(212) 447-7733

116 E 27th St (nr. Park Ave. South)
New York, NY 10016 40.7422 -73.9838

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Kips Bay, Midtown

jazzstandard.com

Hours:

Sun-Mon 11:30am-10pm

Tue-Thu 11:30am-11pm

Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Barbecue Restaurants, Bars & Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Brunch, Family Style Dining, Online Reservations, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Southern

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Blues

Other Locations:

What People Are Saying About Blue Smoke

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Danny Meyer's sprawling, wood-trimmed barbecue joint, with its oversized booths, showpiece bar and late-night jazz club in the basement, is a hot spot for casual work lunches and fun nights on the town. Crowds pour in, and service is friendly and knowledgeable.The moderately priced menu features upscale comfort food, but only enough to showcase the high-quality ingredients and interesting pairings. The food is fun and unfussy, as creamy deviled eggs and hush puppies with jalapeno-marmalade prove. Pulled pork, though nothing like Carolina's versions, is chunky, chewy, with just enough smoke,…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
The Jazz Standard, a live jazz club, is downstairs. Two sets play weeknights, three on Fridays and Saturdays, and the cover varies ($15-$30). The full Blue Smoke menu is served, and there's no food or drink minimum.
What to Drink:
There's a great selection of beers on tap, but don't overlook root beer or creamsicle ice cream floats. Unlimited refills on iced tea.
Where to Sit:
Booths in the upstairs mezzanine are best for people-watching.
ambiance
98.71999740600586% positive
  1. The restaurant decor is really cool as well - wide open space with a city-meets-southern BBQ Pit kind of feel.
  2. But if you want tasty ribs and a fun atmosphere this is the place.
  3. If you go looking for great BBQ, a festive atmosphere, cheery waitstaff and a good time, you'll be delighted.
  4. The ambience is good and the crowd makes you feel that you are getting good food, and its a good thing that you have to wait.
  5. Fun atmosphere, good beer selection, but meals were skimpy portions on big plates and the service was weak - never had the same server/waitperson come back twice.
  6. Good food, great selection of beer and wine, relaxed atmosphere.
  7. The atmosphere is fun, the food is so tasty, and the Jazz downstairs can be pretty good, too, sometimes.
  8. This place has a lively atmosphere with fantastic ribs, pulled pork and desserts.
  9. The ribs were great, of course a Danny Meyer restaurant has good service, and the room very comfortable with some great smoky smells.
  10. Overall a great experience, it is a fun spot, and very reasonably priced.
  11. special evening with a special friend,atmosphere was great staff attentive.
  12. wonderful New York barbecue joint, stylish atmosphere, an upscale taste to BBQ.
  13. liked the relaxed atmosphere.
  14. Great atmosphere.
  15. The pulled pork is just sloppy fun.
  16. We definitely had a great culinary experience; casual and fun.
  17. great atmosphere
  18. Good food and fun
  19. The experience of eating at Blue Smoke is a bit odd for a BBQ restaurant: lots of space between the tables, air conditioning, modern decor - it's quite a beautiful space.
  20. Let me start by saying that the atmosphere is great and the service is acceptable (rather slow), but the food is absolutely terrible!
  21. The ambience suits the place, they place good music, the service was fine.
  22. enjoyed the atmosphere, the extensive menu and live jazz music which makes Blue Smoke a fun and entertaining pig-out spot.
  23. The atmosphere is big and comfortable, but the music is way, way too loud.
  24. All in all a good night out, and cool atmosphere, just dont be suprised if you aren't wowed when you leave.
  25. don't care what anyone tells you, find out why the place stays packed, the location is convenient and the experience haunts you to return.
  26. The food and drink is always good and the atomosphere is comfortable, but as a "real" BBQ joint, its nothing to write home to Kansas or Texas about.
dessert
82.46000289916992% positive
  1. desert( drunk so didnt care) and I am sure they will make it
  2. This mouthwatering St.Louis natives BBQ joint features signature "cue" favorites such as ribs,beef,fowl, southern vegetable sides,mac and cheese and home-style desserts and pies.
  3. In all fairness the desserts were pretty good.
  4. loved the beef brisket, mac n cheese, and key lime pie.
  5. The brownie with chocolate sauce was wonderful, as was the Key Lime Pie.
  6. This place has a lively atmosphere with fantastic ribs, pulled pork and desserts.
  7. THe service is slow, but the one time the wait for my desert was long-they comped it.
  8. The dessert sampler was fantastic!
  9. We both enjoyed the apple crisp, as well as the fried pear & cranberry pie.
  10. The soup was and desserts were tasty, as well.
  11. The onion rings, mac & cheese, the mephis styled ribs and banana cream pie were very good.
  12. The dessert, a slice of chocolate pie, was good.
  13. The fry bread was good, and the Key Lime pie was good, but we could not have been more disappointed with the food.
  14. was disappointed by the meat, which reminds me a cow which had been laying in the desert for months - dry, sinewy.
  15. If it weren't for the dessert,this would probably be one of the worst meals i have ever had.
  16. The finale, a slice of key lime pie - a nice finish.
  17. think the desserts are a perfect compliment to the meal as well as the place as a whole: simple (no 'selling air' here!)
  18. For dessert I ordered the sticky toffee pudding with creme fraiche, which turned out to be an incredible end to a wonderful meal.
  19. The key lime pie is also delicious.
drinks
80.34000396728516% positive
  1. jazz fans, you can enjoy your meal in the jazz bar downstairs, same menu offered.
  2. Good selection of beers on the menu and a good place for groups!
  3. The bar was a giant man perch, perfect for sampling the many home brews, while watching sports and gnawing on pork and beef treats.
  4. The beer is ice cold and compliments the meal very well.
  5. If you feel like going for good ribs and great drinks, you go to Blue Smoke for dinner.
  6. the prices great - both for food and drink.
  7. These are great ribs, they way they are supposed to be, served in a casual atmostphere with good beer and bourbon.
  8. Its is a great place to catch up with a few friends over some ribs and drinks!
  9. also avoid sitting at the bar to eat, the service is not as attentive.
  10. The drab interior and mediocre bar could have been overcome and I hoped the real money invested went into the food.
  11. Service was slow and spotty; had to flag the waiter down many a time to get drink and food orders in.
  12. Don't get seated in a booth unless you like TV and sitting near the bar crowd.
