasonable and would recommend to anyone who’s a fan of BBQ. Next time I’ll have to try their chicken and burgers. Till next entry this has been another NYC Summer Food Travel log 2012 report by THEJNSREPORT. Stay tuned for our next destination.