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.

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.

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…

Desert followed this…

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.