Robert Pearson, NYC BBQ Pioneer

[backyardchef]

Rest in peace, Robert. 

[Sneakeater]

This hurts.

[StephanieL]

Damn.  Pearson's was great back in the day, and having to search for it in the back of a bar was kind of fun..

Edited July 15, 2024 by StephanieL

[Wilfrid]

Yes, memories of this. Wasn’t there more than one location at one point? I remember the back of the bar one, and it was a bar that was not itself a destination.

But an attempt in Manhattan too? I am having strong memories of taking my little daughter there with her Dominican family after a Martha Graham kiddies performance. 

[Wilfrid]

Looks like East 181st, up from the Martha Graham school. Just my memories.

[backyardchef]

15 hours ago, Wilfrid said:

Yes, memories of this. Wasn’t there more than one location at one point? I remember the back of the bar one, and it was a bar that was not itself a destination.

But an attempt in Manhattan too? I am having strong memories of taking my little daughter there with her Dominican family after a Martha Graham kiddies performance. 

Yes. He and his partner had a place in Manhattan that closed after a fire. After it re-opened, his partner ran the Manhattan location until it closed. He also briefly sold his food to the Rodeo Bar. 

[Wilfrid]

Really, Rodeo Bar down on 3rd?. I used to go there when I lived in the neighborhood and I remember the bottomless free peanuts. Shells everywhere on the floor.

[MitchW]

27 minutes ago, Wilfrid said:

Really, Rodeo Bar down on 3rd?. I used to go there when I lived in the neighborhood and I remember the bottomless free peanuts. Shells everywhere on the floor.

Great bar, often with good, free music. And…peanuts.

[Wilfrid]

Exactly. Yee haw.

[splinky]

Pearson

“Pearson’s was a place of great import to the community,” said Matt Fisher, who worked the pit at renowned New York barbecue joints like Rub, Fletcher’s and Dinosaur. “It was elusive, remote, small, and all that added to its gravitas.”

Edited July 17, 2024 by splinky

[Sneakeater]

Whoever THAT is. 

[Steve R.]

I remember going to Pearson’s in LIC when it was down a long driveway and had outdoor picnic tables to eat your food.  Is that right?  Years later, I know Fette Sau would fit that decription - am I mixing my memories?

And, speaking of memories, I think I remember that Matt Fisher guy as well.

[Sneakeater]

That's how I remember it!

[Wilfrid]

I don't know that one. I remember the one behind Legend's Sports Bar (had to look up the name). Very good beef ribs on my first visit.

[StephanieL]

35 minutes ago, Wilfrid said:

I don't know that one. I remember the one behind Legend's Sports Bar (had to look up the name). Very good beef ribs on my first visit.

I only knew that one too.

[Sneakeater]

This might have been the Stick To Your Ribs period?

[Steve R.]

It was a bit before him being at Legends -- several years before.  Ancient history.  Matt would know.

[Sneakeater]

Right.  (Not that I'm Matt.)

[backyardchef]

10 hours ago, Steve R. said:

It was a bit before him being at Legends -- several years before.  Ancient history.  Matt would know.

Stick to your Ribs was the name from Connecticut to Manhattan and the Legends/Pearson's period was the last location that he had and it eventually became Ranger Barbecue and then Alchemy and ultimately Mothership under different owners.