Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Location	Dinosaur Bar-B-Que at night. Photo by _yoshi_
99 Court Street, Rochester NY, 14604
Hours (as of August 2009)
Monday - Thursday: 11:00AM to Midnight
Friday & Saturday: 11:00AM to 1:00AM
Sunday (Dinner): Noon to 10:00PM
Live Music: Mon – Sat Night
Phone
585 325 7090
Email
<rochcatering AT dinosaurbarbque DOT com>
Website
http://DinosaurBarBQue.com
Rochester
Reviews
2006-07-20 EatOutRochester Review
2008-03-14 Insider review
Evite user reviews

In 1983 three bikers, including John Stage, set off on the road to cater festivals, fairs, and motorcycle shows. By 1988 they had traveled and seen lots, and decided to settle down in Syracuse to open a barbecue joint. Dinosaur Bar-B-Q quickly became the place in upstate for blues, bikes, and barbecue. In 1998 they opened a second location, in the 1905 Lehigh Valley Train Station in downtown Rochester. In 2004 they opened a third location in Harlem.

The Dinosaur gains credit as one of the places to bring barbecue into style in the manner Cajun 'got style' in the 1990's. One popular cookbook about the best diners across the US featured two Rochester restaurants including the Dinosaur. In 2001 John Stage and coauthor Nancy Radke completed a cookbook, ''Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse''. They now sell sauces through supermarkets. Nowadays the Dinosaur brings more families and fewer bikers, but at least two things have stayed the same: good ribs and live blues.

• Voted "Best Barbecue Joint" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of' Awards in 2008.¹
  

• Voted "Best Graffiti'd Women's Bathroom" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of Rochester' Critics' Choice Awards in 2008.²

Comments:

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2008-01-28 23:03:11   Okay, best wings in Rochester. Hands down. Dry rub + smoked = delicious wings. I had their hottest wings (tossed in the "Hottest Devil's Duel" sauce) and they were so good. I will probably not do it again any time soon because I had to take a couple of Tums later but I strongly recommend their wings. —OneLove

2008-02-11 23:05:33   Fantastic! I've been there a number of times, and Dinosaur never disappointed. The place is consistently good, has wonderful service (occasionally spunky, in a fun way), and to top it off, has a really good selection of beers. What else could you want. —RemekKocz

2008-03-29 12:14:47   I ate here once and didn't understand all of the hype about it being the best BBQ in town becouse I have had better at chain restaurants like Applebees. The ribs were rubber tasting to me as if the weren't done well enough. —EnishaCray

2008-04-24 17:18:08   Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've always been very impressed by the food at Dino! The nachos are fantastic; when they ask if you want chili or pulled pork, just say you want both :) Chicken wings are amazing. I usually order the "Tres Hombres" platter — you get ribs, beef brisket, and pulled pork. Cajun corn and black beans & rice are my favorite sides. —NathanHenderson

2008-07-31 16:35:35   This place is a little hit and miss, IMHO. I've been twice, and while I enjoyed the roadhouse ambiance, I found the food a little dicey and the pricing and service way below average. The first time I got a brisket plate and the brisket was great, very tender and succulent. However, the second time I went, I got a pulled pork sandwich that was rather dry. I basically had to smother it in the sauce they have at the table. The sides are very average; they're palatable but nothing to write home about. The food is also somewhat overpriced; where I'm from you don't have to pay $10 for a sandwich plate. Plus, the service leaves a lot to be desired. My server took her time getting around to our table, and she left our pitcher of beer at the bar so long that it was lukewarm by the time it arrived. The place was kind of busy, so that might explain the service issues. All in all, I'll probably come back here because I have some friends that love it, but it's far from high on my list of dining choices in Rochester. —JohnHavard

2008-08-14 14:32:10   mmmm. There is usually a wait for a table, but I've never been disappointed here. Excellent meats and sides. It's a great place to take out-of-town guests. Good selection of beer. I've found the servers to be especially friendly, without the fake enthusiam put on by some restaurants. —EastSideStephen

2008-08-14 17:28:03   I HATE barbecue sauce and everything on their menu has barbecue sauce, except a side dish meal. The sides are delicious! Their mac and cheese is awesome. The interior is a dirty dump, but its great to sit outside in the summer and enjoy that mac and cheese. —MrRochester

2008-12-09 12:42:07   Service is sometimes spotty and there is one extremely annoying waiter there, in particular. The food, though, is outstanding makes any annoyance worth it. Also, the only place I can find Pork Slap by the can! —BatGuano

2009-10-28 19:31:51   Ever since Jimmy Mac's closed, Dino has taken the mantle of "Best Nachos". DO NOT come between me and my nachos when I'm here. —BatGuano