Best Burnt End Baked Beans I've Ever Eaten In My Entire 30 Year Existance As A Meer Mortal Bean Eater In NYC

This spot is literally located in an alley-like hallway. They have seatings outside and inside. Kinda hard to find seatings, we came on a Saturday around dinnertime. Pretty cool idea, line up, order ur meats and drinks. We got the briskets, pork belly, sausages and baby back ribs. Also got a side of broccoli and potatoes. Came with some buns. Table has napkins and 2 diff types of bbq sauces and 1 bottle of vinegar. I liked the more red colored bbq sauce, they werent labeled so dotn even know what theyre called. We all honestly really only enjoyed the pork belly cos it was so tender (but also very fatty). I felt like the other meats were too dry. The ribs werent fall off the bone. And also noticed the meats werent warm when served. Ive only been to two other bbq spots, Smoke Joint and Hill Country. Both were the better ones. Its a cool concept but meats needs to be warmer when served and more juicy/tender. Sauces can also be labeled so customers know which sauce is their fave. read more

This is a place all about meat!! You can order ribs, sausage, pork belly, pork cheeks and shoulders, what can't you order pig balls... Out in Williamsburg (yeah the irony.. pig..), you enter what looks like an old english ale bar.. You wait in a line (which remains busy way into the night), and order meat by the pound. The place smells of smoke and braised meat. No need to come if you are a vegetarian. You select meat from a deli type counter where some dude weighs out your portions with any side dishes. The grease and burned pieces flay all over the place. You get a big giant silver tray full of meat and sides -hmm the baked beans were delish! Definitely include the crunchy pickles, cole slaw and the Key Lime Pie. So much food, then take it over to the communal table where you definitely share your seat with an odd mix of people. You can order a jug of ale from the bar (uh, need to wait twice) and lather your meat with a variety of sauces, bbq sauces but wait, you really don't need it. The menu looks like it changes often. The pork belly was crispy, yet fatty but delish.. The brisket was yummy as well. Yeah, needed to walk back for a couple of miles to be able to breathe.. so glad that you need to walk in NY... read more

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The ribs, pulled pork and brisket is sooooo good, this place is a must if you haven't tried it yet. Sorry I didn't get to post any pics, was too busy trying to eat smh read more

Everything was great! Best bbq I tried in Brooklyn and a good beer selection backing it up! Staff decent! I'll be back next time I am in town. read more

Have to update my review though it's only been a year after. Went on a non-eventful Sunday. Went an hour earlier than when we intended to eat since we were afraid we would be in line for an hour from our previous experiences. Surprisingly there was no line. Hmm looking back, I should have realized this being an ominous sign. We were going to order a certain amount of meat, but our server warned us that it may have been too much for our group so we cut down. Bad move, we were still a little hungry after. Which is ok, you don't have to always be super stuffed, but I normally am after eating here. Had the beef brisket, pork rib, pork shoulder, burnt beans, and potato salad. I've been holding the belief that the beef brisket was the best I've had, which is why I'd rank Fette Sau a little higher than Hometown. This time it was good, but not mouth watering, falls apart in your mouth good. Not sure what has been missing but I've been feeling this the past couple visits. Certainly not the same compared to about 10 years ago where you'd savor every bite and crave it the moment you leave, even if you were totally full. The pork shoulder and rib was pretty good, no complaints. The burnt beans were good, but just didn't carry that magical kick it once did. I'd have to say, Hometown with their Mac & cheese, collard greens, burnt beans, and cornbread has better sides. As I went to order a beer at the bar, I saw one of the workers nonchalantly rubbing one of the meat with spices while listening to ear phones. Hmm where was the love put into cooking the food? Oh yeah and they used to be generous with their bread. We would get 4 pieces a person (we have pictures to prove this) and they'd offer us more. This time we had to ask for a second piece of bread per person, which the worker was even reluctant to give us. Sadness. The three people who ate with us there for their first time weren't raving about the food afterward. They said they liked it but you can tell they weren't too impressed. My memory of the place is still fond, but it is clearly losing its luster. Maybe that's why there isn't a line going into the streets anymore. Our friend who went with us forwarded an article that derided another article written by Vice about how influential Fette Sau was a few years ago. I can see how it was. Trendy place selling brisket in the middle of Brooklyn, selling artisanal craft beer, playing hipster music. That may be the norm now, but back in the day if you went to a BBQ place somewhere else, you'd be drinking either an iced tea or a Coors light with your food, listening to country music trying to be traditional. Now the Fette Sau style is everywhere, so its no longer revolutionary. I'm hesitant to rave about it since I don't want to overhype it and make people disappointed. I never thought I'd say that about this place. read more

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Overpriced yuppy BBQ. For one small portions of brisket and one side its 26$ . Don't come here hungry. Its good quality meats but very small portions and pricey. The place is trendy but trendy doesn't fill my belly ( hey that rhymes) read more

Yummy. Got there and the line wasn't too bad, but it's still quite a wait because it's one person cutting the meat, one preparing the sides, and one manning the cashier. Got 1 lb brisket, 1 lb of pork ribs, and 1/2 lb of pulled pork. We got baked beans, potato salad, and pickles. The food was legit. Brisket was extra moist, ribs were smoky and flavorful, and the pulled pork wasn't too dry. The sauce is killer. I like the basic bbq, not a fan of the others. We had enough for four people. Will definitely return. Nice selection of drinks too. read more

