Bun Boy Eats NYC – VIRGIL’S REAL BBQ – TIMES SQUARE

VIRGIL’S REAL BBQ – TIMES SQUARE – DINNER

September 14, 2015 2:22 pm

When an unsuspecting tourist visits LA, they most likely run straight to the heart of Hollywood, the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theater. What they don’t realize yet, is just how disappointing the entire endeavor will be.

The crowds, the heat, the aggressive SpongeBob in the dingy costume, who’s picture you just secretly snapped, now looming ominously over you, expecting his tip.

On top of that, there’s not a whole lot there to see. You have the faux Chinese courtyard of a theater that charges you to see the inside and a street emblazoned with the names of mostly dead celebrities from the 1930’s. They were much more free about handing out those stars back then.

You’d think you’d get this incredible street filled with great restaurants, luxurious shopping and larger than life experiences. The restaurants are mostly crap and if you love cheap plastic Oscar trophy’s and I Love Hollywood t-shirts, then you’re in luck.

Basically, it’s a big let down. Hollywood’s a dump! Who knew?!

Who knew? Well, everyone that lives there.

Times Square is the Hollywood BLVD of NYC. It’s crazy crowded, filled with crappy restaurants and your shopping highlight will be whatever you buy at the M&M store. Who can resist an $28 bag of M&M’s??

The one difference is, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll be overwhelmed. Or stressed out. Or homicidal. But you’ll never come here thinking “Meh, I thought there’d me more. How come I haven’t been mugged yet?”

Instead of the good ole days, when you would be mugged, you’ll be harassed. Talked into taking a bus tour, most likely. Or coming to some random comedy show, just around the corner. Your host will forget to mention the electronics store his buddy owns is on the way.

My point is….wait, I’ve forgotten about it after that negative rant I just went on.

As a NYC local, you won’t come up to Times Square very often. Maybe to see a Broadway show, maybe….hmm, I think that’s it.

I don’t hate it here as much as seasoned New Yorkers, but I’m getting there. So, before that happens, I wanted to check out this BBQ spot I had heard about, in the very bloody heart of the madness.

I had come here last year for drinks, had never tried the food. The drinks are large, whimsical, often “Southern” in origin and very sweet. You’ll order a few cuz that’s all they have but your reward will be the food.

The food is really good!

The smokey chicken wings (the full wing!) were the star of the show, for certain.

The smoke is intense but incredible, and you get a ton of meat. Order these or else just have another sweet cocktail and enjoy your hangover cuz you deserve it.

The two meat platter is perfect for 2 people to share. We had zero leftovers.

We chose the ribs, which were large, tender and plentiful. The brisket was also tender. The bbq sauces were very traditional, nothing mind blowing. The mac and cheese and cole slaw were good but neither were amazing.

That being said, I’ll take average Mac and Cheese over most dishes any day.

The cornbread is dotted with diced jalapenos, loved it.

Good BBQ is sprouting up all over NYC. Enough transplants from famed BBQ regions of the US move/live here to give us an authentic and delicious look into this famous cuisine.

What does this mean for Virgil’s? Definitely eat here if someone has you at gun point and made you come to Times Square. No need to come here unless you’re at gunpoint. Or if you’re me, because I still enjoy coming here. I’m not sure why.

Times Square may overwhelm me. It may stress me out. It may make me homicidal. But it will never disappoint me.

152 W 44th St
New York, NY 10036
b/t Broadway & 7th Ave
Theater District, Midtown West
(212) 921-9494
virgilsbbq.com