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Fette Sau
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
354 Metropolitan Ave(between 4th St & Havemeyer St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - North Side
(718) 963-3404
- Nearest Transit:
-
Bedford Av (L)
Metropolitan Av (G)
Lorimer St (L)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
759 reviews for Fette Sau
Review Highlights
"OMG Pork Belly is the key to my happiness."
(in 202 reviews)
"The pork belly was fantastic, as were the baked beans."
(in 166 reviews)
"Definitely the best bbq I've had in NYC."
(in 69 reviews)
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758 reviews in English
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Review from Maggie L.
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's a very causal place, you line up, pick your choice of meat, which was paid for per pound and you seat yourself where-ever you find seating. There's a bar with a good selections of beer and wine that you can also eat it but beware of the extra crowding at the bar area if you choose to eat there because there will always be a crowd trying to get a refill on their beer.
Now to the food... the pork belly is the die for! (literally with the layer of fat) but it's so delicious! Iwe went with a fellow Texan and he gave a thumbs up. if he gives a thumbs up to this place then it MUST be good! Now we have our very own Texan bbq in our own little niche in brooklyn =)
PS: ten thumbs up for the cold slaw and baked beans. -
Review from Jenny U.
New York, NY
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
First of all, though I am from Texas, I am in no way a connoisseur of BBQ and/or meats. Sorry to disappoint. I am, however, a strict and critical judge of good tasting food. And good tasting food can be found at Fette Sau.
I went on a really cold evening a few weeks ago, no line, and no shortage of seats and/or food. We sampled a little bit of everything. I loved the Brisket and the Berkshire St Louis Style Pork Ribs. I did not care for the Berkshire Sausage, the texture was weird to me, perhaps I am not used to fennel as a sausage ingredient. The sides that impressed me the most were the broccoli salad and pickles. I absolutely LOVED Cora's Broccoli Salad - no mayo, just tangy and garlicky goodness! Guss' Half-Sour Kosher Pickles are so delectable, light with just enough flavor to balance out the heaviness of your meal.
The sides that impressed me least were the potato salad and beans.The potato salad was different, again, no mayo (hate mayo!) and it tasted good, just wished the potato slices were cut into chunks to make it easier to eat. I liked the Burnt End Baked Beans - well, I love burnt anything, really, but they were a little on the salty/heavy side for me.
I also had the key-lime pie tart, which was good, but pretty tart. Dad's root beer was awesome. And most of their beers are pretty solid.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this place looking for some good BBQ in New York. -
Review from Eric K.
1/21/2012
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. -
Review from Maeve C.
1/19/2012
I see you, Fette Sau.
I enjoy the ambience and overall design of this place, which helped me deal with the long wait for food (as did the mixed drink in my bag...what?) and who's to argue with pork served by the pound?? I came here with a large group of people, so we did what you're never supposed to do in horror movies and split up to complete our mission: one contingent to buy a gallon of beer, and myself and a few others to purchase fooood.
When we finally got up to order, our cashier politely inquired as to how many people were in our party, apparently alarmed at the quantity of meat we were asking for. We assured him there were more people waiting to enjoy this steaming goodness, and lugged a tray piled high with pork belly, brisket, pulled pork, baked beans, broccoli salad, and a bazillion biscuits. It was all rull good, my only complaint was the excessive fat on all the meat, but I guess that's better than it being dry. -
Review from Katie W.
Yonkers, NY
2/5/2012
The food is decent. All the sides I tried (broccoli salad, baked beans, potato salad, pickles) were very good. The meat is flavorful, but kinda greasy. That being said, I paid $22 for more than enough food that I shared with a few friends, which isnt so bad. If I had paid a lot more than that, I would say that the food isnt really worth it. Now comes the bad part: THIS PLACE IS RIDICULOUS. I have never in my life seen a more moronic way to run a restaurant. Anything redeeming about the food still doesnt really make this place worth it.
You walk into the place, and there are no employees there to explain to you how the process works. You sort of have to figure out that you are to FIRST find the end of the line and just wait. I got there at 6:45 on a Saturday night, and waited on the line for about 30-40 minutes. I was there for a birthday party, and some friends had arrived first and were closer to the front of the line. By the time I got my food, they were already finished eating. This was pretty much how it was for all our friends who arrived at different times.
