I said God damn. Meat sweats. I've heard of it and laughed about it, but never had I experienced it until this meal. It was worth it, completely and utterly worth it. $30 got us a sausage, a side of baked beans with burnt ends, 4-5 ribs, pastrami, broccoli and two rolls. They do things by the pound (except the sausage, which is by the link), and they'll help you figure out how much you'll need for however many people you've got in your group. I remember back in the day when I was a vegetarian, a poor sad anemic and unhappy vegetarian. Now Im fat and happy and full of piggy and cowwy goodness. This place was on my Brooklyn bucket list and I'm so happy I've crossed it off. I will abso-fucking-lutely come back. Check out the bar, they've got an excellent bourbon and whiskey selection. Lastly, do not underestimate a woman's capacity to eat barbeque, and back the fuck off my ribs. read more

Arguably one of the best BBQ joints in NYC. Be prepared to wait if you come on weekends as the line snakes down the block. There are no reservations, it's a casual joint where you buy the meats and sides at the register/displays and try to snatch up any available seating on the communal wooden benches. Must order: brisket and short ribs. The bar area is really neat with lots of local beers on tap with knives and other kitchen utensils on top. I don't really care for their sides but will always order some veggies to balance the meats. I do like their hot sauces, so make sure you try it. If it's not on the table, you can find it near the water and napkins against the wall. read more

When I can stuff myself like a fat pig on delicious cuts of pork for $20 even, I don't give a damn if this is authentic bbq or some strange German hybrid. Pass me that pure-fat pork belly, some smoked pork sausage, pulled pork, and juicy brisket, and I'll happily deal with cramped picnic tables and breeding hipsters and their spawn. We got all that plus two cups of delicious baked beans with burnt ends, a pile of potato rolls, tasty german potato salad, half sour pickles, and one lone spear of overly red peppery broccoli, and we were all stuffed to the point of explosion. Did I mention it only cost $20 a person? What a steal. I would say that ordering everything by the pound is tricky, because it is easy to over or underestimate how much you need. In our case, we ordered too much, and overate as a result. I'd rather their be a standard "order size" that you could work with, because I think that could help alleviate the problem. As it was, I was super excited to see Steve's Key Lime Pie on the menu, but by the time I was ready for dessert it was no longer a possibility, thanks to my swollen stomach. In any event, we loved our family style pork feast, although we did feel compelled to walk all the way over the williamsburg bridge and up to union square in order to compensate for all the fatty goodness we had consumed. Eating at Fette Sau is definitely not for the faint of heart! read more

This was the best barbecue I've had outside of Central Texas, and I'm so, so glad I made the "trek" to Williamsburg. The hour-long wait was torture, especially with the smell of juicy barbecue in the air, but so worth it. Fette Sau is in a former auto repair shop with long communal tables in the main room and then more tables outside in the front. It's dark, dingy, and overrun with men with handlebar mustaches. You can drink while you wait, as there is a bar that serves beer in mason jars. Good to have a friend scout for a table while you wait in line. Hover shamelessly; everyone's doing it. Simple sides like baked beans, German potato salad and broccoli salad are solid but obviously not the main attractions. I really wish they had creamed corn, but at least the baked beans were terrific. As for the meats, I was crazy about the brisket and pork belly. So freaking tender. Their signature sauce goes well with everything. I also LOVED the rolls--so buttery and soft, if only they were unlimited. Root beer to wash it all down. I split all of this with a friend, and it set us back $50. It was plenty of food and we had some leftovers, but it was still pretty pricey. BBQ lovers, add this to your bucket list. read more

Better than Texas, forget being best in NYC. Never had pork belly that tasted that good, no matter how it was prepared. Pork cheeks that remind you of Christmas dinner. Baked beans with more pork in them than beans. Good ribs, they were dry, but add BBQ sauce, then climax. Brisket was insane, falls apart into shredded splinters of smokey meat so good you can't stop eating it. Pulled pork served dry, but no matter, add that sweet BBQ sauce...mission accomplished. Potato rolls taste like they are already buttered. I am going to reverse engineer the broccoli too for home use applications. Cold beer. Price doesn't make you want to call a grief counselor. Just go. read more

