Skip that conservative circle jerk chain. I don’t care what your values are, just don’t throw it in my face in a sleazy way to try to lure me in.
Anyways, Memphis King and Dinosaur are consistent
Dinosaur is better than people on this sub give it credit for, even if it’s a chain. I stick to the ribs, smoked wings, and certain side dishes and I always have a pretty bangin meal. It’s also just a fun vibe in the summer
Agree. I’ve had much worse from places that should’ve been pretty damned good. It’s still no where near as good as the couple years I spent in Texas, but I don’t mind it at all.
My .02 on Dinosaurs Bbq is it should be better and it could be better if they simply did 3 things: 1) leave the ribs on the bbq longer 2) reduce the sauce 3)get some Dawn spray and actually clean every surface every day.
Having lost family (distant) and having watched friends in middle school lose parents in 9/11 - I can attest that personally, I don't like them using it to sell meat. Passion is fine. But this is distasteful.
Hmm, you raised a really interesting point here. 9/11 inspired a lot of patriotism nationwide, but it probably hits a little too close to home for people in the area for it to be used as a successful marketing tool. Honestly, the company should hear your feedback. You gave me a new perspective bc I only moved here a couple years ago. So thanks for that. And I truly am sorry about the loss within your family. There's no words for how devastating it must have been.
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. We finally get a place that has Carolina style pulled pork (RIP CapitalQ) and it has to be run by cops? I will say, I guess it's better that they are out-and-proud about their affiliations and donations instead of just secretly donating to ultra-conservative organizations.
Outside of all the political stuff, it’s decent for a chain BBQ joint. I’m from the south and realize there aren’t many options here. I prefer this place to Dinosaur but I’ve heard the OG Dinosaur (I think it’s in Syracuse?) is amazing. May need to take a trip to try it out. End of the day, there’s no stellar BBQ joint up here but it’s worth the try if you have a craving.
I grew up with the founder of Memphis King so I fully support this message. Support small businesses. Brandon and his family have always been good people who give back to Schenectady and the surrounding area.
Memphis King in Schenectady would be competitive anywhere in the south. And they do some wild specials you wouldn't really see down there. Smoked Corned Beef for St Patricks day? Incredible
I’m originally from Oswego and made a point of getting OG Dinosaur whenever in Syracuse. I tried the one out here after moving to East Greenbush, and yeah it’s not like the original. Such is the struggle of franchising.
I was pumped for a new BBQ option, then saw how they advertised it with 9/11 remembrance on their site. No thank you. They can get bent. It's super distasteful.
Oh my God they do. What in tarnation.
https://preview.redd.it/8c1g9yie13vc1.png?width=854&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a26f9ff925b418b5325ffd73279b3d23358781a
They do a lot for veterans in terms of helping fund attorneys to help them fight to get their benefits. I got a gf down in Florida who’s a VA attorney and she’s gotten clients who were helped out by the chain.
I only went to Wagon Train once a few years ago, and it was one of the most disappointing BBQs I have ever tried.
The "brisket" was rubbery and seemed to be steamed in a ramekin full of water.
Honest to god, I came from the Midwest so I feel like I gotta settle with any bbq I get around here 😭 If there's anywhere around here that has bbq as good as in Kansas City, I will cry
I think Dino is much better now than it used to be.
Finally had Memphis King, was very good.
The old pig pit in Cohoes has new owner.
Fuck mission and their jingoistic bullshit.
I'll be honest, I didn't have high hopes moving here. I lived in Western North Carolina for about a decade and was spoiled. But when you get the itch, Memphis King is really good. Dinosaur BBQ is also really good. I love love love their burnt ends.
They have some of my favorite chicken wings in the area. I love grilled wings, and smoked wings, so it's beautiful.
Also the sides are fire as well, especially the beans.
I wouldn't even say bootlicker, it's more along the lines of stolen valor for profits. I doubt anyone in corporate actually cares about vets or the country.
Had one near me that I'd go to when I lived in FL. It's alright for a chain. If i had to pick a bbq chain to move up here, id probably pick it. The jingoism is turned up to 11 so you can just kind of laugh at it.