Fette Sau - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I've been eating here for 10 years now. Came here last night for take out. Got pulled pork, brisket, chicken wings, corn bread, baked beans, cole slaw and frozen whiskey sours. Everything was as delicious as ever! The brisket and the baked beans are some of the best I've ever had anywhere! Chicken wings I had for the first time and they were amazing, super smokey flavor. Last but not least the frozen whiskey sours really topped off this amazing meal. Kudos! read more

I really wanted to give this place a higher rating because the food was delicious, but my mouth almost dropped when I was told the price. I'll start with the good. I ordered 1/2 a pound of chicken, broccoli salad, and a ginger ale. The chicken was well-seasoned and packed with flavor. I also loved the cold broccoli salad with its lemon and chili flavor. Both items left me wanting more. Now on to the bad. My total came to $25 for basically a chicken thigh (about $10), brocolli salad ($7.50), & a bottle of ginger ale ($5). I'm sorry, but paying $10 for a chicken thigh is excessive. The full pound of chicken would have been $25 (!!!). I also think $7.50 for broccoli is excessive. Lastly, the guys at the counter weren't the friendliest. I know it was almost closing time, but still... I would love to return because, as I mentioned, the food was really good, but the thought of spending so much for so little will prevent me from doing so. read more

Went here with my wife on a non-busy night and ordered the ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder along with a few sides. First thing I took a bite of was the pork shoulder, it was literally cold, not even lukewarm or room temperature, COLD! I have no idea how you can serve cold meat, aren't they all stored on top of/inside warming trays? Second thing I tried was the brisket, it actually tasted pretty good, but again, it wasn't warm or hot at all even though I ate it straight away. The ribs were last, they were SO tiny and they only gave 4 pieces, I don't know how you could call yourself a BBQ joint and serve these tiny things. For the prices we paid, I expected at least warm food. Worst part is, when we went home we felt sick right away. We both felt like throwing up and then I had diarrhea afterwards (too much info?). Maybe we went on an off night, but we aren't going to risk bubble guts again to try this place. read more

Fantastic BBQ food. If you are looking for somewhere fancy, then this probably isn't the place for you but if you are after great BBQ food, go here! There's no table service, you go up to the counter and pick what you want. It's served on a metal tray and you take it back to your table. You cant book, and there can be a big queue. read more

Fette Sau - Drinks served in jars. - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Their ribs are amazing. Super flavorful and tasty. Wasn't as impressed with their brisket but def try the ribs! Cute place, too. read more

Fette Sau - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Tender juicy bbq meat and loved the sides as well as the bread. Combo'ed with a beer each and we were more than satisfied. We walked out stuffed. read more

Fette Sau - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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It's one of those night we craved for meat, alot of meats! after sipping couple of cocktails near the area, we decided to go for BBQ, it was a beautiful Thursday evening dinner time, the place was not too crowded, on the counter we ordered half rack ribs, quarter pound of pork belly and brisket, baked beans and broccoli salad sides, the order and food process were relatively quick, then we ring up at the counter, if you want to order your liquor, move slightly to the left where the bar is, there's quite a few selection of beers, whiskey and cocktails. Out of all the items, I like brisket and broccoli only, although brisket was abit too dry to my taste, very disappointed w pork belly, totally bland, dry rub ribs on the other side were abit too salty but without much flavor to it, it was neither juicy nor tender, I am the girl who knows and loves ribs and i have to sadly admit i do not like the ribs! the BBQ sauce is abit on the sweeter end as well; but i like the vinegar pepper sauce, it's got a great kick to it! the ambiance of the restaurant is kind of retro and casual, w wooden communal tables and seats w some outdoor spaces if you wish to get some sun on a sunny day! $60 for my entire order without drinks, Fette Sau, i think you can do better!! Kudos for not using plastic utensils! read more

Fette Sau - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The brisket is great but do not sleep on the sausages! All of the meat that we have tried there has been superb and worth the price. Love the sides as well. My favorites have been the broccoli and the pickles. It can get pretty tight with only outdoor seating so get there a little early until things resolve. read more

Very nice BBQ place to hand out with group of friends plus beer. We ordered a lot of meat, I just remembered the brisket because that was my favorite meat over there. It's kinda pricy but worth to try. read more

Fette Sau - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Love this place. Been coming here for years. You order meat. - they weigh it - add some sides - grab a beer and sit a picnic tables. What's not to like :) read more

Very good barbecue. Smoked chicken wings were really good. The side dishes all rocked. Incredible burnt end baked beans & collards. Only small tick is the brisket piece I got was more fat than meat, & pork shoulder was a tad dry. But would definitely come back & eat again. read more

Without a doubt, the best BBQ I've had in the NYC area. It was pretty empty when I arrived on a Sunday around 3 pm, however, a half an hour later it was packed at the bar and the tables. We ordered for two people to give you an idea of how much to order. We ordered the brisket, ribs and smoked sausage. For sides, we got the broccoli and pickles. I would recommend other sides as well, however I'm riding with a low carb diet so I had to refrain myself. The smoked sausage was great flavor. The brisket was tender and juicy. The ribs were falling off the bone. I love the dry rub seasoning they use instead of a messy sauce. They have a trio of sauces on the tables if you want to use them as well. This will definitely be my new BBQ spot from now on, even being almost an hour away from my apartment. read more