The best thing about this place are the kitchen knife taps. The BBQ is overrated and the drinks are laughably overpriced. They charge $17 for a Manhattan made with Old Overholt. I mean, I love me some Old Overholt, but that's cheap whiskey. Give me a break. I had a $15 drink at another bar made by some mixologist that included a real dried rose in it. At least they put some effort into making it expensive. Like, this drink isn't cheap, but you are drinking a rose. Know what I'm saying? Lastly, the BBQ, although good, is not worth standing in line for. People literally stand in line all night. It just makes me laugh a little bit. Kind of like when New Yorkers' pay $9 for a Tecate. That is the shit beer you only drink on Cinco de Mayo. It's not cool or ironic. It's cheap crap. This place is definitely worth checking out, but it's also definitely overrated. read more

We got there at 5:03pm on a Saturday. 5pm for dinner!? why would you do that? Thirty minutes later I realized why..the place was so packed there were people lining up around two walls. Watch out, seating is cutthroat so get there early. I wouldn't say its the best bbq I've ever had, but its pretty darn good...combine that w/great beer, good stuff. mmm...pork belly, brisket, baked beans, and the collards are probably the best items on the menu. (We ordered each item). We ordered about 1/3 pound of each for 8 people, and found it wasn't enough so ordered half pound more of brisket and pork belly. read more

There are no adjectives that can possible do this place justice. Went here with my boyfriend and some friends and everything was beyond perfect. I was a little apprehensive about the group seating ( it's long tables used by all rather than smaller personal ones) but I quickly got over that with my first bite. The brisket is perfection as is the ribs. Moist and tender. It melts on your tongue. There are a variety of sauces on the table to choose from. The vinegar is AMAZING and the habanero is a kick in the tastebuds. The cider they offer is delicious. A little smoother than Angry Orchard. Trying to find parking is a holy nightmare but quickly forgotten once you walk through the door and smell the magnificent aroma of perfectly prepared pig. Def returning!!!! read more

Why anybody would continue to eat here when Mable's is on the other side of Williamsburg just blows my mind. There is nothing enjoyable about the simulated line ride. It is like Dante' version of 6 flags but takes about 5 times as ling. For the same price you can get a better product and a seat with table service. Just saying. Being stingy with the sauce when you get it to go and payed $50+ is also not appreciated. Seriously, how much can sauce actually cost to make? read more

Short and sweet version: 1) Go there, try the pork. So, this place would probably get a higher rating if it were in a better neighborhood, honestly. Williamsburg is not convenient to mass transit in general, and the Fette Sau is tucked away in a back corner of the neighborhood blocks and blocks away from the Subway. The place was, for the longest time, the golden standard in the City for BBQ - and to be honest it still is, with regards to pork at least. The pork belly can't be beaten, the house made sausages are fantastic. It only seems to fall down when it comes to sides, and that's because most of the newer joints have fryers and ovens and the lot - while the Fette Sau is still strictly a BBQ joint. It's honestly worth the extra travel time, and the wait - to try just the once. As for going back? If I'm in Williamsburg during their open hours, then yes - most assuredly yes I take the time to go to the Fette Sau. If I'm literally ANYWHERE ELSE in the city, then no - I don't. As for calling this place "Hipster" - I would politely disagree, if there's a BBQ joint in the city that fits my imagination of what a BBQ joint should be - the one in a converted Garage brings me back the closest to the country BBQ joints of my youth. Sure, it's Williamsburg - It was a hipster mecca at some point or something (although now it's so full of rich tourists it might as well be a Gluten Free version Time Square) but Fette Sau's product has a measured focus and quality to it that I generally don't associate with "Hipster" - it's just good. read more

I ate here with two barbeque snobs from Tennessee. We smiled knowingly at the precious Brooklyn atmosphere and the high-ish numbers on the cash register. We took our food back to our table and ate it in complete silence. One of my dining companions looked up and drawled (a little sadly) "Man. I wanted to hate on this place so bad." Delicious - whoever cooks obviously has some strong opinions about how barbeque should taste, and knows how to execute them when cooking the meat and choosing/preparing the sauces. Sides are alright, but honestly I wouldn't bother - just order a big plate of tasty, enchanting meat. I'm fond of the service you get here, too - you can tell the people serving the meat how hungry you are and how many people you are feeding, and they will pleasantly and accurately direct you. read more

A Haiku for Fette Sau: Pay per pound smoked meat Play quality lottery How much did I spend? read more

