John Brown BBQ was a great experience, especially considering we showed up not long before closing. The staff couldn't have been friendlier. They proactively told us what was still available and even said that if we're ever coming late again, we can call ahead and they'll hold what we want. We grabbed a seat, watched some hockey, and settled in for some great barbecue. I tried burnt ends for the first time, and they were easily the standout. Melt-in-your-mouth tender with the perfect amount of smokiness. The beef brisket was excellent too, and they gave us buns to make sandwiches along with three different sauces to try. We also had the collard greens and baked beans, the two sides still available, and both were packed with meat and tons of flavor. I'll definitely be back, both for more burnt ends and to try everything we missed. read more

I beat the rush on a recent Friday late afternoon at John Brown BBQ. You'll want to get in here early as we head into the Fall for this decidedly Kansas City style barbecue and Chiefs football stronghold. The restaurant has a front section inside and another section inside to your left and a third outdoor garden section with seating under the umbrellas. There are several flatscreens for watching the games. This Long Island City neighborhood spot up the slight hill from the Queensboro stop on the 7 Train is a standout for the ribs and brisket, but the stars of the show here are the burnt ends and their inhouse cured and smoked pastrami. Do not sleep on the Pastrami Reuben sandwich here. I am thoroughly convinced this is the best Reuben in all of the five boroughs. Once you have their Reuben at John Brown, you will have it each and every time you visit. This Friday, I ordered the Reuben and the salad with the brisket as the added protein option. The salad was fresh and the brisket plentiful atop the greens, tomatoes and cucumbers with ranch dressing. The Reuben was stellar as usual and they are generous with the smoked pastrami. The salad and the coleslaw on the Reuben balanced the savory smoked pastrami and the salad's own brisket. I took home a half pound of burnt ends and another half pound of smoked pastrami. So good...John Brown my not be the best barbecue spot overall in the five boroughs, but their smoked pastrami is undefeated. That smoked pastrami Reuben is undefeated and is the quiet star at John Brown. One more thing, there is a most kind and helpful Senora who works the floor, clearing and cleaning the tables, and will bring your food to your table when your order comes up. Please treat her with respect and tip her accordingly. She remembers faces and will recognize you after only a few visits. I look forward to seeing her every time. 4 stars! read more

John Brown BBQ - Salad with brisket on top and the pentultimate smoked pastrami Reuben I order every time I am at John Brown. - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Slamming !! Was thirsty for BBQ and John Brown's didn't disappoint. The BBQ sauce has its own twist, it's Kansas City style so the tomato is present and oddly works. Great spot with a cool staff and I love the space. I remember coming here for beers back in the day in the patio, and I should've known the food would match the vibe. The ribs were delicious, made perfectly. The staff was kind enough to make a brisket sandwich although it wasn't on the menu and that was also fire (+ the Mac and cheese). read more

John Brown BBQ - Mac and Cheese Ribs Brisket sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

John Brown BBQ offers solid bbq in the area. Service is impeccable, there is plenty of space/seatings. The cobbler dessert is great as well.

I went back again and had the sliced brisket sandwich with beef tallow fries and iced tea. I also took peach cobbler to go and ate it back in my hotel room. The service as usual was friendly and fantastic! read more

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I'm hesitant to write this review because I don't want to let the secret out! I was surprised I hadn't heard of John Brown BBQ before, and even more surprised when it was quiet on a Saturday night! We sat in the backyard and there were just a few other tables of people around us. It was nice to sit outside on a warm summer night and enjoy some bbq and brews. Service was super friendly! An employee let us know we could sit outside and she would bring out our food to us. Both the burnt ends and brisket were tasty! I wanted the mac and cheese too but we were on a bit of a food crawl so I couldn't get too stuffed just yet. Next time! I liked the barbecue sauces.. even tried the ghost pepper which normally I would never touch, but it actually wasn't too spicy! I'll totally come back. Especially before it gets too cold to sit outside! read more

John Brown BBQ - Burnt ends and brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

You order at the counter when you enter, find your own seating, and they bring your food to you. The space is casual and they have TVs for games. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating! We got the brisket, burnt ends, cornbread, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and it also came with bread. This was more than enough food for 2 people and we had leftovers. The brisket and cornbread was our favorite! I will definitely be back when I'm craving bbq. read more