Fette Sau - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This place had inspired me to get into the world of smoking meats. I used to come here to buy their rub until I found that the owner published the recipe for the rib and I started making it myself (with great success and compliments from friends). Have not been here in a long while to eat because I'm not usually around during their open hours. Today I was and took my son there for lunch, excited for some great barbecue. It truly was a disappointment. I think the standards have been lowered. The brisket was incredibly tough and the pulled pork dry. We also had the baked beans that we're really not that appetizing. In the past, when it first opened, I had some excellent quality food. I think some complacency of reputation has taken it over. I'm going to stick with either my own smoker or the much better alternative in Redhook that has never disappointed. read more

This place used to be one of my favorite BBQ spots but it has definitely fell off. It could have been an off night but high possibility that I will no longer return to this establishment for my BBQ cravings. I went on a cold winter night and there was still a fairly long line. I had a great time during my past visits so I was excited to show this place to my friends as we waited in line but I was upset that we did not enjoy our meal as much. The daily meats and sides were limited and disappointing. The items offered did not hold my interest. One of the only BBQ places that has their meats pre-made and heated under a hot lamp. Calls for fast service but it's not the same. They did not have my favorite, beef ribs. The pork ribs were double d's, dry and disappointing. The beef brisket was good, but not amazing enough for me to crave for it again. The pork belly was lean, why is the pork belly lean? Not impressed. I was upset they did not have mac and cheese and the other option was brussel sprouts, but they looked very unappetizing. There's no waiting service here so I don't have much to say about that but the staff behind the counter was informative with your questions. The dining area seemed very chaotic with people hustling and getting rowdy with the seating. read more

Fette Sau - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Pricey, but delicious. Had the brisket and ribs. Broccoli was alright-it paired well with the food though. Beans were the best I've ever had-probably because there was beef AND pork in it! Employees were extremely helpful in deciding portions so don't be afraid to ask questions. read more

Fette Sau - Ribs and beans - Barbeque Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Fette Sau! What a great place to get suffed with perfectly treated meat! I love this place, I can't stop going there over and over. Try pork belly and beef brisket are heaven! This is definitely one of the must go places in the city. Mükemmel et yemek istiyorsanız, burası tam sizin yeriniz. Domuz etiyle probleminiz yoksa pork belly ve pork rib'i mutlaka denemelisiniz, çünkü özellikle pork belly yedikten sona muhtemelen başka et yemeyeceksiniz. Beef brisket de hatırı sayılır şekilde yapılıyor, onu da mutlaka denemelisiniz. Patates salatası ve chili bean de mükemmel, mutlaka denemelisiniz. Çatlayana kadar et yiyip yanında fıçı bira içip ödeyeceğiniz para ortalama $50'ı geçmiyor. read more

Let it be known that I am a sausage whore. No, seriously, it's my favorite type of meat, and I don't care from which animal; wild boar, venison, beef, chicken, turkey, duck, alligator (yup - it's how we roll in the Bayou), and the illustrious pork - I love you all. The oh-too-brief moments you're in my mouth are the few times in my everyday life I can experience true happiness. Enter Fette Sau - German for 'Fat Pig', this seemed like the perfect place to refuel between stops on the Brooklyn Brews Bar Crawl. The space is basically 3 long picnic tables in an open garage and decorated like a sparse warehouse cafeteria (think chalk boards, meat hooks, bare lightbulbs) complete with a bar serving up their own brewed beer. Because we arrived right when they opened, seating wasn't an issue, but at this first come, first seated joint, you might wanna do what we did if you're a large party by bogarting an entire table to yourselves before the crowds come. (I never entered the 2 bathrooms, so I can't comment on their wheelchair friendliness, but the tables are low enough to not be an issue.) If memory serves me correctly, for two people I ordered; -Two beers: whatever the 'home brand' was what we drank. And it was tasty enough, however the following foods stole the show. -Broccoli Salad: this was vinegar tangy and pretty tasty, but it was purposely cold! From a healthy colon perspective, Mama approves - but this woulda been 10X better warmed up. -BBQ baked beans: I want to be slathered in this, head to toe, for no reason other than my perverse enjoyment. Imagine the best baked beans you ever had in your life. Now add chopped up bits of smoked pork. Then multiply that by a million. Now do you understand why I want to bathe in these beans? -1/3 pound of Pork Ribs: Dry rubbed = heaven. A good rack of ribs never needs sauce, however I used these suckers like little mops to transport the 3 types of bottled sauces on the table into my mouf. Fall off the bone yummy, with lovely smoke rings as an indicator of a quality product. Mama approves. - 1/3 pound of Brisket - Moist, tender and flavorful, with a good char on the outside. I stuffed a couple of slices into the complimentary rolls, doused it all in sauce, and shoveled those sam'iches into my face with the quickness. -and of course...SAUSAGE. Two to be exact; one for him and one for me. But they were sooooooooooooooooo perfectly crispy, yet juicy, spicy, smoky, and tender - *** OH MY SWEET DISPLACED SOUTHERNER STARS *** - I had to get back on line and order 2 more, just for my gluttonous self. Meanwhile, the few Beer Crawl participants who weren't in a food coma at our table were staring at me in fear, as if to say "Did this heffa just eat all that barbeque AND two more sausages?" Why yes I did, honey! And I enjoyed every porktastic bite. Fat Pig, indeed. :::whispers::: I love you, Fette Sau. read more