  13. ok place good place but a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG Wait for food and stay away from the soda get water or beer
  14. and some great cocktails for the ladies.
  15. If you order wine, take care to read the label to make sure you're getting the right stuff.
  16. Hey - What better excuse to sit at the bar and try another one of their fantastic drinks.
  17. The bad (and horridly overpriced) drinks and the dry ribs take away from the overall meal.
  18. Classic wood floors and tables, high ceilings, and a huge bar with great beer and specialty liquor selection from around the world.
  19. The food and drink is always good and the atomosphere is comfortable, but as a "real" BBQ joint, its nothing to write home to Kansas or Texas about.
  20. Good beer list.
  21. Great bar with a terrific selection of regional and foreign beers and an extensive menu of bourbons and cordials.
  22. Good drinks,good beers on tap.
  23. If you are a big fan of ribs and steak, over a glass of beer, Blue Smoke will fit your needs and provide the necessary joy temporarily, even though the food is not extravagant.
  24. Service was great though, and the beer was good too (nice frosty mug).
  25. The drinks came in a surprisingly small glass and were not very good, the only flavor besides rum in it was a very bitter taste and the drinks were very pricey.
  26. My friends loved the beers.
  27. Good food, great selection of beer and wine, relaxed atmosphere.
  28. They have some great beer at this place.
  29. The drinks were pretty good and the staff was friendly.
  30. Nice bartenders, solid drinks.
  31. To serve up this bad meal took 50 minutes and cost us over $150 (including 2 beers and 2 bloody mary's in total)
  32. I've been there twice and both times I had tasty food, great drinks and excellent service.
  33. Service is good as well as the bar but the quality of the food seems inconsistent.
  34. Great appetizers, great drinks, great ribs
  35. The drinks are the best.
  36. Fun atmosphere, good beer selection, but meals were skimpy portions on big plates and the service was weak - never had the same server/waitperson come back twice.
  37. The bar was great - bar food, drinks, and service.
  38. the rips were so dry, I even had to drink more of the way too expensive and too warm Shiraz.
  39. Atmosphere is great, so this could be a great bar place, but oh, what a bummer that the food was a disaster.
food quality
78.5200023651123% positive
  1. love deviled eggs, a BBQ staple - but I'll be damned if serving two eggs (four VERY small halves) qualifies as an "appetizer.
  2. was with a group of 40 which means we usually get mediocre service and cool food.
  3. It's plenty fancy, but the food just isn't very good.
  4. From Kyle, the Manager, to Todd, the customer service Manager, to the rest of the staff, they make you feel like family (A family that serves great food)
  5. The baby back ribs were tender, with a smoky flavor and the cornbread was warm, soft and delicious.
  6. This mouthwatering St.Louis natives BBQ joint features signature "cue" favorites such as ribs,beef,fowl, southern vegetable sides,mac and cheese and home-style desserts and pies.
  7. Our waiter was on his first day so he was not completely to blame but as I surveyed the restaurant, which was only half full, I noticed that sevaral tables were getting impatient waiting for their food.
  8. If your looking for authentic Bar-b-que in New York then head to Blue Smoke.
  9. My personal favorite is the Texas Salt n Pepper ribs which is amazing and don't worry no sort of honey/molasses BBQ sauce is slathered over your food it's all good cooking.
  10. The ribs were perfectly charred with a great taste of applewood, and the pulled pork was amazing.
  11. Many people do not like the taste of smoked meats, and that's an important consideration when choosing this restaurant.
  12. They should lighten up, have a cocktail, and sit bacl and enjoy their meal.
  13. The chicken wings and sliders were terrific appetizers.
  14. Sauces are extreamly tasty.
  15. The wings sucked!
  16. Our server was fantastic & the food was amazing.
  17. My date's pulled pork was cold and, according to her, so terrible that she couldn't eat it.
  18. This place had great food!
  19. The dip is addicting and even though the BBQ potato chips look pretty standard, the taste is outstanding.
  20. The beer is ice cold and compliments the meal very well.
  21. THe pulled pork really is the best that i have had in the city.
  22. don't mind spending money if the food is good, but for $75 I expect my food hot and tasty.
  23. We were promptly seated, the waitress was attentive and curtious, and the food nearly perfect.
  24. What he should have told me but didn't (either restaurant policy/neglect) was that Blue Smoke has this policy that for groups of 10 or more, the only dining option is "Family Style", i.e. big portions of dishes passed around, preordered by the host., at a
  25. Pulled pork is fantastic and I highly recommend 3 sausage sampler appetizer.
  26. The pulled pork was good but I have had just as good and better pulled pork at much less expensive restaurants in the city.
  27. No matter how good the food is, with terrible customer service, it's intolerable.
  28. Summary good service, bad food!
  29. When the food arrived, I was so hungry I'd have eaten nearly anything -- but, this food was inedible.
  30. Good vibe, great ribs, delish potato chips and blue cheese and bacon dip - but most of all those blood orange margaritas!
  31. ordered my Blue Smoke burger medium with good old American cheddar cheese and maple-cured bacon.
  32. The sweet potato fries were huge steak fries,sweet and a great compliment to the ribs.
  33. The food and drink is always good and the atomosphere is comfortable, but as a "real" BBQ joint, its nothing to write home to Kansas or Texas about.
  34. Any deli counter can whip up a more tasty combination.
  35. Stick to the items the place does best, brisket, ribs, wings, cajun shrimp is good, not great.
  36. recently had a great meal at Blue Smoke.
  37. sweet potato fries and other sides are also really yummy.
  38. This place has a lively atmosphere with fantastic ribs, pulled pork and desserts.
  39. But if you want tasty ribs and a fun atmosphere this is the place.
  40. Great food
  41. This place has fabulous smoked food!
  42. The baby back ribs were cold and tasteless, the macaroni and cheese tasted funny (like the cheese had gone bad), the potatoes were very good, and, the hush puppies were hot and pretty tasty.
  43. have yet to have a burger in the city that was better than blue smoke, the fries are solid every time, and with the help of their "magic dust", the burger is perfect.
  44. It was a waste of her time and mine- I could not go ahead with the reservation with children charged $45/head, and not knowing which meats my people would like.
  45. I've eaten here before, and I'll admit the food is very good.
  46. The night I was there proved how much of a difference great service can make to a meal.
  47. Mac & cheese is the best, beans need work and why is potato salad so hard to get right?
