BBQue's Smoke Shack

668 6th Ave
New York, NY 10010
(212) 929-4227

Stopped by here for late lunch yesterday with friends after we found it on the AAdvantage Dining Program. The place was packed! I didn't read any iDine or Yelp reviews before I came here so I wasn't swayed in my own personal review.

First, the place is quaint and small decorated with wooden walls and metal signs to give it a "rustic shack" feel. You approach the counter where you can see their menu up behind them on the wall. A variety of barbeque sauces are listed. I chose the puled pork sandwich ($7.95) and added the waffles fries and drink (additional $3.95). After you pay, you are given a white card with a number and you then proceed to fill your cup from the soda machine or iced tea machine (feeling that I should stick with the Southern theme, I chose to go with iced tea).

Now find yourself a table. Park your seat and admire the decor and signs that adorn the walls as you wait. I thought the cashier people were going to call your number when your order was up but was pleasantly surprised when they came over with my order on what looks like a mini baking tray. They did the same for my friends' orders as well! The wait was not very long IMHO about as long as it takes to walk to the drink dispenser and back to your table twice (YES! Free refills!)
There is a large flat screen TV for people to watch the game.

The pulled pork was warm and moist. The Tennessee Whiskey Sauce I chose to have it tossed in was tasty with depth of flavor and the bun that it was tucked into was soft and sweet. The pickle slices were a pleasant surprise as a flavor foil against the sweet and smoky. Reminiscent of a Cuban sandwich. My waffle cut fries were hot, crispy, and well seasoned. Two bottles of extra sauces are available alongside the bottle of ketchup on your table: Honey BBQ and Mexican Spicy.

My friend ordered collard greens as a side which I sampled. Nothing extraordinary. Tasted like it might have come from a large can (especially since the collards were cut SO uniformly). As a foodie and someone who also cooks, you have to be REALLY obsessive compulsive to get each piece exactly 1/4" square. Bread pudding is also offered here which I will have to try the next time.

Overall, a pleasant and satifying experience.

 

Lucky's Famous Burgers

370 W 52nd St
New York, NY 10019
(212) 247-6717


Stopped into this one for lunch after finding it on the AAdvantage Dining Program listing. It seems a bit out of the way as you walk by several night clubs and store fronts heading further into Hell's Kitchen but once you walk through the door, you find yourself in a cheery little burger shop all in red and yellow. The counter people were very nice and chatted with me as I waited for my cheese burger to be made on the other side of the wall (everything seems to pass through a small window opening from the kitchen). $10 for the Lucky's Cheddar Burger Meal that includes crinkle cut fries and a 24 oz. drink. Aside from the packets of ketchup that are tossed in, you also get two small containers of chipotle aioli. I chose to use the aioli on my burger and to dip the fries and I can tell you that it was heaven! I opted for everything on my burger (tomato, lettuce, onion, pickle) so I could feel like I was eating healthy. LOL!
The burger was quite good! Juicy and hand formed and not thin and gray like major burger chains.

Going to go back and try their onion rings.

 

Steak 'n Shake Signature

1695 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(212) 247-6584

Stopped here for lunch out of recommendations from friends.
I was walking back and forth looking for the place until I found it right next door to the David Letterman Show (wonder if he ever stops in?).

Tried the Double 'n Cheese burger with fries for $3.99.
The burgers are made from ground beef and you can see it, just like if you were making a burger at home and not that frozen, processed, dense hockey puck like at McDonald's or Burger King. The french fries were tasty. Crispy, thin cut, and nicely seasoned. It's said that fat is flavor and I suppose that is why everything here was so tasty! I noticed that my fingers were greasy after my second bite into the hamburger and the paper cup that held the fries had tell tale signs of oil spots, absorbing the oil from the fries.
I had the works on my burger ( tomato, lettuce, pickles, ketchup, mayo) so the vegetables made me feel like I was eating a bit healthier.

Staff is cordial and cutely dressed in their red, black, and white uniforms. Decor is nice too.
Going to go back and try their "hand dipped" milk shakes next time.

Ranch 1

918 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10022, US
212-759-4000

Stopped by here after seeing some great reviews about it's chicken teriyaki bowl.
I opted to try their Ranch Classic sandwich which comprised of a pounded thin grilled chicken breast on a bed of chopped lettuce and your choice of sauce (I chose sesame ginger) all in a 6 inch roll. I made it a combo with their french fries (quite tasty!) and a beverage (opted for iced tea). For $6.75 plus tax it was pretty good!

Service was speedy, the counter girl pleasant and I will definitely be back to try the teriyaki bowl!

A menu can be viewed here