Summer is here and the Barbecue season also reminds us of Sherman's which shuttered its last branch over a year ago. The location on 145th Street and ACP/7th Avenue had an Art Deco exterior similar to that of Lenox Lounge and served up ribs along with one unique southern regional specialty. Barbecue Spaghetti is one of the odd American takes on traditionally ethnic food that should not work but has become a favorite to many as a side order. Greater New York City is sort of having a resurgence of quirky regional American fare being featured at the more hip restaurants but it appears that BBQ spaghetti left town when Sherman's closed shop for good.
We made this southern side dish this week for the memories but updated the spaghetti with thicker bucatini pasta that worked better with the recipe slightly passed al dente in texture. The base is basically a tomato sauce to thicken the addition of leftover shredded barbecue meat and BBQ sauce. A sweeter BBQ sauce (i.e. brown sugar or honey) actually works better than something too smokey so also keep that in mind.
Read about the time The Beatles in their younger years stopped into Sherman's on Amsterdam Avenue in our past post:
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Avoid buttering the spaghetti to cut back on calories. The sauce is intensely savory and tangy so does not need the extra fat. Some hot sauce at the end adds a nice bit of acid and kick for those who want it. The above serving was only about a cup so can work in with celebrating the summer season by eating moderately.
ReplyDeleteOh how I miss Sherman's.
ReplyDeleteHere's a comment sent to our inbox by Vinny:
ReplyDeleteWhat fond memories this subject brings to mind! My friend Tommy Murray and I - we lived down on Amsterdam Avenue and 135 and 136 Streets - used to go drinking on a Friday or Saturday night in some Irish bars in Astoria and Woodside in Queens and then finish the night with a sobering meal at Sherman's BBQ. I can never forget how delicious the ribs and BBQ spaghetti tasted! Where is that BBQ spaghetti sauce recipe? I'd love to try to make it myself!
i live in trenton, nj now but was born and raised a harlem girl. i came across this comment page when i was trying to find any updated info on sherman's bbq. i miss ny so much as well as sherman's. i wish the sherman family would reach out to the harlem community and share their bbq spaghetti recipe.
ReplyDeleteOh man, memories of the unique taste of Sherman’s BBQ, no one can Replicate the incredible flavor of that tangy sauce, and the older woman with the gray hair asking “hot sauce on the ribs?” If Sherman could only see how his establishment is no more.... Six or seven items on the entire menu...ribs, pig feet,bbq chicken, cole slaw , potato salad and I think collard greens??!!! But it worked!!! I MISS SHERMANS!!!!
ReplyDeleteSherman's fed Harlem the most iconic, delicious, and most craveable plate of food this side of heaven. I had the honor of telling them how much their food meant to me. I love my mother's cooking, but Sherman's was a real treat! Always in my heart!
ReplyDeleteWhy wont the family sell the sauce
ReplyDelete