After getting your food, you just have to hope that a seat opens up somewhere. Dont try to go to this restaurant with more than 2 or 3 people because there is no guarantee that you will actually find seating next to each other (or of course you can opt to sit outside at the tables and eat in 30 degree weather like some of my friends had to.) All the while, there are no employees present to actually monitor this situation. For example, they dont seem to care that there are more people on line than can actually be accommodated at the tables. If you are lucky enough to find seats next to each other, then you quickly realize that you have to eat fast and get out of there because there is another poor sap after you getting his food with nowhere to sit.
All in all, I would not recommend this place for people who want a relaxing night out eating BBQ. You have to stand on line forever, and then eat your food fast and then go. I think its kinda stupid... -
Review from Rick K.
Brooklyn, NY
2/4/2012
Disclaimer: I have lived in Kansas City and am considering the BBQ I have eaten there in this rating. If only considering NYC, this place is 4 stars.
Fette Sau is actually the best BBQ I've had in NYC. In general, its pretty darn good. Doesn't compare to the better places in Texas and KC, but it does hold up well against the average place in those cities.
The problem with Fette Sau is that the sides suck. There isn't a single side on the menu that I've really liked. Its so weird. Why can't they put a bit of effort into their sides.
The other negative is that this place is always packed and its always a fight to find seating.
That said, this IS my favorite BBQ spot in NYC, the problem is that we just don't have great BBQ spots in NYC. -
Review from Benjamin P.
Springfield, NJ
2/4/2012
Wow! This place is in incredible! I am sorry Dinos, but this is the best bbq I have ever had :)
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Review from Andre V.
Brooklyn, NY
1/18/2012
Have been to Fette Sau various times.
It is a great spot for the warm days, not so much for the cold days, due to the limited indoor seating.
A few things you must know prior to visiting this place:
The meat choices aren't always the same, so if you love pork belly and are in the mood for Fette Sau's specifically, or are looking to enjoy their amazing flank steak, you're taking a chance -same goes for finding seats.
The line is long every time I've visited. Expect to wait anywhere between 30-45 minutes before you can order. Oh and they've ran out of our preferred meats maybe 2 people before we made it to our turn to order.
It does take some work to be able to enjoy their yummy, juicy, tasty meats accompanied by their great beer selection.
As many have said here, they need to work on their selection of sides . After trying all of them the first time I visited, I haven't ordered any again. -
Review from Angie K.
Brooklyn, NY
12/29/2011
The ribs were out of this world but FORCED/PRESSURE TIPPING??? Is this the new low that so-called "tipping" has become? Apparently it has- evident at Fette Sau!
*Takes a deep breath* All right, all right, the food first:
I ordered the Berkshire St Louis Style Pork Ribs and a small potato salad. The potato salad was okay (too vinegar-y) but the ribs were really good- tender and juicy, pink on the inside. I usually like to have barbecue sauce drenched on ribs but they were good enough without them. However, I craved some deliciousness on my ribs so I tried a couple of the sauces-sweet and spicy-that were on the table (squeeze bottles with no labels).
The atmosphere:
Where was my cowboy hat, y'all?- country music was playing over the heads of chatting hungry barbecue lovers, giving off the vibe of a cafeteria at a ranch in the Wild Wild West. Or maybe an indoor picnic- people sat at three long communal tables in one room where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers- too crowded (and noisy) for my preference, but what do you expect from a Zagat-rated barbecue joint? If there are no seats, wait until someone has had their fill of BBQ.
The service:
No sit-down waiter service over here- you ask for the food you want, they weigh the meat, and give everything to you on a ginormous tray then walk up to the register. The girl at the cash register mentioned something about tipping the kitchen staff and hands me the receipt for me to sign since I was paying with a credit card. Ignoring the tip line, I signed and handed back the receipt. She HANDS IT BACK TO ME (if I could put those words in bold, I would) and says that I HAVE to tip 20%. WTF!!!!
First of all, it is not my responsibility, or any other customer's responsibility, to make sure that the kitchen staff are well-paid. It is up to the restaurant- any restaurant. That may sound B@%chy, but it's true- a tip is a small monetary gift that is given in appreciation of outstanding service that goes beyond what is expected. Don't believe me? Research the history of tipping.
Second, how am I supposed to calculate 20% (that's what I heard, correct me if I'm wrong because I hope I am) of the damn bill with people waiting in line behind me? I am not a human calculator.