John Brown BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Ambiance (5/5): There's 3 parts to the huge establishment: front dining tables near the ordering area, then another dining area that is enclosed but open, and finally an outdoor area. It is a Chiefs bar so can get rowdy during game days. Service (N/A): Order at the front and they will call you when your order is ready. Food: This is the best BBQ that I've had in NYC so far! The burnt ends were my favorite. The brisket was so juicy and flavorful. The spare ribs were meh but still good by comparison. The hot BBQ sauce was great (not too spicy but has some spice!), there's also few bbq sauces that are mustard-based and I enjoyed that one too! The cornbread was SO moist. It was melt in your mouth good. Can't wait to come back! read more

John Brown BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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This place is so good I have been taking everyone here. Their meats are so tender and flavorful, and paired excellent with their sauces. I cannot emphasize enough that the trip here is worth it!! Their drinks were also so tasty (and kind of strong!). Their sides complement their meats well. Their price was honestly not too bad (especially compared to other restaurants in the city!). Highly recommend! read more

John Brown BBQ - Brisket Ribs Collard Greens Mac and Cheese Pork Belly - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Got a pound of burnt eggs and 1 lb of pastrami to bring back to Long Island everything tastes amazing as always read more

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I had to update my review. It's been a few years since I've visited John Brown BBQ. I was excited for dinner because I remember loving it, but tonight? It was a huge disappointment. Very dry meat, no smoky flavor, no bark. I was left with a dry pastrami that was like eating a jerky and the mac n cheese was made with an insane amount of flour for a roux. I taste nothing but flour. There was no cheese flavor at all. The ribs were not good either. I was in disbelief. They were tender but flavorless. This was not a representation of BBQ food. I give 2 stars for welcoming customer service and that's it. I definitely wouldn't waste my time coming back. It's hard to redeem yourself after spending a lot of money and horrible food. How did the kitchen staff think it was okay to serve a pastrami like that? An entire pound of it at that and the ribs? I'm sorry it's a no go for me. read more

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The burnt ends were pretty good and the brisket was fine. The cornbread was the winner of the meal. It's like a cross between cornbread and spoon bread/corn pudding. The Mac and cheese had too much of an odd seasoning blend that wasn't mixed in well. I got one mouthful with too much of this blend. The beans were disappointing- they were too tough and clearly undercooked. Tried all three sauces and all three were very different and very nice. The service was so friendly and kind. read more

John Brown BBQ - Corn Bread, Mac and Cheese Baked Beans Brisket Burnt Ends - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

First time back in a few years and it holds up. Burnt ends (got 1/3lb) are good but needs sauce. Their barbecue sauce is really good so not an issue. Rib tips 1/2 lb were better. Corn bread remains phenomenal and the reason to visit. Mac and cheese is also fantastic! read more

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This is a solid BBQ spot! We enjoyed the BBQ brisket and pastrami, and the ribs were truly excellent. The all sides were also delicious. A great place to satisfy your BBQ cravings! read more

John Brown BBQ - Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Burnt ends and corn pudding!!! OMG. Soooo good. I highly recommend. I also had the pastrami and the brisket but I didn't love as much as the burnt ends. The burnt ends pack so much flavor. You could taste all the seasonings and overall yumminess. Fatty and juicy and delicious. . For the pastrami, I used the mustard sauce and that was also very good. I also had the coleslaw which was fresh and delicious. I would absolutely come back and obviously, I recommend. There's a reason why this place is so popular and why there are lines out the door. We got there on a Saturday and it was rainy and there was no line but man! That is the most delicious Kansas City barbecue I've ever had. Granted I've never been to Kansas City. So I don't know how it compares to Kansas City barbecue but for this food lover, it hit all the yummy spots. The service was great and attentive. I want some barbecue now!! read more

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The best BBQ I've had outside of Texas... Yeah, who'da thunk. Great BBQ in Long Island City NY. I've been twice and both times had to get the "burnt ends"...AMAZING! I also tried the brisket and rib tips, and while both were fantastic, neither holds a candle to the burnt ends. read more