  48. After sampling the delicious homemade (and warm) BBQ chips, the Fried Oyster salad and fry bread led us into our entrees with a smile.
  49. If you're looking for barbeque like Dallas BBQ (soaked in sauce from a bottle, generic, homogeneous food) then you won't like Blue Smoke.
  50. we did not enjoy the food at all.
  51. The prime rib was very well made with a nice tangy sauce on the top.
  52. In particular, the mac and cheese is disappointing, and also the temperature of the food is too cool at times.
  53. And the "magic dust", or a dry rub, is for use BEFORE you cook the meat, not as a condiment!
  54. The fry bread was good, and the Key Lime pie was good, but we could not have been more disappointed with the food.
  55. you can have a good meal here.
  56. The deviled eggs were good but for $6 you think they could give you more than just 2 eggs sliced in half - what did they mix with the egg yolks, truffles?
  57. 2nd, the food was quite good.
  58. good bbq but some huge flaws hurt
  59. tried my boyfriend's ribs and they were delicious, melt-in-your-mouth juicy.
  60. The taste of the burger was flavorful but, unfortunately was overcooked and left a dry aftertaste following a few bites.
  61. They have a great selection of tasty ribs with all the sides.
  62. The food was not bad, but not great.
  63. The atmosphere is fun, the food is so tasty, and the Jazz downstairs can be pretty good, too, sometimes.
  64. I've always had a decent meal at the restaurant, so it can always rely upon them as stand-by.
  65. The pulled pork along with the chicken where full of flavor and not dried out at all.
  66. The staff was not that knowledgeable about all the food, but I guess that's becuase it is new.
  67. The beef ribs are so flavorful, the sweet potato fries are fresh and tender.
  68. The wings are wonderful, and when the ribs aren't dry (it's hit or miss here), they're great too.
  69. In short, bad service, lousy food and a complete rip-off.
  70. But the food was awful.
  71. We went there in May for our honeymoon, the chips and blue cheese dressing were good and my husband loved the sweet potato fries, the cole slaw was okay but not creamy.
  72. The food is tasty overall, but there are some complaints.
  73. The side dishes are equally awful.
  74. Pulled pork sandwich was dry, but the beef ribs were fantastic.
  75. The bread pudding was the best I have ever had- perfect combo of custard and cinammon with a little caramel flavor.
  76. We went for lunch over the weekend and the food was really really tasty!
  77. oh and the baked beans are tasty.
  78. Too many great restaurants in NYC that serve great food and service, to ever go back.
  79. Overall the food was very good but at these prices that's to be expected and the slight mistakes become magnified.
  80. the ribs were very tasty and they had A LOT of meat on them.
  81. Even though the food isnt the best BBQ, this place is always a treat.
  82. We shared a plate of chicken wings and while the sauce was good, I prefer my wings fried more for a crispier texture so that I don't taste any rubberiness of the skin.
  83. The pulled pork was really great.
  84. Their wings are seasoned to perfection and their mac and cheese is so rich and delicious.
  85. The mashed potatoes were pretty good.
  86. The wings were fantastic, though a bit spicy for "regular" - I'm not complaining.
  87. The ribs sampler and onion rings were excellent.
  88. The fresh watermelon and deviled eggs are a great touch.
  89. Just went there and seriously had one of the worst meal I had in years.
  90. However, I cannot stress this enough -- avoid the beef and order the pork!
  91. Overall, for all of this food, the bill was only $75 and the staff was extremely friendly and accomodating.
  92. Back to Business the food was good.
  93. The place is cool but the food is average for being one of the top ranked bbque places in the city.
  94. The caesar salad and cole slaw are mediocre.
  95. BBQ Chicken was horrible also (dry, no meat)!
  96. doggedly avoided patronizing the obvious invention of Shake Shack, opting not to anguish in long lines and potentially overrated smash burgers.
  97. The drab interior and mediocre bar could have been overcome and I hoped the real money invested went into the food.
  98. My friend took me to this restaurant, because we thought it would be a kid friendly restaurant with great food.
  99. liked the complimentary pickles but thought the slices of white bread was a little ghetto.
  100. Blue Smoke has the best burger in Manhattan, period.
  101. The chips and dip were very good with a spicy kick added by the BBQ 'magic dust' and the dip was very creamy with a nice tang of blue cheese.
  102. However, the fry bread was very good.
  103. The bar was great - bar food, drinks, and service.
  104. The key lime pie is also delicious.
  105. As former Southerners, we appreciated the friendly service, but we won't go back for that food.
  106. Atmosphere is great, so this could be a great bar place, but oh, what a bummer that the food was a disaster.
  107. The bad (and horridly overpriced) drinks and the dry ribs take away from the overall meal.
  108. The ambience is good and the crowd makes you feel that you are getting good food, and its a good thing that you have to wait.
  109. All the meats are about to fall off their bones, the sandwiches are dripping good, the hush puppies are.
  110. The soup was and desserts were tasty, as well.
  111. The pork ribs were not bad.
  112. great food,my new spot
  113. The brownie with chocolate sauce was wonderful, as was the Key Lime Pie.
  114. Was told this was a cool place with great food and service.
  115. Let me start by saying that the atmosphere is great and the service is acceptable (rather slow), but the food is absolutely terrible!
  116. Service is good as well as the bar but the quality of the food seems inconsistent.
  117. The meat was so tender, the combination of smoked flavor & dry rub seasonings were WOW in my mouth.
  118. Not that I've found good bbq in this town yet, but there's some okay places at least.
  119. Overall, the food was alright, but the service was poor.
  120. The chicken wasn't that great.
  121. Mashed potatoes were poor.
  122. The food is consistantly great, but the wait is often long and the noise is often deafening.
  123. The fried chicken was really good.
  124. Blue Smoke does have the greatest ribs along with their great side dishes such as mac n cheese, hush puppies, cauliflower and potato gratin, and their barbequed mussels (this is awesome by the way!)
  125. the prices great - both for food and drink.
  126. I've tried quite a few BBQ joints in NY, and until I ate at Blue Smoke I'd never has a bad meal.
  127. the ribs are always great and the chicken is good.
  128. think the desserts are a perfect compliment to the meal as well as the place as a whole: simple (no 'selling air' here!)
  129. One night the food is great and another afternoon, it seemed leftover and dry.
  130. great sweet potato fries
  131. The food is absolutely great!
