Nothing More American Than Times Sq, BBQ Food & Me!

It has finally opened, Dave's Famous BBQ, on West 47th St. Three feet from my office and three feet from the Sbarro featured in The Office.

I went yesterday with some co-workers to test out the place and overall, it was a hit! The first time I went to a Dave's Famous BBQ, I did not love, but this time, I was much happier.

To start the meal I got a huge margarita. I was just having one of those days that I needed a drinky at lunch. I think I am old enough to do stuff like that now. Oh, I should note before I start talking about food, that the decor inside is super fun. You can tell by the pictures, they did a great job decorating the place. The bar is huge and will make a great happy hour destination. I just hope they eventually offer happy hour specials. In this tough economic climate, they would be silly not to. Also, the drink menu is very large with fun twists on Long Island Iced Teas and many Margarita flavors.

Ok, back to the food. The cutest thing they did at this place was give you a little bowl of french fries to dip all the sauces in to try them before your meal. It was a nice touch that let you see which BBQ sauce was the right one for you. No shock here, mine was Rich N' Sassy.

For my entree I went very simple, a grilled chicken sandwich and mashed sweet potatoes. The sandwich was huge, two big chicken breasts. I only ate one of them and smothered it in Rich N' Sassy sauce. The mashed sweet potatoes were not very good. They were kinda bland and could have used more cinnamon. My co-workers seemed very happy with their meal. Chrissy of course got a huge brisket platter and ate like half of it. His came with corn, corn bread (that was awesome), garlic mashed and my favorite.....mac n cheese. I ate a lot of his mac n cheese because it was awesome. It had corn and jalapenos in it. I would have got it as my side, but it said it had 710 calories and that scared me. I figured if I ate it off someone elses plate the calories would not count. Just like how they don't count in margaritas. My other co-worker who is currently touring Italy (figured I would send him off with a good ol'American BBQ meal before he has to eat awesome pasta and wine for 9 days and then find me a nice Italian Stallion to bring home in his spare time) got a pulled pork sandwich that he seemed happy with.

All and all, Dave's is a welcome addition to my work neighborhood. This is not the best BBQ you are going to find in the city, but it has a fun atmosphere, great location (for me) and some decent food.

First Look - The Chains of Yankee Stadium

I was at the stadium all weekend getting pictures of all the chain restaurants.

According to Byron, the brisket at Brother Jimmy's is your best bet. I still need to have a meal at Hard Rock.

One very annoying thing, there are calorie counts on all of the items. Yup, that means every Miller Lite, you see that you are consuming 96 calories. A burrito, over 1,000. A foot long hotdog, 500 - that is a lean cuisine and 2 100 calorie snack packs (not so bad), mac n cheese from Brother Jimmy's, just 210!

The Great Debate - Which is Better for Chain Food Lovers Citi Field or Yankee Stadium

It is almost spring time and all across NY there is such a buzz in the air about the opening of the two new ballparks. I am very excited because I have an obnoxious amount of tickets to Yankee games so I will be able to feast on all the new food options there a lot. I have to say though, Citi Field is definitely delivering in the chain food category and giving the new Yankee Stadium a run for their money. Everything looks so good, I might actually go to a Mets game.

Therefore I decided that I would have a Great Debate on Chain of Food asking readers which stadium has the better chain food options. As the season progresses, I will update everyone on the chain items I try. Oh and P.S. - I am going to meet the whole entire Yankee team tomorrow (hollah).

Yankee Stadium Chain Food

Hard Rock Cafe - wow a whole chain restaurant with awesome burgers - they get points for that

Brother Jimmy's - gotta love that, I love BBQ
Johnny Rocket's - I will be skipping that unless Jeter is singing to me in that white uniform

Moe's Southwest Grill - I have never been but will def hit it up, I have always wanted to try it

Famous Familigia Pizza - eh I don't really eat pizza at ball games

Nathan's Hot Dogs - I like my hot dogs kosher, unlike my men, but I know there will be Hebrew National as well

Citi Field Chain Food

Shake Shack - wowzers, that is huge and really a good idea for a ballpark. I just hope the lines are not as long as they are in Mad Sq Park bc Mets fans will miss the game

Blue Smoke - (now a chain bc they are at the Stadium) very good BBQ, but I am just as happy with Bro Jim, especially bc I read they are cooking the food in Manhattan and driving it to Queens.
Nathan's Hot Dogs - same feelings as my Yankee comments

*editors note - Citi Field has a lot of famous Chefs from the Union Sq Group and Tabla, but they are not really chains so I am not going to talk about them on the blog but they have this steak dish that looks delish.

I also refuse to talk about Sushi, because you should not eat Sushi at a game.

I have yet to read anything about Carvel, Dippin Dots or Dunkin Donuts at the stadiums but I have to assume they will still have stuff like that.

Again, I will be updating as I go to the stadiums, to let you know my thoughts as I try everything.

Let me know what you think.