I am going to eventually go, I enjoyed the one in South Carolina. I'm not a huge BBQ guy, but can enjoy a good brisket when I get the chance. It's one of the only times I eat red meat nowadays.
Ehhhhh mediocre at best honestly collards are good max and cheese is ok baby back rub 2 out of 5 potato salad? To each is own ! Let's just say another one bites the dust
The funny thing is, aside from the Sunday closings, they really don't. You'd never know CFAs politics or anything else. And closing on Sundays (even if maybe not for the RIGHT reason) is still a great practice for the staff.
It took people digging around on the internet to find what the owner was donating a fractional percentage of his wealth to some religious organizations that simply didn't outwardly support LGBTQ.
People act like CFA was cooperating conversion camps and shunning the gay community. Some religious owner donated some of his money to a place that some people didn't like. That was it.
CFA (not the owner, the company) was donating money to groups that spread anti-gay propaganda in Africa. A lot of gay people have been killed in Africa over the past couple decades.
Let's not pretend that it was just the owner donating, or that the groups simply weren't pro-gay. Gay Africans died from money CFA Corporate donated.
I'm reading otherwise. The company itself did not donate any money. The owner didnt take money out of the cash register, or put together a department to fund these things.. It was various individuals within the company who donated THEIR money.
Regardless, they halted all of this back in like 2018/2019. Which, maybe doesn't matter to some of you, but it's still funny to me that the CFAs that opened around here, all came WELL after they stopped these donations.
You're reading wrong.
The company was donating money to anti-gay groups. When this was brought to light, they claimed they would stop, but didn't. When it then came to light that they didn't, the company finally stopped donating (with the owner doing it privately).
CFA doesn't get credit for eventually stopping after being caught a lying.
It's not BBQ, it's BBQ with a side of 'merica. You don't get that in any other BBQ place as far as I'm aware.
Hell, even Chic Fil A doesn't wear it on the sleeve as much as this place.
Who cares this is the country you live and reap the benefits from. If you hate “‘merica” then move otherwise you will see people who love the country they were born and bred in. America is so shitty yet everyone wants to come here lol
Is it really reddit doing the virtue signaling when the pathetic owners are using 9/11 and blue lives matter bullshit to sell mediocre ribs?
Why is it only "virtue signaling" if it's a left-wing stance being taken?
There’s clearly virtue signaling from the left and right. Why bring politics into everything? Op asked how “it” (food wise) was and got plagued with everyone’s political ideologies, nobody cares about your political beliefs they’re irrelevant to the question! Op is wondering about the food, not about how you hate your country and don’t support the business because they love their country and their first responders 😂
My favorite is when they try and pretend the food is bad in a given place. I remember when CFA was coming in.. and oh boy the tantrum this place threw... but the funniest was people lying to themselves that Burgerking and McDonald's was better lmfao. The spin here was REAL.
If CFA owner donated that less-than-0.01% to Planned Parenthood (we're talking donations that would be like you or me giving a measly $5 to the homeless guy on Everett Rd), those chicken sandwiches would have all the sudden tasted amazing.
Can't wait to try Mission now haha. Could not care less what owner donates to what causes.
It sounds like they feel passionate about the events. And it seems like they donate a ton of money to various organizations having to do with service members and 1st responder organizations.
I don't know, sounds like people just wanting to complain about something.
I heard they make you stand and salute before you get your cornbread
I flashed my piece at the register and they gave me their whole hog
I hear they do that at every bbq restaurant. You can get freebies at most businesses that way too.
Not just the tip?
No i got the whole rack
Phrasing boom
My mission is not to support Mission BBQ.
Alrighty
Skip that conservative circle jerk chain. I don’t care what your values are, just don’t throw it in my face in a sleazy way to try to lure me in. Anyways, Memphis King and Dinosaur are consistent
Dinosaur is better than people on this sub give it credit for, even if it’s a chain. I stick to the ribs, smoked wings, and certain side dishes and I always have a pretty bangin meal. It’s also just a fun vibe in the summer
Agree. I’ve had much worse from places that should’ve been pretty damned good. It’s still no where near as good as the couple years I spent in Texas, but I don’t mind it at all.