I feel like I need to start with a disclaimer here: I grew up in New England, which is about as far as you can get on the culinary spectrum from the South. In my childhood, "We're having BBQ" meant "How many Hebrew National hot dogs would you like?" Which is all to say that there may be some of you out there who would not see me as a fit judge of "real" BBQ. But to you I say this: I have tastebuds. And frankly, they were not all that pleased with Fette Sau. The shining star of the evening was undoubtedly the pork belly--charred on the outside and incredibly sweet and juicy on the inside. I almost certainly ate more than my share, and was thankful that my friends were too polite to point out my obvious oinkery. The pulled pork and the brisket paled in comparison--neither reached the level of fatty juiciness of the pork belly, and I found myself continually putting extra sauce on my pulled pork sandwich to moisten it up. And I didn't even like the sauce all that much. Next, the disappointing sides. I know I'm no Southerner, but the few times I have had "real" BBQ, there have always been hot veggie sides and mac & cheese, but Fette Sau offers none. The only hot side is their burnt-ends baked beans, which I didn't get to try, but we did have an order each of potato salad and broccoli salad. The potato salad was tasty, but I just don't get excited about potato salad, ever. And the broccoli "salad" seemed to be nothing but cold steamed broccoli with some red pepper flakes--completely underwhelming, and went mostly uneaten. My inner grumpy 5-year old started banging the table in protest, chanting "Mac and Cheese! Mac and Cheese!" One thing I feel supremely qualified to comment on is Fette Sau's excellent bourbon selection. They've got a robust collection of bottles ranging from the most basic (Rebel Yell) to extra fancy (George T Stagg), and offer tasting flights for whiskey lovers of all levels. The prices are a little steep though, especially considering the ultra-casual atmosphere, and despite the crowd at the bar reaching 3 or 4-deep, the bartender was often nowhere to be seen. I haven't yet been to Dinosaur, but I have been to Hill Country. And though the clientele at Hill Country are decidedly less hip than those at Fette Sau and it requires going above 14th st, I'd still go there again before going back to Fette Sau. At least they have mac & cheese. read more

This place is great. It's got the whole Texas/German BBQ concept happening. You stand in line and get meat by the pound. They have a butcher who cuts and wraps it up for you. With each order you get bread to make sandwiches and they have 3 types of BBQ sauce on the table. The Ribs, Boston Butt, Pork Belly, and Beef Brisket are all delicious. So far I haven't had a cut of meat here that isn't really good. They also have these pretty tasty sausages you can get for $1. if you're not a huge eater and realize that the sides are lame (see below) you can eat here for pretty cheap and if you're with a group that's indecisive, the butcher will just hook you up with a bunch of different meats for a flat rate. I'm a bourbon drinker and this place has a great selection. Bourbon, scotch, and whiskey actually. Their bar has the best selection of all 3 that I've seen in the city. The bartenders also have these freakishly large ice cubes just for that. When you order a bourbon on the rocks, they put one in your glass and pour it into this special jigger that fits diagonally over the glass. The bourbon then pours slowly out of the jigger and onto the ice like a golden brown waterfall. (Sniffle) It's so beautiful. -1 star for the picnic table seating. Does anybody like the picnic table seating? If you have more than 1 person with you, you're hovering over people like a punk until someone leaves. Then you got the empty seats you desperately need with jackets or purses or cameras on them. What's that all about? You gotta ask people if someone's sitting there while your friends canvas the room like cops after a prison break. Also -1 star for the subpar side dishes. You gotta try harder than that, Fette Sau. The broccoli has a weird vinegar-y aftertaste, the collard greens are pretty lame, and the baked beans are way too tangy. The potato salad is just plain gross. read more

A wise man (Homer Simpson) once said, "You don't win friends with salad, where's the meat?!" Boy, do the crew at Fette Sau take this thought to heart. If you fancy yourself a meatitarian, consider this Brooklyn mainstay your happy place. Upon walking into Fette Sau, you're hit with a case of the meat sweats before even dipping a single forkful of pork belly or brisket into your face hole. A vegan's nightmare to say the least. I've yet to try a fleshy varietal that I didn't enjoy, but it's really hard for me to wrap my head around the absurdly high prices and the hour plus wait for a tray of charred meats. When I think BBQ, I think inexpensive grocery store runs and backyards in Texas... not $45 for an for a small sinful indulgence. I suppose it's New York and not a landlocked destination in the Heartland, but really... it just doesn't add up to me. Despite the massive price tag, it's still one of the best BBQ joints in town, and given the weather cooperates, it's just about the best hang in all of NY for a lazy weekend day with sunshine and a gaggle of great friends. Pair the grub with one of the many hard-to-find whiskeys and bourbons that dot their bar menu, and you've got an afternoon that'd get the seal of approval from any high flying NRA executive west of Poughkeepsie. read more