When it comes to BBQ I am as picky as a New Yorker has a right to be. Having eaten in some of the BBQ meccas (Texas, the Carolinas, hell even wild boar on a spit in northern Italy)I'm aware that BBQ is not something we often do well or consistantly and I've accepted this about my home Hill Country has been my go-to barbeque spot and Fette Sau has a few somewhat superficial things in common with it. You buy your meat by the pound at both places. Both use rubs more than slathering sauces. Both hold brisket in it's rightful place as most important thing to get right. While Hill Country seems like a New Yorker's bad attempt at looking like a Texas smokehouse, Fette Sau revels in its all the eclectic charms of Williamsburg. Perhaps you might say - even some of the hipster douchiness, but stay with me; this place is five kinds of epic. Some foodie friends invited me out knowing how I feel about meat. I like it. I like it a lot. I'd heard good things about Fette Sau so when I arrived at the converted auto mechanic's garage and found a line of intensely hungry people with sweating jars of beer in their hands waiting for food I got in line and started imagining. The place is charming in it's Samford & Son aesthetic and as I got to the counter I saw two women who looked like roller-derby bruisers (hot, tattood, muscled) expertly distributing meat. The brisket was simply the best brisket I've ever had, Maybe life altering The fat was caramelized and the meat had the most perfectly tender almost sticky texture. The flavor was intensely rich with a slight sweetness and a saltiness that amplified that richness. There was not much smokiness there, but that's actually a plus to me. Smoke, like spiciness, is pretty easy to do and if not done right just masks other flavors. This was perfect. I saw someone across the way putting some sauce on this brisket and I almost jumped over the table and smacked the bottle out of their hand. Then again I was in the throws of some kind of "meat haze" by then so I wasn't fully in control of my faculties. The pork belly was a fatty salty treat. Somewhere between a thick slab of bacon and a pork loin, it was all at once decadent and simple. It's a little much to have a lot of, but as a small taste of it was perfect. Don't get more than a quarter pound. I think if I had the pulled pork some other time I would have been thrilled by it. On a little roll with some of the excellent coleslaw and a bit of the BBQ sauce it was delicious probably in the top five in the city, but it was so overshadowed by how amazing the brisket was that I was wishing I didn't waste the plate space. The beans were spectacular. If I can again compare this to Hill Country, which also has some burnt ends of brisket in it, there were a far richer and sweeter baked bean than the "cowboy" style at Hill Country. The coleslaw was interesting with bits of cabbage, coleslaw and even peppers, though next time I might skip all vegetables and just see how much brisket I can fit inside of my mouth without dying. The beer selection was awesome with eight microberews served in jam jars or jugs. I was quiet happy with a quart of a very hoppy southern IPA but was shocked at how good the Manhattans my co-pigs had ordered. They had a bunch of great bourbons and other whiskeys as well as some good looking wines and interesting mixed drinks. They also had some great old fashion sodas which I would have tried but by the time I noticed them I was teetering on explosion. Fette Sau is not someplace to go that often. It's rich and complex and wonderful. It's like bone marrow, tough to dig out but worth it if you know how to enjoy a delicacy. Sure, you have to wait in line, hunt for a seat, juggle plates and beer as the smells drive you insane with hunger. Yet it's all part of the plan, because when you finally do it sit down your mouth is dripping with saliva and when that first bit of slightly charred, salty, sticky, delicious meat hits your mouth everything fades away and there is only bliss. It is transcendent dining. In the end Fette Sau exemplifies something that love about New York. We are a city which for the most part considers itself the antithesis of the south and yet our namesake drink (the Manhattan) is made with bourbon. We are a city of strong characters and strong egos, but we will put them aside when it comes to quality. Fette Sau is quality dining. read more

$29 dollars a pound for barbecue?????? Hahahahaha. Yeah it all tastes great, but at twenty dollars a pound for chicken, who cares? It's a cute space and they have a decently priced wine list. I guess I missed the memo that barbecue was on par with foi gras. It is Brooklyn though, and I love it here, so if you can afford it? Check it out. read more

My favorite thing about Fette Sau is going up to the counter and telling them how many people you are and just asking them to make a platter for that many, and then a giant pile of food appears and you eat it. Also, beer by the gallon. read more

When I walked in, I felt German. Red faces are singing out loud together holding a cup of beer. I saw mostly hip bearded young men loving their meat eating. I loved what I saw. On my aluminum cafeteria try with white sheet of paper on top consisted of a spicy pork sausage, sauerkraut and broccoli salad. I made my plate German. The sausage was tough and found nothing special. I ate with mustard but did not help. Sauerkraut tasted pre-packed store brand. Broccoli salad needed salt & pepper and garlic over power the dish for me. Unfortunately I did not try any meat. I was not hungry that night. I would go back for the space, people and its energy. read more