Third, if tipping needs to be forced (?!) let people in line know in advance- put a sign in front of the register. Over the deafening noise, I originally thought that tipping was optional because I could barely hear the girl at the register- that's why I signed and handed the receipt with no tip at first. Afterwards, perhaps I mis-heard the 20%- it could have been 2% (hah!) or 200%. What about other patrons who could be hard of hearing?
Bottom line: for a Zagat-rated, #1 BBQ joint that has thousands of patrons a day because of its popularity force customers to tip at the register where other patrons are waiting behind you is absurd. But the ribs were great, and I'm not going to lie- I will go back. But I'm knocking off two stars. -
Review from Gary L.
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good but a bit overrated and overpriced. The price I usually pay over here for a simple plate of meat and a beer is roughly between 40-50 bucks. It gets really crowded in here. It's best to come right when they open, otherwise you'll be waiting in the cold for a very long period.
The service is here is pretty good. They have a decent variety of meats to choose from. It's definitely nothing compared to Texas or any other type of BBQ joint in the south.
Verdict - It's a type of place I would try out once or twice. Other than that, save your money and explore other places. Hipsters in Williamsburg seem to love this place but I don't. It's too small and I don't like the hipster atmosphere. -
Review from Evan r.
Brooklyn, NY
12/27/2011
I like BBQ. I do. But I don't know that I'm a big fan of Fette Sau. The Brisket had good flavor but it was dry. A dry brisket is like a dry hump - just a tease of what you actually want.
The pulled pork was also on the dry side, but I guess that's not the worst thing in the world since most people just slather it in sauce anyway.
Normally I would've given the place 3 stars, but their pickle policy forced me to drop it down to 2. Listen:
When I ordered my meal, I ordered pickles on the side. The guy taking my order asked, "2 or 4?" I asked how big they were, he said big, but I went with 4 anyway because, let's be honest, one can never have too many pickles. When I got to the table I noticed there were only 3 pickles in my little tray. So I grabbed it and went back to the counter.
"Excuse me," I said, "I ordered the 4 pickles but I only got 3."
"They're big," the lady at the register said to me.
"Ok. But I ordered and paid for 4. I only have 3."
"They're bigger than they usually are. So you only get 3."
"But I'm paying for 4?"
"They're big," she said again, as if it was the most obvious truth in the world. But it wasn't - the pickles were average sized at best.
When I didn't thank her for her generosity, she just looked at me like I was the stupidest person in the world. How could I not understand that it was totally cool to pay for 4 pickles and only get 3? I was causing a bottleneck on line and her eyes were already past me and on the person behind me, so I just called her shady and walked away.
I wish I would've said something clever like, "So if I ordered 2 I only would've gotten one?" or, "Nice bandana, jerk." But I didn't. -
Review from Lonyee C.
Manhattan, NY
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
ATMOSPHERE-
It felt very informal with dim lighting indoors and benches and tables outdoors. The decor resembled that of a field trip experience. Meanwhile, servers behind the counter look at you in disgust if you are not ready to place your order or if you have questions pertaining to their menu like so, "I can't tell you about our selection sir. There's a line. It's all on our menu."
Food-
Ordering meat by pounds, plates filled up for carnivorous appetites. Interestingly enough, an order that does not look fullfilling becomes a plethora when actual consumption occurs. The ribs consisted of heavy weighing bones. The other meats had some fat in it which made them juicy. Broccoli and mediocre tasting potato salad sides come cold and unfortunately, unknowingly shocking for Winter.
OVERALL -
More of a meat-lovers fieldtrip eatery with very informal settings and servers who glance at you with contempt for not knowing what to order. Great idea with a bar and a car garage eatery but the customer service demoted their 4 stars down to 3 stars. Unfortunate. -
Review from Morgen B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/4/2012
I'm not going to ruin the high reviews of this place because I'm a vegetarian. It did make for an awkward ordering experience though.
"Can I have two orders of broccoli, some potato salad and a beverage?"
I literally got stares from three servers all at once.
Anyways, they have a bar with nice cheap wine and pricey soda (da fuck). I remember the line was at least 30-40 people deep when we went.
Sweet Jesus, I wish I ate meat. Love the smell of this place. It honestly feels like a community barbecue in someone's backyard. -
Review from Liz K.
Norwalk, CT
12/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
8 people. 7 pounds of meat. 2 giant jugs of beer. Pure bliss.
