Jackson Heights Life

We went to the Sunnyside Park BBQ and Beer festival tonight. The Alchemy guys were there as well as some other vendors. Was a great time and all the beer and food was great. Wish we had a space like they do, jealous.

they are open only as long as they expect to sell food. If they get busier, they'll be open longer.

yeah definitely - you shouldn't pay that much for something you don't like. Go as early as possible and you'll get the freshest stuff - 6pm they open. And they sell out of some things within the first hour. As an added bonus, happy hour is until 6:30, which is a dollar off beers.

yeah definitely - you shouldn't pay that much for something you don't like. Go as early as possible and you'll get the freshest stuff - 6pm they open. And they sell out of some things within the first hour. As an added bonus, happy hour is until 6:30, which is a dollar off beers.

Yeah I went at 6. It was mostly dry/tough bbq and looked nothing like the pictures on seriouseats. the fat was no longer glistening/moist like I've had at Delaney, Mighty Quinn's, even Hill Country. The only worse BBQ i've had in recent memory was fatty cue, which was cheaper. I'll try and go back on a Tuesday at 6 though.

Went there tonight for the second time.  Brisket and duck were amazing.  Best brisket in Queens by far.  The potato salad was great, as was the cole slaw, which was much improved over the first time we went.  Talked to the pit master (who is also originally from Hill Country) and he was saddened that he had all this food sitting there and no customers to eat it.  In the hour and a half we were there only one other woman came in to order, and we were the only customers sitting down eating.  I really hope they stick around but I'm concerned Alchemy will result in a failed experiment.  Can we all try to support this joint?

I know that Alchemy has been mentioned in some online mags and blogs, and seriously talked about on this forum, but do the owners do any advertising other than that? why not in Metro or Boro mag, or even local neighborhood ads?  If you dont read the posts on this website, or come by those few restaurant reviews, how would anybody really know they are there?  I certainly wouldn't, and I only live 3 blocks away from it! I feel like its a problem of marketing, i really don't think its a cultural thing.  I would venture to say there are tons of meat-eaters in these many many co-ops and residences that would love to know about this place.  Why not have a friday or Saturday specials, or coupons or anything to entice people to come in?  I think it would be likely to drum up business.   and a website people!!  (not just a facebook thing) Also, honestly, if you walk by the place, it doesn't look like anything would be remotely outstanding going on inside...those tarp signs strung onto the awning actually look kind creepy to me (just my opinion, no need for any comments on superficiality of signage).  but seriously, if a place looks inviting, people will feel invited.  and thats my two cents  

Also I might point out that while we were there the bar crowd consisted of six men, none of whom ordered food while I was there.  Maybe if Alchemy included, like its predecessor, a pulled pork or bbq chicken sandwich (they did have a burger for $10)for $7 rather than pounds of meat (they do offer quarter or half pounds, but this isn't advertised) for $25, the built in clientele may be more likely to order food there.  Like Jeff alluded to in his semi-controversial "culture clash" comment, it's improbable to have rented food space in the back of a bar be successful that doesn't cater to the built in crowd of that bar, at least a little bit.