  132. Although the food is very good, the service was pretty awful.
  133. It's not a sexy place (the lighting could be better), but the service was superb and the food delicious.
  134. For dessert I ordered the sticky toffee pudding with creme fraiche, which turned out to be an incredible end to a wonderful meal.
  135. Service was, of course, impeccable and who can forget the wonderful breads and pastries that Mr. Bouley is so famous for?
  136. Take it for what it is and enjoy some beef!
  137. jazz fans, you can enjoy your meal in the jazz bar downstairs, same menu offered.
  138. Service was slow and spotty; had to flag the waiter down many a time to get drink and food orders in.
  139. best buffalo wings
  140. Great spot for upscale bbq.
  141. Food is not going to blow you away, but you'll have a good meal.
  142. The bun was an excellent complement to the burger with its firmness and texture.
  143. The extremely dry and lean beef ribs were so heavily encrusted with black pepper that we had to immediately take Zantac.
  144. Seriously folks, it's just bad bbq.
  145. Blue Smoke is a good place for BBQ but I think the ribs were a little dry and lacking meat for my taste.
  146. The Brisket was cold and their fries came with something that resembled cheese whiz.
  147. To serve up this bad meal took 50 minutes and cost us over $150 (including 2 beers and 2 bloody mary's in total)
  148. Amazing sauce.
  149. Good food and fun
  150. Truly authentic and fantastic service -- you just can't beat it!
  151. Oysters on the half were very good, and the fried green tomato app.
  152. was disappointed by the meat, which reminds me a cow which had been laying in the desert for months - dry, sinewy.
  153. Another great dish was the sausage sampler for an appetizer with the stone ground mustard.
  154. good food and service would recommend to my friends here in california to visit blue smoke when they are in new york.
  155. ok place good place but a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG Wait for food and stay away from the soda get water or beer
  156. The bologna sandwich was big and stuffed plenty and was good.
  157. If you are a big fan of ribs and steak, over a glass of beer, Blue Smoke will fit your needs and provide the necessary joy temporarily, even though the food is not extravagant.
  158. This is the best BBQ I've had on the East Coast (where the term "BBQ" incorrecly refers to anything grilled or smothered in BBQ sauce).
  159. This place serves delicious food.
  160. loved the beef brisket, mac n cheese, and key lime pie.
  161. Good food, great selection of beer and wine, relaxed atmosphere.
  162. We all enjoyed various types of ribs (quite tasty)and the sides were fabulous!
  163. The fry bread was the one stand-out -- perfecty done without too much grease; nice dips and sides with it.
  164. On the flipside, the sides were damn good (homemade BBQ Chips, Hush Puppies, and sweet potato Fries) and the pulled pork was excellent.
  165. The food was excellent in a casually elegant way.
  166. all of you with poor reviews have NO CLUE what good food is!
  167. For appetizers, I had fresh oysters (mmm) & my man had the devilled eggs (gone in 2 secs).
  168. Great food and Perfect City Hot Spot
  169. The ribs were excellent, the sides interesting, varied and delicious.
  170. The smoked Foie gras was delicious then it was downhill.
  171. I've been there twice and both times I had tasty food, great drinks and excellent service.
  172. this is one of the best bbq's i've had in nyc.
  173. recommend the pulled pork, mac n cheese, deviled eggs, sausage sampler, hush puppies with jalapeno marmalade-- pretty much everything I've eaten there has been delicious.
  174. Despite all the state of the art high-tech barbeque grills,smokers and other pit masters essentials that are present in kitchen, the Blue Smoke burger was sadly disappointing.
  175. The mac and cheese, chicken wings, and hush puppies are also excellent.
  176. The onion rings, mac & cheese, the mephis styled ribs and banana cream pie were very good.
  177. The bar was a giant man perch, perfect for sampling the many home brews, while watching sports and gnawing on pork and beef treats.
  178. After a short while my burger arrived with a mountainous portion of crispy french fries and fresh lettuce and tomato.
  179. The food was horrible.
  180. am originally from Texas, which has some of the worlds best smoked meats -or- barbecue.
  181. The meats were very good, the pulled pork was phenomenal.
  182. As for the ribs, I'm not really into pork, but the salt and pepper beef ribs are very very good, the only problem is they have very little meat on them, for their price.
  183. Prices were not overly expensive (meal for 2 was $60) Overall a good restaurant but not the best in the city.
  184. Everyone in our group LOVED the food.
  185. We had great service and great food.
  186. For entrees I order a half-rack of the Texas salt and pepper ribs and my wife ordered the sampler platter (ribs, pulled pork, chicken and sausage) and we got coleslaw, mac and cheese and fries as sides.
  187. The pulled pork is just sloppy fun.
  188. The sample platter was a good choice because you get the ribs, some kind of pulled meat, really good smoky chicken and a hot beef link.
  189. The ribs were bad -- the St. Louis and Babybacks were exactly the same in flavor and appearance -- pink, with a smoke flavor that was actually overdone, dry/rubbery, sprinkled with a BBQ sauce that was bland and disappointingly mild.
  190. probably the best buffalo wings i have ever had; meaty, nice and spicy but not too tangy.
  191. The barbeque was particularly good for New York and the sides such as baked beans and collard greens were excellent.
  192. Beef brisket, macaroni and cheese, onion rings, ribs--all of it was terrific.
menu variety
91.66999816894531% positive
  1. Classic wood floors and tables, high ceilings, and a huge bar with great beer and specialty liquor selection from around the world.
  2. Mine were fatty and tough, my date's (a different variety) were dry and boring.
  3. It has too much "Bar atomosphere" for my liking to bring kids, although wait stuff was nice, there was a cool toy for kids to play while waiting, and kids' menu.
  4. enjoyed the atmosphere, the extensive menu and live jazz music which makes Blue Smoke a fun and entertaining pig-out spot.
  5. Good selection of beers on the menu and a good place for groups!
  6. Good food, great selection of beer and wine, relaxed atmosphere.
  7. Fun atmosphere, good beer selection, but meals were skimpy portions on big plates and the service was weak - never had the same server/waitperson come back twice.
  8. THe ribs are good and I havent had anything on the menu that did taste great.
  9. Great bar with a terrific selection of regional and foreign beers and an extensive menu of bourbons and cordials.
  10. They have a great selection of tasty ribs with all the sides.
  11. jazz fans, you can enjoy your meal in the jazz bar downstairs, same menu offered.