I would give 3.5 stars. Fette Sau is a greasy joint with unique atmosphere. For the taste of BBQ, I wouldn't say the best I had but having a dry rub BBQ place in middle of Williamsburg with interesting list of beer selection is hard to beat. When you walk in, you are a bit intimidated. First of all, it is packed. second of all, it feels rugged and you are lost wondering what you are supposed to do. Third of all, it definitely feels like guys thing. However, once you sit down with your BBQ (we had sausage, ribs and hand pulled brisket and some sides), we feel better. Looking around, you see washed brick walls with meat parts drawing, huge German pub style wooden tables and unexpected flat screen playing burning fireplace. I am sure this would play sports games some other times. Now the beer choices. The bar tab handles made out of kitchen tools were interesting to look at. The drinks are local but the display of the bottles at the bar shelves are unique and worth observing. Foodwise, I found all a bit bland for my taste. Even the sauces were bland too. Even after taking so much liberty of the sauces on my meats, it screamed "more". Overall impression - It tasted like bread dipped in EVOO & salt and pepper. Which is good but bland. The ribs were cold eating there. I took some orders out and after microwave at home, it tasted 10 times better but the dry spices from the meat smeared in my hands didn't go away after 5 washes. Holly Molly~~ The hand pulled brisket on the bun with the sauce did work though. I enjoyed the simple right there sandwich I made myself. Sausage was a bit spicy but still bland. The staffs are friendly but a bit aloof for some reason. Near the closing time, all of staffs had bourbon(?) shots.. Hooray~~~ wish my job does that. LOL I need to come back during summer time which outside tables are open. I want hot BBQ with beer washing down my throat. Until then, it is ok+ for me. read more

To best enjoy Fette Sau, it's smart to study history. In particular, the invasion of Normandy in World War II. First of all, assemble a coalition of allies - at least 6 to 12 people. Then split this group into divisions, each with its own unique mission. When launching the assault, team Omaha should get in line. You need a steady, stoic on line presence as the wait will be upwards of an hour when busy. Those with patient personalities (not the foot-stomping angst-ridden, slap a soldier Patton types) are best suited for this task. A second group, Utah, should land on a table and secure a beachhead upon the benches. They need not try and hold an entire area - but enough space to land supplies and expand the footprint once that the food drop is imminent. A third group, called Easy Company, should also be sent in to maneuver within the restaurant, performing various tasks. Example: - procure beer for the bench warmers and line waiters - spell others needing bathroom breaks - gather needed supplies such as paper towels, toothpicks and cutlery - scout & then provide intelligence reports as to what's on the menu. Of course you can try other approaches (to your own peril). I observed small groups and couples on dates neglect the above strategies only to find themselves without a place to sit or a whistle that was not sufficiently wet. Do not get stuck without a beachhead or you will get overrun by plaid wearing ironically bearded panzer hipsters. Only a combined multi-faceted assault by overwhelming forces will best ensure the odds for victory. Finally, once team Omaha is landed at the counter and ready to order, have everyone throw in cash and simply get a giant platter of everything. Then you can feast on the spoils of war. read more

YES, folks, it's another installment of monthly dinner group. Try to contain your excitement! True to tradition, this month we again experienced the delights of our favorite carnivorous pursuit, that of the glorious, peerless PORK. POOOooooOOOOOOoooooOOOOOOOOOOoooooRRK.K.K.K.k.k.k...k...k Evidence of the virtues of the porcine comestibles can be found in some noteworthy quotes from former presidents, authors and other historically significant thinkers. To wit, the following: "Ask not what your PORK can do for YOU, ask what YOU can do for your PORK!" --John Fitzgerald Kennedy "I am for those means which will give the greatest amount of PORK to the greatest number." --Abraham Lincoln "Be not afraid of PORK. Some are born eating PORK, some achieve PORKATIOUSNESS, and some have PORKATIOUSNESS thrust upon 'em." --William Shakespeare "It is a far, far better thing that I eat PORK, than I have ever done..." --Charles Dickens (from one of his lesser-known works, "A Tale of Two Pig Farms") "A PORK in the hand is worth two in the bush" --Anonymous (get yer freakin' mind out of the gutter, I'm serious) "When in Rome, do as the Romans do -- EAT PORK!" --St. Ambrose The monthly dinner adventure at Fette Sau began as many of the others do, with bourbon, neat (of course). In case you weren't aware, Fette Sau has quite a rich selection of bourbons. Basil Hayden was the choice for me upon recommendation of the bartender, given that I tend toward the Bookers, Knob Creeks and Bakers of the world. But I digress; let's not lose sight of the fact that this review is about... PORK, dammit. An important logistical tip: Get there before 7:30 and grab some table real estate; the place fills up and it's seat yo'self. Did we partake of EVERY SINGLE pork offering available at Fette Sau? NO. Probably most notably we didn't opt for the Pulled Pork, but if you want to pull your pork, well, instructions need not be imparted here. However, we did have the: 1. Pork ribs: succulent, juicy, fall-of-the-bone tasty goodness. My personal preference is to slather with barbecue sauce. The house version tastes like it has some mustard in it. It's different than most I've tried. Tasty, though, and highly recommended. 2. Brisket: Yes, I know this is not PORK ferchrissakes, but perhaps it's a way of assuaging my roots and warding off the spirit of my paternal grandmother who rolls over in her grave at every mouthful of non-kosher victuals that traverse my pedigreed lips (let's not even mention my tendency to date shicksahs. I comfort myself in the knowledge that there is no such thing as hell for Jews, so I have no future there, despite my transgressions). The point is BRISKET IS JEW FOOD. Thanks much; excellent. Moving right along: the brisket was tasty, even if it wasn't PORK. I slathered it with barbecue sauce as well. 3. PORK sausage: somewhere in the realm of soft salami, warm and extremely tasty. I only had a bite or two, because by the time I got to it my stomach was completely distended to the point of explosion. This was mostly due to my spiritual encounter with: 4. PORK BELLIES (holymotherfuckingshit): Epiphanies come in many manifestations; some see shafts of light, some hear angels singing, some feel the force of a fifteen pound sledgehammer connecting directly with their left temple. This was different; this experience was more the juicy, PORKY, squishy feeling of meat juices and liquid fat melding together on my palate. It was like bacon on steroids, minus the curing, the nitrates and all that sodium. It was freakin' fabulous; a "porcinary" epiphany, if you will. From my experience, if you're going to have one thing and one thing only at Fette Sau, PORK bellies are IT. POOOOOoooOOOOOOOoooooRRRRK.K.K.k. k.k.k... YES. Some minor songs on the hit parade: Gus's Pickles, which are an interesting compliment but felt a little out of place given their lower east side Jewish roots and this is the hipster shrine to PORK. YES, I SAID IT, this place is a SHRINE TO PORK. The potato salad is tasty if not remarkable. Oh, and the beans were actually quite delicious, so I'd recommend those. If you want to get your inner (or outer) hipster on and love some barbecue, head on down to Fette Sau. It's sure to please. Love it, need it, want it, use it, get over it. read more

