Back on My B's and Q- Dinosaur Bar B Que (Pork) Ribs are Second to None.

Dinosaur BBQ makes the best pork ribs in NYC. Period. The consistency with which they churn out the hog chest cavity is remarkable. As mentioned in a previous post from the summer, I put Dino on hold due to birds chirping how the quality had begun to deteriorate. I said it then and I'll say it now- LIES!!!! If these ribs were within arm's reach while the wise bearded men were scribing the Kosher dietary laws, swine would be acceptable. Brisket for the holidays? Fuck that, we're getting a rack with a side of barley and kasha varnishkes.

I've eaten there twice in the past month and there is definitely magic in that kitchen. The M.O. has been the same from jump when it comes to ordering. It usually starts with the wings and an additional starter or 2 and then the ribs. And then dessert- make sure you leave some room.

We sparked this meal with jumbo chicken wings- we're talking poultry on juice steez. The photos weren't quality enough to post on Howfresheats. They are some of the plumpest fowl extremities I've ever seen. And they are fucking good. Different from the typical fried bar version, these are spice rubbed, pit smoked, then finished on the grill, as the menu says. They are prepared 4 ways from Mild to Hottest aka the Devil's Duel. I've only had the hot Wango Tango version which aren't that hot at all. Going for the hottest next time and I will conquer that shit. This was a party for 7 so we also got the large Swag Sampler plate consisting of more wings, fried green tomatoes, spicy peel & eat shrimp (raging boil of beer, old bay, cayenne, herbs & spices) and creole spiced deviled eggs. A nice little sampler that sets the stage for the main attraction.



Dinosaur is home to one of the best bargains in the city- the Sweetheart deal. A full rack of ribs and 4 sides plus cornbread for $27.95. That's 12-13 ribs and 4 small but ample sides. If you're with a lady no problem, but if you're with you're boy swallow your pride and add a pause after ordering. Once that rack is in front of you you could give 2 shits what it's called. These ribs are unbelievable - a thick bark covering the tender pink meat and thin layer of fat. The meat falls off the bone and gristle is at a minimum. Sometimes it's worth not going in too heavy on the starters just to relish this meal. True story.



Aside from the sweetheart deal a bunch of other dishes were ordered giving me the opportunity to try some new things. I never had their brisket and was pleasantly surprised- tender and smoky with a very prominent pink smoke ring. There was too much sauce covering them however- let the brisket breath.


Another dish I had the opportunity to try was the Ode to Elgin which featured a hot sausage link from the legendary maker in Elgin, Texas. Nice snap and full of flavor with some Texas heat. I've made it my business to try hot links as of late, pause. They were never on the radar, but after having some no joke links at the Big Apple BBQ Block Party this summer I go in. Pause. It came with a quarter rack of ribs and some brisket, which turned out to be overkill but in order to get the hot link you need to order the meal. And there was only 1 link. Dino, if you're listening, add the link as a side or offer 2-3 links and dead the rest.




Other dishes ordered were the Tres Hombres- Bar-B-Que pork, Texas Beef Brisket & Bar-B-Que ribs, the pulled pork sandwich platter and the West Texas Rib-Eye- described as choice Angus beef, cold smoked, spice rubbed & topped with a Habanero cooks butter or our Bourbon Molasses Steak Sauce. Honestly I didn't even know that was on the menu.

It wouldn't be right if the sides weren't given their due. The cole slaw is perfect, crisp, thinly sliced cabbage and not too sweet. BBQ Beans, BBQ fried rice, mac n cheese, fresh cut fries, salt potatoes, and the special of the day was black eyed peas with bacon. I've yet to have a side I didn't care for. We ordered 4 desserts- the Chocolate Ice Box pie- chocolate pudding in an oreo crust with whipped cream, the peanut butter pie also with an oreo crust, key lime pie and this coconut-banana pudding. That chocolate ice box is so mean. I know others put their money on the peanut butter pie, but my peanut allergy makes me hate it off GP.

The entire party was more than pleased with the meal and some new Dinosaur believers were made. Of course we overate and the discomfort was evident. We're a bunch of ex-athletes that have turned the corner and are never coming back. Drinking beers the entire meal didn't help matters either, but their beer selection is too deep to pass on- something like 23 different drafts on tap at all times. While winter ales are available (too gingerbread cookie status), I stay ordering the Spaten Oktoberfest. For a dark beer, not too heavy and a slight sweetness. If you're feeling experimental go in on the 4 beer sampler.