What a neat bbq place! Definitely a unique place, and a must-go for BBQ newbs like me. Set-up is in a warehouse filled with benches & includes bar. Reminds me of a giant picnic spot, except instead of sun, you get dim lighting filled with people. This place definitely the place to be if you're looking for BBQ. Not usually much of a meat eater, I could definitely say thumbs up to everything they had. We ordered sausage, sauerkraut, 1/4 lb (the min you can order) of everything except the lamb all served on a gigantic try, and it was mouth-watering good. I also am a fan of the free sauces & the buns. The only vice I saw was the LINE. Since it's self-serve, there were about 10 people ahead of us, and it took about an HOUR for us to finally order. The wait felt like forever as we were standing in line. So, either get there early or be prepared to play phone games for an hour. Perhaps they need to come up with a way to service faster. read more

Was there in June for my last day of NYC. The pork should is the highlight. And could not stop having the pork belly. The pickles also makes us continuing coming back to the counter. As I do not eat beef, my friend gave a 4 out of 5 for the steak. It looks quite juicy though. As a fan of BBQ I think Fette Sau is a great invention with Williamsburg spirit!! read more

Sounding like a villain named by George Lucas, this Billyburg BBQ joint that does as good a job as I've seen in NYC of authentically creating the southern BBQ shack feel. Once inside, you line up to make your meat order. The meat options are plenty, the sides are more limited (potatoes only served as chips or potato salad, no mac & cheese, no sweet potatoes). Meat is priced by weight aside from the sausage and the ribs. My Yelper-in-crime and I took advantage of the options and ordered the pulled (Berkshire) pork, a rack of pork ribs, some brisket, baked beans, and broccoli salad (her choice). Total price tag per person around $25. The star - by far- were the pork ribs. Great rub that resembled a pastrami rub more than traditional BBQ. Fell right off the bone. No sauce necessary. This last point is important since their trio of BBQ sauces are awful. A sickly sweet vinegar-based sauce and two darker sauces that both missed the mark. A good vinegar-based BBQ sauce really could've helped the dry pulled pork. This is even sadder when considering this is Berkshire pork. The quality of this pulled pork is SO far from that of Momofuku Ssam. Every forkful tasted a bit saltier from my tears - oh the unrecognized potential. Honestly, I'd order Brother Jimmy's pulled pork before this b/c at least they have a good sauce to complement it. The brisket was thicker and fattier than I like. Also could've used BBQ sauce. The baked beans weren't good - the sauce tasted burnt. Broccoli salad was cold - as was my reaction to it. On a more positive note, the beer selection is very good and a Mason Jar pint only runs $5. Great bourbon selection too. While the shack motif and picnic table seating hints at a raucous vibe, it's actually very chill. Don't recall any music. The service was friendly but a bit subdued. Allowed for a more philosophical conversation than I'd imagine at, say, a Hill Country or Brother Jimmy's. The ambiance, pork ribs, beer, and bourbon are 5-star worthy. But the rest is so disappointing that I've got to drop this place down to 3 stars. If you're a big BBQ fan, I would recommend bringing your own sauce to boost it up a star. read more

Damn the wait really sucks. Like, I'll probably never come back again unless a friend is in from out of town or it's another special occasion. Seating is also very limited and self-serve with lots of snooty glances and pestering people. Logistics aside, the food is pretty fabulous. You can also order beer and drink while waiting. Cool that the beer comes in glass mason jars though it was annoying since they don't have smooth drinking lips. I came for a friend's birthday party and she ordered a gluttonous amount of meat and sides. It came with 40 potato rolls and the food could've fed an entire city somewhere. However, the group of 10-15 gorged on what seemed like endless amounts of pulled pork, beef brisket, spicy sausages, beef tongue, pork ribs and various sides. There were a few different sauces on the table which you could slather your food in--I believe one was standard BBQ and the other was a chipotle BBQ which packed a bit of heat. All in all, the food was pretty good quality with a few standouts. The beef brisket was really tender and flavorful as was the pulled pork. The sausages were nothing special and the ribs lacked the juiciness that I've found at other BBQ establishments. The sides were not very memorable, though I only tried a few. Beans looked the most promising but I didn't get a chance to indulge. I personally like Hill Country better since the wait is nowhere near as long and the food is similar in quality. There is also much more seating space and variety of sides. read more

