Elm Street Barbecue Introduce
For New Jersey residents, particularly those familiar with the vibrant culinary landscape of Newark, the mention of "barbecue restaurant" often conjures images of the city's unique local specialty: Portuguese Barbecue. Elm Street Barbecue, nestled in the heart of the famed Ironbound district, embodies this delicious tradition. This is not the slow-smoked, low-and-slow style often associated with the American South, but rather a dynamic, charcoal-grilled approach that produces highly flavorful, juicy meats—most famously, their signature chicken and ribs.
Elm Street Barbecue has established itself as a local favorite, renowned for delivering incredible value through its generous portions of freshly grilled food. Customers consistently praise the restaurant for its commitment to flavor, with dishes being well-seasoned and often featuring that irresistible, garlicky finish that is the hallmark of Portuguese grilling. Whether you are craving succulent chicken, tender ribs, or even fresh grilled seafood, this spot promises a truly satisfying and authentic dining experience that celebrates Newark's rich cultural heritage.
The atmosphere here is intentionally casual and cozy, making it a comfortable place for individuals, groups, locals, and even tourists exploring the Ironbound. It represents the quintessential neighborhood gem, focusing on high-quality food served in a friendly, no-frills environment. This establishment is a must-visit for anyone in the Garden State looking to experience the region's best in Portuguese-style grilled fare.
Elm Street Barbecue is located at 103 Elm St, Newark, NJ 07105. This address places it firmly within the famed Ironbound neighborhood, often referred to as the city's Portuguese and Spanish cultural and culinary heart. This location is one of the restaurant's biggest assets, as the Ironbound is a destination known throughout New Jersey for its authentic ethnic eateries and lively atmosphere.
The accessibility of 103 Elm Street is highly convenient for a New Jersey urban setting. The area is generally easy to reach from other parts of Newark and surrounding towns. For those driving, the restaurant offers the significant advantage of Free Street Parking, which is a highly valued amenity in a bustling neighborhood like the Ironbound. While finding a spot may sometimes take patience, the availability of free parking eliminates a common urban hassle.
For those utilizing public transportation, the Ironbound is well-served by NJ Transit and other services, making it a straightforward destination. Once inside, the restaurant's commitment to accessibility continues with Wheelchair Accessible Seating, ensuring that the dining experience is open and comfortable for all members of the New Jersey community.
Elm Street Barbecue provides comprehensive service options to accommodate the needs of its diverse clientele, from quick meals to planned gatherings. The available services are:
- Dine-in: Patrons can enjoy their meal in a casual and cozy atmosphere, with comfortable seating and table service available.
- Takeout: Perfect for those who want to grab their generous portions quickly and enjoy them at home, at the office, or at a nearby park.
- Table Service: The restaurant offers full table service for a relaxed sit-down meal.
- Catering: For larger events, parties, or corporate functions, the restaurant provides catering services, allowing you to bring the authentic taste of Portuguese BBQ to your gathering anywhere in the New Jersey area.
- Reservations Accepted: To ensure a spot, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours, the restaurant accepts reservations and even recommends lunch reservations. It is noted that there is "Usually a wait," which underscores the popularity of this local gem.
- Payment Flexibility: They accept a variety of payment methods, including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments, for maximum convenience.
The core identity of Elm Street Barbecue is built around its charcoal grill and the generous spirit of its service. Key features that draw customers from across New Jersey include:
- Authentic Charcoal Grill (Grelhados): The restaurant specializes in 'Grelhados'—charcoal-grilled meats—which impart a distinct smoky flavor that sets Portuguese BBQ apart from traditional American BBQ.
- Serves Local Specialty: The restaurant is a prime example of Newark's famed Portuguese BBQ scene, with their signature ribs and chicken being the true local specialties.
- Exceptional Value and Portions: A widely celebrated feature is the huge amount of food provided, often noted as being able to "Feed 4 or more for less than $20" in some customer reviews, highlighting the phenomenal value, especially for their famous full-order ribs with rice and fries.
- Freshness and Transparency: Customers appreciate the ability to see the meat being made in front of you, a testament to the freshness and open kitchen environment.
- Diverse Offerings: The menu goes beyond just chicken and ribs, featuring Pork Steak, Beef Ribs, Pork Chops, and Shish-Kebobs, as well as seafood like **T-Bone Steak, Garlic Shrimp ($14.00), Broiled Shrimp ($15.00), Stripe Bass ($23.00), and Salmon ($23.00)**.
- Dining Versatility: The restaurant is popular for Lunch, Dinner, and Solo Dining, and also offers Brunch and Dessert options, making it a great spot at any time of day.
- Atmosphere and Amenities: The ambiance is Casual, Cozy, and Trendy, with amenities like Restrooms and High Chairs available, making it explicitly Good for Kids.