With the recent opening of several spots just north of Dino on 12th Avenue under the bridge, the party can continue. There is a Thai spot (Talay), an Italian restaurant (Cova Trattoria), the Hudson River Cafe and a club called Body. I haven't been to any but now you have some options. Or you can hit El Morocco on 145th and Bway if that's how you're feeling.

Dinosaur Bar B Que
646 W 131st St.
New York, NY 10027
212-694-1777
www.dinosaurbarbque.com
Monday – Thursday 11:30 am to 11:00 pm
Friday & Saturday – 11:30 am to Midnight
Sunday – Noon to 10:00 pm

Jingle Jangle...to all the Goyim.

You're still my people. When Chanukah and Christmas overlap it is some super powerful joyous shit- Superfriends status. The eggnog and latkes get swapped back and forth, chocolate gelt are used as ornaments, the 6 pointed star adorns the top of the tree, and red and green candles fill the menorah- religious differences are put aside. It's a beautiful thing.

Happy holidays to all denominations, even if I don't believe in your leader.

Coincidentally I saw The Legion perform Friday night Rakim show at the Knitting Factory. Yes he did show up and blessed us with at least an hour. I wanted to do a write-up/memory lane post about them and now with X-mas upon us, I've been handed a mulligan. Thank you Mr. Kringle. Aside from the R, Legion was the highlight of the show. Brand Nubian was cool but I've seen them a bunch and Black Thought on stage isn't that entertaining. Just Ice was on stage for way too long and I have no interest in his new shit- though "Going Way Back" is that joint- those drums and that piano get busy. And a Juju-less Beatnuts isn't really the Beatnuts.

So, I'm in the back bar and I hear this shit knocking. Look through the doors and boom- "Jingle Jangle" is rocking. What?? This was my joint back in high school. I had to kill that cool shit and make my way towards the stage. And the shit sounded crisp. Too bad they were one and done. I had the fingers crossed for some "Legion Groove"- possibly one of the greatest beats ever constructed. Peep the tracks below and video footage from Knitting Factory I spotted over at Grandgood. They too have used this holiday period to spread the Legion gospel. They beat me to it, what can I say.

If anybody has Theme + Echo = Krill- get at me.

All tracks are ripped from the 12"- sound might be a little low.

The Legion- Jingle Jangle ft. Dres 12"


The Legion- Jingle Jangle Krill Remix ft. Black Sheep


The Legion- Legion Groove 12"


Live at Knitting Factory 12/19/08

H is for Happy Anniversary, Birthday, Hanukah- The H of H's Post.

I woke up at 11 on my born day, I'm 32, it's a blessing, press power, log on, hit refresh, peep Howfresh and...

There are 25 H hats in the photo. Rather than assign a meaning to each cap, I'll let you play with the "H is for..." template.

A year ago today this blog was created as a birthday gift from the ex-lady. At least the yearly milestones will always be easy to remember. At times it's bittersweet that we can't share this together, however her other gift-the naughty Santa's helper pics- help ease the pain. Maybe I'll do a post about those one day, but for now we keep it cool and celebrate the born day.



In the past 365 day cycle 152 posts have been thought of, planned and executed. I take a lot of pride in every post and make sure the Board of HowfreshEats approves of the content and quality. Once that starts to slip, you're toast. Hopefully in early '09 the blogspot will be removed and we will be completely independent. Viva la revolucion!!! HowfreshEats.com just flows better. Then I can make t shirts and be that really annoying self-promoting jerk. $15 a pop peoples. And I'll make sure they match the newest kicks. I think a sticker campaign might be in order, bring back the late 90's street teams and elude the jake.

152 posts in one year doggie, I can divide, 10 were poop, the others were buttahrific, that's one dope post every 2.6 days average ... and that's not LAAAAAAMMEEEEE!!!... I've been in it one, still having fun, so smarten up dun!!!

I'm definitely enjoying talking my shit, and hopefully that is being conveyed to you, the viewer. I was told that a recent post was too stiff and PC. I apologize for that. The last thing I want to do is conform to the norm and start that cookie cutter shit. Just keep it loosey goosey baby and let the fish fry. If I have to throw in an additional fuck or shit, I have them on standby.