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I enjoyed my time at John Brown although I was disappointed as the bbq is a mixed bag. Very casual, beer wine soda. Order at a the counter and choose a table. Pros Sausage links, very good with a spicy kick Burnt ends off the charts delicious, by far the best I have ever had. Coleslaw was solid vinegar rendition BBQ sauces, mustard vinegar was very good Straight BBQ was good with a spicy kick Service was great, staff is friendly Cons: Pastrami was very dry Brisket didn't have a lot of smoke and was dry Pulled pork was shredded and ended up being dry. I will go back but narrow down my choices and I will try the ribs. If you go the burnt ends are by far the star of the show. read more

John Brown BBQ - Menu 1/29/25 - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

I have normally been a prime rib gal, but I think I'm gravitating now towards their pastrami and burn ends! Great time to go on the weekends rig before it right at 5P, fresh cuts and slow crowd. Wonderful service by "Ma" and the team. Always feels like home when coming here. read more

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Still tyne next bbq smokehouse In town. No doubt. Always have the meats. Quick service. I recommend it highly. read more

John Brown BBQ - Looks like they're Chiefs fans. Good luck - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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I've been to John Brown BBQ twice. The first time, I had a really good experience and enjoyed the meal, which is why I decided to come back again. The second visit, though, was a bit disappointing. The meat seemed drier than it did the first time, and it just did not have the same quality or overall impression as my first meal there. The food was still okay overall, but the inconsistency stood out to me. I know they can do better based on my first visit, so I'm hoping the second time was just an off day. Tip: they have a nice outdoor space in the backyard read more

Ordered pulled pork sandwich Separate charge 1.50 if I wanted on roll. Pulled pork was good, but would reconsider coming back because of this practice.. Just increase price of sandwich read more

The best spot for burnt ends in LIC. Come here occasionally whenever I'm in the mood for this specific dish. The meat is incredibly juicy, and the seasoning is near perfection. Unfortunately, their other dishes aren't quite as good. The brisket, pork belly, and pork ribs tend to be rather dry. Sometimes they sell out of the burnt ends, so recommend coming before it gets near closing time to ensure they're available. read more

John Brown BBQ - a plate of ribs and macaroni and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

last time i came here was 2 years ago but still a solid bbq spot. got the rib tips which were much better than expected even though im not a fan of the sweet salty peppery flavor profile usually. the collard greens are also amazing and almost too flavorful and there is a hefty amount of meat in there. service is friendly and good. read more

John Brown BBQ - rib tips and collard greens - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

This place is pretty relaxed, you order at the counter and sit wherever you like, and there's a game playing on the TV in the corner. I've definitely had better ribs elsewhere as it was kind of dry, and the brisket was better but still not amazing. Had to douse both in BBQ sauce just to taste something honestly. The corn bread wasn't bad but it was more of a sweet mushy texture with actual corn (not what I'm used to) though the mac and cheese was pretty good. It comes with a free slice of bread though that doesn't add much to the meal. For the portion and pricing, I think there's better out there. read more

John Brown BBQ - ribs, brisket, corn bread, mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

We have had their amazing BBQ Chicken and/or Beef Brisket Burnt Ends delivered to us at home from time to time so wonderfully delicious. We have also tried the cornbread and it is unusual- sort of deconstructed, but smashing! We like their salad and the dressing is a nice acidic contrast with the meal. The outstanding peach cobbler dessert is also a must try. One day we will go and sit in the restaurant! read more

The burnt ends were moist and probably the best among the meats; brisket was quite dry with mildly decent bark. The rib tips weren't fall off the bone tender and had not particularly flavorful. Pork belly could've been better and rendered down more. Corn bread tasted good but was structurally poor and crumbled. Coleslaw was fair and collard greens were decent. read more

John Brown BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Very good bbq spot in LIC. The inside is all decked out in Chiefs football team gear so it's a perfect place if you're a chiefs fan! Friendly and efficient staff. The meat is good and cooked just right. My favorite sauce is the ghost pepper bbq sauce. It's not too spicy but gives it a nice kick. Very casual place- you place your order and pay before getting your food. This is a self serve place. Unlimited self serve fountain drinks. I would say they're a bit on the pricier side. read more

