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All Reader Reviews of...

Wildwood Barbeque

225 Park Ave. South, New York, NY, 10003
nr. 18th St.
212-533-2500

Avg. Rating

6
Food: 6
Service: 6
Décor: 7
"Mixed Reviews"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

54% would go back.

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Generic BBQ

By GOJETS19 on 2/9/2012

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 3
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 4
  • No, I would not go back!

This place is NOT good. Staff is nice, service was good but food was not. Been here twice... Once with 10 Of the boys for a whole hog dinner...this was extraordinarily disappointing (smoked, so no crispy skin)! Regular food is very very average. Sorry guys. There's better BBQ out there. I wish Dino BBQ would open up downtown!

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12 out of 29 people found this review helpful.

Just Brutal.

By nyjest on 1/21/2012

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 6
  • No, I would not go back!

I just came back from my first Wildwood outing- a birthday dinner- and my experience simply could not have been worse. Service was the main issue. 15 minutes passed before our drink order was taken and then another 30(literally!) before the drinks arrived. When they finally did, I looked down at a Julep glass sans liquid- $12 seems steep for just sugar, mint & ice. Ok, honest mistake, but when I mentioned the bourbon oversight to the waiter, he insisted there was no mistake and that I had to wait for the ice to melt. And so it began. In fairness my food was quite good. I enjoyed the bacon trio appetizer quite a bit. What's better than bacon? 3 kinds of bacon! And each was unique, flavorful and well prepared. I followed this with the rib sampler and both the spareribs and babyback ribs were actually fantastic. With these successes in mind, I did my best to look through the rose-colored glasses and give the rest of the experience a passing grade so that I could come back and maybe catch the whole operation on a better night. They simply refused to let it happen. The service somehow got even worse as the night dragged on and then the kicker... I arrived home to put my leftovers in the fridge and realized the container was open. Then when I leaned in to close the box, I discovered one happy little cockroach meandering through the remnants of my rib sampler. Happy Birthday to me! I can't think of any excuses for this kind of experience. Never again.

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18 out of 31 people found this review helpful.

Just Brutal.

By nyjest on 1/21/2012

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 6
  • No, I would not go back!

I just came back from my first Wildwood outing- a birthday dinner- and my experience simply could not have been worse. Service was the main issue. 15 minutes passed before our drink order was taken and then another 30(literally!) before the drinks arrived. When they finally did, I looked down at a Julep glass sans liquid- $12 seems steep for just sugar, mint & ice. Ok, honest mistake, but when I mentioned the bourbon oversight to the waiter, he insisted there was no mistake and that I had to wait for the ice to melt. And so it began. In fairness my food was quite good. I enjoyed the bacon trio appetizer quite a bit. What's better than bacon? 3 kinds of bacon! And each was unique, flavorful and well prepared. I followed this with the rib sampler and both the spareribs and babyback ribs were actually fantastic. With these successes in mind, I did my best to look through the rose-colored glasses and give the rest of the experience a passing grade so that I could come back and maybe catch the whole operation on a better night. They simply refused to let it happen. The service somehow got even worse as the night dragged on and then the kicker... I arrived home to put my leftovers in the fridge and realized the container was open. Then when I leaned in to close the box, I discovered one happy little cockroach meandering through the remnants of my rib sampler. Happy Birthday to me! I can't think of any excuses for this kind of experience. Never again.

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21 out of 41 people found this review helpful.

Cool hang out spot

By Mishka27 on 7/17/2011

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Good place to come with a bunch of people. Definitely not sit and have a convo kinda place, but more of a company with good loud time and laughs. Has a good city vibe, nice decor, good drinks and we loved the food. Great place for a night starter. Definitely would come back.

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19 out of 39 people found this review helpful.

Noisy fun place

By barje on 9/24/2010

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

First time here with small group of people. Found the service very good. Was kind of louder than I would like but the food was good and there was plenty of it. Brisket and dry ribs were terrific and the drinks were fine. Enjoyed the variety of beers. I was impressed with the meat quality but some of the sides were no big deal. Not expensive by New York standards. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

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21 out of 38 people found this review helpful.

Lunch is Satisfying

By gjl137 on 1/21/2010

  • Overall Rating: 4
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

I have only been to WW during the lunch hour where I find the place to be typically empty and quiet. They do not even open until a little past 12 so I would not come here too early. The beer/liqueur selections are impressive and unfortunately I have not had the chance to indulge. Work lunches unfortunately do not constitute three martini lunches anymore. Sad. The service here is pretty quick especially at lunch since no one is here. The cornbread is nothing special. It is kind of dry and crumbly. The brisket is good but I recommend getting it lean unless you want to eat a droopy piece of fat is you get it moist. Overall, I would come here again and would eventually like to check it out during the dinner scene.

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54 out of 113 people found this review helpful.

Not to shabby

By bp9451 on 10/17/2008

  • Overall Rating: 7
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I have been to many BBQ joints from Blue Smoke to Rub and i have to say that WWBBQ is pretty good. I work in the area and have been there over 8 times since its opening. The food is quailty and the staff is very friendly. I decor is perky/Barn like and gives a nice enviornment that is quiet even when full. The dessert menu still needs some work but the ribs are a pleanty and the taste is just as good. Try the onion rings or the home made salt and vinegar chips (YUM)

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84 out of 160 people found this review helpful.

Go for the drinks!

By LZA on 8/27/2008

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

The barbecue was all well and good - no complaints. But the truly excellent part of the night was having a few drinks before dinner at the bar. They have a staggering 32 kinds of bourbon and about 7 ryes, and the bartender really knew his stuff. I had the best Sazerac I've ever had, and all of the specialty cocktails are really great, not the usual crappy fruity 'martini' for $15 schlock. I especially liked the mint julep and the Macintyre (?)Swizzle, which was sloe gin and muddled strawberries. For the quality of the cocktails it was very underpriced. Kind of a Wall Streety/ touristy crowd but it's such a big, loud place that you can tune it out.

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76 out of 157 people found this review helpful.

Disneyland Q

By BKAMK on 6/26/2008

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

My friend said he knew it when we walked in. Adam Platt nailed it: “...more of a big-money New York restaurant and bar than a hard-core barbecue joint.” I've had BBQ at 10-15 different places around the city plus attended big apple bbq for the last 5 years and this is definitely one of the poorer experiences i’ve had. We got different sample platters so we could try everything: Brisket, baby back and dry ribs, pulled pork and chicken. The brisket wasn't bad, but nothing was memorable. (anyone calling this the best pork rib in the city either 1) works at wildwood or 2) has not tried many.) Nothing was BAD, but if you have had bbq at Rack-n-Soul, RUB, Daisy Mays or Smokin Q, you are going to be disappointed. A tip for those budding bbq heads: When you walk in, does the place kind of look low key or at least uninspiring? If it does, you are probably in for great BBQ. My designation for places like Wildwood is usually Disneyland BBQ...or OGQ: Olive Garden Q.

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84 out of 172 people found this review helpful.

Great Meats...Sides Need Help

By BrightonBeachFoodie on 5/5/2008

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

Had the pulled pork and brisket..both meets were great with the brisket being the standout. I must say that for the price the sides need to be worked on..Especially the Mac and Cheese. Onion rings were nothing to rave about and neither were the sweet potatoe fries. All in all not the best bbq value in town but if your into decor and need to see a nice atmosphere to enjoy ur meal you wont be dissapointed.

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66 out of 144 people found this review helpful.

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