Apr 4, 2025

Neighborhood Smoked BBQ New York

Crown Heights, Brooklyn

"You can find Neighborhood Smoked BBQ in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, but only on Saturdays! Don't miss his famous BBQ sauce..."

Being away from the city is no excuse to ignore what is going on there. Usually, when I return, I have a list of places I want to explore that I have read or heard about while away.

Here’s an early tip, part of which I gleaned from the NY Times: Donnell Rogers’ Smack Grill in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

Take A or C train to Kingston Throops station in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, walk to 104 Albany Avenue - - - one block east, then three blocks south to the corner of Albany Avenue and Pacific Street.

There, on the northwest corner at street level is an apartment with a red awning behind a head-high, wrought-iron fence and behind that fence are two black barrel smokers. Easy to find.

Only on Saturday, a hand written cardboard sign strapped to the fence reads “Smack Grill; Slab — Pork Ribs, $7; 2 - Leg Quarter $5; Famous BBQ Sauce.”

From the NYTimes, “Influenced by the sauces and pork-based barbecue found in eastern North Carolina, Mr. Rogers’s Smack Grill sauce is a no-frills condiment that he describes as “mild, hot, vinegar and spice.”

“It’s the sauce and the pecan wood that makes it delicious,” said… a Smack Grill regular. The smoke, it really sticks to it. It’s awesome.”

“They’re juicy. Juicy, juicy…” said another.

We're at Donnell's mercy: cold, hot, windy, no guarantee he'll be there. I don't care, I just go, with a Plan B in my back pocket.

Consider walking west along Fulton Street afterward, for sightseeing.

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Snacks

About this spot

Albany Avenue 104

Chicken legs:

US$

5

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