When a place has this many reviews (470+), you know that it is a popular spot. It's all been said, so this will be brief: Pros: Unique ambiance (for NYC - we are not in the south, so I am not going to compare Fette Sau to "True Southern BBQ" joints. Solid selection of meats. Its all about meat here, of course. Friendly conversation abounds (if you can grab a seat at one of the inside tables in the winter) Fantastic Beer/Bourbon selection Cons: Long lines (at peak hours) Difficult to find a seat for more than 2 people during winter months (tip: You can eat at the bar) That feeling that you are about to explode once you stand up. . . read more

By the time you fly to Austin, rent a car and drive to Lockhart, you will have spent more than it costs to eat at Fette Sau. At $33 a pound, the brisket (here with a peppery coating that entitles it to the appellation pastrami) better be damn good and it is. Is it better than Hill Country? yes. Is it better than Hometown? Closer question. Is it as good as Black's? More peppery here, not quite as tender and moist. Pork belly is worth a try, but might be the one we could have skipped to keep the bill down. And the ribs, well they were transcendent. I guess I couldn't see in the gloom of the case, that they were good sized st. louis ribs, not largish baby backs. So that full rack of meat popsicles added $58 to our bill. You know what, it was worth it. Peppery, meaty, tender but not overcooked. Better than the ribs in Memphis. Better than the ribs in Carolina. The best I can remember. Also better than the brisket and pork belly in this gourmand's opinion. Your meats come with 2 Martin's potato rolls per person instead of white bread. An array of sauces on the table, mustard, vinegar, sweet, etc. For sides we had the beans (tasty but too small a portion), the crisp broccoli salad (just about perfect), and the half-sour pickles (great, too small for the price). Our food cost for three was almost $150 before tip. We ate about 85-90% of what we ordered, so I am guessing if I had ordered just the right quantity about $130 for three. That's steep for barbeque eaten off paper plates on picnic tables. It's about as expensive as Blue Smoke, but the cue at Fette Sau is better. read more

I stumbled upon Fette Sav after leaving an art show in Williamsburg one sunny Friday afternoon. I took off work that day and was really looking for some outdoor action. My boyfriend and I spotted this little place with a neon sign and picnic tables and decided to take a look. We went in to find an auto body shop converted into a barbecue joint. Hurray!!! Score!!! I really liked the design, with high ceilings and butchers diagrams of pork and lamb painted all over the walls. The lighting above the bar was made from upside down phonograph horns, which was very cool. About the food... I am no barbecue expert, but I do know Berkshire pork (thanks Momofuku). And they use Berkshire pork at Fete Sau. Score!!! I had the ribs and the brisket, both were very good. They serve the meat dry and offer two varieties of barbecue sauce separately: sweet tomato based and spicy vinegar. Finally, the bar had a good selection of beers that you could get by the pint or gallon and a SICK Bourbon selection. Overall, the place had a great laid back vibe. I will be returning on another sunny day! read more

Best BBQ in Williamsburg! Their meats here are so succulent and juicy. Everything just falls apart in your mouth. We ordered the brisket, ribs and pork shoulder and all were just delicious. For sides, definitely try the sauerkraut and pickles. Drinks are really good here as well! I had the Manhattan and really liked it! Never crowded and it's so easy to get a table here - even on weekends! This place is a must-try! read more

I've got pride, and I've got a little bit of an ego. Because of those two things, I get inordinately cranky when I feel like a) someone is trying to dupe me or b) I am successfully duped. This is how I feel about Fette Sau - or as I call it, "Home of the Well-Fed Hipster." Every time I've gone there, I've asked for maybe 1/4 pound of meat, a sausage link, one side and a beer. This never fails to cost me more than $20. The fact that I find the food seriously mediocre pisses me off even more. (The fact that I've gone to Fette Sau three times despite being disappointed each and every time qualifies me as a complete sucker.) The meat is never, EVER as good as it should be. I've had the pork butt, brisket, ribs, and two kinds of sausage - the only one I'd ever opt for again is one of the kinds of sausage. The meat is generally bland, in my opinion - sometimes even a little dry. The sides are "eh," and overpriced. I liked the baked beans - the cole slaw is blech. The rolls are pathetic, and the house red wine taste like vinegar swirled around in a public toilet bowl. The fact that I'm one of very few people to rag on this place gives me pause, but what are you gonna do? All I know is that I really, really don't like this place. Sorry, Fette Sau. I wanted to love you. read more