Long line, but the food, experience, and ambiance were well worth the wait.
There's also sort of a communal feel to this place because you're sitting at long benches, so some of us were talking to other groups of people. There were some Australians who were popular with some of the girls, and a very happy couple who were bequeathed the rest of beer jug #2. It was a good night. -
Review from Steve N.
1/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
One of the ironies of NYC is that the biggest BBQ chain is called "Dallas," where I lived, tried the BBQ, and I can write without hesitation that this place is better than anywhere I'd ever been in Dallas. This place was truly a revelation when I started eating there more than three years ago, and I ate something called pork belly for the first time, and was a revelation still on my latest visit last week. Everything got better. The boneless beef ribs were a new item to me, and a must-have. So were the beans. We also had pork belly, pork ribs, and broccoli salad; about $60 for two, and we had a little left over.
Now let's consider the booze. Pricey? No worse than anywhere else. A super-special rye was $14 and pints were around $6. The selection and expertise behind it was terrific.
Props to Alex the bartender for great advice and pulling awesome tunes.
This latest visit was a great social experience, too. Mimsye and me met two other couples and we all went bowling. Woo hoo!
Incidentally, Texas BBQ that comes close is in Houston (Goode & Co.) and Austin (Rudy's). A lot of foreign tourists make their way to Fette Sau and I'd say they're getting as good or better than anything in Texas. -
Review from Todd Q.
Portland, OR
1/12/2012
Real BBQ sold by the pound on a metal tray and butcher paper. Great selection of micro brews, fine whiskeys and great interior design. It is a converted car mechanic (if I recall correctly) Concrete, brick, subway tile, exposed beams and a whole wall covered by hand painted meat cut charts for beef, pork and lamb.
The Briskest and pulled pork are amazing. Charred but still moist and falling off the bone due to their long slow cook times.
I do have a tip while dining here.
Eat your food as soon as it's plated (trayed?) and don't waste time getting beers and whiskey. Go with someone and have them get the drinks ready. The food gets cold quickly on the trays and it is so important to eat it while it's hot. -
Review from em b.
Fresh Meadows, NY
1/25/2012
Really overpriced for average food and terrible service. The nicest person in here was the busboy. Spent over $100 for what? Fatty brisket, mediocre pulled pork, and ok sides. The only things that were good were the ribs and the ginger beer. Went up to ask the checkout girl a question about the bill.... What everything is because nothing is identified on the bill, only a list of numbers... The response I got was "I assure you everything is correct". I just wanted to know what everything was, I didn't say it was wrong! Then she continued to point to the tip jar and say "and that's the tip jar" seriously?????
I'm positively certain that there are much better places in the city for ribs and ginger beer.
Completely overrated. Spend your money elsewhere (and you'll get more for your money). -
Review from elizabeth l.
New York, NY
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow it's a lot of meat!!!! Everything was good and super meaty.... Shamefully admitting, I am a well done eater but by far, the best BBQ place I've been to (and I ate lots of tri tip sandwiches and shredded porks). Porks and beef were juicy and definitely melts in your mouth!
Order kale and beans side because they're delicious!!! Perfect combination after each meaty bites. -
Review from Sam J.
Manhattan, NY
2/6/2012
A little pricey for heaps of BBQ depending on what you get but generally loved it. Its a fun environment with a great selection of whiskey and beer. I found the brisket to be a little dry but beef ribs were excellent. Its an easy go-to that screams williamsburg. I will definitely return.
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Review from Alicia B.
Hillsborough, NJ
1/30/2012
I went for the first time Saturday night. The place was a zoo it was so busy and we had to wait 30 minutes to place an order..WORTH EVERY MINUTE WE HAD TO WAIT. We ordered pulled pork shoulder, brisket, lamb shank, beans and pickels. The pulled pork shoulder was the most amazing thing I have ever eaten, the smoke flavor was out of this world. The beans are a must and the pickels just complimented the bbq perfect. I would recommend this place to everyone. I live over an hour away in NJ and will be going back every chance I get.
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Review from Jessica M.
Astoria, Queens, NY
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cons: Lines are long, seating is communal and not super comfy, and the employees serving food are downright rude. Almost soup-nazi-like. They will ask you a question, but they will already know the only acceptable answer:
"can I get just a little more pulled pork?"
"what, like a quarter pound?"
"sure...unless you can do a little less.."
