While Pig Beach might look like a very casual outdoor bar and grill, the people behind it come from serious food backgrounds. The chef Matt Abdoo was once the chef de cuisine at Michelin-starred Del Posto and the director of operations Michael Greenlee was once a wine steward at Gotham Bar & Grill.
Along with partners Shane McBride and Ed McFarland, they've opened a place for the community to hang out and feel transported to a relaxing oasis where barbecue, beer, and friends are all that's important. Throughout the summer, you'll find families with strollers, hipsters, frat boys, and plenty of dogs. That's why Pig Beach will be the final stop on our special Pup Crawl through Gowanus and Park Slope.
The What:
But also because it's a great place to hang out on a summer evening. The focus here is BBQ. The owners won awards at a Whole Hog contest in Memphis and decided to push their BBQ skills even further.
The food menu is recognizable (baby back ribs, hot dog, cheeseburger, etc.) but feature a few little updates and twists. For instance, the chicken wings are smoked and cooked with hatch chile vinegar and a charred tri tip sandwich is served in place of brisket. The food has been so well-received that they went on to open a sit-down upscale restaurant in Greenwich Village called Pig Bleecker, using the same techniques in elevated dishes.
Of course, no outdoor BBQ site would be complete without plenty of great alcohol. Come for local craft beers, delicious inventive cocktails, and wine on tap.
The Why:
The giant outdoor space with picnic tables is a real escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's crowded with locals who are relaxing, enjoying great food and drink, and soaking up the atmosphere. Gowanus may not be a beach (we certainly don't recommend swimming in it) but if you come here and squint a bit, you might convince yourself otherwise.
Check them out, along with Ample Hills Creamery, Mission Dolores, and Strong Rope Brewery on our very first Pup Crawl with proceeds going to Second Chance Rescue NYC.
The Where:
Pig Beach
480 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231