Barbecue Upstart Mighty Quinn’s Launches Massive U.S. Expansion Plan

Mighty Quinn’s goes franchise

NYC-based barbecue joint Mighty Quinn’s — which currently has 15 locations in New York, New Jersey, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Dubai — is preparing to franchise with a massive expansion plan. The brand plans to spread its barbecue and smoked meats far and wide, aiming to open 60 stores across the U.S. in the next five years, focusing on Boston, D.C., Philadelphia, and New Jersey.

The Meat Hook is taking its weekly barbecue party to the next level

The Meat Hook’s weekly backyard barbecue party with burgers, sausage, and smoked meats will start featuring guest restaurants and breweries on Thursday, August 9. For that first installment of this new collaboration series, Ends Meat and Other Half are joining the barbecue. Every Thursday through September 13 will feature new guests, including Yuji Ramen, KCBC, Metta, Grimm Artisanal Ales, Win Son, Gramercy Tavern, and Threes Brewing.

Ikinari Steak continues to expand

Japanese steakhouse chain import Ikinari Steak opens its ninth location today, located at 1007 Lexington Ave., between 72nd and 73rd streets. To celebrate the new opening, the steak-by-the-ounce spot is offering a new cauliflower rice side dish at the new location as well as the Seventh Avenue, Upper West Side, and Broadway locations of the steakhouse.

The Bowery Market adds Pinks Cantina

The year-round, open-air food hall at 348 Bowery and Great Jones just landed a new vendor in Pinks Cantina. The taco shop is an outpost of Pinks Bar & Grill, which opened in East Village in 2014.

Critic praises Lagman House in Sheesphead Bay

The Times’ Hungry City critic Ligaya Mishan visited Lagman House, a rare restaurant dedicated to the cuisine of the Dungans, “Chinese Muslims descended from seventh-century Arab and Persian Silk Road traders who married Han Chinese,” she writes. The restaurant serves various noodles and noodle soups, like the namesake lagman with handmade noodles that “emerge from the pot taut and pliant at once.”