Things I like about migrating to Fette Sau on the weekends: -rubbing elbows with Anne Hathaway on the L train (leave me alone, I'm a celebrity gawker) -watching Anne Hathaway walk in the opposite direction (good, more meat for me) Things I like about Fette Sau on the weekends: -chugging down a jug of Kelso while in line -eating with Brits who don't eat pork (good, more pork for me) -the crowd (Fette Sau is the place to be!) Things I love about Fette Sau on the weekdays: -the absence of the crowd (who cares about see and be seen? I want a table!) Wow like night and day Fette Sau is weekday vs. weekend. I much prefer quiet Monday nights and cue. We arrived with an abundance of tables to choose from, a sight unimaginable during the peak hipster hours of soaking up a hangover. The line was relatively short (a good 15 ft from the register) and everyone's eyes weren't ready to rip the piece of cue off of my fork. All in all, Fette Sau is a chill place to be on a Monday night. I was able to enjoy my sausage without anyone breathing down my neck to move over or pressuring me to finish my meal in record time. For four people, we chipped in about $20/head and were sufficiently stuffed with a sausage each, large sides of German potato salad and burnt ends baked beans, sodas, a half lb of pork shoulder, pulled pork, boneless beef ribs and brisket, and a qtr lb of pork ribs. It was just the right amount and we slathered it all in barbeque sauce. A few dots of the spicy were enough to make us go whew! It was good and I still stand by my favorite- the brisket. Everything else can kinda kiss it. Fette Sau is awesome. Highly recommend for groups and a good time. The open air of it all is priceless. Plus the picnic tables kinda make it feel like a real bbq. Just pretend you are at a park? *illusion switch on* read more

I don't go always go hogging but when I do it's heritage pork. Did you know pigs have a pouch where they carry the sins of mankind? I did not know this until I popped the first morsel of jowl in to my mouth which instantly melted in to what can only be described as liquid decadence. I think there might have been meat in it but I don't know or care because it would probably just get in the way. You can spread this stuff on toast because of how creamy, rich and soft it is. The brisket was good with a flavor I have never tasted before but be warned that it depends where in the cut your piece comes from that determines how tender it is. One slice was incredibly soft and another was much chewier and a little tougher. It's not gonna change your life but it should be on your brisket-to-try-before-I-die list. In must-have order on your first visit: 1. Brisket (beans as a side too) 2. Pork Jowl 3. Ribs 4. Sausage 5. Sirloin You'll probably order three out of that list tops unless you're some kind of sick bastard who can eat more than a pound and a half of fatty pork in one sitting. If you're with a big group you can all order a big heap of everything and figure out some kind of sharing arrangement to sample more things. Bring a pillow for the subway or have a car waiting for you when you get out cause the 'itis gonna get yo ass when you leave this joint son! After 1 1/4 pounds of glistening pork I was nodding off in to a smoke-flavored coma even a shot of adrenaline couldn't wake me from. read more

