Labor Day Weekend is typically the last hurrah for barbecue. Summer is ending, which means so are the backyard grill-outs, savory sides, and crisply chilled drinks. Luckily, both Hoboken and Jersey City have plenty of great spots to get the quintessential smoked taste of summer on this Labor Day — or any other season. Whether you’re craving some pulled pork, something rich + smokey, or just some good old-fashioned BBQ sauce, we’ve got you covered. Read on to see a list of the best Hoboken and Jersey City spots for barbecue.
Hoboken
Farside Tavern | 531 Washington Street
Photo credit: @farsidetavern
If Hoboken’s best-kept secret is hours of smoky tender chicken and brisket, get in the know at Farside Tavern. The menu features 12-hour smoked brisket, 4-hour smoked shredded chicken, and 10-hour smoked pulled pork. Monday’s special is a half-price signature barbecue on the patio for sides, sauces, and that signature smoky taste.
House of ‘Que | 340 Sinatra Drive
Photo credit: @houseofque
House of ‘Que in Hoboken smokes over 4,000 pounds of chicken, pork, beef, and sausage each week. Pitmaster Michael Rodriguez has diners covered with 48-Hour Smoked Wings — the Pitmaster’s Pick — and Sloppy Texan Sandwich slathered in sauce.
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Pilsner Haus + Biergarten | 1422 Grand Street
Photo credit: @pilsnerhausbiergarten
Pilsner Haus is one of Hoboken’s few beer gardens, which also happens to serve up delicious BBQ. In addition to German-inspired fare like warm Bavarian pretzels, sausages, and schnitzels, some of the BBQ-style items served here include BBQ ribs, BBQ pulled pork, and Haus wings. On the side, diners can enjoy coleslaw, mac and cheese, and more.
The Shepherd & the Knucklehead | 1313 Willow Avenue
Photo credit: @theshep_hoboken
Though perhaps not the main attraction of this sports bar, The Shepherd & the Knucklehead still has some killer BBQ on the menu. This family-run spot has a BBQ chicken wrap, BBQ pulled pork sandwich (which is slow-cooked and topped with sharp cheddar), and BBQ pork sliders, to name a few. It has a variety of vegetarian options as well, just in case you’re dining with some plant-based friends. In case you’re wondering, there’s also a serious steak selection on a section of the menu called ‘The Butcher’s Block.’
The Stewed Cow | 400 Adams Street
Photo credit: @thestewedcow
There’s a reason why this laid-back spot has so many fans. The Stewed Cow’s Infamous Brunch has two cocktails and an entree with house muffins to boot for $26. Grab “The Roadkill Platter” for big-time barbecue. Smoked brisket, bacon, scrambled eggs, and Texas toast served up with spicy sausage gravy for the ultimate weekend treat.
Jersey City
Ahri’s Kitchen | 227 7th Street
Photo credit: @ahriskitchen
Diners will find Korean barbeque at Ahri’s Kitchen in Jersey City. The menu includes items like spicy pork shoulder, spicy chicken stir fry, and marinated Bulgogi Dupbap with a selection of sauces for a different take on the backyard classics.
Boots + Bones | 116 Newark Avenue
Boots + Bones is an all-American eatery with a Southern soul (which includes a speakeasy called Under the Boot) that is part of the revamp of the complex of restaurants surrounding the Grove Street PATH train. Some of the menu highlights include a Chopped Pork Sandwich, Gulf Shrimp + Blue Corn Grits, a variety of meat platters, and more.
Carvao BBQ | 686 Bergen Avenue
Photo credit: @carvaobbq
Guests at Carvao BBQ are in for the full backyard BBQ experience without any lawn maintenance or cleanup. This spot features an open-pit barbeque with a back patio seating area. The menu has Portuguese-style BBQ including chicken, pork, short ribs, sausages, and side items like fries. The creative cocktails at the bar make for a perfect al fresco evening.
Ghost Truck Kitchen | 356 Varick Street
Photo credit: @hellogtk
Ghost Truck Kitchen is the spot for wings of all flavors. Founder Andrew Martino brings the heat with Wing of the Month featuring May’s recipe, Daytona Wings, with combo house buffalo and barbeque sauce. Other menu items include sticky wings, honey mustard wings, jerk wings, and more.
See More: Where to Get Gluten-Free Sandwiches in Hoboken + Jersey City
Hamilton Pork | 247 10th Street
Photo credit: @hamiltonpork
Hamilton Pork in Jersey City offers classic grilled meats with a Tex-Mex flair. The brunch menu includes items like brisket enchiladas, huevos benedictos, and Migas all with meats smoked in-house. For a different type of visit, try a little bit of everything with the $28 meat sampler with a choice of three meats with options of brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, lamb belly, pulled chicken, pork belly, and sausage. Guests can enjoy their meals in the back patio area for an authentic backyard vibe.
Harry’s Daughter | 4072 339 Communipaw Avenue
Photo credit: @harrysdaughterjc
Caribbean flavors can be found in almost every menu item at Ria Ramkissoon and Alasdair Cotter’s gastropub, Harry’s Daughter. Powerful jerk spices pack a punch in wings and egg rolls, jerk chicken, and Guinness-braised short ribs will have diners swimming in spice. Even the sides get the flavorful treatment with items like jerk mac and cheese. There is frequently live music on the weekends and always something tasty being mixed at the bar.
Hudson Hall | 364 Marin Boulevard
Photo credit: @hudsonhalljc
Hudson Hall Smokehouse and Biergarten is a local Jersey City haunt straight from Eastern Europe. The bar selections are frequently updated with seasonal draft beers, and the smokey grill smells are year-round. With an extensive list of smoked meats ranging from St. Louis ribs to pastrami and brat, the menu at Hudson Hall has items not found elsewhere.
Zeppelin Hall | 88 Liberty View Drive
Photo credit: @zeppelinhall
This spot is an authentic European-style Biergarten with a large variety of brews, wine, and spiked seltzers. The BBQ choices here include a Black Angus burger topped with pulled pork or brisket and an entire section of Smoke Haus BBQ with items like smoked wings, pork ribs, and a three-meat platter. Diners can also try out The Bavarian Butcher — a soft, giant pretzel served with a choice of three types of meat and pickled onions, or one of the family-style BBQ meals for the table.
