Lonestar Empire
“As a rule, I try to try something new every time I got to Smorgasburg to sample as many vendors as I can.”
“After trying their brisket sandwich at Brooklyn Flea, we decided to order their 24-person brisket + rolls + fixins for a party.”
“This place is way better than Mighty Quinn's which is dry with too much fat.”
Lonestar Empire
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
6 reviews
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Mighty Quinn's, Briskettown, and Fette Sau all turn out some good brisket, but after having Lonestar's this past weekend at Smorgasburg, I have a new favorite. Let me note that I'm a "lean" brisket fan, so if you prefer fatty, definitely try their "moist" variety and check out some of the other 'Burg spots mentioned above, as they tend towards that end of the spectrum.
Anyway, despite the slightly steep $8 for a small sandwich, the flavor and texture of the beef combined with the perfectly soft bun and tangy sweet BBQ sauce made for a package tasty enough that I immediately went back and bought a second one. Try it, seriously.
Lonestar's got nothing on Mighty Quinn's! Their brisket sandwich was a bit dry, I did a mix of both lean and moist and I wished I had gone moist all the way. The portions could be bigger but I guess it's Smorgasburg so I'll let it slide. I'd try other vendors if you want a good brisket.
So good!!!! I don't think anything can beat a $9 freshly sliced brisket sandwich. I've only visited the smorgasborg location and love that I can select which type of meat I want (lean, moist or mix). This place is way better than Mighty Quinn's which is dry with too much fat.
I think they could stuff a bit more meat in there. They weigh it, but I've noticed that they don't stuff the sandwich like other places will do.
Huge plus that they have an amazing sauce and jalapeños with finely sliced onions. Such great flavor! This place is a smorgasborg staple in a place where most places today are mediocre.
Tried then again at a summerstage concert and had the pulled pork tacos this time. They were very tasty and I loved the pickled slaw, but wish they weren't served cold (though I understand why).
Intellectually, I know that pretty much none of the brisket at New York's best barbecue is smoke on site. And even where it is, the meat sits for hours after it is smoked, where it is slowly carved to order. I know this, yet still it feels incomplete when a brisket operation is being run out of a tiny kiosk.
But Lodestar Empire was only one of the two booths at the new Seaport version of Smorgasborg that I hadn't tried elsewhere. New York's food market scene is taking a decidedly monochromatic turn, one that is disappointing to me. I was willing to try brisket no matter where it was smoked.
The meat portion is solid. No options were offered about what part of the brisket I wanted, which probably led to a bit less fat/a more lean portion than I really wanted. Lonestar actually lets you dress the sandwich and add BBQ sauce, which is a refreshing piece of trust in the customer, especially considering the militancy enforced at places like Brisketown.
It's not the absolute best brisket in the City (this is the standard I'm judging on here. I think there's very good brisket here, but no, it doesn't measure up to a roadside shack in Midland or something), but it is a solid sandwich, served out of kiosk.
Having grown up in Houston with a family that loves to road trip, I've tried tons of barbecue joints (now including Franklin Barbecue too) and after visiting various barbecue establishments in New York in an attempt to hit that craving for home (including Mighty Quinn's and Briskettown), I have to say Lonestar Empire is the closest it gets to actually being back in Texas. Their brisket sandwich could definitely stand up against its Texas counterpart. The brisket is incredible moist with a beautiful bark and the sauce is exactly the kind found in Texas joints. The complimentary pickles are a nice touch and good for a crisp contrast against the hearty brisket. If you're looking for an authentic-to-Texas brisket sandwich, look no further. As a rule, I try to try something new every time I got to Smorgasburg to sample as many vendors as I can. Lonestar Empire is the first that had me breaking that rule. For any fellow Texans out there, this is the place to go for your barbecue cravings.