Though not quite ready for prime time.....they opened at 12 on Sunday and by 1PM the entire front room was packed. The word is out and it is rave reviews. The smoker in front beckons you to real deal barbecue and sides. Sunday there are lunch sandwiches which come with a mini potato salad. Brisket, pulled pork, sausage and jerk chicken. Went with the brisket, beans, mac & collards. The brisket sandwich was $11, sides were $4. The brisket served on a Caputo onion roll with Brooklyn brine pickles had the right combo of fat and lean plus the pickles and onions on that bread was a winning combo. The standout sides were the perfectly cooked smokey sides and the beans. Full of meat and slow cooked for 14 hours, the owner said- the sauce they are sitting in is so rich and intense it is almost MOLE- like...unlike any beans I have ever tasted. All American great barbecue with a BK twist!
(5)
Collin H.
By far the best BBQ in New York City, couldn't get any better.
(5)
Thy L.
Came on a Tuesday night and there was no line or wait. Queso mac and cheese and cole slaw paired well with the meat, but I didn't quite like the rub on the brisket or beef rib. One beef rib was $25. Husband got the brisket sandwich which he didn't rave about.
(3)
Rob C.
A little out the way, but one of my favorite BBQ joints in the city. The brisket was greasy and awesome.
(5)
JL K.
They get 3 stars for moist, fatty brisket; heavily spiced but lacked seasoning! Fresh cracked black pepper w coffee rub NEEDS SALT! Their pulled pork...WHAT can I say, NOT! Moist, again, but NO seasoning to be found, except for this off-putting sweet, gamey-ness. They salvaged themselves with their unctuous, well-seasoned lamb belly...they delivered! Will be back to try their ribs & sides...but no rush.
(3)
Carlo B.
The food was pretty good, but I've definitely had better. Very tender ribs, pretty good sides. The problem is the service. The two arrogant, angry and bored hipster dudes serving the food were horrible. I will save the details but just say they were probably two of the rudest food service workers I've experienced in a really long time. It was as if we were bothering them and they even had the balls to talk sh*t about another customer right in front of us. A customer that had a legitimate concern about being served her sides 15 minutes before her made to order dish was finished. The customer wasn't even remotely rude to them, yet they proceeded to lambast her in front of everyone. I honestly wanted to jump over the counter and take both of their heads and knock them together. And I'm not talking about two kids. They were two 'grown' men. With two or three local BBQ joints with better food, the horrible service was enough to put this on my list of where not to eat again.
(2)
Chase Y.
Pretty expensive for such cheap meats. $14 for a 1/2 pound of brisket is asking a WHOLE lot. I really don't care if you're smoking it for mass amounts of hours. I shouldn't be paying for a miniscule amount of sub par brisket at that price. These downtown trendy bbq places get away with this. It's pretty unfortunate that I heard such good things about this place, only to be left still hungry and my wallet empty. The dry rub is pretty basic, with a hell of a lot of black pepper. Kind of over compensating if you ask me. This is just another brooklyn bbq spot that will accommodate the tourists off the water taxi, or the hipsters of bumblefuck who know next to nothing about food.
(2)
Drink, Pleas E.
Their BBQ is great. I tend to use brisket as the standard by which to measure BBQ. Theirs is excellent - - juicy with fat but not fatty. Balanced smoke. We also had pork ribs, which were perfect. Really good BBQ. Really. I prefer naked BBQ - so sauces are not my thing. I tried their two types. Neither was too impressive - the sweet was a bit sweet and overpowered with chili powder. The hot did have an amazing heat back that warmed your mouth rather sensually in food sorta way! Nice. We also had collard greens and coles slaw. Greens were OK. Slaw was diner quality. It would have been nice to achieve greater balance with the smoked meat with sharp flavours in the sides. I hate to say they were a bit tepid. Would not take much for the kitchen to improve the recipe, though. Kinda brought down the overall food experience. Now, the real hold back was price. I'm willing to support good food with a premium on cost. But it is a little pricey. The cost-benefit is close, however. Get the sides right and it would all come together. It is a great location and venue, cool bar and amazing brisket. I would not want to discourage anyone from giving it a try.
(3)
Doug J.
Awesome BBQ. Smoked Turkey is nice rarity. Great Sauces. Great Cole Slaw. Perfect actually. Brilliantly Tangy Potato Salad Wish they had a salad that the BBQ meat could anoint.
(5)
Garreth G.
I didn't think it would be possible to find that great BBQ taste like I've had at Salt Lick in TX until I came to Hometown. The place is a stretch to get to but luckily I have a car and was able to bring some of my friends for a friends birthday to try this place. Once you walk you will smell the smokey bbq smell that can probably be your clothes. Lets get to it. Best brisket I've had while living in NJ/NY area. It was so soft, moist, rich, and decadent that it was probably the best feeling I've had since my parents watched me graduate get my college diploma. Not only was the brisket delicious but also tried the beef ribs, smoked jalepeno & cheddar sausage, pork belly taco's, baby back ribs, and shredded pork belly. Everything pretty much was super super freakin delicious. It's a little more pricier than I would like it to be but it seriously was worth every penny. We also got the cornbread, mac and cheese, and potato salad as sides. They all were outstanding in their own way and complimented the meats perfectly. They have 3 sauces (Sticky, Hot and Sweet, and Regular) which you can put on your plate, kind of like Chipotle style where you can grab the bottle squeezer and bring it to your table.The best was Sticky as it was sweet and tangy but the hot and sweet wasn't bad either. They also have live music in the other room but no one was playing when we went. I recommend this place for sure. I can not wait till I go back.
(5)
J G.
Absolutely amazing brisket! I went to a party catered by Hometown BBQ a couple weeks ago and after several portions of brisket, jerk baby back ribs, mac and cheese later i was a believer. My wife and i went out to Red Hook today to fill ourselves with everything we could related to BBQ. Empty stomachs prepped for the challenge we ordered brisket, full rack of jerk baby backs, 9 pork and brisket tacos(what a treat), mac + cheese, smoked pit beans, collard greens, Hometown slaw, Whiskey sour pickles. Yeah that was just for two of us :). Shiner Bock, IPA, pilsner, couple of Evan Williams with pickle back shots later and we had a few ribs to take home for later. These guys know what they are doing. It is only a matter of time before you see trophies and banners lining the walls with wins at BBQ competitions. I spend a lot of time in BBQ places around the country and can say without hesitation the brisket is the best i have had. The tacos were a surprise and refreshing break between bites of pure brisket heaven. Oh thats right half of them were brisket tacos :). We walked out stuffed very happy to have a place like this a few miles from our home. The Brisket is off the hook in Red Hook!
(5)
S B.
For food alone it's 4 or 5 stars, but the other factors weigh it down.... Food -Brisket was tender and deliciously seasoned. -Mac N Cheese was gooey with a bit of zest. -Cornbread was sho'nuff. -Beans were nothing special but still tasty. -The mega rib was pretty good but F'ing pricey. It's impressive to marvel at but the size to consumable meat ratio is pretty skewed. -No room for desserts. An excuse to return. Also want to return for the turkey plate and wings. Service -If you don't get here early you're in for a stand. The place fills up fast and looks to only be manned by two chefs. -Bar service was lacking. The bartender was not very smooth but, to be fair, she desperately needed help on a Friday evening shift. Looked like plenty of people in an official capacity hovering about but not wanting to chip in. She was really, really, painfully in the weeds. The natives were restless. -Good beer and whiskey lists though. Decor -No frills, as it should be. -Would be fun to take in the tunes some night. -Great community space. -Family spot earlier in the evening, with parents cutting the kids loose. Really far away and takes some planning to get to, but overall worth it if you time it right. Bring your appetite.
(3)
Gi Gi B.
This place is getting 3 stars only because the food is good. For a self service place, it is extremely slow just to get your food. On a Sunday we waited about 40 mins just to get to the front of the line to order the food when the line was not that bad. Chipotle can handle the same line in under 10 mins They should observe the efficiency of Hill Country in the city. Same type of cuisine and much more pleasant dining experience and customer service. This place really needs to relook at their efficiencies. Everything is self service. U pick up your food, utensils, and drinks and hope to find a seat for you and your friends after waiting on that long line. On the upside the slow service allows people time to finish eating so u can have a seat. They had the audacity to point out no tip when my friend signed her credit card receipt. We had the brisket, pork belly collard greens and mac n cheese and chocolate pudding pie Everything was delicious
(3)
Danny B.