For New Jersey customers looking to place an order, make a reservation, or inquire about catering, Elm Street Barbecue can be reached at:
- Address: 103 Elm St, Newark, NJ 07105 (Located in the Ironbound District)
- Phone: (973) 344-8011
- Mobile Phone: +1 973-344-8011
For anyone in New Jersey, choosing Elm Street Barbecue is choosing to experience a vibrant piece of Newark's culinary identity. What is most worth choosing is the unparalleled combination of authentic Portuguese grilling, enormous portions, and excellent value.
If your goal is to feed a family or a group without breaking the bank, the large platters and combo options—which are famous for their generous yield—make this restaurant a highly practical and satisfying choice. The customer enthusiasm for the ribs (often noted as "Best food in the area by far") and the Portuguese-style chicken is a clear indicator of the consistent quality and flavor you can expect. The chicken is typically moist and perfectly grilled, while the ribs are renowned for their garlicky, flavorful seasoning.
Moreover, the establishment offers a broader menu than many competitors, including diverse meat and fresh seafood options like Salmon and Stripe Bass, which are prepared on the same charcoal grill for that unique smoky flavor. This range ensures that even non-traditional BBQ lovers will find an appealing, high-quality grilled item.
Finally, the overall dining atmosphere—casual, welcoming, good for kids, and backed by a reputation for friendly staff—makes it an ideal destination for a comfortable, authentic meal in the iconic Ironbound neighborhood. You are not just getting a meal; you are getting a taste of a celebrated New Jersey local specialty at a great price.
Elm Street Barbecue Food & drink
- Charcoal Grill - Grelhados
- Whole ChickenFrango de churrasco (pollo). 
- Ribs(Spare ribs) entrecosto (costilla). 
- Combo(½ chicken & ½ spare ribs) (1/2 frango & costela) 
- Pork SteakFebras de porco 
- Shish-KebobEspetadas 
- Beef Ribs(Short ribs)costela de vaca 
- Combo(1/2 chicken & 1/2 short ribs)(½ frango & ½ costela de vaca) 
- Pork ChopsCosteleta de porco 
- Chicken BreastPeito de galinha 
- Pork Cubes $15.00Picadinho de porco 
- T-Bone Steak $24.00Bife 
- Garlic Shrimp $14.00Camarão á guilho 
- Broiled Shrimp $15.00Bacalhau na brasa 
- Stripe Bass $23.00Robalo na brasa 
- Salmon $23.00Salmão 
- Half Orders
- 1/2 Chicken1/2 frango (1/2 pollo) 
- 1/2 Ribs(Spare ribs) 1/2 entrecosto (1/2 costilla) 
- 12 Pork Steak1/2 febras de porco 
- Pork Cubes $10.001/2 picadinho de porco 
- Pork ChopsCosteleta de porco 
- ½ Chicken Breast1/2 peito de galinha 
- 1/2 Beef RibsShort ribs) 1/2 costela de vaca 
- ½ Salmon
- 1/2 Shish Kebab
- Soups $3.00
- Salads
Elm Street Barbecue Details
- Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Highlights
- Serves local specialty
- Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Amenities
- Restroom
- Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
- Crowd
- Groups
- Locals
- Tourists
- Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
- Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Parking
- Free street parking
- Parking
Elm Street Barbecue Photos










Elm Street Barbecue Location
Elm Street Barbecue
103 Elm St, Newark, NJ 07105, USA
Elm Street Barbecue Reviews
ribsriceattentiontake outquantityparkingportuguese foodsalmonareamoney
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1- They give a huge amount of food. Feeds 4 or more for less than $20! Alway fresh and you can see the meat being made in front of you. We always get the ribs from here October 14 · Carina Mayorca
- Best food in the area by far.. you can’t go wrong with a full order of ribs with rice and fries.. June 27 · rodney hammond
- This is one of the first places I visit when I come to NJ. Growing up here have a “combo” (which is a combination of chicken, ribs, rice and beans) is a common quick and delicious meal because the chicken and ribs are done with charcoal and the taste is great.There’s a lot of BBQ spots in this area but this is my favorite, because they also serve them with thicker fries than others.It’s nostalgia as it is a great quick meal! If you around NJ give it a try. 👌🏼 July 05 · Diego
- I live near Rutgers, New Brunswick, and come back to Newark for Elm Street BBQ. Best tasting BBQ chicken and ribs! Also, the picadinho is very good. Not a large fancy eat-in restaurant, but you go there for good food and not ambiance. The restaurant is also BYOB, July 02 · Carlos Yi
- The portions are good but that’s about it. The service was so unbelievably rude, stating long wait times to make certain items after a certain time (probably because they wanted to leave) even though they were technically open another hour, getting annoyed when we asked for a menu etc… As someone who has worked in hospitality I know that you should serve people with the same treatment regardless of what time of night it is, and considering we did leave before close it felt over the top to be annoyed with us from the minute we walked in. April 26 · Sophie Romine
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