Queens Best BBQ: Smoke & Barrel
The debate is settled. Smoke & Barrel is the winner of the inaugural Queens’ Best Barbecue Competition, held by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business association in Queens. Over the past several weeks, foodies nominated and voted on their favorite barbecue joints in the borough, with the Far Rockaway eatery emerging as the winner.
Smoke & Barrel accepts their award for Queens Best BBQ
“Queens residents have placed their votes and we’re delighted to honor Smoke & Barrel as the inaugural winner of the Queens’ Best Barbecue Competition,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Everyone knows that Queens is the foodie capital of New York City and judging by the variety of barbecue types nominated for this contest we can see the borough’s remarkable diversity play out in our foods. Congratulations to Brian and Susan Baldwin and the entire team at Smoke & Barrel on winning this coveted title. They are worthy winners!”
“We are honored to have been awarded the winner of the best barbecue in Queens. Thank you to Tom Grech and the rest of the Queens Chamber of Commerce for organizing this competition," said Brian and Susan Baldwin, owners of Smoke & Barrel. "We want to thank our amazing staff, chef, and pitmaster for always bringing their best to work everyday. To our dedicated customers and community, thank you for your unwavering support and for coming back for more barbecue! We invite everyone to come and visit Smoke & Barrel and see why we were voted the best in the borough!"
"I am so excited to hear about Smoke & Barrel winning this award,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato. “Having been able to help with the upbringing of this fine eatery, I am overjoyed to witness the Baldwin family's hardwork and dedication being recognized."
“It’s an honor to say that District 32 is home to both the winner of the Queens Chamber inaugural best pizza competition and now the best BBQ in the borough,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola said. “I look forward to Smoke and Barrel serving the community for years, and I congratulate them on this award.”
In total, 19 establishments were nominated for this contest and Smoke & Barrel was selected the winner after that public nomination process and vote. Nominations included traditional barbeque restaurants, as well as Brazilian-style barbeque, Filipino barbeque, and others. In addition to earning the title of Queens’ Best Barbecue, Smoke & Barrel received a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
The top-5 eateries selected by the public were:
Smoke & Barrel (Far Rockaway)
Batesy’s BBQ and Bar (Arverne)
John Brown BBQ (Sunnyside)
Pig Beach BBQ Queens (Astoria)
Goody’s BBQ Chicken and Ribs (Arverne)
Learn more about Smoke & Barrel at https://www.smokeandbarrelny.com/