I love BBQ and, in my opinion, it takes a lot to screw it up. A fan of Virgils, I wanted to try something new and heard good things about Blue Smoke. Unfortunately, I was disappointed from the start.
First the service: I am not sure what the hostess or waiter expects but people eating BBQ are probobly not looking for an "exclusive" night out so they would fare well to drop the whole "VIP" facade. No matter how pricy or well-known the restaurant, when it has neon signs and serves Mac-N-Cheese there's a cap on how much attitude you can expect guests to handle.
Food: I found the Mac-N-Cheese bland, the hush puppies overcooked and served with something that tasted like jam and the ribs were fatty. The Brisket was cold and their fries came with something that resembled cheese whiz. My friends and I ordered a plethora of food and created our own little "Tasting menu" only to feel like it was all sub-par and empty calories. No fun for a splurge.
Value: Let's not kid ourselves, it's all overpriced in NYC but this place doesn't even attempt to give you a decent value for your Washingtons ;)
For better BBQ, go to Virgils or make your own. Blue Smoke is just not worth it.
Pros: It's an average meal--not up to NYC par
Cons: Food, Value, Service
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