Absolutely amazing... it hasn't been five minutes since I ate and I have to rave about it.. if you want real smoke house BBQ. This is the place to be. Pulled Pork so juicy, ribs literally fall off their bones, mac and cheese the way it's suppose to be. ? My buddies wings were off the chain and his brisket was awesome. And my desert was delicious!!! You walk out of here smelling like you were just at a BBQ. Nicely hidden on the yuppie side of red hook. Bar offers a bunch of drafts which you've never heard of. (Which is a good thing). Great atmosphere. Absolutely Amazing in every way. I ate it so fast I didn't even get to take a picture !
(5)
Danny S.
There has been a lot of grumblings about this place and I have been dying to try it. You would think this place was BBQ heaven however it fell short for me. The brisket was ok, I prefer Morgans. The spare ribs were super dry and had way too much black pepper/pepper corns, the pickles were bland, collard greens were just ok. The sweet sricha sauce and bbq sauce was pretty good. I liked the service and the space was certainly nice. While I really did not enjoy the food, I want to go again and give it 1 more try and maybe try some other dishes to try and get my mouth around what all the hype is about ;). Maybe they had an off day.
(3)
Octavia W.
Lines are way to long for just average bbq food. After getting my food and waiting i couldn't even eat i was exhausted from waiting over 2 hours on line. Food was cold and not that great. We had ribs, cornbread ,mac n cheese, collards. It's just ok. I've had way better bbq else where. You have to wait at the bar for any drink. Not enough seating and parking is crazy in this area. Will not go back the wait is not work it.
(2)
Tiffany M.
Nothing makes me happier than going back to a place I rated poorly and clearly being able to see improvements. I was invited back to Hometown by the affable manager and I'm so glad I returned as everything has improved...with the exception of the potato salad - that was just as good as I remembered it. Had lamb belly for the first time and I'm glad, well seasoned, tender and cooked to perfection. The brisket was much more moist, but not overly fatty, and tasted less salty this time around. My best friend really enjoyed his beef ribs which were tender, almost falling off the bone and I recalled they were a little tough the first time I tried them. The real winners for me - and there were no losers - were the brisket and collard greens with bacon (amazingly good). Also, didn't appreciate the impressive decor and space the first time around. Really love the wood, the open feel, and the communal tables. Lastly, the service both at our table and from the guys at the carving area was impeccable (thanks Michael!). I'm really looking forward to going back and especially after feeling so welcomed.
(4)
Anna W.
OMG that lamb belly!!! I went here once and it felt reasonably priced. I went here again and it felt super expensive. I can't tell how I feel about the pricing. But the lamb belly is amazing -- if it's available (which it seems like it only is sometimes) GET IT! And Hometown, a request -- make it available all the time!! My girlfriend and I have talked about it many times since we had it. It's amazing. The sides were pretty lackluster, with the exception of the cornbread and the queso mac n' cheese. It's like a mix between mac n cheese and texas style queso, and I really enjoyed it. All the meat was delicious. I liked everything I tried. I don't really think the gigantic beef ribs are really worth the cost though, I'd stick with the pulled pork, brisket, and that amazing lamb belly! Oh I almost forgot, my biggest complaint was the slow pace of the line. They only have one person cutting meat and one person ringing people up, and it's just kind of slow. Not sure what they could do to fix that but they should make it a priority, maybe take a hint from Mighty Quinn's which has a similar setup but somehow manages to make it snappy?
(5)
Sx S.
Was totally excited to dine here after reading a spread on Hometown in Thrillest. But I have to tell you I was sincerely and truthfully disappointed. The line was terribly slow for starters, we went midday on a weekday so the place wasn't packed. They were just slow for no reason. Then the prices. $25.00 a pound for beef ribs, $12.00 per half pound for spare ribs. And the outrageous prices for the meats go on. But regardless of the that ominous warning, we pushed on and ordered beef ribs, spare ribs and brisket sandwiches. A side if Mac and cheese, baked beans, and greens. The beans and collards were mediocre at best. But the Mac and cheese is fabulous, some of he best I have ever had. Too bad this isn't a Mac n Cheese restaurant. The BBQ, well it is NOT WORTH THE PRICE. The dry rubs and sauces were great, the meats were dry. Ribs were all dry and tough. The brisket was dry, and they don't give enough meat in the sandwiches to offset all the bread in the buns.... Sauce to the rescue!!! Friends I was literally at a block party in BK, where the main host smoked up some of the best brisket and ribs I've had in my entire life. And that was a back yard smoker the size of a hot dog vendors cart in the city. Smoked over night and cooked to perfection in someone's yard..... What's HOMETOWNS EXCUSE? Another thing that turned me off to this place was the site of them throwing out food. The carver literally was cutting brisket and ribs, weighing out of the pieces for orders. Then in front of our faces they were throwing out ribs, chunks of meats... Big pieces not scraps. Wasteful and sad when Meals on Wheels, and City Harvest exist. When asked why are they throwing out food? He simply chuckled and lied, "Oh, those are scraps we make our beans with". Then shortly after he proceeded to throw out scraps of paper, plastic and trash in the same trash can as those "beans destined scraps". This is just another well dressed and advertised hipster hole. Shoot go to "Brother Jimmys", at least you get what you pay for there. Or better yet, do it yourself. They get 2 stars from me for 2 reasons. Mac N Cheese was excellent, and they have free refills on soft drinks... sadly they do not offer sweet tea! BBQ and no sweet tea... W T F! Go for the Mac and that's all.
(2)
Steph C.
Great find. It's definitely a bit of a hike to get here, but it's a wonderful spot nonetheless. Went here for a friend's birthday celebration in the afternoon. Large, open space that had a pretty good-sized crowd. Our group was already comfortably spread out on one of the large tables. It's a simple process. Drinks at the bar, Food at the counter. If you have a really large order, they'll give you a number and bring it out to you. I wasn't that hungry so I was looking for something a little smaller. I ordered the smoked sausage sandwich with jalapenos and cheddar and a side of cornbread. Wow, delicious! The sausage was served on a baguette with pickles and spicy mustard. I could tell it was good quality since there was none of those little chewy fat bits that you usually find in sausage. I hate those. This sausage was meaty, spicy, and just a hint cheesy. Really hit the spot. The cornbread was excellent. Some of the best I've had, and went really well with the hot sauce. Also enjoyed the Bloody Mary. They make it with Guinness and garnish it with candied bacon! Would like to go back in the summer months.
(5)
Evan R.
After a long-overdue climb at BKB and a visit to Fairway, my hunger was on overload. Hometown was very close so we made it happen. When we arrived there was live music going on in the front that seemed passable, but we headed to the more proper restaurant in the back. The meat line was non-existent despite the place being reasonably full so we ambled up to the bar. The guy serving the meats was wearing a chef coat with "Evan" on it, and we proceeded to have 5 minutes of banter about the wonder of being named Evan. He then gave us a ton of great recommendations and some extra food. I don't know if non-members of the Evan fraternity would have the same experience, but the service was excellent. The ribs were really well cooked. They needed a drop of sauce but were good once that was added. The jerk chicken was excellent and ended up in an egg scramble the next morning. The potato salad was also really good - lots of dill and definitely homemade. I wouldn't call our selections earth-shattering but this was damn fine BBQ. On an unrelated note, I noticed that several reviewers gave this place two stars because it is far from where they personally live. I bet those are the same people that eat other people's lunches in the office.
(4)
M H.
Having grown up in Texas (yup, I'm pulling that card), something just rubbed me the wrong way about this place. -decor is just trying way too hard...like I could see it on Portlandia -comically slow service -so-so brisket -overpriced -no wonderbread/fixins - what Texan would honestly want some artisanal bread w/bbq? -$6 key lime "pie" was a freakin' tartelette (what is this...a pie for ants?!)...didn't even taste good To make things worse, THEY WERE OUT OF SHINER BOCK (SERIOUSLY?!?!? YOU HAD ONE JOB). Not even Lonestar as a backup beer...so sad. If you're looking for something more authentic with an even better price point, I highly recommend Mable's...they carry not only Shiner, but Shiner Seasonal (RUBY REDBIRD, my friends). It feels more like a place back home than Hometown did.
