I originally wrote this restaurant review as a staff reporter for the now defunct MetroSyracuse.com about the Dinosaur BBQ

Jurassic Lunch?

    Who says crusty old Dick Clark and the shot clock are our greatest claims to fame? The Dinosaur BBQ is the coolest thing Syracuse has served up since... well... we've never really served up anything cool, have we?

    Everyone has heard of the Dino. It's common to see people from all walks of life, waiting an hour or more on a Saturday afternoon, crammed together so tightly that the hostess has to call your party's name over an intercom. You raise your hands and she directs you to your table over a loudspeaker. Sounds like the seating area must be stadium sized, right? Not even close. Dining is cozy. Music is at conversation volume. (unless a late-night band is on stage) There are simply so many people at the bar, or waiting for their turn to eat, that a lone voice can't be heard over the din. It's all part of this tiny, down-to-earth restaurant's charm.

    A long row of motorcycles line the street along the front entrance at any hour of the day, parking is sparse and, at a glance, the place looks a little rough but don't let that fool you. Inside, you'll find red and white checkered, vinyl tablecloths, old, careworn floors, and plenty of character. Memorabilia, hand-painted murals, and black magic marker graffiti cover the walls. It's often three deep at the bar, and tables are situated among the throng of waiting patrons. While the Dinosaur is a moderately priced departure from linen napkins, potted ferns and stuffy formality, the food and the service never fall short.

    Where else could you find such a melting pot of fine jewels, leather chaps, golf shirts, tank tops, business suits, pressed jeans, dirty jeans, holey jeans, big jeans, low-riders, elastic waist bands, Armani, Baby Phat, and whatever the hell Wal-mart is selling? The answer is simple. Either the courthouse or the Dinosaur. I guess the next question is why? What's so special about this little "honky-tonk rib joint" that it could blur all the lines and bring the community together in a manner so rarely seen? Why do people of every race, age, and income level flock to this run-down looking place where it's hard to park? Why does everyone, from little kids to oxygen-tank-toting grandmas, voluntarily wait with patience and nothing short of hungry anticipation for a meal on a plastic plate?  That answer also is easy. Because it's fantastic.

    Part of the draw is the way the Dinosaur hearts its attitude. There is no apology for the greasy spoon meets Harley Davidson atmosphere, and none should be given! The staff is courteous, helpful, and laid back. (You've gotta love it when your waitress says "Keep your fork, honey. This ain't the Marriott.") It is what it is, fun, relaxed, sarcastic, and yet the Dino takes quality seriously. In fact, it takes quality all the way to the bank. Make no mistake, if you chose to drive on by based on appearance, you're definitely misjudging a book by its cover - and it's your loss.

    Even the menu is a point of interest. Who could resist ordering the "Big Ass Pork Plate?" (with cornbread and 2 sides, $11.50) While the pulled pork is well known as a specialty, the options seem endless. Ribs, chicken, prime rib, drunken spicy shameless shrimp, hamburgers, catfish, pork or beef brisket, endless combinations, all the usual, and then some. There's even a BBQ Portobello sandwich in case meat isn't your thing. Cornbread is a must-have, and garden salad comes with a spicy "Bar-B-Blues house dressing" that shouldn't be ignored. Other popular selections include A.K. chili and my all-time favorite: fried green tomatoes. ($3.95 & 5.95) How often does one come across real fried green tomatoes?? Not often, I assure you, and these are to die for. Even people who claim to hate tomatoes enjoy them. They're fried to perfection, never over-cooked, never soggy, and the cayenne buttermilk sauce should win a prize. The dirty rice, when they have it, is fabulous, and so is the peanut butter pie. In fact, everything is fabulous. Oh, and once you're done eating, be prepared to be reminded to leave your table. No, they aren't being rude; they want to make sure they can serve as many people, with as short a wait, as possible. Keep in mind how hungry you were before you were seated!

    To keep your wait to a minimum, and sometimes be seated immediately, go during the week and at an off-hour. Take-out is always available and they never seem to screw up your order amid all the chaos. Also, it helps to peruse the menu in advance and have your order ready.

    With all this success, it's no surprise that signature sauces, and a cookbook, can be found in gift shops and stores both locally and as far away as Florida. Prepared entrees and sides, (to be re-heated at home,) are available from grocers, as are potato chips. The Dinosaur has opened in Rochester, and more recently, found its rightful place in the center of the modern world - New York City. While taking the world's best barbeque to the Big Apple - and therefore, to millions of people - is a step in the right direction, one can only wonder if a new restaurant could ever capture the enchanting charisma and familiar comfort of the original? Who cares? NYC has all the good stuff, it's time Syracuse had the better of something and we do. We have the one and only original Dinosaur BBQ!

 Why do all those people wait so long for a table? Because it's worth it.

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246 Willow St

Phone: 315-473-4937 Large party orders are available by the pound

Prices quoted in this article are subject to change