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Oklahoma Smoke BBQ
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
148th St (3)
145th St (A, C, B, D)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- None
6 reviews for Oklahoma Smoke BBQ
So this sums up our experience at Oklahoma Smoke in a nutshell: It's like having dinner in your friend's rec room, with all the neighbors and a live band thrown in, too. If you're expecting a barbeque experience like that of Blue Smoke or Dinosaur, go to either of them and you'll be happy. If you want the down home experience of barbeque, complete with all the comforts and characters of home, Oklahoma Smoke is the place for you.
As soon as we got there, we were greeted by Mel, the cheerful and accommodating host. We were thrown off at first, because first of all the location is in the ground floor of an off-the-beaten-path brownstone in Harlem with an American flag flying overhead, which gave us a curious Veteran's club vibe even before we walked in the door, and secondly, it's a Tuesdays only kind of joint. We had our suspicions, but as soon as Mel led us to our table in the tight room, he had us at 'how are you doin' tonight?' He graciously showed us around, and we met Paul, the main man in the kitchen, Barbara, the Pittsburgh Pirates fan behind the bar, and Willie, the manager keeping an eye out for all. Yes, it's that kind of place, just your friend's rec room hangin' with the neighbors. Oh, and did I mention there was a live jazz band? A seven-piece jazz combo at the front of the room, featuring 13 year old guitar protege Solomon Hicks, kept the mood going all night long. We ordered a couple of cocktails from Barbara ('what can I get ya, babycakes?'), and took our seats.
Make no mistake about it, this is one of those paper plate kind of joints. But what arrived on those plates was some pretty good barbeque. For 12 bucks a plate, it's pretty straightforward barbeque. No real surprises on the simple menu. The beef ribs were moist and chewy, and the pork ribs didn't just fall off the bone, they slid off the bone, no kidding, right into our mouths. They weren't overly sauced, but of course extra is provided, and they were nicely seasoned pieces of meat. Our sides of mac and cheese and cornbread were both a nice compliment to the meal, as was the cabbage. But personally, my favorite had to be the pulled pork, soft and tangy with a perfect char on the edges. I can't wait to get it again. I'd also like to try the fried chicken and whiting next time I come back, which Mel tells me are both cooked to order. This is classic, good, homemade cooking.
My advice is to come early. By 8 o'clock, most of the tables were full, and it definitely seems like the kind of place that people like to hang out in and spend the night listening to the music or watching the game (and being uptown it's a Yankees crowd). The only bad thing I have to say about it is that they're only around on Tuesdays.
Hello...Oklahoma Smoke has a new home..its 248 west 132nd st between 7th and 8th. We are on the gound floor of a brownstone. Tuesdays only 5pm till midnight. full bar and music plus all the great food! info write oklahomasmokebbqnyc@gm....
thanks,
mel
Best turkey I've ever had, by an easy margin. They rubbed this bird with something extraordinary. It was sweet, smokey, tender. I got a mix of white and dark meat, but I would stick with the white next time, as it seemed to carry the flavor better. Every bite was sheer pleasure. Candied yams were very sweet (no problem with that); the sweet corn was pedestrian, but I think that's just a function of sweet corn being an unimaginative side rather than a failure in execution on their part.
A guy named Mel was working, and he was one of the friendliest people I've encountered in this city. He said they deliver everywhere.
Now closed. Quality started to slip, customer service never really got off the ground and now they are closed. It was fun while it lasted.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/22/2007 First to Review
Dry rubbed ribs in Harlem Oklahoma style. You would think that a place like Harlem would be teeming… Read more »
It's OK BBQ (pun intended), but what a personality!
People are here from opening to closing. I've never walked past Oklahoma and not seen a customer/visitor inside or seated on one of the chairs out outside. Of course, I wasn't drawn in. Barbeque menus don't really cater to pescatarians but as I journeyed home one late evening with my roommate from our Sunday Shopping Spree, we were approached by a man handing out the menu and letting us know about the delivery option. We took one (we're environmentally conscious like that) and let him know we would try it out. As we continued our journey home, I started to get hungry and contemplated what I would eat for dinner. Ramen was sounding less and less appetizing as I zoomed in on the printed "White fish" and read the rest of the menu aloud to Morgan.
So we dropped off our bags and rang OK BBQ. 20 minutes later the same guy who handed us a menu rang our bell and politely (Good evening ma'am, I have your delivery from Oklahoma Barbeque) announced himself. WHOA! so much more pleasant than a resounding, "DELIVERY!"
He climbs to the 5th floor, all out of breath and stuff. I pay him and offer him some water. He politely refuses. But I have a way with people and I was intrigued by this man. So before he knew it he was in our apartment exchanging business cards and inviting us to another event/business venture he has on Sugar Hill.
So when you stop by for some OK BBQ, say hello to Mr. Ferguson! Good delivery option for when you're feeling lazy. FAB corn muffins! The fish was OK. Could've been seasoned a little better. Morgan really liked her Pulled Pork Sandwich.
... and correct me if I'm wrong, but was this place started by a white boy? (::runs and hides from Will I.::)
I don't usually do this but I'm putting the IlloquentGent Seal of Approval on this spot. I believe this place isn't getting the credit it deserves!!! I'll be the first to say that I am not too thrilled about the awning (bit of a turn off), but the food more than makes up for any lacking in the asthetics dept. Plus if i can eat at Sherman's whose centennial sign now read ",,,,man's bbq" i can definitely eat here!
First of all this place has a simple menu. Won't take you too long to put together your perfect meal. The jerk ribs are amazing!!! (No disrespect to Sherman's BBQ). Also you absolutely must try the jerk rib sandwich....are you seeing a jerk pattern developing here! You won't regret it. It's heavy as hell though so be ready!
The sides I'm a big fan of are the macaroni salad, cole slaw (yes...the cole saw!), and mac and cheese. FYI: If you order a large side they send you two small ones. Just in case this freaks you out!
Update: So the place is under new management. White boy must have cut n run. The guy who delivered my food the first time was actually the new manager who still hadn't hired a delivery person (this was many months aho though). He was quite the visionary in explaining how he wanted to improve the joint, keep a consistency of quality, and obtain a liquor license. Whooo-weee...jerk ribs and Stella! Let's go GIANTS!