(2)
Ronnie E.
It's on the same level as Franklin Barbecue, LA Barbecue and Louie Mueller. The pastrami bacon brought a tear to my eye. GO. NOW.
(5)
Ed C.
Not worth wait. Standing in line for 35 minutes. Food ok. Ribs - taste "peppercornish" . Pulled pork pretty good. Tacos very small. Other BBQ places in town better. Will not return. But seems like one of those nouveau trendy bklyn places.
(2)
Michael P.
Came on a Saturday night. Live music by JD Patch was great. Place was lively a lot of people having a good time drinking and eating. This place is a little off the beaten path, but it's probably a blessing in disguide because if this place was closer to the masses it would be too busy and crowded to have a good time. Parking also was a lot easier given the proximity. Down to the food. I cannot say enough good things about quality control here. The owner was constantly checking on the meat to make sure it was served to his liking. Barbecue is a cuisine that is easy to get wrong. Everything has to be smoked perfectly. Too much or too little and it is not right. The line moves a little slowly as they have everyone going to one station to get their meat and sides, but it wasn't too bad. It took me about 15 minutes to get to the front of the line. I am sure during non-peak times it is a lot faster. Bartenders waited on my quickly. We tried to get a little bit of everything because I am huge fan of the food and have travelled to various parts of the country to eat it. We had, brisket, spare ribs, jerk ribs, pastrami bacon, and jalapeno sausage. The brisket was perfectly smoked. It has the perfect amount of fat and the seasoning was really good. Very juicy. Spare ribs just had salt and pepper and were also done well. The jerk ribs had a nice flavor and the patrami bacon was very good too. The sausages which are made on premesis were one of my favorite parts of the meal. Side orders were also very good. Some barbecue places don't pay as much attention to the sides as they worry more about meat. This is not the case here. The mac and cheese is really good. Burnet end baked beans had I nice sweet flavor and big chunks of burnt ends. We also had slaw and potato salad which were solid. Great selection of alcohol and beer as well. I had a great time at hometown and will come back again soon. I am glad the owner goes through great lengths to make sure his product is superb because real barbecue fans can be unforgiving. They are doing barbecue justice. Good job.
(5)
Jenna Leigh E.
In Brooklyn's fair city Where the girls are so pretty I met a nice woman named Molly Malone We talked about 'cue and We'd both tried a few and She sent me to Home Town to try the brisket. "Oh try, oh try-o Oh try, oh try-o, It's melty! and smoky! so try, oh try-o." She was right -- the brisket was exceptional. Also very good: jerk baby back ribs. Lamb belly was smoky & tasty; pork belly was tender but not exciting. As others have reported, the kitchen was out of beef ribs before the dinner rush had even begun, and I wish they'd resolve that issue. Molly Malone had told me the sides were...just fine, and for the most part I found them unexceptional, though I liked the vinegary cole slaw a lot, and the whiskey pickles were good too. The corn bread's sort of cakelike -- sweet and dense. But really, it's the brisket that wins the show -- so wherever you are, Molly Malone, thank you for the tip.
(4)
Sean C.
Well, let's start off with the important stuff, the meats definitely rate FIVE Stars. Sides are solid too, with no complaints as to the quality or execution, the only reason I had to deduct a point was for price. I was so proud of myself for coming out of IKEA for under one hundred bucks that when I stopped by here I did go a little off the rails trying stuff, that I did manage to go over one hundred bucks for takeout... That being said, 3 dollars for a piece of corn bread is kinda steep. I'll definitely come back, but I gotta check myself on what I order...
(4)
L E.
2nd visit. Brisket here still wins over any other brisket. Great bark which makes it very tasty. 2nd time they ran out of turkey by 5PM. This time, tried the Spare Ribs. Again great bark. But not very smoky in taste and meat (although not tough) wasn't falling off the bone. Not bad, but not great either. Also tried the Chipotle Chicken. A bit overdone and very plain tasting - not even a hint of Chilpotle or spice. Queso Mac and cheese was very good and this time I tried the cornbread, which was good - moist and tasty - but could have been a touch sweeter. But the most memorable thing about the visit ... unfortunately ... was the wait. An hour and ten minutes from the back of the line (which was at the entrance). This place needs help in moving things along at the counter - lots of help. There are only two counter people who cut the meat, serve you, and collect the money. And it seems like people just take their sweet old time about ordering. Each "party" takes a good 5 minutes. The line couldn't have had more than 25 people on it, yet it took 1 hour 10 minutes and I arrived at 3:45PM on a Sunday. Honestly, even if this place was exceptional, I would not go back unless I heard that they improved their speed. There is really no excuse for a line of that many people to take that long.
(3)
Randy H.
One of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've ever had and their banana pudding was delectable. Also enjoyed the Sirachi chicken wings and Sirachi bbq sauce. Great space and atmosphere. Wish it wasn't so expensive, but it seems like all good bbq in NYC is. Wasn't a huge fan of the jalapeño cheddar sausage or mac 'n' cheese.
(5)
Susan M.
Come here VERY hungry! I enjoyed the pork belly tacos while my husband had the perfectly cooked and deliciously tender brisket. Best friend had the Mac n cheese. We also ordered greens and pickles. I won't e able to eat for weeks and am very satisfied!
(4)
Jean-Pierre O.
Best BBQ place in NY (so far). We had beef spare ribs (my favorite), pork spare ribs, pastrami bacon, lamb belly (a must), brisket, hot wings and I was really surprised how good everything was, even the corn bread is amazing! The only criticism I can do is about the sides: potato salad has way too many onions and the beans tasted too much like bbq sauce. I gave it 5 stars because the rest was so good that really the sides did not matter.
(5)
Dara M.
For food I give it a five. For service and the way they plan it out I give it a one. That averages to a three. Food: moist meat, delicious sides! Definitely my favorite BBQ place in this part of bk for sure. Food wise, that is. Service: you have to wait in a VERY slow line just to order your food. On a Saturday night we waited nearly one hour before we could order. You stand in this long line, and the people behind the counter chit chat with everyone and take their time to get you finished. Seriously, they have no hustle. Like there's no incentive to move any faster. One hour is a long time to wait just to order your food. Perhaps have three or four people back there to move it along? I would like to keep coming here but the wait is prohibitive. Management: maybe if you put some benches along the wall then people could sit down when they get tired of standing (which we are!) then that might help.
(3)
Brian P.
Hometown reminds me of many barbeque places I love and I heard great things, so I biked down there on a weekday afternoon to find it empty. If course, I was happy not to wait, but I wondered if I was at an overlooked gem or an overhyped entity. Man, did it deliver on the hype. The ribs are texas style, but with some extra heat that I usually don't encounter. Paired with their hot and sweet sauce and you get a unique, delicious experience. It's up there with the best barbeque in NYC.
(5)
Kevin F.
Its starting to get difficult ranking all these fine NYC BBQ eateries. Hometown does a fantastic job having as diverse and creative a menu as any BBQ place could. I went on a fantastic Saturday afternoon in June, no line, open tables, always makes the experience seem that much better! I had the brisket (best i've had), pulled pork (fantastic), spare ribs (fell off the bone and their dry rub is SOOO good you contemplate if adding sauce would take away from the experience), and a beef hot link (not bad, but the least exciting of the other food). The collared greens had smoked pork shoulder in it and was absolutely amazing. I'll be back to this establishment soon. In a land of many BBQ joints, Hometown stands out among the best!
(4)
Jacques F.
Food is amazing, drinks good and strong. Dear owner(s), please work on your staff. Bartender would fit perfectly in a dive bar in the middle of nowhere. This is Brooklyn and considering the drinks prices I expect a minimum (Hi. How are you. What can I get for you. Thank you.). I only got a "whatsup" in about 1h and a half. Maybe the purple-hair bartender was having an off-day...
(2)
Jeff B.
I gave Hometown BBQ in Red Hook a try. They claim "central Texas" style Q although I never saw lambs belly on a roadside joint menu. Brisket, Pork Belly, Lamb Belly, and Pulled Pork and a Shiner on tap! All excellent! For those who have never had the good fortune to eat at a Texas BBQ joint, counter service and serving on paper is standard!