Not sure about all the rave reviews of this place but I wasn't all that impressed. The prices were a bit shocking for being so far away from anything in Brooklyn. 32 bucks a pound for sirloin tips, 23 for brisket and most other stuff. Beers were pricey too at about 7 bucks. Not a place you go if you're looking for bbq on a budget. Seating was a bit tough to find but eventually we found a few seats at the bar which were metal tractor seats. Kind of cool looking but realllly not comfortable. I guess that's how they keep people from hogging the limited number of seats. As for the food, we had brisket, pork belly, and pork shoulder. I've been around good and bad bbq before and based only on the taste this was very average. The brisket was moist but lacked any unique flavor; the pork shoulder was alright but it wasnt really that great since (again) it didnt have much flavor; the pork belly was kind of cool and had a good sweet flavor to it but still wasnt that amazing. For $20+ a pound i was expecting everything to blow my mind. The sauces they have on the table are the most mediocre barbecue sauces I've had. There was one with a hot pepper in it and that was the most flavorful - the other one literally tasted like Heinz ketchup and the vinegar based sauce was lacking much of a flavor. Mighty Quinn's is still the best BBQ for the price in the city, and you dont have to go into deep Williamsburg to get it. read more

The BBQ here is amazing. I also love the atmosphere, and they serve some pretty good beers too. My only real gripe is the price. It's very expensive! When I ordered, I didn't know how much food to get so I ordered enough for 3 and trusted that he'd know how much we should get. I picked 3 of the cheapest meats on their menu and it still wound up being over $75 (before tip). And that doesn't take any drinks into consideration. If you have a couple of $7 beers (plus tip), you're easily spending $45 per person. I think that's steep for BBQ. Oh yeah, make sure you get there kinda early. Their line gets pretty long and it moves incredibly slow. I think they open at 5... I got there at 7 on a Friday night and it was not too crowded yet, although the outdoor space was all taken. But the food line wasn't too long at 7. We decided to have a drink first, but by the time we finished it I then got in line and spent about 20-30 minutes waiting, despite there only being about 10 people ahead of me. It is good food though, and I will go back, but it's so expensive it's gotta be a special occasion. Oh, and as for particular meats... make sure you try the pork belly and the ribs! read more

I had very high hopes coming into Fette Sau. The environment seemed really cool, and the smell emanating from the place was incredible. However I was deeply, deeply DISAPPOINTED. I ordered 1/2 lb. of the brisket. It had the three worst qualities of barbecue. The meat was cold, tasteless, and was 95% fat. In short, it was totally inedible. Now I know some people dont mind, and even like the fat on brisket, but when there is not even a mouthful of good meat it is pretty gross. There was no taste of smoke in the meat, no seasoning on the bark, and zero flavor. Usually some good sauce can make up for lack of flavor in the meat, but dragging a piece of fat through some BBQ sauce does not make for an enjoyable meal. If you walk by this place and think, "Hey this looks pretty cool, I want to try it," think again. It smells 100 times better than it tastes. It was a miserable experience, one I would not want to repeat. The best part of the meal was the Down East Cider. In sum, Fette Sau is terrible and tasteless. read more

This is a very hard review to write, in part because this place is so great because for people like me who aren't ok just ordering one plate, you can sample EVERYTHING. The only bad part about this 5-star approach to the menu is that not everything is 5 stars. So what is 5 stars? Aside from the ability to order a little of this and a little of that, the gallon size beer is 5 star, and the pork belly is probably worth about 6 stars. Moving down the list, I'd rate the sausage about 4 stars--very good. The baked beans were also in the four star area for me. Down at three, you'll find the brisket: pretty average in my opinion. Going further down the list, hovering at around 2, we have the ribs which i really didn't like too much, and the potato salad. And while we're on the subject of sides, i thought the options were pretty limited. Having said all that, it was a very positive experience, and really really a good price for all the food i got. I would go back here in a heartbeat despite the fact that i was more or less not blown away by anything (except the pork belly, which really did kick ass). read more