  12. They have a funky menu that leads you to 'try something new' and everything I tried was good.
overall
95.45000076293945% positive
  1. ok place good place but a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG Wait for food and stay away from the soda get water or beer
  2. Having been to Nashville to sample real BBQ and then after eating at RUB and the Daisy May's lunch stand, I think Blue Smoke is a pretty good place.
  3. Blue Smoke is a good place for BBQ but I think the ribs were a little dry and lacking meat for my taste.
  4. had heard such good things and was excited to finally dine at a nice BBQ place in NYC, of which there are none.
  5. Atmosphere is great, so this could be a great bar place, but oh, what a bummer that the food was a disaster.
  6. Good selection of beers on the menu and a good place for groups!
  7. Even though the food isnt the best BBQ, this place is always a treat.
  8. They have some great beer at this place.
  9. Its is a great place to catch up with a few friends over some ribs and drinks!
  10. Couldn't be happier b/c I've been searching for a good BBQ place for years here, and this place is definitely it.
  11. Another good BBQ place in the city
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. Too many great restaurants in NYC that serve great food and service, to ever go back.
  2. All in all it was good barbecue and we would go back again, the staff was very good.
  3. have recommended this place to friends and will definitely go back more than once.
  4. don't care what anyone tells you, find out why the place stays packed, the location is convenient and the experience haunts you to return.
  5. Fun atmosphere, good beer selection, but meals were skimpy portions on big plates and the service was weak - never had the same server/waitperson come back twice.
  6. As former Southerners, we appreciated the friendly service, but we won't go back for that food.
service
75.08999824523926% positive
  1. The service was very efficient and, even on a packed Friday night, the waiters, hosts, and bartenders were all very friendly.
  2. Too many great restaurants in NYC that serve great food and service, to ever go back.
  3. Excellent service, friendly, quick and very attentive to patrons needs.
  4. Many people do not like the taste of smoked meats, and that's an important consideration when choosing this restaurant.
  5. We were promptly seated, the waitress was attentive and curtious, and the food nearly perfect.
  6. would not eat here again because of the poor service as there are other very good BBQ places in NYC.
  7. Our server was fantastic & the food was amazing.
  8. We had great service and great food.
  9. Bit disappointed with our particular waiter as we've dined at Danny Meyers restaurants in the past and have been very impressed with the waitstaff on every other occasion.
  10. Such nice people, top notch service.
  11. Aside from a very dizzy bartender, the service was uniformly excellent and extremely helpful & friendly.
  12. Overall, the food was alright, but the service was poor.
  13. The bar was great - bar food, drinks, and service.
  14. My ribs were flavorful and smokey but very dry, it's likely we got the tail end of the lunch service ribs (it was a very early dinner).
  15. The service was friendly and the jazz and blues playing all night on the stereo was a great touch!
  16. 1st, contrary to a lot of the postings, we found the service quite good.
  17. Summary good service, bad food!
  18. I've been there twice and both times I had tasty food, great drinks and excellent service.
  19. also avoid sitting at the bar to eat, the service is not as attentive.
  20. On the plus side, the service was good, and the setting was very pleasant and comfy.
  21. Fast, friendly, knowledgeable staff.
  22. The service was actually pretty terrible - there seemed to be lots of confusion in that room at all times.
  23. The different styles of ribs offered is great for people who have different likings.
  24. Our server was very attentive and friendly.
  25. No matter how good the food is, with terrible customer service, it's intolerable.
  26. But the service stinks, including the rude and clueless hosts.
  27. Fun atmosphere, good beer selection, but meals were skimpy portions on big plates and the service was weak - never had the same server/waitperson come back twice.
  28. good food and service would recommend to my friends here in california to visit blue smoke when they are in new york.
  29. asked to see the famous "pit" and the manager took us on a tour.
  30. Although the food is very good, the service was pretty awful.
  31. It was a waste of her time and mine- I could not go ahead with the reservation with children charged $45/head, and not knowing which meats my people would like.
  32. We were seated promptly after arriving around 6pm without a reservation by a friendly and attentive hostess.
  33. Oh one more thing, our service was great.
  34. work in this industry and have never seen such attentive service.
  35. our server was really nice and knowledgable.
  36. The night I was there proved how much of a difference great service can make to a meal.
  37. Our waitress was very nice and helpful and went out of her way to make our dinner enjoyable.
  38. It was impeccable service in addition to an amazing dinner.
  39. nd bringing more people. ENJOY!
  40. From Kyle, the Manager, to Todd, the customer service Manager, to the rest of the staff, they make you feel like family (A family that serves great food)
  41. Was told this was a cool place with great food and service.
  42. Been twice in 2 weeks and found the service friendly.
  43. Why so many people like it is beyond me.
  44. Let me start by saying that the atmosphere is great and the service is acceptable (rather slow), but the food is absolutely terrible!
  45. The service was very good--no wait at all despite being quite crowded.
  46. Our waiter was on his first day so he was not completely to blame but as I surveyed the restaurant, which was only half full, I noticed that sevaral tables were getting impatient waiting for their food.
  47. Although the staff is super-friendly, and the main dining area is spacious enough to accommodate large groups, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
  48. First time I had really nice service.
  49. The service was amazing.
  50. Now the bad, unfortunately a restaurant cannot stand on it's merits of excellent service alone.
  51. It's not a sexy place (the lighting could be better), but the service was superb and the food delicious.
  52. The staff was not that knowledgeable about all the food, but I guess that's becuase it is new.
  53. BTW, the service is very good
  54. special evening with a special friend,atmosphere was great staff attentive.
  55. In short, bad service, lousy food and a complete rip-off.
  56. The ambience suits the place, they place good music, the service was fine.
  57. Great service.
  58. The service was very slow.
  59. Nice bartenders, solid drinks.
  60. Watch out for the pretentious service and hope that someone foots the bill.