There are probably close to 30 started posts that never caught the light of day due to my procrastination or something to that effect. Most of those being restaurant reviews and concerts that I dropped the ball on. I'll need to rehash some of them and let them shine. Hopefully I remember how the food tasted- if not "It was good" or "I like it" will have to do. In terms of concerts, if you don't address it a day or 2 after the show it's old news and every other blog has posted video or commented in some capacity. Another Nas show, Kane's 20th anniv., Rakim, Menahan Street Band, and more. Those are some of my regrets. On some honest shit, I have new post ideas and visions all day, but a computer isn't readily available to make it happen. But even when I'm at the command center I still find myself bullshitting and getting caught in the web of fear of wackness. When days go by and the blog turns stale, unless I'm chilling with the buffalo in G-d's Country, chances are I'm blogger blocked. Let 2009 bring clarity to the world of HowfreshEats.

And don't get it twisted. While I might not have posted a Letter H fitted post in 2 and a half months, do not think I haven't been on my H-ustle. There are several new goodies in the images.



Long Live the H.

Dear Mark Teixeira... Welcome to New York City, Welcome to New York Cityyyyyy!!!

It's the home of 26 championships, the House that Ruth built...

Unfuckingbelievable. Cash stole the show and swooped in to save the damsel in distress. Fuck you Boston. Sorry Washington.

I was happy with CC. AJ not so much. And let's not forget Swisher. But what's done is done and now I'm even happier. Time to iron the jersey, cop another fitted and hit the batting cages. It's spring in winter. I guess we don't need Killa Cam anymore. I'll be alright. Swish in center and Tex at first. I'd say fast forward to October, but I love summer night ballgames.

Tex is a beast- an OPS monster. Slow starter, but things might be different in the Bronx. He'll be 28 when the season starts so we have the prime years ahead of us. Switch hitting ninja.

And to celebrate this signing the Yankees are offering quarter bleacher seats for the first 2 games ever played at the stadium against the Cubbies, even if they are exhibitions. Grandstand tix for a buck ten. And I thought the Yankees weren't a fan friendly organization. I stand corrected.

A toast to the greatest sports franchise in the universe. Mazel Tov. It's a celebration bitches.

The 8th Letter Will Be Repping the 18th Letter This Evening at Knitting Factory.

A super last minute reminder that Rakim the G-d MC will be performing the final hip hop show at Knitting Factory NYC tonight. Knitting Factory will be closing its doors at the end of the year and will reopen in Williamsburg in March of 2009. Fuck me. Ugh. Make sure you get out there, snow and all, to see some real rap shit. Hopefully he doesn't pull that quick set shit like last time.

Black Thought- sans the Roots, Keith Murray and Just Ice are also on the bill with vinyl only DJ sets from Dante Ross, Psycho Les, JS 1, Chairman Mao and more.

Tix are $30, $35 at the door (if available). Peanuts. To see Rakim in such a small venue will be a treat. Don't hate yourself tomorrow for missing this one.

For more info click HERE. Tickets appear to still be available.

Howfresh's Kicks Spotted at 21 Mercer.

And his brown socks. Peep it HERE.

These motherfucking paparazzi can't let the kid breathe. I mean I'm looking at kicks and they swarm me on some boy band shit. I started getting mad claustrophobic and the walls started to cave in. That's why you see me about to lunge at the lens. Last time I let security cop bootleg Louis on Canal.

On the plus side your boy was chosen amongst 2,426 shoeheads as having the "sneaker of the day" at 21 Mercer St. An arduous journey to the peak of Mt. Mysneakersaretheshit, but well worth it. It's a daily occurrence, cats line up to be granted the honor of carrying the torch.



What we have here are the Nike Air Force 1 Orcas from mid 2004. Black and white. That's it. Mad simple, but in my top 5 of all time. I have all these colorful joints in boxes that scream too loud for me, not for me as in "Wear Me!!" but as in look at my feet. I prefer quiet, simple, powerful shit. People think you're wearing all whites, and then (insert sound of killer whale). The black swoosh and back panels set it off. But what really catches people off guard is the all white sole. That makes the black sections pop that much more. That's why it's imperative that these remain clean. The crisp white needs to contrast with the black, otherwise the shit doesn't work. Summer time you see them out the gate, but with jeans on you play mind games.

I believe the "Orca" title derived from the similarities it shares with the Orca aka Killer Whale. These were part of a pack with the Air Trainer 1 and Dunk Hi, and a dunk lo was released a little later. This could be total bullshit but I recall reading that the designer of the pack was a Japanese cat named Oruka, and that was the official name of the pack. But the coincidence of the colors and orca makes that hard to believe.