(4)
Tom M.
Craving some real good beef brisket for the last few days, i yelped this place out since i was in nearby Dumbo. Having had spectacular brisket from a food truck a few weeks before, my bar was set high.Out of several in-a-row mediocre eating experiences, i was really hoping this Red Hook hipster eatery would get my thumbs up, unfortunately i was again disappointed. The few quick reviews i read (very positive) didn't prepare me for the huge Saturday evening line out the door to the order window (about a 45 minute wait) , or the lack of table service. It took us about 5 minutes to get oriented, and figure out how this weird place worked (just get on line like cattle to slaughter). While waiting on line, one nervously looks around the establishment trying to eyeball a seat, there were four of us, and the long beer festival hall tables didn't make the task easy. Once at the order "window" the "butcher" asks you what you want, and cuts off pieces of it, and weighs it right on the spot. The meat prices average $25-$30 a pound. Some things were cheaper, like the sausage, which they ran out of . The beef ribs are $25 a pound, bone and all (are you f*cking kidding me?!?) were too rich for my blood to even try. Though I suspect if its like everything else I tried, good thing I didn't waste my money. So we ordered we ordered the beef brisket, dark Chipotle chicken, lamb & pork belly, and a side of Mac n Cheese ($8 for large). Out of all those things, the cheesy mac was the best tasting, garnering a 7/10 on my subjective taste scale. The Brisket was just ok, at a 6/10. Not even close to the cheaper and much better brisket I had from the food truck. I hate myself for not remembering what it was called. The lamb belly was very dry, and had no taste (though it had a spicy rub) 3/10 The pork belly was dry and tasteless too 2/10 The chipotle chicken was spicy and decent tasting, but super dry 3/10 My friends pulled pork had no taste, and a weird mushy consistency 2/10 Their potato salad (is that what it was??) had a weird tangy-mixed with coleslaw type formula. I kinda liked it, but it was weird nonetheless 4/10 Other notes... The cashier didnt say thank you when I was done ordering and gave this kidults their due tip. The banjo playing band from Flyoverlandia, sucked. Parking took a little time to find (Saturday night, and lots of other establishments in the area). On the plus side, the beer was good. All in all I spent close to a C note and was very disappointed. Though I've never had Dallas BBQ's brisket, their Beef ribs are AWESOME, and you get a huge rack (like 3-4 pounds) for 15 bucks, with a bunch of sides. How these hometown a-holes can charge $25 a pound (thats like 1-2 ribs) for beef, is beyond me. Tommy says skip it.
(1)
Angela M.
May be the best BBQ in BK right now. Line gets long at prime times, but good beers and good bartenders.
(4)
John O.
Finally made it here. Best item by far was the cornbread, might be the best one I've ever had. Mac n cheese really good. Brisket solid although not as good as Hill Country in Manhattan. Jerk ribs good, not great. Fun place but not the best ever as some Brooklynite friends have represented.
(4)
Joanie K.
YUM. I had the lamb banh mi and a cornbread. I added more sauce to the lamb as it was a bit dry, but other than that... fantastic. I recommend not eating the entire cornbread as it's really heavy. This is when sharing is really caring. Make a trip out of Red Hook - take the ferry, get bbq, go for coffee, walk on the water's edge.
(4)
Isabella D.
Wanted to love this place based on reviews but this place nor food comes near a five star. Firstly, waiting one hour in line to place an order is unacceptable. Secondly, to get attitude from the meat cutter for asking a question n cashier to direct his frustration because he does not have change is even more unacceptable after such a long wait. Guy running around w his daughter, who seemed to be the owner/manager? was quite sympathetic n nice as he apologized for credit card machine being down n later gave us siracha wings. Btw, line was molasses slow before machine went down. Now down to the food... Let us just say that if it were not for the bbq sauce bottles on each table, the meat does not taste like bbq at all. Between all of us, we ordered brisket, pulled pork, spare rib, mac n cheese, cole slaw and corn bread. Our rating: Brisket 3 stars, pink so undercooked and not flavorful...no seasoning taste at all. Pulled pork 2 stars, no bbq taste, alot of fat n skin slab taste. Huge dissapointment. Spare rib 1 star, barely cooked raw n pink n no flavor n dry. Mac n cheese 1 star as cheese n pasta tasted like two entities while it should have fused together, also cheese not melted enough. Cole slaw 1 star, very basic. Corn bread 5 Stars hence why place should be called hometown cornbread and not bbq. Girl serving sides, owner and male waiter this past saturday were all very nice, all others blah. Place is nicely designed but food and service does not represent the high money cost. Do not fret though as you will not be dissapointed nor wait a ridiculous time at Butcher Bar in Astoria. You will close your eyes when you bite into their bbq meat especially the pulled pork.
(2)
Jeff O.
Four stars if you live in Red Hook, three stars if you're anywhere else and need to trek here. Setting is nice and staff is friendly, so no complaints there. Moist brisket: Good bark, very tender, respectable marbling. Lamb belly: Juicy, rich, browned nicely. Pork ribs: Properly cooked in the sense that they're tender but not falling apart. That said, seriously lacking in the bark department. Looked the same as my baked ribs at home. Collards: Really nice. Meaty, not too much broth, clean veggie flavor. Beans: Eh, kind of like eating a really thick BBQ sauce with some legumes thrown in. Sauces: Underwhelming. The "sticky" tomato variety has nothing on Bulls-Eye, and the vinegar had an unpleasant/distracting apple cider flavor going on. Smoke: All the meats had pretty perfect smoke flavor - not too strong, not too subtle. Verdict: Plenty of promise but needs some refinement (as is to be expected of a new spot). Biggest issue is dearth of bark on the meats - that's what separates good BBQ from great, and if that issue is addressed, Hometown will be a destination and not just a solid neighborhood restaurant.
(3)
Claudio M.
I've been to many bbq joints in Nyc (dino bbq, fette sau etc) and I was very excited about Hometown. I came here on a Sunday night and after a solid 30mins wait the attendant told me they were out of ribs, brisket and lamb belly. Just consider this their menu only offers 4 joices and 3 out of four were unavailable at 8pm! We were then forced to either go away hungry or eat what was left I.e. cold and soggy pork belly and pulled pork...one word: awful. The sides were botched too, the beans were super spicy probably to cover the insignicant taste, and collard greens soggy, overcooked and spicyn too. The only positive note was the corn bread, soft, tasty and sweet. We paid 60$ for some decent corn bread and some pretty awful meet...Hometown I really wanted to like you but after trying you out one word comes to my mind: disappointment. Ps: the servers were slow but nice
(1)
Shawn V.
It was late and the pizza place was closed, so we stopped here. I'm glad we did! The best BBQ we've ever had and great environment.
(5)
Terri Mayson W.
Amazing, amazing barbecue that can stand up to almost anything in Texas. Great sole ring on the brisket, tub was just right with not too much pepper. Jerk baby back ribs were incredible. Now if the just had mrs baird's white bread instead of crusty rolls it would be perfect!! Thanks Billy for a great dinner!
(5)
Brian S.
Best smoked BBQ this side of Franklins (or at least in new York). Ribs were awesome,brisket great, and moist turkey. I couldn't stop eating the burnt ends BBQ beans. Pickles were homemade and a pint of shiner bock! I will be back as often as possible but for now I'll settle with the 4 pounds I brought home for dinner!
(5)
Kim E.
Dude, as a texan I seriously am in love with this place. Not only did one of the head guys, Mitch, take time to sit down with us and make sure we were enjoying every bit, we had a typical experience akin to TX BBQ here. Ribs-absolutely delicious, nice peppery crusty and moist outer layer to falling off the bone meat! Brisket-delicious, very very tender and falling apart. Sides were good. I learned about the dedication of the pit master and there is live music alcove next to the main dining hall. Will definitely return here!
(4)
Heather P.
We came in here before a grocery trip to Fairway so we wouldn't be so hungry while shopping. This place did not disappoint. The food was really good. I had pork belly tacos, jalapeño cheddar sausage and the queso mac & cheese. Everything was really good, I can't wait to come back. The decor is awesome as well. It's spacious and they have a huge screen (we were watching the Pats game). Seems like they have live music too. My only complaint was the line was super long and took a while to order, but the food came out quick. Soooooo yummy!!!
