The 11th annual Barbecue Block Party brought pit masters from all over the country this weekend to Madison Park. Huge trailers pulled in from Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, the Carolinas and Tennessee, bringing enough smokers and supplies to feed the 200 thousand or so picnickers that would be following their noses over the weekend. Even though we are spoilt with the proximity of the very excellent Mighty Quinns barbecue in the East Village, when the block party comes to town it is a circus of smells, music and southern accents and the food is really just a bonus.
Evidence of the state patriotism in barbecue technique was the popularity of the $125 ‘fast pass’ which would give you preference in the lines, and allow a spectrum of sausages, babyback ribs, brisket, pulled pork, sauces and rubs to become tasting plates when you collapsed on the grass in the Park.
But it’s the volume that I find amazing. One master rubbed and lacquered about 2200 sides of ribs and sold out early on both days. Another did 15,000 pulled pork sandwiches. Then there was the truck load of deep-fried pies. Oh, and the beans! No-one could give me a figure on the beans, but suffice it to say there was a lot of line dancing late in the day…
TheFitzyreport 
What an amazing event, Unimaginable amounts of food looking very delish though! I looked at the website, great promo with the pictures and map. Such a huge event, on looking at the map I notice a Grilling school and elsewhere in the Park an Ikea cooking stage. Then your terrific photos capping it all for me, sounds and looks like great fun.
This is so amazing an everyone looks like they’re having fun despite the huge crowds.
deep – fried pies?
How many calories can you get into one food package.
as the old saying goes , fat equals flavour.
AB
You’re right Andrew, fat is flavour but those deep fried pies looked completely over the top! Even if they called them ‘sweet empanadas’ it would have sounded better – although there would still be all those calories… Give me baked pie – and icecream – any day!