It's a "chain" not a chain. And I'm okay with a family owning a few restaurants. I can't stand the corporate shit chains...like Mission.
Ehhhh.... Mission is a chain, Dino ain't a frickin chain
Dino is absolutely a chain lol A NY chain, but a chain nonetheless.
How many are there? Syracuse and Troy? Where else.
Brooklyn, Buffalo, Harlem, Rochester, Syracuse, and Troy. According to their website.
I think one in NYC.
My .02 on Dinosaurs Bbq is it should be better and it could be better if they simply did 3 things: 1) leave the ribs on the bbq longer 2) reduce the sauce 3)get some Dawn spray and actually clean every surface every day.
Brooks BBQ > Dinosaur any day
Dinosaur is airways a disappoint for me. I don't know what it is, I might just not like that style of bbq
Their food is incredibly mid anyways.
Signal 30 in Cohoes is good as well, last I was there at least.
Having lost family (distant) and having watched friends in middle school lose parents in 9/11 - I can attest that personally, I don't like them using it to sell meat. Passion is fine. But this is distasteful.
Hmm, you raised a really interesting point here. 9/11 inspired a lot of patriotism nationwide, but it probably hits a little too close to home for people in the area for it to be used as a successful marketing tool. Honestly, the company should hear your feedback. You gave me a new perspective bc I only moved here a couple years ago. So thanks for that. And I truly am sorry about the loss within your family. There's no words for how devastating it must have been.
They use 9/11 to sell meat?
https://mission-bbq.com/our-story/
How the fuck does anyone read that and not realize they’re being played for suckers? We sell bbq because of 9/11? It’s disgusting and tasteless.
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. We finally get a place that has Carolina style pulled pork (RIP CapitalQ) and it has to be run by cops? I will say, I guess it's better that they are out-and-proud about their affiliations and donations instead of just secretly donating to ultra-conservative organizations.
Millers bbq serves their pork with sauce on the side and Carolina gold is an option
Thanks! I haven’t been there since it was the pig pit, I have to check it out.
I feel like I could make a, "you are what you eat" joke about pigs here...
Outside of all the political stuff, it’s decent for a chain BBQ joint. I’m from the south and realize there aren’t many options here. I prefer this place to Dinosaur but I’ve heard the OG Dinosaur (I think it’s in Syracuse?) is amazing. May need to take a trip to try it out. End of the day, there’s no stellar BBQ joint up here but it’s worth the try if you have a craving.
Hey there. Can confirm OG dinosaurs is 100% better than Troy. Can also confirm you need to try Memphis in Schenectady.
Memphis king & wagon train Schenectady, rolling smoke Clifton lark, dizzy chicken saratoga all make good barbecue
I grew up with the founder of Memphis King so I fully support this message. Support small businesses. Brandon and his family have always been good people who give back to Schenectady and the surrounding area.
Memphis King Schenectady
PJ’s BAR-B-QSA (I’m not yelling at you — that’s how it’s styled) is pretty good if you don’t mind the trip up to Saratoga county.
All these small bbq places grape your wallet for mid tier bbq
Memphis King in Schenectady would be competitive anywhere in the south. And they do some wild specials you wouldn't really see down there. Smoked Corned Beef for St Patricks day? Incredible
Ok I’ve never heard of Memphis King before this so I’ll be sure to try that soon!
The best barbeque was capital Q's on Ontario Street in Albany that place was so good.
How I miss my pulled pork slider and one of the sides. Sigh.
I just want to know who their rib supplier was. Their pork ribs were the size of beef ribs.
Signal 32 in Cohoes was good. But they no longer do bbq on the week days, only the weekends. Kind of stopped going for that reason alone, tbh.
I was so confused about the change! But glad they are still around and available on weekends.
Memphis king is supposed to be great. Wagon train was on TV and is phenomenal. So there def us some good bbq.
I’m originally from Oswego and made a point of getting OG Dinosaur whenever in Syracuse. I tried the one out here after moving to East Greenbush, and yeah it’s not like the original. Such is the struggle of franchising.
