Hill Country Barbecue Market
“Check your social mores and your troubles at the door and order the tender brisket.”
“This is a cafeteria styled restaurant (just like Katz Delicatessen, and Vapiano's on Union Square).”
“The whole joint is rustic looking and helps facilitate the proper mood for feasting.”
Hill Country Barbecue Market
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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The brisket had excellent flavor and a smokey taste. The Mac and cheese was okay, it was missing a little punch to it. The cost is high but again it does take 8 plus hours to make a decent brisket.
Hill Country was a suggestion from a colleague during a work trip. She did me a solid. The BBQ was very good and the service was great. I sat at the bar and when my waiter was not available, someone else brought me my drink or took the check. Team Work Makes the Dream Work.
The lean brisket was just as the reviews said Excellent. The sides were very good. I only tried the beans and greens, but the ladies next to me had 2 servings of the mac and cheese. I also tried the Lamb rib special, but it was a little to fatty to be worth the price. They also have a good happy menu. Joseph at the butcher counter was very helpful for a lone first timer. I will be back.
Not doing my annual Texas trip this year resulted in some serious BBQ withdrawal, so I made a decision to try Hill Country BBQ with my sister as we were in the City to visit the NY Auto Show.
Let's just get to the food first.
I ordered half pound of the moist brisket and a half pound of the beef shoulder clod.
Moist brisket lived up to it's name as it was super moist with the all that tasty beef fat having been rendered. However, I found it a bit too moist to the point of making the brisket soft. I literally could not pick up a slice without it breaking apart. In addition, I found the level of smoke pretty mild and the bark of the brisket a bit tame.
Beef shoulder clod was a new taste for me as it's not a common cut of meat except for the famous Kruez market in Texas. It was quite tasty with a nice assertive bark of salty and peppery flavor which is just pure Texas. The beef itself was quite lean and in turn not the most tender of bites, but I went in kind of expecting a decent bite and chew so it was fine for me.
Sister had the "BRC" special platter which consists of 1/4 lb. of brisket, 1/4 lb. BBQ chicken, one pork spare rib, one side, and cornbread.
The lean brisket which was okay. Presumably being from the flat section of the brisket, the piece I sampled was okay, but like my moist brisket, I found the level of smoke mild and the bark just adequate.
BBQ Chicken was really excellent. The meat was still very moist and had a really nice sweetness to it. The chicken skin also had a nice little snap crisp texture. Really difficult to get proper BBQ chicken but Hill Country delivered.
BBQ Pork Sparerib was pretty sad. The meat was underseasoned and the meat was not tender. Yes "proper" BBQ pork ribs aren't totally bite through; having some slight tug, but the sparerib was plain chewy and needed a nice pull to get it off the bone. This was disappointing.
Collard green side and cornbread were good but nothing special as you don't come to a BBQ joint to eat sides.
We also shared an 8oz. Confetti Coleslaw which was just alright.
I was not very fond of Hill Country's ordering system that consists of small menu cards which you review and line up first at the meat counter where they cut and weigh your meat choice(s) and then proceed to the sides area. At each stop they stamp you selections with a sticker with the price(s). I think the system created some unnecessary confusion and added to the queue of confused patrons.
Lastly, what really irked me was the layout of the tables, particularly where we were seated.
The ordering line runs right through the middle of the restaurant, bisecting the main seating area. Our table was near the ordering line so people that needed to get to the tables besides us were constantly walking behind my sister's seat (being the easiest route, despite being very narrow) requiring her to pause whenever somebody walked by in case any food would drop or just in case somebody would bump into her chair.
Hill Country is alright BBQ, but IMO, not on the level of either Fette Sau (still my NY BBQ favorite) and Mighty Quinn's.
Sorry for the substandard photos as I left my personal cell phone and had to rely on my work cell phone camera :(.
This place made me feel like Texas. It was so country and I loved it. I stopped by to order drinks and a small appetizer with my boyfriend. We ordered a pitcher of margarita for $20 during happy hour and chips and guac for around $8. Yummy margaritas at a reasonable price. They are also served in cute mini mason jars.
Great service at the bar. Our bartender offered us peanut butter jelly cupcakes for dessert (for free!) They were good but a glass of milk would have been perfect since the cupcakes were sooooo sweet.
The menu looks delicious. I'll probably be back to try out the BBQ and sides. Prices seem pretty reasonable for NYC.
Service is always great! Not once have I been there and waited for a longer than a reasonable time. The food gets pretty expensive when you go with a larger group. There's many choices of meats, chicken and sides. All the food is great and the wait staff is fast. My favorite thing eating here is their spinach side and Mac and cheese. You never get tired of eating here.
I'm surprised this place doesn't have better ratings, because their BBQ is as close to actual hill country BBQ as it could get in New York – atmosphere, food all included. Their collard greens and Brussels sprouts are amazing, their service is quick and efficient, and you don't worry about anything but enjoying your food because the mood is easy and casual. What's not to love?
Wow. Wow.
I am not an aficionado but I really like Texas style bbq. HC makes me come back more. On my short trip to NYC (3 nights in total) I stopped by HC twice.
On both cases I opted for moist brisket. The alternative is lean brisket – which I suspect has less fat but also loses flavor. I've also tried Jalapeno sausage and prime rib. Both ok but not at par with brisket.
Sides were great again. On one trip I went for burnt end beans which was finger licking delicious and next I've tried their signature corn-pudding.
The ambiance in this joint is so lively. Unless you're vegetarian a must-see place.
Good stuff.
I enjoy their bbq, especially their brisket. It's tender and seasoned to perfection. Their sides are awesome too. I appreciate that this restaurant is spacious, which is great if you are a larger party. Service has always been quick and friendly. Their bbq is on the pricier side but they use quality ingredients. Portions are also very generous. I also love that they have live music, makes the dinning experience that much more enjoyable!