Table for Two

Unique spot for authentic New Orleans cuisine

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Biscuits & Barbecue
106 E. Second St., Mineola
(516) 493-9797
www.biscuitsandbarbeque.com

Tucked away in the industrial section of Mineola, housed in a small 1947 railroad car diner, is an eatery like no other on Long Island. Biscuits & Barbecue now enters its seventh year, bringing us authentic Louisiana style cuisine. Meats are smoked on premises, and everything is homemade…even the ice cream. Owner, Joan Gallo, takes great pride in all that is offered, especially the talents of her chef, Ignacio Castillo, whose credits include working at K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, which is Paul Prudhomme’s French Quarter restaurant. The staff exudes true Southern hospitality.

The place fills up quickly; there are only six booths and a soda fountain style counter lined with maybe a dozen stools. There is no bar; you can bring wine or beer. Price-wise, appetizers are $4 to $12. Po Boys, burgers, and Delta Jambalaya range from $8.95 to $16.95. Entrees, which include two sides, are $17.95 to $27.95. Desserts are $8 and $9. Specials change everyday. And you’ll find items rarely found anywhere but Louisiana – Alligator Sausage, variations of Etouffee’, and when in season, crawfish.
Portions are generous, particularly with appetizers. Specials often embellish regular menu items, such as Fried Green Tomatoes – crisp battered slices with a topping of roast pork shoulder. Their popular Dixie Mac & Cheese was served Texas style – a ramekin heaped with a creamy mix of macaroni, pulled pork, smoked brisket and melted pepper-jack cheese. Louisiana Seafood Gumbo was a hearty soup with rice, cod, salmon, catfish, shrimp and vegetables – cup or bowl, with corn bread. Biscuits are huge, served with homemade raspberry and honey butter.
Choose two sides from nearly a dozen options for your entree. Collard greens come with cubes of smoked turkey. Baked beans have morsels of brisket. Louisiana Shrimp & Grits offered savory jumbo shrimp over creamy grits dotted with green peppers, onions and pecans. We opted for the all-time favorite – Dixie Southern Chicken with Waffles – Belgian style waffles joined by crunchy yet moist (not greasy at all!) white or dark chicken pieces, served with raspberry and honey butter and maple syrup.
For dessert, we shared warm Apple Cinnamon Cobbler, topped with homemade French Vanilla ice cream. Other options were Banana Cream, Turtle and Key Lime pies, and Bananas Foster Bread Pudding….next time!
Recently, ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ a series on Amazon Prime, was filmed at Biscuits & Barbeque. The eatery has also been featured several times on ‘Restaurant Hunter.’
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Lunch, Monday through Friday, is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch on Saturday and Sunday is served 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dinner menu is available all day, every day. Take-out and off-site catering is available. “Cash Only” is their policy.

Recommendations:
• Louisiana Seafood Gumbo
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Biscuit with Raspberry & Honey Butter
• Texas Mac & Cheese
• Dixie Southern Chicken & Waffles
• Louisiana Shrimp & Grits
• BBQ Baked Beans with Smoked Brisket
• Smoked Turkey Collard Greens
• Apple & Cinnamon Cobbler with French Vanilla Ice Cream