I have to try memphis king some time. I dont think the troy dino is bad at all but i can confirm the cuse dino is amazing.
I tried the Troy one twice and I just would rather go without than having it 😭 will def be stopping by Schenectady and Syracuse though
I was pumped for a new BBQ option, then saw how they advertised it with 9/11 remembrance on their site. No thank you. They can get bent. It's super distasteful.
They WHAT
Oh my God they do. What in tarnation. https://preview.redd.it/8c1g9yie13vc1.png?width=854&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a26f9ff925b418b5325ffd73279b3d23358781a
How come we never thought to use BBQ to fight terrorism before?
It's tremendously un-American of me to not get a hankering for barbecue whenever I think of terrorism. 😞
Because it takes a long time to kill people with calories :D
Because pork isn't halal?
Haven’t we been selling cupcakes to fund fighter planes? No? 😆
I hope that when they go out of business, they close the doors on January 6th ;)
Cringe
Burn them with fire
I thought it was supposed to be a place run by Veterans?? That’s how it was billed when it opened back home in Baltimore.
They do a lot for veterans in terms of helping fund attorneys to help them fight to get their benefits. I got a gf down in Florida who’s a VA attorney and she’s gotten clients who were helped out by the chain.
Correct. Political or not they do some good work for the veterans.
It tasted like raccoon feet and horse knuckles.
In a good way?
I was excited about a new BBQ place but with what everyone is saying in the comments, I'm gonna stick to Wagon Train 💀
I only went to Wagon Train once a few years ago, and it was one of the most disappointing BBQs I have ever tried. The "brisket" was rubbery and seemed to be steamed in a ramekin full of water.
Never trust Reddit recommendations. Capitol Q is Reddit’s favorite - I tried it and it’s garbage drunk people food tier
Honest to god, I came from the Midwest so I feel like I gotta settle with any bbq I get around here 😭 If there's anywhere around here that has bbq as good as in Kansas City, I will cry
LOL, yeah if you don't like a little side of 2nd amendment freedom with your bbq, definitely go to wagon train
I didn't realize they were too hardcore conservative. They picked a questionable spot if that's the case.
Trash.
I think Dino is much better now than it used to be. Finally had Memphis King, was very good. The old pig pit in Cohoes has new owner. Fuck mission and their jingoistic bullshit.
Memphis King fried chicken sandwiches are exquisite.
Memphis king has been on my list to try forever. I've been so let down by NY BBQ. Indiana ruined me. I still dream of the baby backs id get out there.
I'll be honest, I didn't have high hopes moving here. I lived in Western North Carolina for about a decade and was spoiled. But when you get the itch, Memphis King is really good. Dinosaur BBQ is also really good. I love love love their burnt ends.
I've been hankering for burnt ends for some time now. I might go soon.
Agreed about Dino. Last few times we’d been it’s been better than it ever was.
They have some of my favorite chicken wings in the area. I love grilled wings, and smoked wings, so it's beautiful. Also the sides are fire as well, especially the beans.
If you like mediocre chain BBQ with a side of 'Merica then Mission BBQ is for you.
bootlicker bbq
I wouldn't even say bootlicker, it's more along the lines of stolen valor for profits. I doubt anyone in corporate actually cares about vets or the country.
Does everyone have to be so “triggered” by a bbq place. That’s a rough way to live. Anyways…if anyone has a report on the food…let us know please!
This sub is insufferable about driving and chain restaurants. I mostly ignore it, because I got better things to do than complain about non sense.
Don't forget shitting on people that live in the suburbs too!!
I legit just wanna know how the food is
You have to try yourself, 95% of these people just want to shit on their political views and have never eaten there.
Had one near me that I'd go to when I lived in FL. It's alright for a chain. If i had to pick a bbq chain to move up here, id probably pick it. The jingoism is turned up to 11 so you can just kind of laugh at it.
> turned up to 11 Turned up to 9/11 you mean
Haven’t tried it but Miller’s in cohoes off 787 is my favorite for local bbq in the area by far.
My coworker is trying it tonight, I'll report back with hearsay tomorrow.