Franny A.
Though not quite ready for prime time.....they opened at 12 on Sunday and by 1PM the entire front room was packed. The word is out and it is rave reviews. The smoker in front beckons you to real deal barbecue and sides. Sunday there are lunch sandwiches which come with a mini potato salad. Brisket, pulled pork, sausage and jerk chicken. Went with the brisket, beans, mac & collards. The brisket sandwich was $11, sides were $4. The brisket served on a Caputo onion roll with Brooklyn brine pickles had the right combo of fat and lean plus the pickles and onions on that bread was a winning combo. The standout sides were the perfectly cooked smokey sides and the beans. Full of meat and slow cooked for 14 hours, the owner said- the sauce they are sitting in is so rich and intense it is almost MOLE- like...unlike any beans I have ever tasted. All American great barbecue with a BK twist!
(5)Collin H.
By far the best BBQ in New York City, couldn't get any better.
(5)Thy L.
Came on a Tuesday night and there was no line or wait. Queso mac and cheese and cole slaw paired well with the meat, but I didn't quite like the rub on the brisket or beef rib. One beef rib was $25. Husband got the brisket sandwich which he didn't rave about.
(3)Rob C.
A little out the way, but one of my favorite BBQ joints in the city. The brisket was greasy and awesome.
(5)JL K.
They get 3 stars for moist, fatty brisket; heavily spiced but lacked seasoning! Fresh cracked black pepper w coffee rub NEEDS SALT! Their pulled pork...WHAT can I say, NOT! Moist, again, but NO seasoning to be found, except for this off-putting sweet, gamey-ness. They salvaged themselves with their unctuous, well-seasoned lamb belly...they delivered! Will be back to try their ribs & sides...but no rush.
(3)Carlo B.
The food was pretty good, but I've definitely had better. Very tender ribs, pretty good sides. The problem is the service. The two arrogant, angry and bored hipster dudes serving the food were horrible. I will save the details but just say they were probably two of the rudest food service workers I've experienced in a really long time. It was as if we were bothering them and they even had the balls to talk sh*t about another customer right in front of us. A customer that had a legitimate concern about being served her sides 15 minutes before her made to order dish was finished. The customer wasn't even remotely rude to them, yet they proceeded to lambast her in front of everyone. I honestly wanted to jump over the counter and take both of their heads and knock them together. And I'm not talking about two kids. They were two 'grown' men. With two or three local BBQ joints with better food, the horrible service was enough to put this on my list of where not to eat again.
(2)Chase Y.
Pretty expensive for such cheap meats. $14 for a 1/2 pound of brisket is asking a WHOLE lot. I really don't care if you're smoking it for mass amounts of hours. I shouldn't be paying for a miniscule amount of sub par brisket at that price. These downtown trendy bbq places get away with this. It's pretty unfortunate that I heard such good things about this place, only to be left still hungry and my wallet empty. The dry rub is pretty basic, with a hell of a lot of black pepper. Kind of over compensating if you ask me. This is just another brooklyn bbq spot that will accommodate the tourists off the water taxi, or the hipsters of bumblefuck who know next to nothing about food.
(2)Drink, Pleas E.
Their BBQ is great. I tend to use brisket as the standard by which to measure BBQ. Theirs is excellent - - juicy with fat but not fatty. Balanced smoke. We also had pork ribs, which were perfect. Really good BBQ. Really. I prefer naked BBQ - so sauces are not my thing. I tried their two types. Neither was too impressive - the sweet was a bit sweet and overpowered with chili powder. The hot did have an amazing heat back that warmed your mouth rather sensually in food sorta way! Nice. We also had collard greens and coles slaw. Greens were OK. Slaw was diner quality. It would have been nice to achieve greater balance with the smoked meat with sharp flavours in the sides. I hate to say they were a bit tepid. Would not take much for the kitchen to improve the recipe, though. Kinda brought down the overall food experience. Now, the real hold back was price. I'm willing to support good food with a premium on cost. But it is a little pricey. The cost-benefit is close, however. Get the sides right and it would all come together. It is a great location and venue, cool bar and amazing brisket. I would not want to discourage anyone from giving it a try.
(3)Doug J.
Awesome BBQ. Smoked Turkey is nice rarity. Great Sauces. Great Cole Slaw. Perfect actually. Brilliantly Tangy Potato Salad Wish they had a salad that the BBQ meat could anoint.
(5)Garreth G.
I didn't think it would be possible to find that great BBQ taste like I've had at Salt Lick in TX until I came to Hometown. The place is a stretch to get to but luckily I have a car and was able to bring some of my friends for a friends birthday to try this place. Once you walk you will smell the smokey bbq smell that can probably be your clothes. Lets get to it. Best brisket I've had while living in NJ/NY area. It was so soft, moist, rich, and decadent that it was probably the best feeling I've had since my parents watched me graduate get my college diploma. Not only was the brisket delicious but also tried the beef ribs, smoked jalepeno & cheddar sausage, pork belly taco's, baby back ribs, and shredded pork belly. Everything pretty much was super super freakin delicious. It's a little more pricier than I would like it to be but it seriously was worth every penny. We also got the cornbread, mac and cheese, and potato salad as sides. They all were outstanding in their own way and complimented the meats perfectly. They have 3 sauces (Sticky, Hot and Sweet, and Regular) which you can put on your plate, kind of like Chipotle style where you can grab the bottle squeezer and bring it to your table.The best was Sticky as it was sweet and tangy but the hot and sweet wasn't bad either. They also have live music in the other room but no one was playing when we went. I recommend this place for sure. I can not wait till I go back.
(5)J G.
Absolutely amazing brisket! I went to a party catered by Hometown BBQ a couple weeks ago and after several portions of brisket, jerk baby back ribs, mac and cheese later i was a believer. My wife and i went out to Red Hook today to fill ourselves with everything we could related to BBQ. Empty stomachs prepped for the challenge we ordered brisket, full rack of jerk baby backs, 9 pork and brisket tacos(what a treat), mac + cheese, smoked pit beans, collard greens, Hometown slaw, Whiskey sour pickles. Yeah that was just for two of us :). Shiner Bock, IPA, pilsner, couple of Evan Williams with pickle back shots later and we had a few ribs to take home for later. These guys know what they are doing. It is only a matter of time before you see trophies and banners lining the walls with wins at BBQ competitions. I spend a lot of time in BBQ places around the country and can say without hesitation the brisket is the best i have had. The tacos were a surprise and refreshing break between bites of pure brisket heaven. Oh thats right half of them were brisket tacos :). We walked out stuffed very happy to have a place like this a few miles from our home. The Brisket is off the hook in Red Hook!
(5)S B.
For food alone it's 4 or 5 stars, but the other factors weigh it down.... Food -Brisket was tender and deliciously seasoned. -Mac N Cheese was gooey with a bit of zest. -Cornbread was sho'nuff. -Beans were nothing special but still tasty. -The mega rib was pretty good but F'ing pricey. It's impressive to marvel at but the size to consumable meat ratio is pretty skewed. -No room for desserts. An excuse to return. Also want to return for the turkey plate and wings. Service -If you don't get here early you're in for a stand. The place fills up fast and looks to only be manned by two chefs. -Bar service was lacking. The bartender was not very smooth but, to be fair, she desperately needed help on a Friday evening shift. Looked like plenty of people in an official capacity hovering about but not wanting to chip in. She was really, really, painfully in the weeds. The natives were restless. -Good beer and whiskey lists though. Decor -No frills, as it should be. -Would be fun to take in the tunes some night. -Great community space. -Family spot earlier in the evening, with parents cutting the kids loose. Really far away and takes some planning to get to, but overall worth it if you time it right. Bring your appetite.
(3)Gi Gi B.
This place is getting 3 stars only because the food is good. For a self service place, it is extremely slow just to get your food. On a Sunday we waited about 40 mins just to get to the front of the line to order the food when the line was not that bad. Chipotle can handle the same line in under 10 mins They should observe the efficiency of Hill Country in the city. Same type of cuisine and much more pleasant dining experience and customer service. This place really needs to relook at their efficiencies. Everything is self service. U pick up your food, utensils, and drinks and hope to find a seat for you and your friends after waiting on that long line. On the upside the slow service allows people time to finish eating so u can have a seat. They had the audacity to point out no tip when my friend signed her credit card receipt. We had the brisket, pork belly collard greens and mac n cheese and chocolate pudding pie Everything was delicious
(3)Danny B.