OK Fette Sau. You come highly recommended by New York Magazine: Critic's Pick. Nice! One of a handful of Brooklyn restaurants mentioned in the recent "Where To Eat" edition. Aces! Thought I'd give you a try. I do love BBQ. Your name coos to me, "Come. Eat fat pig, you Fat Pig." Sold. Is it authentic? Sure. I love ordering BBQ meats by weight. Makes me think I am getting exactly what I want. To the 1/4 lb! I love sitting cafeteria style, next to random people having random conversations. And the decor is? Well... authentic. It's an authentic old auto parts store. How's the food? Yeah. I guess that's prevalent. The meat is spectacular. Really. Perfectly marbled cuts of brisket. Not dry, not too fatty. Delectable pulled pork. The ribs are formidable. The sauces range from inedible to pedestrian. I went for the pedestrian. Sweet and tangy. Good, but not wheel changing. The sides lack passion. The collared greens were flavorless. The baked beans were WAY to sweet. Could barely eat them (and I'm a Fat Pig, see above.) However, the Manhattan Special Sarsaparilla (it's a pretty good one. No Sioux City Sarsaparilla, but good) was delicious. Excellent selection of craft beer on tap. Served at a very attractive bar, replete with stools fashioned out of old John Deere tractor seats. Authentic! All in all Fette Sau, you were attractive, you had attitude, very tasty meats, delicious sarsaparillas, substandard sauces and below substandard sides. You get 3 stars. As a caveat, if I could give 3.5 stars, you'd get that. read more

Fette Sau, on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg comes courtesy of Kim and Joe Carroll. The name means 'fat pig' in German and quite an apt description of how you feel after a meal here. The former garage space itself is a gem and the owners wisely kept the industrial look, leaving pipes exposed and the cinder block walls intact. There isn't much in terms of decor except for the beef and pork chart drawings that fill one side of the wall. The kitchen, dominated by the massive Southern Pride gas and wood smoker, turns out brisket, pork ribs, sirloin, pork belly, and the like, all dry rubbed. Only pork and beef is served and even the sides make it clear that Fette Sau is not intended for those with vegetarian preferences. Try to come early for the best cuts and also to avoid a lengthy wait as the communal picnic tables fill up quickly especially during the winter months. The ribs, pork belly, and steak are what you should be coming here for but always eye the meat once you reach the counter. And come thirsty. With Kim and Joe Carroll's previous experience with their first venture Spuyten Duyvil, it's no surprise that Fette Sau's bar is remarkable in itself. The local brews poured into jam jars and growlers pair well with the meal but it's the impressive list of American whiskies that will make you pay attention. So if you're still complaining of New York's lack of good barbecue, head to Williamsburg and be persuaded otherwise. read more

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Splurge. Indulgence. A cardiovascular exercise. Who knows what this place is going for? I did find myself on a weeknight, no less, at this establishment. Early dinner is unusual for hipsters, so beating the crowd was a plus. Because by the time 8 pm rolled around, the communal tables were filled, even outdoor seating. I especially liked the brisket (very rich, melt-in-your-mouth fare). The potato salad functioned as my side, and it cut through all the richness of the meat. Sampled the bone-in pork ribs and pork belly (of course). I expected more from the pork belly, but probably because I had the beef first. The BBQ sauce on the tables is very good. By the time I got home (I live in Westchester), I was still smelling like I had been to a BBQ all day. Smelled really good. read more

Love this place! It's great, GREAT BBQ. brisket - awesome, pork belly- the best, ribs-great, pulled pork sandwich- hits the spot You can't go wrong with this place. They have a great mini-late night menu too. read more

On my way to Knitting Factory, I pass by this bar. It's an early music show so my friend and I tell each other that we will definitely have to check it out after the show. I am so glad we did. Just as a note, this is a not a review of the meat here. This is a review of the bar. :) Lush, I know. We enter Fette Sau and our noses are infiltrated by the aroma of BBQ meat. It smells pretty good but I am a semi-devoted pescatarian and refuse to take a bite. We head straight to the bar, where I see knives as beer tap knobs. Well, that's interesting...I like! I forget what beer I pick but soon realize that beers are available by pint, quart, half gallon...and GALLON. Crazytown, if you ask me. The bartender is super friendly and every so often makes fun of my friend and I. All around, a great time...a definite bar to visit again. read more