  61. great service from the front door all the way in and back out again!
  62. Friendly staff.
  63. The service is friendly but often slow and off-beat and the tone at times resembles a theme restaurant like Planet Hollywood more than a Danny Meyer restaurant.
  64. It is a bit of a tourist trap with extremely rude hostesses (but accomodating managers that go out of their way for you).
  65. Nice interior and service was good but the ribs were a disappointment.
  66. As former Southerners, we appreciated the friendly service, but we won't go back for that food.
  67. We had an awesome server who made perfect suggestions and took great care of our table.
  68. Service was slow and spotty; had to flag the waiter down many a time to get drink and food orders in.
  69. They had awful service and seemed very cocky.
  70. THe service is slow, but the one time the wait for my desert was long-they comped it.
  71. The drinks were pretty good and the staff was friendly.
  72. The staff by the way is excellent.
  73. was with a group of 40 which means we usually get mediocre service and cool food.
  74. As with all of Danny Meyer's restaurants, the service is very friendly.
  75. We reserved for a Saturday night and the place was packed, and we didn't get seated right away, which was fine, since the service was friendly and real fast.
  76. Our waiter was also very friendly and helpful.
  77. The only thing that saved the nite was the service -attentive and quick, but that was pretty much the only highlite of this restaurant.
  78. Service is attentive.
  79. All in all it was good barbecue and we would go back again, the staff was very good.
  80. The service was not overly attentive.
  81. The ribs were great, of course a Danny Meyer restaurant has good service, and the room very comfortable with some great smoky smells.
  82. This restaurant is not cheap, therefore, good service should come as part of the package.
  83. Overall, for all of this food, the bill was only $75 and the staff was extremely friendly and accomodating.
  84. Like any of Danny Meyer's restaurants, Blue Smoke offers good, attentive service and you'll get your money's worth from a visit.
  85. Overrated and really BAD customer service
  86. Truly authentic and fantastic service -- you just can't beat it!
  87. Service was very attentive.
  88. Service was friendly but extremely slow.
  89. Everytime I have gone to the restaurant we have always had great service and not had to wait for a table.
  90. My friend took me to this restaurant, because we thought it would be a kid friendly restaurant with great food.
  91. Really friendly waiters and staff who could not do enough for you.
value
72.52999782562256% positive
  1. 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 ;)
  2. Fun atmosphere, good beer selection, but meals were skimpy portions on big plates and the service was weak - never had the same server/waitperson come back twice.
  3. The bad (and horridly overpriced) drinks and the dry ribs take away from the overall meal.
  4. This restaurant is not cheap, therefore, good service should come as part of the package.
  5. You have to take it for what it's worth because it is some of the best ribs the City has to offer.
  6. Everything is expensive here, I even felt like I was paying to breathe the air in the place.
  7. don't mind spending money if the food is good, but for $75 I expect my food hot and tasty.
  8. Their prices are expensive too.
  9. Classic wood floors and tables, high ceilings, and a huge bar with great beer and specialty liquor selection from around the world.
  10. The price of Blue Smoke was not expensive but not cheap-definitely worth the price.
  11. As for the ribs, I'm not really into pork, but the salt and pepper beef ribs are very very good, the only problem is they have very little meat on them, for their price.
  12. Prices were not overly expensive (meal for 2 was $60) Overall a good restaurant but not the best in the city.
  13. The drinks came in a surprisingly small glass and were not very good, the only flavor besides rum in it was a very bitter taste and the drinks were very pricey.
  14. You'll enjoy better (read: juicier) barbecue at Brother Jimmy's or Houston's--and at lower prices.
  15. the rips were so dry, I even had to drink more of the way too expensive and too warm Shiraz.
  16. Yet the prices were well beyond reasonable value.
  17. AND FULL--all for a decent price (~50/pp).
  18. The drab interior and mediocre bar could have been overcome and I hoped the real money invested went into the food.
  19. The pulled pork was good but I have had just as good and better pulled pork at much less expensive restaurants in the city.
  20. Like any of Danny Meyer's restaurants, Blue Smoke offers good, attentive service and you'll get your money's worth from a visit.
  21. Overall the food was very good but at these prices that's to be expected and the slight mistakes become magnified.
  22. The ribs are great tasting, though huge portions.
  23. Oddly enough, for being a BBQ place, I'm not a huge fan of their ribs, but their other items more than make up for it.
  24. What he should have told me but didn't (either restaurant policy/neglect) was that Blue Smoke has this policy that for groups of 10 or more, the only dining option is "Family Style", i.e. big portions of dishes passed around, preordered by the host., at a
  25. The sweet potato fries were huge steak fries,sweet and a great compliment to the ribs.
  26. good bbq but some huge flaws hurt
  27. the prices great - both for food and drink.
wait time
36.90000057220459% positive
  1. Service was friendly but extremely slow.
  2. THe service is slow, but the one time the wait for my desert was long-they comped it.
  3. Food was dry, and it tasted like they were sitting around way too long, and was just warmed up on the grill.
  4. Let me start by saying that the atmosphere is great and the service is acceptable (rather slow), but the food is absolutely terrible!
  5. The only thing that saved the nite was the service -attentive and quick, but that was pretty much the only highlite of this restaurant.
  6. This place specializes in slow cooked ribs and they do it to perfection!
  7. doggedly avoided patronizing the obvious invention of Shake Shack, opting not to anguish in long lines and potentially overrated smash burgers.
  8. The service is friendly but often slow and off-beat and the tone at times resembles a theme restaurant like Planet Hollywood more than a Danny Meyer restaurant.
  9. To serve up this bad meal took 50 minutes and cost us over $150 (including 2 beers and 2 bloody mary's in total)
  10. Service was slow and spotty; had to flag the waiter down many a time to get drink and food orders in.
  11. Excellent service, friendly, quick and very attentive to patrons needs.
  12. This was one of the most unsatisfying meals I've had in a long time.
  13. The service was very slow.
  14. The food is consistantly great, but the wait is often long and the noise is often deafening.
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/20/11