Absolutely amazing... it hasn't been five minutes since I ate and I have to rave about it.. if you want real smoke house BBQ. This is the place to be. Pulled Pork so juicy, ribs literally fall off their bones, mac and cheese the way it's suppose to be. ? My buddies wings were off the chain and his brisket was awesome. And my desert was delicious!!! You walk out of here smelling like you were just at a BBQ. Nicely hidden on the yuppie side of red hook. Bar offers a bunch of drafts which you've never heard of. (Which is a good thing). Great atmosphere. Absolutely Amazing in every way. I ate it so fast I didn't even get to take a picture !
(5)Danny S.
There has been a lot of grumblings about this place and I have been dying to try it. You would think this place was BBQ heaven however it fell short for me. The brisket was ok, I prefer Morgans. The spare ribs were super dry and had way too much black pepper/pepper corns, the pickles were bland, collard greens were just ok. The sweet sricha sauce and bbq sauce was pretty good. I liked the service and the space was certainly nice. While I really did not enjoy the food, I want to go again and give it 1 more try and maybe try some other dishes to try and get my mouth around what all the hype is about ;). Maybe they had an off day.
(3)Octavia W.
Lines are way to long for just average bbq food. After getting my food and waiting i couldn't even eat i was exhausted from waiting over 2 hours on line. Food was cold and not that great. We had ribs, cornbread ,mac n cheese, collards. It's just ok. I've had way better bbq else where. You have to wait at the bar for any drink. Not enough seating and parking is crazy in this area. Will not go back the wait is not work it.
(2)Tiffany M.
Nothing makes me happier than going back to a place I rated poorly and clearly being able to see improvements. I was invited back to Hometown by the affable manager and I'm so glad I returned as everything has improved...with the exception of the potato salad - that was just as good as I remembered it. Had lamb belly for the first time and I'm glad, well seasoned, tender and cooked to perfection. The brisket was much more moist, but not overly fatty, and tasted less salty this time around. My best friend really enjoyed his beef ribs which were tender, almost falling off the bone and I recalled they were a little tough the first time I tried them. The real winners for me - and there were no losers - were the brisket and collard greens with bacon (amazingly good). Also, didn't appreciate the impressive decor and space the first time around. Really love the wood, the open feel, and the communal tables. Lastly, the service both at our table and from the guys at the carving area was impeccable (thanks Michael!). I'm really looking forward to going back and especially after feeling so welcomed.
(4)Anna W.
OMG that lamb belly!!! I went here once and it felt reasonably priced. I went here again and it felt super expensive. I can't tell how I feel about the pricing. But the lamb belly is amazing -- if it's available (which it seems like it only is sometimes) GET IT! And Hometown, a request -- make it available all the time!! My girlfriend and I have talked about it many times since we had it. It's amazing. The sides were pretty lackluster, with the exception of the cornbread and the queso mac n' cheese. It's like a mix between mac n cheese and texas style queso, and I really enjoyed it. All the meat was delicious. I liked everything I tried. I don't really think the gigantic beef ribs are really worth the cost though, I'd stick with the pulled pork, brisket, and that amazing lamb belly! Oh I almost forgot, my biggest complaint was the slow pace of the line. They only have one person cutting meat and one person ringing people up, and it's just kind of slow. Not sure what they could do to fix that but they should make it a priority, maybe take a hint from Mighty Quinn's which has a similar setup but somehow manages to make it snappy?
(5)Sx S.
Was totally excited to dine here after reading a spread on Hometown in Thrillest. But I have to tell you I was sincerely and truthfully disappointed. The line was terribly slow for starters, we went midday on a weekday so the place wasn't packed. They were just slow for no reason. Then the prices. $25.00 a pound for beef ribs, $12.00 per half pound for spare ribs. And the outrageous prices for the meats go on. But regardless of the that ominous warning, we pushed on and ordered beef ribs, spare ribs and brisket sandwiches. A side if Mac and cheese, baked beans, and greens. The beans and collards were mediocre at best. But the Mac and cheese is fabulous, some of he best I have ever had. Too bad this isn't a Mac n Cheese restaurant. The BBQ, well it is NOT WORTH THE PRICE. The dry rubs and sauces were great, the meats were dry. Ribs were all dry and tough. The brisket was dry, and they don't give enough meat in the sandwiches to offset all the bread in the buns.... Sauce to the rescue!!! Friends I was literally at a block party in BK, where the main host smoked up some of the best brisket and ribs I've had in my entire life. And that was a back yard smoker the size of a hot dog vendors cart in the city. Smoked over night and cooked to perfection in someone's yard..... What's HOMETOWNS EXCUSE? Another thing that turned me off to this place was the site of them throwing out food. The carver literally was cutting brisket and ribs, weighing out of the pieces for orders. Then in front of our faces they were throwing out ribs, chunks of meats... Big pieces not scraps. Wasteful and sad when Meals on Wheels, and City Harvest exist. When asked why are they throwing out food? He simply chuckled and lied, "Oh, those are scraps we make our beans with". Then shortly after he proceeded to throw out scraps of paper, plastic and trash in the same trash can as those "beans destined scraps". This is just another well dressed and advertised hipster hole. Shoot go to "Brother Jimmys", at least you get what you pay for there. Or better yet, do it yourself. They get 2 stars from me for 2 reasons. Mac N Cheese was excellent, and they have free refills on soft drinks... sadly they do not offer sweet tea! BBQ and no sweet tea... W T F! Go for the Mac and that's all.
(2)Steph C.
Great find. It's definitely a bit of a hike to get here, but it's a wonderful spot nonetheless. Went here for a friend's birthday celebration in the afternoon. Large, open space that had a pretty good-sized crowd. Our group was already comfortably spread out on one of the large tables. It's a simple process. Drinks at the bar, Food at the counter. If you have a really large order, they'll give you a number and bring it out to you. I wasn't that hungry so I was looking for something a little smaller. I ordered the smoked sausage sandwich with jalapenos and cheddar and a side of cornbread. Wow, delicious! The sausage was served on a baguette with pickles and spicy mustard. I could tell it was good quality since there was none of those little chewy fat bits that you usually find in sausage. I hate those. This sausage was meaty, spicy, and just a hint cheesy. Really hit the spot. The cornbread was excellent. Some of the best I've had, and went really well with the hot sauce. Also enjoyed the Bloody Mary. They make it with Guinness and garnish it with candied bacon! Would like to go back in the summer months.
(5)Evan R.
After a long-overdue climb at BKB and a visit to Fairway, my hunger was on overload. Hometown was very close so we made it happen. When we arrived there was live music going on in the front that seemed passable, but we headed to the more proper restaurant in the back. The meat line was non-existent despite the place being reasonably full so we ambled up to the bar. The guy serving the meats was wearing a chef coat with "Evan" on it, and we proceeded to have 5 minutes of banter about the wonder of being named Evan. He then gave us a ton of great recommendations and some extra food. I don't know if non-members of the Evan fraternity would have the same experience, but the service was excellent. The ribs were really well cooked. They needed a drop of sauce but were good once that was added. The jerk chicken was excellent and ended up in an egg scramble the next morning. The potato salad was also really good - lots of dill and definitely homemade. I wouldn't call our selections earth-shattering but this was damn fine BBQ. On an unrelated note, I noticed that several reviewers gave this place two stars because it is far from where they personally live. I bet those are the same people that eat other people's lunches in the office.
(4)M H.
Having grown up in Texas (yup, I'm pulling that card), something just rubbed me the wrong way about this place. -decor is just trying way too hard...like I could see it on Portlandia -comically slow service -so-so brisket -overpriced -no wonderbread/fixins - what Texan would honestly want some artisanal bread w/bbq? -$6 key lime "pie" was a freakin' tartelette (what is this...a pie for ants?!)...didn't even taste good To make things worse, THEY WERE OUT OF SHINER BOCK (SERIOUSLY?!?!? YOU HAD ONE JOB). Not even Lonestar as a backup beer...so sad. If you're looking for something more authentic with an even better price point, I highly recommend Mable's...they carry not only Shiner, but Shiner Seasonal (RUBY REDBIRD, my friends). It feels more like a place back home than Hometown did.