I have one rule when going on a first date: Never eat BBQ or Mexican. A man can't be trying to hit on his babe and make good conversations and good first impressions while feeling the stomach bubbles and puckering up his brown guy. What if you end up back at her place and you gotta beef real hard? You try to hold it in, but it seeps out, SBD style ("silent butt deadly, duh"). What are you gonna do blame it on the dog? What if she doesn't even have a dog??? So the other night, I'm Tindering. Tindering real hard. Like really getting after it. Like swiping at 63 SPMs (that's "Swipes Per Minute" of course). Man, like I'm getting matches left and right. Babes are messaging me. Thought I might even need to hire an assistant to manage my life! Could be a good investment. See, the thing about NYC is that there are wayyyy more babes than doods. Ever heard of a goldmine? Well, let me tell you, NYC is a babe mine! So I start messaging this one babe cuz she messaged me first. We'll call her BrooklynBabe26. (Not trying to have you stalk my girl. She's mine. AKA not yours.) Right outta the gate, she's all in. Convo goes like dis: BrooklynBabe26: hey Phil! You're cute! Me: Yeah, I know! BrooklynBabe26: You're funny. Dinner this week at Fette Sau? And game over! We worked out the details and two days later had a date. What a classy babe. I was on cloud 10. (Cloud 10 is way better than cloud 9, duh). Plus, she picked a Franch place! This could be a babe I bring home to mom! Decided to buy a Lonely Planet book on France and brush up on a few words in case I had to order in Franch. Really wanted to impress her. She was a Tinder 10 (aka a 7 or 8 in real life). Date night came real fast. We were meeting at 8. Everything was good until I get to the place. I walk in. Got there early of course so I could get us a sweet table cuz she said they don't take reservations, and I didn't want to wait around like a boob. OH MY GOD! How did I not look it up?! Why did I LET HER CHOOSE! It was a BBQ place! Who picks BBQ on a first date?! I'm starting to sweat. The line is super long. I'm hot. I'm already starting to fart! Just the smell is making me beef! Jesus. Next thing I know, some hot babe at the front of the line is waving at me. It's her. No escape. She's even better than the photos! She's real hot. I'm real nervous. Pull it together Phil. Said hi and told her to order for us. Said I'll eat any thing. BIg mistake. Now I"ll have to live up to that. Told her I had to run to the bathroom and check my contact. I don't even wear contacts! She bought it. I'm in the bathroom. Scoping out the scene in case I needed it later. You always gotta have a rear door evacuation plan, if you catch my drift. Five minutes later, and I leave the bathroom. She's already at a table with all the food. "Hope you're hungry!" She says. "Hope you have a diaper!" I said. Dinner was a blur. The food was so good. Brisket, pork belly, pork ribs, bunch of rolls, some burnt ends baked beans and this dank broccoli. Cooked just right. So juicy. So tender.Couldn't control myself. Ate so fast I started getting the meat sweats, followed by the meat spins, then the stomach bubbles. Was def sweating a lot. I was also puckering real hard at this point. And I was holding down one of the best convos of the century! Laughing, light touching, some heavy petting! Talk about multi-tasking! I was blasting the bean heat real hard too. Luckily no one could tell the difference between my brand and the smell of BBQ. Couldn't hold it any longer so excused myself to the bathroom. It was bad. Real bad. I had a serious situation going on. I quickly text my date, "Hey! Sry, my mom called. Gotta take this. It's real quiet in here. Be out soon!" I knew that would give me some extra time! Next thing I know, it's been 20 minutes. Felt so much better. (Pro tip: When your body tells you it's time, you listen!) Figured I was home clear! I open the door and there's literally a line of 7 people waiting to get in. Oh my god. Seriously! Do all these people have IBS? Why can't you have 8 bathrooms? Whatever, it's my own fault I have a sensitive system. Shouldn't have had that extra piece of brisket. She asked how my mom was, and then said she likes a guy who takes time out for their family. Whoa, she bought it! She wanted to grab a drink at another bar, but I was still burning at both ends (burps and beef) and needed to be near the home base. Figured I'd "be a gentleman" and call it a night. We get outside, and I order an Uber for her...from my phone, from my account. Real boss move. She was impressed. The Uber rolls up, I lean in to say goodbye and let's just say I didn't get her cheek! The rest of the details are not for you! Get your own life! I gotta say Fette Sau was some of the best BBQ I've ever had. No joke. It's the kinda place you go with friends and your babe once you are farting in front of her. But, if you gotta do a first date, eat at your own risk! read more

I've had the opportunity to visit the Texas 'feedlot' BBQ restaurants in and around Dallas and Fort Worth on multiple occasions (though critic credibility needs to be earned, not casually stated). Fette Sau re-creates a similar experience through the rustic open seating picnic tables and pay-per-pound smoked meats. The meat is brusquely slapped onto butcher's paper before being whisked away and consumed with a variety of sauces and condiments, always within reach of your grubby, greasy, meat juice covered paws. This is where the similarity ends. Replace oversized, pasty, Texans, shoving piles of meat into their gaping maws, with Fette Sau's sensitive looking Williamsburg hipsters, daintily plucking at a pork rib. Replace Budweiser with Fette Sau's impressive selection of craft brews and an even grander library of whiskeys and bourbons. Replace honest sides of baked beans, potato salad, quick pickled cucumbers, and slaw, with Fette Sau's fussy, somewhat overpriced, and uninspiring side dishes. Social observations aside, the quality of meat at Fette Sau should be the focal point. Their brisket is easily the best item on the menu - thickly penetrated with smoke, and tender beyond belief, the addition of a sauce or condiment would only sully the perfect beefy flavor. Competently smoked pork belly is redolent of its close cousin, bacon, which is always a good thing. However, the pulled pork was on the dry side, and the boneless beef ribs were about as exciting as chewing on cardboard. The eclectic and extensive menu of smoked meats are a classic mistake - the truly great pit masters, whether you're in TX, NC, or KS will focus on one or two cuts of meat, and seek perfection. The Dinosaurs, Hill Countries and Fette Sau's of our world seek to please the masses. Despite my snootiness towards Texas and its plus sized patrons, I have a genuine respect for the 'artisan' pit master that can only be found in the south. Fette Sau makes an attempt at this level of technique and sophistication, and misses ever so slightly. This fact, and the marked difference in customer BMI's, are what sets great southern BBQ and Fette Sau apart. read more

What can I possibly say about this place? It's incredible. The lines can be incredibly long. It's incredibly worth it. Have I mentioned that it's incredible? This is a place to bring three or four companions, at least. No matter what, you'll end up getting so much meat, and so much beer, it's simply impossible and ridiculous to bring only two. When you get in line, have someone scope out a table area. Send some one for an incredible growler of beer. I usually get darker stouts, as they usually have some great selections and the rotating taps typically give me something new and amazing to wash down the meaty goodness with. My absolute favorite are the beef ribs. They look like the come straight out of the Flintstones. But they're quite succulent. I haven't had the chance to try the pork belly. It's on my "To-Do" list. Incredible. read more