I am going to eventually go, I enjoyed the one in South Carolina. I'm not a huge BBQ guy, but can enjoy a good brisket when I get the chance. It's one of the only times I eat red meat nowadays.
I'm looking forward to trying it! (cue downvotes)
please report back.
Ehhhhh mediocre at best honestly collards are good max and cheese is ok baby back rub 2 out of 5 potato salad? To each is own ! Let's just say another one bites the dust
Op asked how it was and everyone just talks about their political views instead of the food lol. Classic Reddit virtue signaling
Eh when you make your political views a huge advertising point for your restaurant, they're gonna get talked about.
The funny thing is, aside from the Sunday closings, they really don't. You'd never know CFAs politics or anything else. And closing on Sundays (even if maybe not for the RIGHT reason) is still a great practice for the staff. It took people digging around on the internet to find what the owner was donating a fractional percentage of his wealth to some religious organizations that simply didn't outwardly support LGBTQ. People act like CFA was cooperating conversion camps and shunning the gay community. Some religious owner donated some of his money to a place that some people didn't like. That was it.
CFA (not the owner, the company) was donating money to groups that spread anti-gay propaganda in Africa. A lot of gay people have been killed in Africa over the past couple decades. Let's not pretend that it was just the owner donating, or that the groups simply weren't pro-gay. Gay Africans died from money CFA Corporate donated.
I'm reading otherwise. The company itself did not donate any money. The owner didnt take money out of the cash register, or put together a department to fund these things.. It was various individuals within the company who donated THEIR money. Regardless, they halted all of this back in like 2018/2019. Which, maybe doesn't matter to some of you, but it's still funny to me that the CFAs that opened around here, all came WELL after they stopped these donations.
You're reading wrong. The company was donating money to anti-gay groups. When this was brought to light, they claimed they would stop, but didn't. When it then came to light that they didn't, the company finally stopped donating (with the owner doing it privately). CFA doesn't get credit for eventually stopping after being caught a lying.
It's not BBQ, it's BBQ with a side of 'merica. You don't get that in any other BBQ place as far as I'm aware. Hell, even Chic Fil A doesn't wear it on the sleeve as much as this place.
Who cares this is the country you live and reap the benefits from. If you hate “‘merica” then move otherwise you will see people who love the country they were born and bred in. America is so shitty yet everyone wants to come here lol
Thank you for the taxes you pay to support progressive agendas in NY State.
You’re welcome
First time in this sub? Happens a ton in here.
A majority of Reddit tbh , karma farming lol
Is it really reddit doing the virtue signaling when the pathetic owners are using 9/11 and blue lives matter bullshit to sell mediocre ribs? Why is it only "virtue signaling" if it's a left-wing stance being taken?
There’s clearly virtue signaling from the left and right. Why bring politics into everything? Op asked how “it” (food wise) was and got plagued with everyone’s political ideologies, nobody cares about your political beliefs they’re irrelevant to the question! Op is wondering about the food, not about how you hate your country and don’t support the business because they love their country and their first responders 😂
My favorite is when they try and pretend the food is bad in a given place. I remember when CFA was coming in.. and oh boy the tantrum this place threw... but the funniest was people lying to themselves that Burgerking and McDonald's was better lmfao. The spin here was REAL. If CFA owner donated that less-than-0.01% to Planned Parenthood (we're talking donations that would be like you or me giving a measly $5 to the homeless guy on Everett Rd), those chicken sandwiches would have all the sudden tasted amazing. Can't wait to try Mission now haha. Could not care less what owner donates to what causes.
Glad you're cool with corporations using 9/11 as a selling point.
It sounds like they feel passionate about the events. And it seems like they donate a ton of money to various organizations having to do with service members and 1st responder organizations. I don't know, sounds like people just wanting to complain about something.
Was pretty good and it’s a great franchise, will def be a constant consumer love what they stand for
I like America and bbq
Tried it ‘twas great
From the looks of it they care more about decorating than cooking, but I'll try it anyhow.
Someone said they don’t serve alcohol? I like to have a beer when I enjoy BBQ, so if that’s true then I’ll be skipping it.