(2)Ronnie E.
It's on the same level as Franklin Barbecue, LA Barbecue and Louie Mueller. The pastrami bacon brought a tear to my eye. GO. NOW.
(5)Ed C.
Not worth wait. Standing in line for 35 minutes. Food ok. Ribs - taste "peppercornish" . Pulled pork pretty good. Tacos very small. Other BBQ places in town better. Will not return. But seems like one of those nouveau trendy bklyn places.
(2)Michael P.
Came on a Saturday night. Live music by JD Patch was great. Place was lively a lot of people having a good time drinking and eating. This place is a little off the beaten path, but it's probably a blessing in disguide because if this place was closer to the masses it would be too busy and crowded to have a good time. Parking also was a lot easier given the proximity. Down to the food. I cannot say enough good things about quality control here. The owner was constantly checking on the meat to make sure it was served to his liking. Barbecue is a cuisine that is easy to get wrong. Everything has to be smoked perfectly. Too much or too little and it is not right. The line moves a little slowly as they have everyone going to one station to get their meat and sides, but it wasn't too bad. It took me about 15 minutes to get to the front of the line. I am sure during non-peak times it is a lot faster. Bartenders waited on my quickly. We tried to get a little bit of everything because I am huge fan of the food and have travelled to various parts of the country to eat it. We had, brisket, spare ribs, jerk ribs, pastrami bacon, and jalapeno sausage. The brisket was perfectly smoked. It has the perfect amount of fat and the seasoning was really good. Very juicy. Spare ribs just had salt and pepper and were also done well. The jerk ribs had a nice flavor and the patrami bacon was very good too. The sausages which are made on premesis were one of my favorite parts of the meal. Side orders were also very good. Some barbecue places don't pay as much attention to the sides as they worry more about meat. This is not the case here. The mac and cheese is really good. Burnet end baked beans had I nice sweet flavor and big chunks of burnt ends. We also had slaw and potato salad which were solid. Great selection of alcohol and beer as well. I had a great time at hometown and will come back again soon. I am glad the owner goes through great lengths to make sure his product is superb because real barbecue fans can be unforgiving. They are doing barbecue justice. Good job.
(5)Jenna Leigh E.
In Brooklyn's fair city Where the girls are so pretty I met a nice woman named Molly Malone We talked about 'cue and We'd both tried a few and She sent me to Home Town to try the brisket. "Oh try, oh try-o Oh try, oh try-o, It's melty! and smoky! so try, oh try-o." She was right -- the brisket was exceptional. Also very good: jerk baby back ribs. Lamb belly was smoky & tasty; pork belly was tender but not exciting. As others have reported, the kitchen was out of beef ribs before the dinner rush had even begun, and I wish they'd resolve that issue. Molly Malone had told me the sides were...just fine, and for the most part I found them unexceptional, though I liked the vinegary cole slaw a lot, and the whiskey pickles were good too. The corn bread's sort of cakelike -- sweet and dense. But really, it's the brisket that wins the show -- so wherever you are, Molly Malone, thank you for the tip.
(4)Sean C.
Well, let's start off with the important stuff, the meats definitely rate FIVE Stars. Sides are solid too, with no complaints as to the quality or execution, the only reason I had to deduct a point was for price. I was so proud of myself for coming out of IKEA for under one hundred bucks that when I stopped by here I did go a little off the rails trying stuff, that I did manage to go over one hundred bucks for takeout... That being said, 3 dollars for a piece of corn bread is kinda steep. I'll definitely come back, but I gotta check myself on what I order...
(4)L E.
2nd visit. Brisket here still wins over any other brisket. Great bark which makes it very tasty. 2nd time they ran out of turkey by 5PM. This time, tried the Spare Ribs. Again great bark. But not very smoky in taste and meat (although not tough) wasn't falling off the bone. Not bad, but not great either. Also tried the Chipotle Chicken. A bit overdone and very plain tasting - not even a hint of Chilpotle or spice. Queso Mac and cheese was very good and this time I tried the cornbread, which was good - moist and tasty - but could have been a touch sweeter. But the most memorable thing about the visit ... unfortunately ... was the wait. An hour and ten minutes from the back of the line (which was at the entrance). This place needs help in moving things along at the counter - lots of help. There are only two counter people who cut the meat, serve you, and collect the money. And it seems like people just take their sweet old time about ordering. Each "party" takes a good 5 minutes. The line couldn't have had more than 25 people on it, yet it took 1 hour 10 minutes and I arrived at 3:45PM on a Sunday. Honestly, even if this place was exceptional, I would not go back unless I heard that they improved their speed. There is really no excuse for a line of that many people to take that long.
(3)Randy H.
One of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've ever had and their banana pudding was delectable. Also enjoyed the Sirachi chicken wings and Sirachi bbq sauce. Great space and atmosphere. Wish it wasn't so expensive, but it seems like all good bbq in NYC is. Wasn't a huge fan of the jalapeño cheddar sausage or mac 'n' cheese.
(5)Susan M.
Come here VERY hungry! I enjoyed the pork belly tacos while my husband had the perfectly cooked and deliciously tender brisket. Best friend had the Mac n cheese. We also ordered greens and pickles. I won't e able to eat for weeks and am very satisfied!
(4)Jean-Pierre O.
Best BBQ place in NY (so far). We had beef spare ribs (my favorite), pork spare ribs, pastrami bacon, lamb belly (a must), brisket, hot wings and I was really surprised how good everything was, even the corn bread is amazing! The only criticism I can do is about the sides: potato salad has way too many onions and the beans tasted too much like bbq sauce. I gave it 5 stars because the rest was so good that really the sides did not matter.
(5)Dara M.
For food I give it a five. For service and the way they plan it out I give it a one. That averages to a three. Food: moist meat, delicious sides! Definitely my favorite BBQ place in this part of bk for sure. Food wise, that is. Service: you have to wait in a VERY slow line just to order your food. On a Saturday night we waited nearly one hour before we could order. You stand in this long line, and the people behind the counter chit chat with everyone and take their time to get you finished. Seriously, they have no hustle. Like there's no incentive to move any faster. One hour is a long time to wait just to order your food. Perhaps have three or four people back there to move it along? I would like to keep coming here but the wait is prohibitive. Management: maybe if you put some benches along the wall then people could sit down when they get tired of standing (which we are!) then that might help.
(3)Brian P.
Hometown reminds me of many barbeque places I love and I heard great things, so I biked down there on a weekday afternoon to find it empty. If course, I was happy not to wait, but I wondered if I was at an overlooked gem or an overhyped entity. Man, did it deliver on the hype. The ribs are texas style, but with some extra heat that I usually don't encounter. Paired with their hot and sweet sauce and you get a unique, delicious experience. It's up there with the best barbeque in NYC.
(5)Kevin F.
Its starting to get difficult ranking all these fine NYC BBQ eateries. Hometown does a fantastic job having as diverse and creative a menu as any BBQ place could. I went on a fantastic Saturday afternoon in June, no line, open tables, always makes the experience seem that much better! I had the brisket (best i've had), pulled pork (fantastic), spare ribs (fell off the bone and their dry rub is SOOO good you contemplate if adding sauce would take away from the experience), and a beef hot link (not bad, but the least exciting of the other food). The collared greens had smoked pork shoulder in it and was absolutely amazing. I'll be back to this establishment soon. In a land of many BBQ joints, Hometown stands out among the best!
(4)Jacques F.
Food is amazing, drinks good and strong. Dear owner(s), please work on your staff. Bartender would fit perfectly in a dive bar in the middle of nowhere. This is Brooklyn and considering the drinks prices I expect a minimum (Hi. How are you. What can I get for you. Thank you.). I only got a "whatsup" in about 1h and a half. Maybe the purple-hair bartender was having an off-day...
(2)Jeff B.
I gave Hometown BBQ in Red Hook a try. They claim "central Texas" style Q although I never saw lambs belly on a roadside joint menu. Brisket, Pork Belly, Lamb Belly, and Pulled Pork and a Shiner on tap! All excellent! For those who have never had the good fortune to eat at a Texas BBQ joint, counter service and serving on paper is standard!