If you like BBQ and good whiskey you will have found heaven in Fette Sau. The Boy and I decided to trek out to Brooklyn because he'd been craving good BBQ for a while now. Both of us were Fette Sau virgins but aware of the hype surrounding this place. By the end of our dinner the only thing we were disappointed in was the inability to finish all of the food on our plates. The atmosphere is exactly how you'd expect it to be for a smokey market style BBQ joint in Williamsburg. It almost feels like you're in someones wood cottage, complete with faux fireplace. We rolled in on the early side (about 6pm) on a Thursday so had no issues with lines or grabbing seats. Thursdays are also Fat Pig Thursdays and the day the Pittmasters breakdown a whole smoked heritage pig! Yummmmm! Sorry Wilbur. If you like BBQ you really can't go wrong here - brisket, pork belly, ribs, pulled pork, everything was excellent (in that order)! If you don't like BBQ then I really don't even know why you're reading this review and considering going to a BBQ joint... The burnt-end baked beans are just as good as everyone says they are! probably the best baked beans I've ever had in my life. German potato salad and spicy sausage are both excellent too, I like my sausage spicy (that's what she said). There is a solid draft beer selection and a top notch whiskey selection. Really the most important piece of advice I can give you: COME HUNGRY! read more

There once was a girl from New York With a great love of barbecued pork. Despite Jews' prohibitions She took trafe positions And did place the pork on her fork. Um, yes. I really like barbecue. So naturally I was psyched when Fette Sau opened. Now, as a rule, I have issues with NYC barbecue. Not because it's mediocre, although it is, but because of the incredible cult of preciousness surrounding it: the obsession with 'recreating' 'authenticity' and the innumerable self-conscious Southern trappings that ring as phony as the drawls in 'A Love Song for Bobby Long.' (Hey, I had HBO.) Go to the Bryant Park bbq fest if you want to know what I mean: hundreds of foodies, lined up for hours clutching copies of Saveur and relishing the authenticity of the experience. Down south, barbecue's just what people eat, the way we eat pizza. Some of it's good, some bad, but it's always unfussy. And you know what? I kind of like having something that we can't get in New York, that you have to travel for. You know how peeps are always prosing on about eating seasonally to actually appreciate the rhythms of what we eat? We're so spoiled in New York that we don't realize the same applies to the regional. Rant over. Fette Sau is okay. The atmo is very good - sepia-toned (my fave adj) and decorated with antique phonograph horns and other arcana. Bar seats are made from tractor seats (cool but v uncomfortable), tables are wood, there's a great bourbon selection and the food's cafeteria-style, served onto butcher paper. So far so good, but the pulled pork was meh - fatty, not very flavorful and utterly lacking in the unctuous melting quality of great bbq - the potato salad a bore, the beans forgettable. RUB, Dinosaur and Daisy Mae's are all better, even though this spot has em all beat for atmo. If your main objective was drinkin', with food an afterthought, I'd call this a superior choice. But even by NYC standards, you can do better for bbq. read more

I'm still in shock that Colin S. and I waited an hour and fifteen minutes in line at what he calls "Texas Roadhouse Williamsburg". I was assured that our patience would pay off. The Captain Lawrence Liquid Gold on draft that we drank while waiting helped diminish the perceived wait time, that's for sure. Fette Sau's menu has the advantage of allowing diners to try many different items because all of the meat is purchased by weight, rather than individual portions. Because I was a Fette Sau "newbie", Colin picked three of his favorite cuts of meat from the menu and two sides. The pulled pork was by far my favorite of the three. It was so incredibly smoky and juicy. We used the small buns to make pulled pork "sliders". The pork belly was also fantastic. It was really heavy and rich, but it practically melted in my mouth. Although the brisket was also smoky and juicy, it was a little tough. For sides, we ordered the potato salad and the baked beans. The potato salad, served in a vinegar-based dressing, was the better of the two. I like that the vinegar makes for a very bold flavor. The baked beans, although good, do not compare to the "real deal" from the South that are loaded with brown sugar and onions. Depending on your outlook, the communal picnic table seating is either a way to make new friends or meet some incredibly odd people. In my case, Colin had to come to my rescue to keep a pair of old Polish guys pounding down white wine from becoming too friendly. read more

The bar here is great. I like the different sizes you can get your beer in from half pints to gallons. I like the bourbon selection, and I like the perfect bar stools, which perfectly fit your rear. We didn't know what we were doing as we hadn't been there before. The cook looked positively annoyed at us for ordering, and no one really pointed us in the right direction as far as protocol. I liked the pork belly; it was fantastic. The baked beans I actually found too rich, and the amount of fat in them was overwhelming. I love fat, but this was just too much. The ribs were disappointingly dry, although I know ribs can be temperamental, and I appreciated they used a dry rub. The brisket was underwhelming. The potato salad was alright, but really, I wanted some real honest-to-goodness American potato salad with mayo and mustard and pickles and all the good stuff, not a vinegar dressing. I just don't want it. And when eating barbecue, who does? I'd go back and drink and eat the pork belly and try the ribs again. But I'd take Smoke Joint's pulled pork sandwich over everything else here any day. read more