New Home, Same Dinosaur: Popular West Harlem Restaurant Moves to West 125th Street

By
Office of the Executive Vice President
September 30, 2010

When Dinosaur Bar-B-Que moved from its West 131st Street location on September 30th, visitors seeking beef brisket topped with award-winning sauces, barbecue chicken wings rubbed in spices, or succulent ribs smoked in a pit didn't need to look much further than usual. The popular West Harlem restaurant moved just steps away from its current location to its new home at 125th Street and 12th Avenue. The former meatpacking plant is neatly positioned across the street from Dinosaur's original space and is adjacent to West Harlem Piers Park.

"I love the area-the Hudson, the Riverside bridge-and I always liked that corner. It was vacant, so I reached out to Columbia. They delivered on what they said and have been great," says Stage.

Columbia worked with architects, engineers, and contractors to coordinate the construction of the new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. "It's a success whenever we are able to support local businesses," says Joe Ienuso, Executive Vice President, Columbia University Facilities. "John has a vision for Dinosaur, and we had the facilities to support these plans. It was an ideal situation."

Stage welcomes the convenience that its relocation brings. "The new address is much better. Before, a lot of people didn't know where to find the place since the streets jump from 125th to 130th. This is at a visible area and close to the subway," he says. 

The new Dinosaur Bar-B-Que mirrors the rustic, roadhouse vibe that typifies its previous location, only with a few enhancements. This building, described by Stage as a meeting of industrial Harlem and barbecue, features a wider layout, as opposed to its previous linear design. The bar is situated in a larger, open area and is accompanied by a stage and seating for live performances-previously missing from the former space. Four new fire pits have been brought into the kitchen area to facilitate the overnight roasting of meats and catering of events.

Pieces of the old Dinosaur have literally been incorporated into the new area, with the old building's wooden beams refurnished into bar tops and dining tables. Other materials were reclaimed from junkyards, including a set of unique railings. Still, familiar items remain, such as the mini decorative bikes which once hung along the old walls and now top the new dining booths. The lighting fixtures have also been brought over from the old Dinosaur.

"Every Dinosaur is different, but despite the new space, you'll get the same staff, same service, the same Dinosaur," Stage says.  

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que New York City opened in 2004. Its relocation is part of the University's extensive effort to help organizations and businesses in Manhattanville find alternative or improved space within the local community, as development continues on the 17 acres that will become Columbia's new, environmentally sustainable campus. For more information on Manhattanville, go to http://campusplan.columbia.edu/.  For more information on Dinosaur Bar-B-Que visit http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/

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