"NO! only 1/4 pound increments" (looks super pissed off that I even dared to ask)
"okay...obviously i'll take that since I have no other choices.."
Pros: The pulled pork is downright delicious. Just what I'd been craving. The brisket wasn't good at all, super fatty, though the flavor of the sauce it was cooked in was tasty. The meats come with soft and fluffy potato rolls (baby ones!) so you can make your own sandwich, or just swirl it around in the different bbq sauces they have on the table and stuff it in your mouth. Baked beans were alright, but nothing too special.
I'd come back here (prepared to know how exactly to order!), with someone to go and get drinks/find a seat while I wait in line, and get some delish pulled pork. I'd be up for trying other meats, too, and the mac'n'cheese which looked yummy. Prices are solid for what you get! -
Review from Jessica L.
New York, NY
12/23/2011
If you are a BBQ connoisseur then you will love love love this place! Their selection changes weekly based on what's good and available. Their pulled pork is fantastic and leaves you wanting more for days following. I love the atmosphere and the overall fun of this place. I agree with several other reviewers that they don't give you enough rolls and having to pay for extra is annoying, but worth it.
Tip - get here early otherwise you will be waiting for a long time and your stomach will hate you as you are engulfed in the aromas of deliciousness. -
Review from Baramee C.
Manhattan, NY
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
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. -
Review from Dane W.
New York, NY
1/14/2012
I've lived in Texas and the South and Fette Sau is some pretty damn good barbecue, with the added bonus of being able to drink Brooklyn Lager while eating it. The brisket and the the pork belly are the standouts. (The caramelized fat on the pork belly is reminiscent of all good things in life.) I like the layout, the mechanic shop aesthetic, and the metal tray, pay-by-weight system. The barbecue is about as good as you're going to find in New York, and the no frills presentation is about as close to a Saturday barbecue in Hill Country as you're going to get in New York too. And the bar's got an admirable selection of whiskey and beer too, so there's no rush to leave when dinner's over. Oh yeah, and it's pretty cheap, so it's basically a win-win-win for everyone involved.
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Review from Aya K.
Brooklyn, NY
12/26/2011
Quality meat! Can't say enough about that brisket. Could probably eat a half pound of it. The beef rib (?) and pork belly are also great, the pork shoulder a little dry.
Not a fan of the cole slaw and potato salad much, but I hear the beans are good. -
Review from Geraldine Y.
New York, NY
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mmmmmm mmm mmm mmm mmmm :) ribs brisket its all good . Cool laid back place, but there's always a line for your meat. It's worth it though :)
bad points? sides :( your options are limited and how i love my sides :( -
Review from Amorn B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/20/2012
Fette Sau reaffirms my belief in all things good. This barbeque brings tears to my eyes. Perfectly smoked, perfectly seasoned choice cuts of meat. Perhaps the only place in the world where I feel no shame ordering two pounds of meat for myself.
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Review from Daniel M.
New York, NY
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great BBQ!
The bar: Fette Sau has a dizzying bourbon/whiskey list (including VanWinkle!) as well as a blackboard with themed flights (1 oz) - at around $15-20 per flight of 3, its a nice way to expand one's palette without emptying the wallet.. The bar area also has some dangerously-inspired creative beer tap handles made from various butcher knives/forks (watched 2 people taking pics of them while I sat, so I'm sure there's enough photos of them already here..) and were pouring a good mix of local beers (SixPoint, Brooklyn, Cottrell, Green Point, etc) and hard cider (nothing goes with BBQ pork like cider!) The drafts are all served in jars, and a nice touch is you can buy any volume from a half pint to a gallon (obviously NOT served in a jar).
The 'Q: Prices are listed by the pound, so don't be dismayed when you see the board. The carver was friendly and helpful, and weighed every portion perfectly - not to miss mentioning, items that weren't carved (baked beans, pulled pork, etc) were stirred before pulling out each serving, ensuring a good mixture each time. The beef brisket was mouth-watering and needed no sauce whatsoever. Pulled pork was equally tasty but even better with their sauce. The pork belly had run out while I waited in line, but they brought out sirloin tips (my favorite!) right as I got to the counter - WIN! The sides shouldn't be forgotten either: smokey mac & cheese, burnt ends baked beans (with bits of "unintentionally" dropped pulled pork inside - NOT a complaint), collard greens, all delicious.
