BEST NYC DISH THIS WEEK: Impossible Cut at PURE GRIT BBQ

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

I really liked Pure Grit and I think there is an audience out there for it, but I have to wonder if this sort of random block on Lexington Avenue is the place.

When putting this post together, I wasn’t even sure what Midtown East neighborhood this is located in. It doesn’t fit into the accepted boundaries of Murray Hill or Flatiron District or Kips Bay. It’s actually known as Rose Hill. Who knew?

And Pure Grit BBQ is serving up something pretty exciting. BBQ for all! Vegan, carnivores, dairy free, gluten free, short, fat, old, young, bald, hairy, Republican, Canadian, no matter. This is BBQ for you!! Right here in Rose Hill!!

I’m being cheeky, but I really liked what Pure Grit was serving up. Their menu looks similar to many barbecue joints, with platters, side, sandwiches, and a choice of proteins. Except instead of pork, chicken, and brisket, the offerings here are mushrooms, jackfruit, tofu, the impossible cut, and fake chicken.

If you’ve read this blog, you know that I am not vegan, but I love really interesting unique food regardless of if there is meat involved or not.

Everything on this menu is so intriguing, but my first bite was the Impossible Cut which one of the employees compared to brisket.

Looking at the messy container, I was not convinced This was a series of solid strips in the vague shape of brisket but I could see little grains or chunks of non-meat throughout and no layers of fat or marbling. It was all overly slicked with a dark brown sauce.

But, my friends, looks can be deceiving. This was really delicious.

Strong wisps of smoke lingered throughout and the texture was almost there. It pulled apart and chewed like a piece of beef. The spices and the sweet tangy sauce help bring it to a place where a meat eater (with their eyes closed) might actually be fooled. It even had the crunchy blackened ends that make brisket one of my favorites.

But this doesn’t need to be a perfect vegan version of brisket. It’s truly its own thing with nods to the barbecue classic. It was tasty, decadent, and super smoky.

Like much of the new vegan food out in the city today, this is an exciting new thing that I am eager to learn more about. And I don’t mind heading to Rose Hill for it – wherever that is!! Price: $9/$18