Hill Country Barbecue Market

Remember how I mentioned it had been freezing? Well, the next morning we woke up to the kind of silence only a blanket of snow can cast over a city

After a quick coffee at our hotel, we meandered towards Madison Square Park to kill some time before meeting up with Himself’s older brother for lunch.

It was beautiful. Blew my mind to be surrounded by such busy, city life, but for the park to be so still and silent

After our stroll, we headed towards our destination, a much loved foodary that Himself brought me to the last time we were in New York (about 6 years previous!)

This place is awesome, although fair warning my lovely vegetarian/vegan/pescetarian readers, you may want to look away now, but be sure to come back and visit me again soon!

Ok? All clear? Right, meat eaters, this is the spot for you!

Upon entry to Hill Country Barbecue Market, the most glorious of waves washes over you, a sensory entry where you’re bathed in warmth, spice, salt and that infamous smokey scent associated with a BBQ!

Rock yourself right up to the counter and take a little menu card, a pen and move back to peruse and cross off what you want to order, once decided, step up to the barbecue counter and hand it over

Meat is carved to order, charged on weight and served with bread or crackers. All meat has been low and slow cooked and cared for by their experienced pitmasters, on their website they call it ‘a labour of love’ and honestly, I have to agree.

Whilst I know there are now several Hill Country Barbecue Markets around the US, it’s charm, understanding of who it is, what it represents and stands for, makes it feel very special altogether.

Once you’ve handed over your card, it all happens so quickly – you really do have to have your wits about you! I had a minor panic when they started asking me questions, I thought it was just the card! I didn’t realise there were other choices, I wasn’t prepared!!

Thankfully, with a smile, they slow down a bit when they realise you’ve never been before, I think it was the “bunny caught in headlamps” look that gave me away!

The market is always hopping and although there are some smaller tables, it’s really about you all getting stuck in and enjoying some really good grub together. I’m not surprised so many New Yorkers gladly rub shoulders with strangers in here because the food makes it worth it, it’s utterly cracking!

Our trio manged to cover a large portion of the menu because we all got something different. On our table we had brisket, sausage, chicken and rib and then for sides we had skillet cornbread and campfire baked beans with burnt ends, coupled with jam jars of beer or water to wash it all down of course!

It was all outstanding. Between the guys wrapping it all up in brown paper at the counter, to you sitting down and unwrapping it, the paper is roaring hot and showing signs of soakage because all the meat is so incredibly moist, I mean, wow, really wow!

I went back up to the counter after realising we’d missed off the ONE side I’d said I wanted (after loving it last time) and that was the white shoepeg corn pudding. I said to the lads that I’d get us one “to share”, you know “for the table”…

…there was no sharing at all, of any kind! MINE!

After saying goodbye to the Brother-In-Law, with promises of seeing him again in a day or two and majorly fuelled up, we set off to do some serious walking around the city!

So! Ladies and Gents, should you be visiting NY, in my humble opinion, finding your way over to 30 West 26th Street would be a very good idea indeed!

Rxx