Big Apple Barbecue Returns To New York This June

Endless piles of ribs, miles of smoked brisket, and long chains of andouille sausage... do we have your attention yet? The Big Apple Barbecue — New York City's number one Southern-style 'cue festival—is back this June 10th and 11th inside Madison Square Park. The lineup has just been announced (with 15 pitmasters to celebrate 15 years), and there are a lot of familiar faces including Jean Paul Bourgeois (Blue Smoke), Ash Fulk (Hill Country BBQ),  the team at Salt Lick BBQ, and John Wheeler (Memphis Barbecue Company).

Unfortunately, this year — just like every other Big Apple Barbecue in the past—there are zero headlining female pitmasters who are not part of a team (as is the talented Leslie Roark, who partners with her father Gary Roark every year to represent Udon's Barbecue).

While diversity behind the grill is definitely lacking at Big Apple Barbecue, if you're still dreaming in pork smoke rings, be sure to show up on June 10th and/or 11th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but each plate costs $12. You can also skip the lines by purchasing a Fastpass or VIP pass here.

The festival's music lineup has yet to be announced.