Things I'd change: The only lacking factor here is the absence of waitstaff: you have to que up (sorry couldn't resist) on a painfully slow moving line which varied from almost no wait (maybe 5 mins) to an excruciating 30+ in the approx 2 hours that I spent there. With a group of people you may want to pool cash, write orders, and then draw straws to see who's gotta wait and who gets to chill at the long picnic tables set up all over. If you're not completely heartless, maybe buy em a beer to keep company with..
Whole pig roasts first Thursday of every month! I can't wait for pig cheeks! -
Review from James H.
1/9/2012
Probably the best bbq that I have ever had in NYC(Sorry Dinosaur, Hill Country, Daisy Mae's). I tried the ribs, brisket and pork belly and it was all great. The spice and smoke on the ribs were perfect - falling off the bone, tongue tingling spicey combined with a beautiful red smoke ring. The bbq sauces were delicious as well - I preferred the sweet red sauce, but the chipotle sauce was very good as well. I also enjoyed the half sour pickles and the asian cole slaw. My only minor complaint was that they should make there own sweet tea and offer homemade lemonade. Loved the "fireplace", long communal tables and the low key ambience. Can't wait to go back to try the boneless beef ribs and pork shoulder. So good. Prices are not shy, but reasonable.
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Review from Brian K.
Hoboken, NJ
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great spot for Brisket and Pulled Pork. This place is no secret so the line can get fairly long. My friend and I will come here on off days or at off times and there can still be a fairly long line. But they have a pretty solid beer and whiskey menu to enjoy while you wait.
The Brisket and Pulled Pork are amazing. The sausage is good but not great. The spareribs were very tasty but the ones that I've tried haven't been loaded with meat. It's fun to load up and try the various meats but it can and will get expensive.
My only real complaint lies in the sides. The beans are good but they're over $5 for a small order. There's no starch side like mashed or baked potatoes. There is a potato salad option but I am not a fan of potato salad.
I try to get here every few months and thoroughly enjoy it when I do despite the small complaints. If you have yet to try Fette Sau, go try it. -
Review from Ryna D.
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.
For more on barbecue, check out my page on Examiner! -
Review from Arthur Z.
11/12/2011
One cannot extricate the concept of BBQ from a certain setting, a certain mindset, and perhaps, a certain clientele. You can take slathered ribs and brisket from the best joint in the South and put it on a plate at Per Se, but it will not be the same at all.
This place gives the illusion of a proper setting: communal tables, unmarked bottles of sauce (which are not good), beer served in glass jugs. It is, however, a sham. There is space for a line of maybe 20-30 people inside the restaurant, while everyone else has to wait outside (bad in the winter!). Rather than feeling a communal spirit in the establishment, I got the feeling that everyone would be pissed if you got sauce on their plaid or knocked over their jug of PBR, good conversation be damned. It would be impossible to have good conversation anyway, as this place is EXTREMELY loud, with the meat-dude-guy messing up orders ("Hi can I have half a pound of brisket?" - "You want to have a pound of brisket! Sure!").
The food is disappointing. I'm not a BBQ buff, or a fan really, but I am certainly capable of enjoying it and recognizing quality as evidenced by my Dinosaur BBQ (in Syracuse) review. The meats here either taste unappealing, or do not taste like anything at all. I tried the brisket, pulled pork, pork belly, sausage, and ribs. Everything was lacking, in flavor and especially in heat. The meats were not piping hot, which made us having to sit on the outside benches in the 40 degree weather even worse. I also had the baked beans, cornbread, and sauerkraut, none of which were appetizing either; the baked beans tasted like solidified pieces of vinegar and had me longing for canned Bush's baked beans.
The price for this sad food is ridiculous. 18 dollars a pound. Yep. For fucking ribs and pork belly. I can pay a cheaper price for the best cut of beef tenderloin and make a gourmet meat dish myself. For what I got here for $40, I could have gotten at a GOOD BBQ place for $14.
I'm not gonna pay this premium for poorly flavored cold food, eardrum-rupturing noise levels, and douchebags looking annoyed when I try to politely squeeze past them to take my food tray to the cold outside area. Just because you wear bigger glasses than I do doesn't mean you are a bigger man (and you're probably not 'cause I'm a tall motherfucker). -
Review from Ishmael V.
Brooklyn, NY
11/27/2011
I apologize that this review has been roasting and marinating for almost 2 years, while yelp has been telling me to finish it.