If you like to chew on rubber

by DanDann

then Blue Smoke is the place for you. After reading mixed reviews and visiting their very well maintained and appetizing website, I decided to try the place out for myself. Although my party was seated right away, the service was quite speedy, and the employees were fairly respectable, the food can only be described as putrid. My friend and I ordered ribs for two which included Memphis Baby Backs, Kansas City Spareribs, and Texas Beef Ribs along with Mac and Cheese on the side. The food came within minutes and looked very appealing, causing my mouth to water instantly.

I began with the Mac and Cheese, having very high hopes. However, after shifting the top layer of golden melted cheddar, what laid beneath seemed to be a smear of dairy diluted by a gallon of hot water. Instead of Macaroni and Cheese, it should have been called, Macaroni con Agua. After biting into the dry, rough, and bland meat of the ribs, my friend and I were taken further down the path of disappointment. Forget about fall of the bone, melt in your mouth, the texture was so dreadful, I felt as if I was chewing on rubber. By the end of the meal, my jaw felt sore from all the rigorous exercise that I had put it through. It is a good thing I had ordered something to drink or the mountain of salt used to preserve this ancient slab of meat would have caused severe dehydration. At least now I know why they put so many different sauces on the table; to compensate for the lack of taste of their food. Maybe the service is so fast because everything has been sitting there since the place opened years ago. Giving this restaurant more than a star would be a crime against taste buds everywhere!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/21/11

