Best BBQ Restaurant in New York City: Virgil's Real Barbecue

It stands to reason that any restaurant so close to Times Square, Broadway, the theater district et cetera requires a certain element of dramatic presentation to make an impact. Virgil's Real Barbecue is a standout not only for its high-quality (not to mention high-quantity) food, but for creating a welcoming, enjoyable atmosphere that puts the diner in just the right mood for lip-smacking fare of the meat-drenched-in-sauce variety.

Upon entering Virgil's, one is struck by the warmth of the place; there's something refreshingly authentic and homey in its wood interiors and bustling atmosphere. It's raucous but not too noisy. It's a restaurant where you can eat out without it feeling like it has to be an event. At Virgil's, pure enjoyment of food for its own sake (certainly not for one's health!) is the focus-the underlit ambience almost lends itself to creating an atmosphere of candlelit romance between you and your pork ribs. (Barbecue lovers will understand.)

It's a great atmosphere for families, provided everyone's up to the task of healthy portions of unabashedly unhealthy food; not everyone is a carnivore, and no menu where the first item listed is "Trainwreck Fries" was designed for the carob-and-tofu crowd. Kids and whimsically-minded adults will enjoy the Americana littering the décor and the cheerful tours of American barbeque available for perusal while you await your food.

In addition to generous proportions of meat itself, Virgil's doesn't skimp on the trimmings; each entrée is served with cornbread and a choice of two sides; we suggest going the extra-sinful route with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. The dessert menu seems quite tempting, with its selection of Southern pies each more mouth-watering than the last, but to be frank your correspondent's stomach capacity has not yet allowed him to cross this particular threshold.

Don't let the effusive review fool you into thinking this is a spot enjoyed only by one crazed carnivore, for Virgil's has its big fans; it is regularly selected on best-of lists by grateful New York meat lovers, and celebrity patronage has run the gamut from singers Nick Lachey and Bobby Brown to wrestler Bautista. Popularity comes at a price, not to mention the economies of a Manhattan location, but while Virgil's-like most restaurants in Times Square-may require some waiting at the door (reservations are recommended if you've got a Broadway show to rush to), it won't break the bank with tourist trap prices. Entrees float around the twenty-dollar mark, which given the portion size turns out quite reasonable.

Unpretentious, friendly and packing a great punch of flavor to boot, Virgil's Real Barbecue offers a quality taste of the South in the Big Apple. Just don't fill up on bread first.