(4)Tom M.
Craving some real good beef brisket for the last few days, i yelped this place out since i was in nearby Dumbo. Having had spectacular brisket from a food truck a few weeks before, my bar was set high.Out of several in-a-row mediocre eating experiences, i was really hoping this Red Hook hipster eatery would get my thumbs up, unfortunately i was again disappointed. The few quick reviews i read (very positive) didn't prepare me for the huge Saturday evening line out the door to the order window (about a 45 minute wait) , or the lack of table service. It took us about 5 minutes to get oriented, and figure out how this weird place worked (just get on line like cattle to slaughter). While waiting on line, one nervously looks around the establishment trying to eyeball a seat, there were four of us, and the long beer festival hall tables didn't make the task easy. Once at the order "window" the "butcher" asks you what you want, and cuts off pieces of it, and weighs it right on the spot. The meat prices average $25-$30 a pound. Some things were cheaper, like the sausage, which they ran out of . The beef ribs are $25 a pound, bone and all (are you f*cking kidding me?!?) were too rich for my blood to even try. Though I suspect if its like everything else I tried, good thing I didn't waste my money. So we ordered we ordered the beef brisket, dark Chipotle chicken, lamb & pork belly, and a side of Mac n Cheese ($8 for large). Out of all those things, the cheesy mac was the best tasting, garnering a 7/10 on my subjective taste scale. The Brisket was just ok, at a 6/10. Not even close to the cheaper and much better brisket I had from the food truck. I hate myself for not remembering what it was called. The lamb belly was very dry, and had no taste (though it had a spicy rub) 3/10 The pork belly was dry and tasteless too 2/10 The chipotle chicken was spicy and decent tasting, but super dry 3/10 My friends pulled pork had no taste, and a weird mushy consistency 2/10 Their potato salad (is that what it was??) had a weird tangy-mixed with coleslaw type formula. I kinda liked it, but it was weird nonetheless 4/10 Other notes... The cashier didnt say thank you when I was done ordering and gave this kidults their due tip. The banjo playing band from Flyoverlandia, sucked. Parking took a little time to find (Saturday night, and lots of other establishments in the area). On the plus side, the beer was good. All in all I spent close to a C note and was very disappointed. Though I've never had Dallas BBQ's brisket, their Beef ribs are AWESOME, and you get a huge rack (like 3-4 pounds) for 15 bucks, with a bunch of sides. How these hometown a-holes can charge $25 a pound (thats like 1-2 ribs) for beef, is beyond me. Tommy says skip it.
(1)Angela M.
May be the best BBQ in BK right now. Line gets long at prime times, but good beers and good bartenders.
(4)John O.
Finally made it here. Best item by far was the cornbread, might be the best one I've ever had. Mac n cheese really good. Brisket solid although not as good as Hill Country in Manhattan. Jerk ribs good, not great. Fun place but not the best ever as some Brooklynite friends have represented.
(4)Joanie K.
YUM. I had the lamb banh mi and a cornbread. I added more sauce to the lamb as it was a bit dry, but other than that... fantastic. I recommend not eating the entire cornbread as it's really heavy. This is when sharing is really caring. Make a trip out of Red Hook - take the ferry, get bbq, go for coffee, walk on the water's edge.
(4)Isabella D.
Wanted to love this place based on reviews but this place nor food comes near a five star. Firstly, waiting one hour in line to place an order is unacceptable. Secondly, to get attitude from the meat cutter for asking a question n cashier to direct his frustration because he does not have change is even more unacceptable after such a long wait. Guy running around w his daughter, who seemed to be the owner/manager? was quite sympathetic n nice as he apologized for credit card machine being down n later gave us siracha wings. Btw, line was molasses slow before machine went down. Now down to the food... Let us just say that if it were not for the bbq sauce bottles on each table, the meat does not taste like bbq at all. Between all of us, we ordered brisket, pulled pork, spare rib, mac n cheese, cole slaw and corn bread. Our rating: Brisket 3 stars, pink so undercooked and not flavorful...no seasoning taste at all. Pulled pork 2 stars, no bbq taste, alot of fat n skin slab taste. Huge dissapointment. Spare rib 1 star, barely cooked raw n pink n no flavor n dry. Mac n cheese 1 star as cheese n pasta tasted like two entities while it should have fused together, also cheese not melted enough. Cole slaw 1 star, very basic. Corn bread 5 Stars hence why place should be called hometown cornbread and not bbq. Girl serving sides, owner and male waiter this past saturday were all very nice, all others blah. Place is nicely designed but food and service does not represent the high money cost. Do not fret though as you will not be dissapointed nor wait a ridiculous time at Butcher Bar in Astoria. You will close your eyes when you bite into their bbq meat especially the pulled pork.
(2)Jeff O.
Four stars if you live in Red Hook, three stars if you're anywhere else and need to trek here. Setting is nice and staff is friendly, so no complaints there. Moist brisket: Good bark, very tender, respectable marbling. Lamb belly: Juicy, rich, browned nicely. Pork ribs: Properly cooked in the sense that they're tender but not falling apart. That said, seriously lacking in the bark department. Looked the same as my baked ribs at home. Collards: Really nice. Meaty, not too much broth, clean veggie flavor. Beans: Eh, kind of like eating a really thick BBQ sauce with some legumes thrown in. Sauces: Underwhelming. The "sticky" tomato variety has nothing on Bulls-Eye, and the vinegar had an unpleasant/distracting apple cider flavor going on. Smoke: All the meats had pretty perfect smoke flavor - not too strong, not too subtle. Verdict: Plenty of promise but needs some refinement (as is to be expected of a new spot). Biggest issue is dearth of bark on the meats - that's what separates good BBQ from great, and if that issue is addressed, Hometown will be a destination and not just a solid neighborhood restaurant.
(3)Claudio M.
I've been to many bbq joints in Nyc (dino bbq, fette sau etc) and I was very excited about Hometown. I came here on a Sunday night and after a solid 30mins wait the attendant told me they were out of ribs, brisket and lamb belly. Just consider this their menu only offers 4 joices and 3 out of four were unavailable at 8pm! We were then forced to either go away hungry or eat what was left I.e. cold and soggy pork belly and pulled pork...one word: awful. The sides were botched too, the beans were super spicy probably to cover the insignicant taste, and collard greens soggy, overcooked and spicyn too. The only positive note was the corn bread, soft, tasty and sweet. We paid 60$ for some decent corn bread and some pretty awful meet...Hometown I really wanted to like you but after trying you out one word comes to my mind: disappointment. Ps: the servers were slow but nice
(1)Shawn V.
It was late and the pizza place was closed, so we stopped here. I'm glad we did! The best BBQ we've ever had and great environment.
(5)Terri Mayson W.
Amazing, amazing barbecue that can stand up to almost anything in Texas. Great sole ring on the brisket, tub was just right with not too much pepper. Jerk baby back ribs were incredible. Now if the just had mrs baird's white bread instead of crusty rolls it would be perfect!! Thanks Billy for a great dinner!
(5)Brian S.
Best smoked BBQ this side of Franklins (or at least in new York). Ribs were awesome,brisket great, and moist turkey. I couldn't stop eating the burnt ends BBQ beans. Pickles were homemade and a pint of shiner bock! I will be back as often as possible but for now I'll settle with the 4 pounds I brought home for dinner!
(5)Kim E.
Dude, as a texan I seriously am in love with this place. Not only did one of the head guys, Mitch, take time to sit down with us and make sure we were enjoying every bit, we had a typical experience akin to TX BBQ here. Ribs-absolutely delicious, nice peppery crusty and moist outer layer to falling off the bone meat! Brisket-delicious, very very tender and falling apart. Sides were good. I learned about the dedication of the pit master and there is live music alcove next to the main dining hall. Will definitely return here!
(4)Heather P.
We came in here before a grocery trip to Fairway so we wouldn't be so hungry while shopping. This place did not disappoint. The food was really good. I had pork belly tacos, jalapeño cheddar sausage and the queso mac & cheese. Everything was really good, I can't wait to come back. The decor is awesome as well. It's spacious and they have a huge screen (we were watching the Pats game). Seems like they have live music too. My only complaint was the line was super long and took a while to order, but the food came out quick. Soooooo yummy!!!
(4)