Great Beef Ribs

by taesunfighters

at least once a month I stop bye Blue Smoke for 1 1/2 racks of their Texas Style Beef Ribs , I call for pick-up when I leave the gym on my walk home that gives me a reason to drink a beer at the bar as I continue on my walk I have the pleasure of walking as I smell the ribs in the bag. My wife loves the ribs as well as myself and our Bulldog Bull.After all of us polish off the ribs my wife freezes the bones for Bull for days to come.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/06/10

Great NYC BBQ

by prlgirl , Citysearch Contributor

I always have a great time at Blue Smoke but this time seemed even better. The night I was there proved how much of a difference great service can make to a meal. We had an awesome server who made perfect suggestions and took great care of our table. The manager came over and asked how our meal was and then handed his card out and said if we needed anything to reach out. It was impeccable service in addition to an amazing dinner. We started with hush puppies which have an accompanying sauce that has a bit of a kick. We split the salmon, chicken and pulled pork alongside some mac and cheese. Oddly enough, for being a BBQ place, I'm not a huge fan of their ribs, but their other items more than make up for it. Their wings are seasoned to perfection and their mac and cheese is so rich and delicious. For dessert we had this bread pudding that had bits of bacon in it which sent us into a salty sweet food coma. Had a great night here!

  • Pros: food, service
  • Cons: ribs
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/04/10

Hit or Miss

by EyeGuy

I've been to Blue Smoke a handful of times since it opened and the ribs are definitely well above average for NYC. It's in the same league as the other popular city BBQ places...Dinosaur, RUB, Hill Country and probably better than Brother Jimmy's. The decor and atmosphere is a little unusual for a "rib joint" being a tad upscale but that has nothing to do with the food. Service is good as well as the bar but the quality of the food seems inconsistent. One night the food is great and another afternoon, it seemed leftover and dry. When it's good it's very good and when it's bad, it's not worth it and definitely over-priced. I even tried some of their ribs at a Mets game at Citi Field and was quite surprised at how good it was considering I was at a baseball game. For New York City, it's still well above average BBQ and worth a try...but if you're from Texas, Kansas City, Memphis or Carolina, you may be disappointed.

  • Pros: Decor, jazz music, bar, ribs
  • Cons: Not consistent, upscale rib joint?
3 Star Rating: Average

03/23/10

DMANBURGER "Blue Smoke"

by DMANBURGER , Citysearch Contributor

DMANBURGER “Blue Smoke”

February 14, 2010

Ever since I started writing about burgers, people have harped on me to try Danny Meyer’s contribution to the burger world. I doggedly avoided patronizing the obvious invention of Shake Shack, opting not to anguish in long lines and potentially overrated smash burgers. Today I decided to sample his other beef emporium, Blue Smoke.This mouthwatering St.Louis natives BBQ joint features signature “cue” favorites such as ribs,beef,fowl, southern vegetable sides,mac and cheese and home-style desserts and pies. Their Blue Smoke burgers are on the list as a must try on many restaurant critics lips and today was my privilege to give Chef Kenny Callaghan and the genius restaurateur Danny Meyer’s creation a shot to see what the boys have learnt.

As I followed the manager to my table, I admired the factory/abattoir chic decor, surrounded by red-hot oversized booths, steel and concrete fixings and large close-up photos of pickles, potato, and various other historic nostalgia. The bar was a giant man perch, perfect for sampling the many home brews, while watching sports and gnawing on pork and beef treats. My table was in the back of a lively dining room in which the sound of jazz, jovial conversation and rib bones clanking in galvanized tins provided as makeshift BBQ spittoons filled the room. I ordered my Blue Smoke burger medium with good old American cheddar cheese and maple-cured bacon. The patty was a ground sirloin and arrived on a freshly toasted homemade brioche bun. After fixing an annoying wobbly table with a stack of coasters, my waiter proceeded to execute the story of the creation of my anticipated beef pleasure. He explained that my burger would be seasoned and char grilled with a secret mix of herbs neatly packaged and labeled “Magic Dust”. Although the name scarily reminded me of the other less legal kind of dust, I was confident that I was safe and secure with his description! After a short while my burger arrived with a mountainous portion of crispy French Fries and fresh lettuce and tomato. The taste of the burger was flavorful but, unfortunately was overcooked and left a dry aftertaste following a few bites. The bun was an excellent complement to the burger with its firmness and texture.

Despite all the state of the art high-tech barbeque grills,smokers and other pit masters essentials that are present in kitchen, the Blue Smoke burger was sadly disappointing. Hopefully Mr. Meyer and Chef Callaghan have targeted their talent here more toward their BBQ, because their burger skills were lacking this day. I enjoyed the atmosphere, the extensive menu and live jazz music which makes Blue Smoke a fun and entertaining pig-out spot. Try the ribs, brisket and home-style desserts and maybe leave the burgers for some of Mr. Meyers other restaurants!

  • Pros: Great ribs, BBQ !!
  • Cons: burger little dry...

The Details on Blue Smoke

Place Categories:

  • great top notch service
  • great smoked food
  • great pepper beef ribs
  • best bbq
  • dry cooked ribs
  • good bbq place
  • slow the service
  • really great pulled pork
  • worst meal
  • best blue cheese
  • great festive atmosphere
  • not very good food
  • friendly knowledgeable staff
  • incredible mac
  • great solid drinks
  • not recommend restaurant
  • good beer
  • knowledgable server
  • love blue smoke
  • great culinary experience
  • bbq potato chips
  • great upscale taste
  • loved sweet potato fries
  • not overly expensive price
  • curtious waitress

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