John Brown BBQ - Pork ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

The food was fresh and delicious especially the corn bread. I had the pastrami and my husband had the special chicken and ribs. The service was friendly and fast! The place looks small from the outside but it has a huge outdoor space and a closed in area in the back and the front room. Seems like a Kansas City sports bar from the looks. I will definitely go again read more

John Brown BBQ - Outdoor spot - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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Came here for dinner and it was an okay find Pros: + The number one place to go if you're a Kansas City Chief's Fans + Amazing BBQ Sauce - They have three different kinds and the standard BBQ is my favorite. + Friendly service and staff Cons: - Difficult to find parking nearby - Skip the Mac & Cheese - Mine was bone dry and lacked so much flavor IG: QueenOfAdventureNYC read more

John Brown BBQ - BBQ Chicken with Mac and Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Decided I was in the mood for some ribs. Searched around and came upon Jb's in Astoria. Determined it was a good choice. Order half rack of ribs, baked beans and Cole Slaw. First sittings: lots of tables around and a back room with lots more seating. Comfortable atmosphere with music playing in the background and not too loud. Perfect for a date. The service from order taking to busing on target. Friendly staff making you very welcome. Especially the young lady busing tables very helpful if you needed something. Honorable mention: unisex bathrooms very clean. Onto the main event. Ribs fall off the bone top shelf. Spicy sweet sauce. Perfect. Beans were good with bits of brisket filling. The coleslaw not so much. Supposed to be vinegar, non mayonnaise version. Not so good. Very little taste other than raw cabbage taste. Next time I'll make and cheese it as the second side. Overall worth the trip. I will go back. read more

John Brown BBQ - Ribs, beans, and slaw - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

At the time of writing, ordering a brisket in sandwich form isn't a core offering at John Brown's but they were kind enough to accommodate my request. The coleslaw was not what I was expecting. It was fine but I didn't have much an appetite for it. The meat itself was flavorful on its own. The house bbq sauce (not pictured) was tangy and somewhere between the consistency and taste of ketchup and red sauce... I wasn't a fan of that. read more

Very disappointed in this spot. The only thing positive I can say is the staff is very friendly. Burnt ends were super fatty, the brisket very dry, the Mac and cheese was horrible. The ambiance is nice, very big spot and a nice backyard. In my opinion not worth the $$$$. Step up your game guys! read more

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I've been to John Brown's a handful of times over the years. I always enjoy my experience there. I remember their old location which was packed every time I went! I've been to the new location about 5 times over the last couple of years. I hadn't been for over a year and after reading some of the recent reviews, I almost didn't go... but old habits die hard so I took a chance for those delicious burnt ends and I was not disappointed. Clearly this place is a sanctuary for Kansas City Chiefs fans. Go Birds! The ambiance is cool, it's a BBQ place, so it's not some fancy high end spot.... Even if the mural of John Brown makes you think you're stepping into a swanky whiskey bar. You're definitely not, but I like the juxtaposition of the historical figurehead John Brown dude and the inside which has graffiti doors, picnic tables, and a good industrial vibe. You order at the counter and pick up the food. No waiters but do you really need a waiter for BBQ? It's a great spot to watch.... The Chiefs lol. I've done dinner here in the dead of winter and I've had fun outside in the summer. Anytime I've gone, I've gotten wonderful service. I saw some reviews where people didn't feel like they get great service. They get your food out to you quickly, the woman who works the floor is lovely - she cleans up and helps people get their orders to their table. She's really a gem and a staple of John Brown. Go for the Burnt Ends... they will sell out of those. I went there tonight around 7 and they had already sold out of some items. Luckily I got there in time to get the delicious burnt ends. They were juicy and flavorful! If you want your chance to get your favorite meats, I recommend going earlier in the evening. The cornbread is AMAZING! The Mac & Cheese is alright... if you're deciding between the two... the cornbread will always win. You should definitely check this spot out! read more

John Brown BBQ - Burnt Ends, Mac & Cheese, Cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

