Hometown BBQ Brings NYC’s Favorite Barbecue to Allapattah

The barbecue that helped put Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood on the map — and has been described as New York City’s best barbecue — Hometown BBQ, debuts its first location outside the Big Apple today in Allapattah (1200 NW 22nd Street, Suite 100).

The restaurant is led by Bill Durney, a self-taught pitmaster who was mentored by the famed Wayne Mueller of Taylor, Texas, Hometown BBQ’s obscure Red Hook location quickly gained a cult-like following since opening in 2013, garnering hour plus waits for its take on barbecue that boasts traditional and not-so-traditional international flavors.

The Miami outpost, housed in the longtime former Brother Produce warehouse space, is considerably more bright and airy than the New York City location — but still keeps with the same industrial ethos of the original outpost. The 200-seat indoor/outdoor space boasts a large neon Hometown BBQ sign that greets customers at the entrance (the neon being the location’s nod to Miami, according to Durney), Nordic-style white oak tables, a blue steel bar, a massive open kitchen, and even the original Brother Produce signage still found throughout the space. And as an ode to one of Durney’s favorite artists, bright Andy Warhol wallpaper adornes the bathroom.

“It’s important for me that the guests feel like they are in someone’s home dining room,” adds Durney.

The menu is set up differently than New York as well. For lunchtime, guests can still order their dishes at the counter and their food is brought to their table when its ready — helping avoid those long lines. All the restaurant’s favorites make their way to Miami including the beef ribs, brisket, lamb belly bahn mi, smoked wings, and smoked turkey. Meats can be ordered by the pound, while classic sides like mac ’n cheese and corn pudding are also available.

Giovanny Gutierrez/Chat Chow TV

Clockwise: Catch of the day, tamarind glazed chicken hearts, whole smoked lamb breast, Oaxacan chicken

For dinner, the restaurant moves to full-service with waiters and some elevated dinner specials that aren’t available in New York created by the restaurant’s executive chef, Alex Smith. Dishes like wood-fired Oaxacan chicken; whole smoked lamb breast served with house made kimchi and cucumber and meant to be eaten in bibb lettuce wraps; tamarind glazed chicken hearts, along with plenty of veggie dishes like roasted broccoli and fire-roasted wild mushrooms.

As for beverages, the full bar serves up 16 different biodynamic natural wines by the glass along with hard-to-find beers from local breweries like Tripping Animals and Beat Culture. Creative cocktails like the Hometown Gin and Tonic made with housemate tonic and the Oak Old Fashioned with plenty of smokey notes are also available.

The restaurant is now open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sundays, and open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Closed on Mondays. To make a dinner reservation visit resy.com.

• All coverage of Hometown BBQ [ENY]