Hometown Bar-B-Que

"A highly seasonal line that lengthens with the days (especially on weekends). It’s easy to do a little relay here though, with one person standing in line while others drink beer at a picnic bench. Go in winter if you want to avoid a wait—the barbecue is just as good year round." - bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah

"If you place a checkered blanket in your living room and order a pound of spare ribs from Hometown Barbecue, it’ll be like having a picnic without the pesky ants or bees. The Red Hook location is taking pick up and delivery orders through their website every day starting at noon." - hannah albertine

"High chairs: Yes You require good barbecue on a Saturday. Your child loathes sitting quietly in a chair for more than three minutes. Nobody needs to settle. Go to Hometown Bar-B-Que. The Red Hook spot has picnic tables inside and out, where your kid can eat two bites of mac and cheese and then play hide-and-seek with a four-year-old at the table next door. And then something beautiful will happen: you’ll have a few uninterrupted moments with your giant beef rib. Afterwards, head down to Louis Valentino Jr. Pier, and attempt to explain to your child that yes, there is a sandy beach, but no, you cannot swim." - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick

"Here’s a great way to avoid any lingering family tension that might surface when you're all at the same table: Bring everyone to Hometown's barn-like space in Red Hook, and distract them with the best BBQ in the city. If anyone isn't into brisket and beef ribs, there are other options like a veggie bánh mì and smoked mushroom tacos. This place would get statewide praise even if it was located in Central Texas." - hannah albertine, kenny yang

"Hometown is pitmaster Billy Durney's vision of local barbecue, and its menu leans more toward eclecticism than ever before. While it’s, on one hand, Texas-style, it is at its heart and soul a New York restaurant, offering Korean and Oaxacan flourishes, among others. It’s often declared the best barbecue in the city; the move is to order everything on the menu, especially the short rib, brisket, Jamaican jerk ribs, and spare ribs. A branch in Sunset Park’s Industry City may be more accessible." - Robert Sietsema