Since May is National BBQ month and since Jersey City is full of great places to eat, we visited Hamilton Pork at 247 Tenth Street for some seriously juicy meats, tasty cocktails, and creative tacos. With a cozy atmosphere, farm-style tables, chill music, and a welcoming down-home BBQ vibe, we’ve dubbed Hamilton Pork the place for BBQ and tacos in JC. There’s plenty of seating both indoors and in the back garden, and the menu has something for everyone, including vegetarians. Read on to learn more about Hamilton Pork in Jersey City and its delicious BBQ.
Hamilton Pork and its brother restaurant The Hamilton Inn dominate the corner of 10th + Jersey Avenue in the Hamilton Park area of JC. The owners founded this restaurant in 2016 when a series of fortunate events fell into place. The commercial space next to The Hamilton Inn opened up right as the owners were getting deep into experimenting with BBQ following a trip to Austin, TX. Lucky for us, they saw the signs the universe was sending and opened Hamilton Pork. Keep an eye out for the neon pink pig outside that reads “BARBEQUE” to know you’re headed in the right direction. But if you miss the sign, you won’t miss the scent. Smoky, savory BBQ smells are part of the experience and Hamilton Park neighbors are lucky to enjoy this olfactory experience.
Read more: Exploring JC: The Hamilton Park Neighborhood
Another clue that diners are in for an excellent BBQ experience is the laid-back decor. The Hoboken Girl has observed that the better the BBQ, the more pared-down the interior. For example, Southern Soul BBQ in Saint Simons Island, GA is in an old gas station and is an award-winning BBQ joint. Similar clues here at Hamilton include napkin dispensers at each table, meals served on butcher paper-lined trays, and picnic tables inside and out.
The bar menu ensures that the entrees won’t steal the show. The regular wine, beer, and spirits list is top-notch, and we always like the seasonal cocktail selections. Let’s not skip over the entire section of the drinks menu dedicated to the margarita. The 10th Street Margarita is really whatever you want it to be — with flavors like strawberry, mango, or blackberry and rim choices like tajin or sugar, a simple choice of frozen or on the rocks is just the beginning. There is always something new on draft for beers, so be sure to ask.
With cocktails in hand and chips + guac on point, you’re ready to get your fingers sticky. The appetizers alone are worth the trip, especially for the smoked wings. Moving on to entree selections, the core of the menu is the nine smoked types of meat, and the rest of the menu offers other ways to enjoy the aforementioned meats — in tacos, sandwiches, burritos, and fajitas. The smoked meats serve about one person per meat dish, and diners can order sides to create their own combo-style meals. The side dishes are exactly what you’d expect from a BBQ joint – familiar favorites like mac-and-cheese, slaw, Mexican street corn, beans and rice, and more.
Read more: 7 Places to Get Tacos in Hoboken + JC
The taco/burrito/fajita side of things is just as appealing, with options like a pork belly taco and a brisket fajita. Sandwiches also use the BBQ meats in such items as the Parish Pig, which includes pulled pork, slaw, pickles, BBQ sauce served on a potato bun.
And for the vegetarians, Hamilton Pork also has non-meat items on the menu. The Avocado Tacos, the Brussels Tacos, and all of the salads are meat-free. Several of the side dishes including the Mexican street corn and the cucumber salad are vegetarian-friendly as well.
Read more: The 12 Best Vegan Food Spots in Jersey City
Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays with Hamilton Pork’s own take on things. In addition to Breakfast Margaritas, the menu includes things like Brisket Enchiladas and Heuvos Benedictos. And, as fun as it is to visit this restaurant, Hamilton Pork offers catering and takeout. For holidays like Thanksgiving and The Big Football Game, Hamilton Pork has special catering packages for a crowd, making it easy to host.
