The Presidential Treatment

Dude wasn't the Fourth of July three weeks ago? Errg...Yeah just DEAL!

BBQ and Fourth of July go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Like rain and Seattle

Like Bravo and fabulous reality TV...

So we decided to take our guests to one of our favorites.

Hill Country

30 West 26th Street

Any place with tableclothes other than red checkered or brown paper is not a true bbq establishment. This is a large restaurant (by regular standards and NYC standards) with an upstairs and downstairs. Complete with two bars and even a stage downstairs where they play live (and FREE!!) music.

Actually let's back up. We arrive in there all ready to get our BBQ on and the hostess escorts us to our table. "This is where Bill likes to sit when he comes." We all laugh thinking "huh?" and then see the sign.

We were sitting in the Presidentail Booth. Because if we're going to enjoy BBQ you might as well enjoy it from Bubba's seat.

Onto the food.

This is what you would call "classy" fast food. You take your card to the front of the line and point to what you want and they wrap it up in paper . Why classy? Because they cut it up in front of you and if you are lucky like Mrs. TWH was, they'll give you some tastes to help you with your decision.

Beef Ribs (the pork ones were sold out) and some Beer Can Chicken

Hey I didn't say they were big on presentation.

Lone shot of a Rib-

Fatty. Meaty. Good.

Other meats that may have been consumed but do not take pretty pictures were:

Beef Shoulder and Briscuit

And let's not forget any sides! Apologies to the baked beans I think I was just too busy eating to take a picture.

Succotash with some Moist Briscuit down in the foreground

Mac 'n Cheese- My personal favorite. Maybe not the best mac in the city but pretty darn tasty. PS- I take Mac 'n Cheese suggestions. And don't you DARE say 'Smac.

Mr. Broad had been raving about his favorite dessert and he pretty much talked Mr. TWH to get the (Wait for it)...

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake. A vanilla cupcake with peanut butter icing with jelly filling. It's a bit dry for me but come on I could just take a spoon full of the icing and be all set. Note Mr. Broad did not get one because he opted for seconds of BBQ.

And the center filled with Jelly. Note the lights were dimmed, it was the end of the night so my amateur "food" setting wasn't cooperating.

Review:

Smoked Meat. Does it get any better than this? I challenge you. Good friends and might I add a FREE LIVE band to provide some bluesy tunes as you eat?? Quite possibly one of NYC's best kept secret. The word Free and NYC are not often in the same sentence. Yah, we're fans. Although next up for BBQ Mr. Broad and I want to schlep to Harlem for Dinosuar BBQ!

Review: Mr. Broad and I were split between and 8 and an 8.5. I'd go back so that's all that really matters.