Alternative Barbecue

From Memorial Day until Labor Day friends and families gather together for barbecues all over the Garden State.  However, depending on your cultural background, a summer barbecue in Jersey might not be what you expect.  BBQ, BARBECUE, BARBIE, SHAWARMA, BRAAI, BARBACOA, ASADO…delicious grilled meats cooked with outdoor pits, ovens, and grills do not need translations for a carnivore.   To barbecue is an international concept.  The United States is famous for the South’s BBQ pulled pork, or the backyard grill with its burgers and hotdogs. 

Korean BBQ

Korean barbecue is elegantly cooked at a special grill built into the dining table where numerous side dishes await to accompany the thinly sliced pieces of meat.  South Africa has braai, developed by Dutch immigrants; it is an outdoor social event where kebabs, sausages, and steaks are served.

  

Lechón



In the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico you have the delicious variety of lechón, whole roasted hog slowly cooked, a tradition that is said to have been developed during the time of Spain’s colonization.  Australians love to “barbie”; beef and seafood is mostly preferred and there are plenty of beaches and parks with coin-operated grills to satisfy the need for a cookout. 

Australian Public Coin Operated Grill

There is also Khorkhog, or the traditional Mongolian ‘barbecue’ in which stones are heated in a fire before being put in a pot with lamb or goat meat along with Boodog which is where marmots are cooked whole over an open fire (this type of BBQ is not for the faint at heart!). Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey are famous for their kebabs and shawarma.  

Shawarma

 A local favorite is Portuguese American BBQ where you can get grilled ribs or chicken, rice with vegetables and fries.  Then you have my husband’s beloved Argentinian asado, where freshly butchered animal parts that are un-marinated but properly salted are cooked on a grill. 

Traditional Argentinian BBQ

Popular in Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and other parts of South and Central America, the asado does not waist any part of the animal, yet the key ingredient is fresh meat.  Interesting enough, in Jersey the love of meat expands cultural boundaries.   You never know, you might discover your new most favorite food! Give your barbecue an international twist, or check out local eateries that offer an alternative barbecue.

  

Where to go to try international barbecue in Jersey and NYC:

• American Eclectic BBQ with a Filipino Vibe -
• BBQ at Legal Beans in Jersey Cityand Hoboken

  
  
• Argentina BBQ -
• Boca Junior Argentinean Steakhouse (Vegetarians beware!! A Carnivores’ utopia!)

  
  

  81-08 Queens Blvd., Elmhust, NY 11373

  
  

  718-429-2077

  
  
• Colombian BBQ
•  

  Rancho Mateo (The meat is literally being cooked on display at the window!) 

  651 Elizabeth Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07206

  908-662-0828

  
  

   
• Cuban Roasted Pork
• Cuban Pete’s

  
  

  428 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07011

  
  

  973-746-1100

  
  
• Filipino Roasted Pork
• Barangay Union Grill and Food Mart (a Filipino fast food / You tell me what you want, I scoop type place that also serves Filipino BBQ style pork – lechón)

  
  

  1045A Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ 07083

  
  

  908-964-3500

  
  
• Korean BBQ
• KeoKu Korean Restaurant
  245 US Highway 46, Parsippany, NJ 07054
  973-844-0032
• Middle Eastern Grilled Meats
• Old City Café & Grill

  
  

  20 North Union Ave, Cranford, NJ, 07016

  
  

  908-276-2701

  
  
• Portuguese American BBQ
• Burnet BBQ (3 locations in Union County NJ!)

  
  
• Puerto Rican Roasted Pork
• Surrender Café  (Try the Pernil (lechón ) Asado!)

  
  

  695 Rt. 35 Amboy Ave

  
  

  Woodbridge, NJ 07095

  
  

  732-636-2300
• South African Braai
• Braai South African Restaurant – New York City

  
  

  329 W. 51^st St., New York, NY 10019

  
  

  #212-315-3315