In my two years of running Manhattan Digest, I have reviewed a bajillion different types of restaurants but have never actually test-drived any BBQ-style places. Even though I have been to this restaurant before, Brother Jimmy’s BBQ is worth not only talking about but giving a good review to as well. Brother Jimmy’s BBQ has six different locations based in the New York City area- Murray Hill, Yankee Stadium, 8th Avenue by Madison Square Garden, 2nd Avenue, Upper West Side and Union Square. So you really have no excuse when it comes to good southern style BBQ and hanging with some friends for a good night out and to watch the game or two. Here are some “facts” about this fantastic establishment.
Per the site– Brother Jimmy’s has celebrated over 20 years of legendary North Carolina, slow-smokin’ barbeque. As suggested by the restaurant’s slogan – “Put Some South in Yo’ Mouth” – Brother Jimmy’s mission was, and still is, to bring “down-home” cooking, hospitality and merriment to the heart of the Northeast.
Over the years, Brother Jimmy’s established itself as the home away from home for A.C.C. Alumni. Homesick alums from Duke, UNC, N.C. State, Georgia Tech, U.V.A., Clemson, Maryland, and Wake Forest began to flock to Brother Jimmy’s to catch the big Duke/UNC game, or to watch the Demon Deacons take on the Terps. By opening in Manhattan’s most popular neighborhoods, Brother Jimmy’s found a home in the hearts of New Yorkers. It has become the restaurant in NYC that reminded Southerners what good ‘ol Southern hospitality was all about and showed Northerners just what they’d been missing all these years.
Since 1989, Brother Jimmy’s business has grown from a simple BBQ hangout into a refined brand that embodies consistent, quality Southern specialties for brunch, lunch and dinner. It has also become a staple nightlife venue consistently rated at the top of multiple categories in the Zagat Nightlife Survey, and serves as a local haunt for everyone from sports fans to celebrities.
A couple of nights ago a friend and I tried out their Murray Hill location, which was the first time I have ever experienced that particular location as I usually go to the one outside Penn Station on 8th Avenue. This one is spacious, with a huge bar and restaurant area for all types of patrons. Overall, Brother Jimmy’s in my opinion really is a sports bar type place but backs it up with really delicious southern BBQ. Normally a sports bar atmosphere has basic food that doesn’t go the extra mile in order to retain that type of business outside of the beer sales but Brother Jimmy’s really puts together the additional effort for both aspects and does it really spectacularly.
So let’s say you are with your boys, enjoying the game, and want to get your grub on. This is what I would recommend the next time you are in one of their neighborhoods and want to stop on by. For appetizers, something classic yet delicious like their Hush Puppies with warm maple butter and Hot Buffalo Wings. The maple butter compliment the hush puppies really well, and no one can deny how epicly delicious wings can be. Their wings come in buffalo, chipotle or crispy naked. You can also elevate to a bucket o wings if you feel like it. It’s worth it.
They have a bunch of great stews and salads, however I would recommend trying out their massive platters as they are big enough to feed two people (or one for me. Because I don’t share). The platters come with pickles, tasty cornbread and choice of two amazing sides. I would recommend the Carolina Pulled Pork which is slow smoked & pulled with Brother Jimmy’s original BBQ sauce. The taste is incredible and I paired it with their fresh coleslaw and warm mac n cheese that really elevated the flavor of the pork. You can’t go to a BBQ place and not get ribs. I mean come on, look at that photo above? You can get Northern Style which are smoked & then grilled w/ brother jimmy’s original bbq sauce, Southern Style which are smoked w/ brother jimmy’s Memphis-style rub, Baby Back style- smoked & finished on the grill w/ a sweet & tangy sauce or a combo of all. Fall of the bone good.
They also have a great line of sandwiches from BBQ, Turkey, Portobello and Blackened Catfish as well as a great line of sides which I previously discussed. Definitely a place you should try out to satisfy your BBQ cravings. For more information on menus, locations and more check out the official site.