All these years later, the line still moves slowly. And that line still blocks the bathroom. And you still need to send a party to look for gaps in the tables when you get close to arriving or risk spending 10 minutes "circling" while looking for a spot. This is especially true during a rainy or cold day where the outdoor tables are no option. So while Fette Sau seems to have done nothing to alleviate the traffic problems of its early days, they also haven't lowered standards despite an expansion in Philadelphia. We're still getting top-quality meat paid by the pound. Certainly there's more competition than when I first came here in the spring of 2008. The once ambitious beer list is pretty bog standard, having not kept up with trends in micro brewing. Hometown, John Brown's, Brisketown and Mighty Quinn's have moved in, in some cases offering better versions of meats that are served here. While comparing everyone against other is a very subjective game, I'll cop to finding the pork belly and sausages at Fette Sau particularly strong, while the brisket and pulled pork not being best in class. Fette Sau also has the best sauces of the four (well Brisketown doesn't really count here, as they have no sauce.) An important place in the development of the neighborhood, and a bit of an instant history lesson that comes with satisfying food. read more

In my limited list of BBQ adventures through New York, Fette Sau comes closest to replicating my most memorable experience of eating cue in Austin, TX. Unlike some other bbq places in new york, it's not a restaurant impersonating a bbq joint. Fette Sau's a no-frills, free-for-all, wait-on-line place where you walk past an auto-repair shop on a sparse block of Metropolitan and look for a small neon sign. Thankfully we got there at a quieter time around 2pm on a saturday because I can definitely see space being an issue with just 3 communal picnic tables in the small interior. Along one wall is a pretty stacked bar where they also sell various local brews by the half pint, pint, and larger. Just out of curiousity, I asked to see the half pint glass and I quickly changed my mind to a pint. That half pint glass might as well be a shotglass. On the other side was the wall of BBQ: a display of various meats, smoked and steaming. Behind the display was the cutter, who took our order of brisket, pork belly and boneless beef rib by the 1/4 pound, and sliced our meat to order. At the end of the line was our metal tray with our cuts of meat, complimentary Martin's potato rolls, and our small sides of cole slaw and German potato salad. One bite of that brisket was all I needed to tell me that this place was worth coming back for. The fatty brisket was juicy and flavorful: it was just as good alone as it was in a sandwich I made with the roll, sesame-based cole slaw and Fette Sau's spicy bbq sauce. The boneless beef rib and pork belly were also very good but wow, that brisket was amazing. We ordered a 1/2 pound of brisket, 1/4 pound of pork belly, and a 1/4 pound of beef rib, and it was more than enough for both of us. At $16 per pound for everything but the beef rib ($24 per lb), they aren't Austin prices but for about $30 including sides for 2 people, the meal was certainly worthy of the trip to billyburg. And that brisket is priceless. read more

Honestly, I'm more impressed with my Stila matte lipstick surviving this meal than anything else, but that's not the review we're here for, is it? Fette Sau is just a sea of meat, and that's exactly how it should stay. Forget any and all BBQ you've eaten in the past and order a smorgasbord of ribs, brisket, and any/every other slab they cook right in front of you. The fact that Fette Sau is just organized, meaty chaos adds to the appeal of the place, and the communal seating is a change of pace from the "get out of my bubble" realm that is New York (although, they have a point...). This place is all about getting your food, sitting down, and not breathing until that food is gone. If that doesn't convince you to hit Fette Sau up, then you should give up on going out for BBQ, entirely. *Mic drop* read more

Not the best BBQ, but not bad, pretty expensive for what you get and the employees act all pissy if you don't tip even though you get all your own stuff and bus your own table. read more

Ordering meats for here & by-the-pound at the same time rocks. The brisket, pulled pork, and sausages were hearty and comforting. The bar has kitchen implements for taps (including a meat tenderizer). The bourbon selection is admirable. The seating is a little wonky & waits can be long, but Fette Sau is a good time just waiting to happen. read more

This Brooklyn BBQ is murder! Tasty, tasty murder. The party got there early to snag a table and sampled four or five types of meat. I can't remember everything they ordered, but we had veal sausage, beef ribs, pulled pork, baby back ribs and some other assorted meat stuff as well as a full tray of sides (rolls, baked beans, kraut, pickles and potato salad). My belly was in meat heaven. The beef ribs fell off the bone while everything else had such great flavor. Everyone else is correct to skip the sauce and sides. They simply take up space in your tummy that would be better left for BBQ. Wash it down with some great local beers that come in sizes between 1/2 pint to 1 gallon (yeah - try that on for size) and an extensive selection of bourbon, whiskey and rye. Overall, the location is small but the food was awesome, the alcohol well selected. A must try for meat lovers. Just don't eat for three days before going to leave plenty of room. read more