I take care of these on some super meticulous shit, if not obsessive. Clean the soles after every wear. Look at them- I've worn these 50-75 times since 2004 and they look fairly crisp. The sole is getting worn down but we walk in this city. I do have a second pair but I'm scared to break them out and make them unpure. Seriously.



Here is the gem of this post... if you're an air force head and do not own the Tarrago Sport Cleaner- you're playing yourself. I couldn't find the item on the link, but that's the company. They're based out of Espana. It's sold in NYC but I don't care for the store so I prefer not to publicly endorse them. If you know me then you know where, and if you don't, email me and I'll put you on. I have never seen any other product clean the rubber soles on forces like this. Jeans bleed- no sweat, driving and get pedal marks- ain't nothing, wear your joints out and they get abused- this shit is your First-Aid kit. For real. And it costs about $2. Always have an extra on hand.

On the topic of forces, uptowns, A-1s, ups, airs, willy dees, etc. peep the video below. Taken at the Nike Playmakers III event Wednesday night at Nike Town. Clark Kent was on the tables and the AF1s were the star of the show. The air force cup runneth over. 3.5 minutes of some unbelievable joints. Video courtesy of SneakrAddicts.


SneakrAddicts DVD X Nike Playmakers Part 3 from SneakrAddicts on Vimeo.

The Letter M Takeover- Mayer Hawthorne & The County and Menahan Street Band.

H still runs this shit.

You don't have to buy an H fitted. You don't have to eat crawfish. You don't have to cop the freshest forces on the planet. But you must listen to Mayer Hawthorne and the County and Menahan Street Band.

The A side of the heart shaped 45 shown above might be the best record of 2008. I'm not one to anoint an artist or piece of music so quick, but this shit is that dope. This joint oozes throwback soul. You would never believe that one person was responsible for every element of the music including vocals, instruments and composition. And I'm sure you wouldn't think he was a 29 year old white dude from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Seriously, what's going on here. Obama's in the office and we got blonde hair and blue eyes bringing Motown back. Change fam, change. I'm lying about the eyes and hair- could be brown.

Signed to Peanut Butter Wolf's Stones Throw Records, Mayer Hawthorne & The County has only released 2 tracks. 2 very different tracks. While Just Ain't Gonna Work Out exudes a raw, drum heavy, kick your girl to the curb vibe, When I Said Goodbye has Mayer shabop shabopping in a suit with his hair slicked back crooning to babydoll that he fucked up. Make up your mind Mayer. Beyond the content of each track, the voice sounds completely different.

I've been sitting on these joints for a couple of weeks and wanted to share this with the world immediately but I had such a hard time articulating the dopeness. How do you say this is banging without saying this is banging. I'm trying. But it is banging. The fact that Just Ain't Gonna Work Out is only 2 and a half minutes is such a fucking tease that you're compelled to keep pressing rewind. That might be better since you get 5 minutes rather than say 3 minutes 50 seconds off one play. It ends so abruptly and catches you completely off guard- as if the hamburglar ran past you and swiped your black label burger from your hands before you had a chance to take a bite. I'm rambling but this is what good music can do to you. On a plus side, if you're having problems with wifey, put this shit on her ipod and bounce. Hate her friends? She hates yours? Caught her on myspace giving the peace sign and kissing the camera? Sorry baby, it just ain't gonna work out. And tell me Ghostface won't use that intro on his next album. Ghost and Mayer is a collabo waiting to happen. Put on the blue light!!!

Mayer Hawthorne and the County- Just Ain't Gonna Work Out


Mayer Hawthorne and the County- When I Said Goodbye




It's not fair that Menahan Street Band has to follow Mayer. They are equally as talented and just as capable of making that get out of your seat and groove shit. I've mentioned them before while fawning over Sharon Jones. To refresh your memory, MSB is responsible for Jay-Z's Roc Boys sample. And they're record kills Jigga's. Their full lenth CD "Make The Road By Walking" dropped in mid-October and has stayed playing on the H-Pod. Their horns are crazy. Think Young Holt Unlimited. If that doesn't force your hand to cop I don't know what will. Below are 2 of my favorites off their LP. I prefer to provide a sample so you can go out and support. For more info on Menahan click HERE. They will be performing at Southpaw in BK on December 20th for 14 beans. This is the type of shit that gets me to visit the planet of Brooklyn.

Menahan Street Band- Tired of Fighting


Menahan Street Band- The Contender