Now that NYC, and especially Brooklyn, has officially declared its love for quality BBQ, as proven by the overwhelming success and popularity of places like Briskettown, Mighty Quinn’s, Fette Sau, and Fletcher’s, it would only make sense to introduce a real honky tonk New York BBQ destination restaurant and bar that offers everything you look for in a BBQ experience: amazing food, friendly environment, live music, rustic barnyard decor, and [lots] of whiskey and beer.
Welcome to Hometown.
Hometown, located across the street from Fairway and right next door to Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook, was at one point under six feet of water when Hurricane Sandy struck Red Hook back in the fall. Now that things seem to be finally getting back to normal in the Brooklyn neighborhood, Hometown is gearing up for a summer opening that will undoubtedly launch it to quickly become a Red Hook staple and destination spot that will draw New Yorkers as far as the Bronx and the Upper West Side.
Billy Durney, Hometown’s owner and pit master, spent years traveling the world as a body guard to the rich and famous until he decided to move away from the jet-setting life-style and devote his time to family while also turning his attention to his passion for BBQ. After years of studying a variety of BBQ techniques and playing around with restaurant concepts, Billy partnered up Chris Miller, a well-seasoned restauranteur (Smith & Mills, Tiny’s), and the idea of Hometown was born.
The progress on the build-out came to a grinding halt with Sandy’s fury as Red Hook was hit especially hard. Though it could have been worse for them, as it was early in construction, it still set them back months and thousands of dollars. Despite this, Billy sat outside Hometown and fed his distraught neighbors for 17 straight days, asking for nothing. At least they were eating some damn good BBQ and Billy got a lot of practice runs in.
Last week we were invited to a special friends and family gathering at the nearly-completed Hometown for a tour of the space and got the chance to try Billy’s [absurdly delicious] BBQ while chatting him up about his new restaurant.
How long have you been dreaming about opening your own BBQ place?
Hometown was not a life-long dream, but has become my complete soul. After a wonderful career traveling domestically and internationally in the private protection field and spending large amounts of time away from my family I decided to chase a career in what moved me most outside of protection. And that was BBQ and cooking. BBQ is about family and friends and good times, and I think that’s who I am and the message I want to spread. Having said that, Hometown was not a life-long dream, the concept itself has evolved over many years of traveling through almost every state in the U.S. and many more countries internationally. My respect for the men and women who stand over fires for 20+ hours watching their pits closely to create their idea of the perfect BBQ bite humbles me every time I taste their food.
How did you decide on the name Hometown? What does it mean to you?
Hometown, as a name, was created first for both of my grandmothers. Each of them imigrated here from their respective countries (Norway and Ireland ). After arriving on Ellis Island they found their homes in Red Hook .
Secondly, Chris and I are extremely proud of being New Yorkers. I am born and raised in Brooklyn and Chris in Manhattan. We believe in the old school neighborhood feel and Red Hook provides an amazing opportunity to be a part of a very special small town place in our “big bad city.”
