Finding good Southern food in the big city was not what I had in mind when I started planning our trip to New York City. Being a Southern transplant to the Midwest, I don't get a lot of Southern-style food period, unless I'm making it myself. Wings and ribs and Mason jar glasses...we're talking my kind of style and slow cookin' speed. Yes, you see the Mason jar glass in the picture above? This was taken at Brother Jimmy's restaurant smack dab in NYC, just around the corner from the Museum of Natural History. You know, the big museum with 'Dum Dum want Gum Gum' from the Night of the Museum? That's the one.
Brother Jimmy's is a happening spot. We were there relatively early at around 5pm on a Friday evening. They stay open L.A.T.E.... well, until morning really, and have a full bar. I'm sure that keeps them pretty busy. Signs and wall art provide the restaurant-goer with plenty to look at while waiting for their food, and let me just say, these wings don't disappoint. If I'd had my head on right, I would have ordered more wings and skipped the ribs. The wings were that good. And yes, there are plenty of napkins and wet wipes to keep you from licking your fingers. Too much anyway.
Apparently, if you are a Southerner complete with a Southern I.D., you can get a big fat discount on your food on Wednesdays. I noticed a couple similar signs around Brother Jimmy's offering discounts for this or that. It seems like a colorful way to add to the decor.
Meals come with a choice of sides. We opted for the mashed potatoes & gravy and the mac and cheese. Yes, my 10 year old daughter was in control of choosing our sides. The sides were great. Wholesome, comforting, just exactly like you would expect Southern side dishes to be. The ribs were alright, but like I said before... I'd pick a big order of wings over the ribs if I had it to do all over again. My judgement might have been skewed because I had recently enjoyed my own grilled pork ribs recipe, and both my daughter and I found the ribs at Brother Jimmy's to be a bit greasy. Still, they were good... just not the best I've ever had and not what I would order again. But I would definitely go back for the wings!
As if we needed a sign encouraging us to Eat More Pork... it's there, bright as day, egging us on.
Overall, I'd rate our visit to Brother Jimmy's as good. The service was good, the food was good, and the wings were excellent.
Word of advice: if you are visiting the Museum of Natural History right before coming to Brother Jimmy's, use the restroom at the museum. The restroom at Brother Jimmy's is super small and in need of some repairs. I know they were planning to close for a few days for cleaning and repairs, so hopefully that was at the top of their list.
Jillian
Looks like a yummy place!