Neat corner restaurant with a big outdoor patio. Part of the outdoor is enclosed (they've got a tv hooked up for football games!). I do wish they had some heaters for the outdoor tables when it gets chillier. Feels like a waste of the space if it's too cold to eat outside. Be wary of coming when there's a Kansas City Chiefs game. It will be packed with fans watching the game! They are huge on the Kansas City Chiefs, with tons of decor all over. Service is great. It is counter service, so you order at the register and they ring a bell when food is ready. If it's not picked up for a few minutes, a waitress will bring it to your table. There is self serve fountain drinks, water, condiments and utensils. Pork ribs are perfectly fall off the bone tender. One of the best I've had in Queens, and I will make my way out here just for the ribs. The brisket and the burnt ends are flavorful and tender. Goes great with the bbq sauce and/or hot mustard (which add a boost in flavor) and the soft white bread (wonderfully soaks up the condiments!) The coleslaw is vinegar based. It's crisp, not overly vinegary or liquid-y. Good balance to the meat! The baked beans are cooked well. They have chunks of meat in them, which adds to its deliciousness! I've been here several times and they are consistently good. One of the best BBQ spots I've been to in Queens. read more

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I work in the area for a year now and finally got to give this BBQ Joint a try.... This review is totally based on my three meat candy choices.... Burnt Ends; 5 Stars, Winer winer for me just perfect & needs no sauce; Next Visit 1 Lb for me please !!! Brisket; 3 Stars, love to see that beautiful smoke ring, good flavor with no sauce, If you love lean brisket this cut is for you; I tend to favor my briskets with just a lil more fat to it and a lil more juicier. Sausage; 3 Stars very good grind of meat with good spices and love the jalapeños inside; I foud the sausage to me to be a bit on the dry side because in my opinion it's a leaner sausage could use a lil more fat ... But What do I know ... Their BBQ Sauce; 2 stars, my one negative and disappointment especially that I needed and wanted to add BBQ Sauce to my brisket & sausage; The Flavor is bold at best, No sweetness, in my opinion needs a lil molasses, even grape jelly melted down into. It would add another note to it and a Dash of cayenne pepper, again what do I know? I'm just a professional foodie for life !! The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable, the menu board in my opinion could be a lil rough on the eyes but like I said the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable... They have a nice size eat in dining room very relaxed and comfy as you would expect a BBQ Joint to have; I noticed this restaurant was very clean & well kept; FYI, I had to take out my meal because I was working ... I will definitely be back to try their ribs along with a pound of their burnt ends. I would absolutely recommend this BBQ Joint to all my friends, family & co workers ... Still For Me The Champion of BBQ is Hometown Bar-B- Que in Red Hook, Brooklyn If ya don't know y'all never know !!! Thanks, Greg D. read more

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Best pork ribs I've ever had! Cornbread was tremendous and the collard greens were on point. Brisket was fantastic, burnt ends to die for. Highly recommend. Do yourself a favor and stop by. read more

One the best BBQ spots in the NYC area! I had the burnt ends which were just as tasty as places in the South and Midwest. Great sauces selections to compliment the meat - I especially liked the spicy options. Service was excellent - the staff answered all my questions and my food was ready in a flash. Finally great location in LIC. I enjoyed eating on their patio on a sunny afternoon. read more

John Brown BBQ - Burnt Ends - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

My wife and I dropped in for lunch after a random google search. Our experience was excellent. The food was so delicious and meats were tender. The food was ready in a jiffy and the waitress was very pleasant. We have no complaints. Excellent service. I liked the music and restaurant. We had burnt ends, ribs and brisket. All excellent. We also ordered mac n cheese which was good and cole slaw which was fantastic. I have give John Brown 5 thumbs up. Thanks. read more

Always delicious - great service, and chill vibes. Come with a group and share. Cornbread is a great side. The pulled pork is peak!

Location: Long island City, NY Service: Great service--very polite and attentive, also food was served quicker than i thought. Ambiance- Normal, cool and has some ig worthy vibe to it as well. Food- Rib tip (oh m g, so so good, flavorful and you'll never feel full haha thats how good it was) Burnt sides/tip- same with other bbq restos I tried but still tasty. Pastrame- my hubby likes it since he has more salty palate than mine haha. Mac and cheese- too soft pasta though cheesy with soft bread and well cooked fries. Over all 9/10. Will DEF come back for the rib tips. read more

John Brown BBQ - Pics - Barbeque Near Me - Long Island City, New York

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