Hill Country Barbecue Market
(718) 213-4835
30 W 26th St
(at Broadway and 6th Avenue)
New York,
NY
10010
40.74403
-73.989557
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Midtown South Central
What People Are Saying About Hill Country Barbecue Market
The Owner
Hill Country Barbecue Market
Owner
Named "Best BBQ in New York" by NY Mag and Time Out NY, and "Top 10 BBQ in the U.S." by the WS Journal, Hill Country honors the barbecue and live music capital of Texas. Inspired by the grand old barbecue joints of Central Texas, Hill Country's brisket, sausage, ribs and other meats are smoked low and slow over Texas post oak. Classic Southern sides and sweets include Longhorn Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes. HC's Club & Bar presents live Austin-style country, blues and rock music and major sporting events on its big screens and features an extensive menu of longneck beers, tequila, bourbon, specialty cocktails, and well-priced drink specials. The entire 11,000 sf, bi-level space is available for large group events, and is a relaxed, affordable alternative to stuffy corporate event spaces. HC Catering & Events can bring our award-winning experience to your door.
The Editor
Justin Hartung
Citysearch
The Scene
The mile-wide smiles of the hosts and the merchandise counter are the first signs you've left the trendy Flatiron District. The two-story space is bedecked with more country kitsch than a Shania Twain album--chipped-paint checkerboard floors, oversized stars and signs threatening death to bill-skippers. Meal tickets get stamped as you load your tray, a gimmick that seems to delight roving gangs of tourists.
The Food
The theme-park excesses go down easier with your first bite of juicy, oak-smoked 'cue, which comes wrapped in parchment paper. Beef and pork ribs soak up so much flavor, you won't care that the bottles of sauce on each table are disappointingly mild. But they pale in comparison to a decadently fatty beef shoulder, silky prime rib and sausage spiked with jalapenos and oozing cheddar cheese. Feisty accompaniments include Mom-worthy corn pudding, gooey mac and cheese and a PB&J cupcake that just might doom its brown-bag progenitor.
Hits: The meat selection reads like a page from a carnivore's dream--once you try one cut, you'll want to go back and try them all.
Misses: The theme-park decor, and accompanying tourist crowd, will make you long for a real backyard barbecue, bees and all.
User Reviews
signorcolin
June 19, 2009
From day one, the PR blitz for this place has been overwhelming. But for all the hype, this place is a cheap imitation of real BBQ. Overly fatty, poorly cooked meat at ridiculous prices. I don't know why this place consistently makes Citysearch's Top 5 lists (a real coup for the PR machine, I guess). There's been a BBQ renaissance in the five boroughs in recent years. There are at least a dozen cheaper and better BBQ joints. Go to those places. Avoid this one.
read full review
harlock_jds
April 25, 2009
Ate here and got the pit master combo which was well priced (for NYC) for the amount of meat. The pork ribs were the highlight and well certainly be what I'll order in the future. Very meaty and while pink in the middle that's not unusual for BBQ. The Beef Ribs were ok but not very meaty and kinda overcooked (not as bad as blue smokes beef ribs are but still a bit overdone). The brisket was nice and fatty (as i had asked) but i'm not a big brisket fan without sauce. It also came with some chicken which was forgettable (and kinda puny.. not that i was complaining with the amount of food i got but i wouldn't have been thrilled if i had just gotten the chicken). For sides I got the green been casserole and deviled eggs as the sides. The casserole was very good, the eggs tasted like you'd expect them too (they were sold as chipoltie deviled eggs but i tasted no smokiness or spice to them). However the layout of the place and the ordering process is a disaster. I went at a very uncrowded time of day and it was still a pain to get everything. I can only imagine what a nightmare it is when it gets busy. Also carrying everything back to the table was not easy. I'd think with the servers they could at least help with that. I've eaten at places in this style in Texas before and i have never seen one so badly organized.
read full reviewThe Details on Hill Country Barbecue Market
Know Before You Go:
Once you get your meal ticket, load up your tray at the meat, side, and dessert stations, and then find an open table. Note: If you lose your ticket, you'll be paying a hefty minimum charge.
The Extras:
Blue Bell, a beloved, hard-to-find Texas ice cream, is available for $4 a cup.
Live Music:
Bands play regularly on the downstairs stage--call ahead for the schedule.
Fun Fact:
The restaurant was based on barbecue mecca Kruez Market in Lockhart, Texas.
What to Drink:
Drinks can be ordered at the drink station, or you can order them from the waiter who comes to your table after you've sat down. Agave-enhanced margaritas ($10) are a tart kick in the pants, though cold Coronas ($6) don't quite make up for the lack of draught beer.
Category:
Restaurants, Barbecue Restaurants
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Live Music
Cuisine:
Message from Hill Country Barbecue Market
- Southern BBQ
- Side Dishes
- Special Events
Named "Best BBQ in New York" by NY Mag and Time Out NY, and "Top 10 BBQ in the U.S." by the WS Journal, Hill Country honors the barbecue and live music capital of Texas. Inspired by the grand old barbecue joints of Central Texas, Hill Country's brisket, sausage, ribs and other meats are smoked low and slow over Texas post oak. Classic Southern sides and sweets include Longhorn Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes. HC's Club & Bar presents live Austin-style country, blues and rock music and major sporting events on its big screens and features an extensive menu of longneck beers, tequila, bourbon, specialty cocktails, and well-priced drink specials. The entire 11,000 sf, bi-level space is available for large group events, and is a relaxed, affordable alternative to stuffy corporate event spaces. HC Catering & Events can bring our award-winning experience to your door.