Good things last to those who wait for the dry rub to kick in.
Fette Sau, which describes how I feel when I leave (FAT ASS PIG), is an amazing carnivores wet dream full of pig and cow seasoned carcasses to satisfy your caveman obsession.
I once saw, The Fonz there with his family eating sausages and brisket. I didn't bother him cause even the Fonz needs to eat sausage in peace.
The lines are long and the beer is good. Order a pint while you wait in line and if you are brave get moonshine to shine your liver.
In term of my favorite go to meat, I am a huge fan of their espresso rubbed brisket and ribs! They also have special meat on Thursdays, like veal, lamb, and other limited quantities of awesome.
Don't forget to finish off your heart attack with a side of delicious 'burnt dripping' beans. -
Review from S S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/11/2012
Hate the lines love the meat - live for the random specials - also that is the greatest Cole slaw
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Review from Zachary G.
Brooklyn, NY
1/15/2012
My other go-to place for barbecue, beer and whiskey. A great place to bring out-of-towners who want to dig into some pork belly and brisket.
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Review from Michael M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/10/2011
I'm not a BBQ expert. I worked at a BBQ place in Austin years ago, and I like BBQ - that's the extent of my "expertise". However, being a native Texan, there is only so much I can bring myself to pay for the stuff here in NYC. It's not just the money, it's the principle. Also, I prefer it basic, at least up here. Nothing too high-falutin', no pretentious "fusions". You've got to master walking before you try cartwheels.
Anyway, I was quite pleased with Fette Sau. Their menu featured the usual suspects, much to my relief. What I had was great, not just for NYC, but in general. Being a condiment fiend, I was impressed with the effort put into the BBQ sauces (yes - plural). You order by 1/4 lb. increments, and eat on trays covered with wax paper at communal benches. Nice and simple.
The prices were reasonable (considering the real estate), and the serving sizes were legit (let's be real - moderation is not a factor here). Tasty, gimmick-free BBQ!
Also, the cheap, pulled pork sandwiches on the after hours menu were top-notch, even from a crock pot. I think I had four. -
Review from Eve C.
10/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fette Sau is totally worth whatever pain-in-the-ass line you have to wait in to order your food. And whatever crazy-stalker-esque behavior you have to engage in while attempting to grab enough seats for you and your friends to chow down on some delicious smoked meat.
I'd bookmarked this place long ago, and was super-psyched that I finally had the chance to give it a try on a recent trip to NYC. We got here pretty late (after 10pm) on a Saturday, and the place was pretty crowded. The line wasn't as long as I'd feared, and we were able to snag seats, drinks, and a huge platter of smoked meat within about an hour of getting there.
I think we tried just about everything on the menu - ribs, pulled pork, spicy sausage, brisket, pork belly, baked beans, and German potato salad. The only thing we wanted that they were out of were the pickles. Everything was outstanding. The pork belly, brisket, and ribs have to be my stand-out faves - each of these practically melted in my mouth.
There were a variety of sauces on the table, but my favorite had to be the original. The mustard-vinegar version reminded me a little too much of Chinese mustard, which wasn't the look I was going for with my bbq.
Dining is family-style, so don't be shy about asking your neighbor to pass you that roll of paper towels - you'll totally need 'em!
One criticism, the mason jars the drinks were served in tasted way too strongly of the bleach they use to clean them. Definitely a turn off from my otherwise pretty tasty cider.Listed in: NYC, Fool!
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Review from Colleen C.
Hoboken, NJ
12/1/2011
I'm not sure about you, but when I think barbecue, I think of flavorful rubs, sauces, and marinades. I always tend to forget the one crucial ingredient Fette Sau seems to incorporate into every single dish. That's tender love....literally.
Personally, I like to call it food witchcraft, but in reality, it's just that they cook their meats to perfection.
The atmosphere is very Brooklyn-y. Unique, homey, and just a tad bit out there. We sat at the bar and I immediately noticed they had Doc's Hard Cider on draft. It was a delight to see this as I've only seen it in bottles and in draft format only at the actual winery itself.
You tend to wait a long time for your food as I'm sure many have already noted on Yelp. While my boyfriend waited on line, I found myself sitting at the bar and gaping at the wall paper to pass time. The beer handles were cool too. The draft handle lineup consisted of dulled butcher knives, meat cleavers and mallets.
The only reason why I deduct 1 star off is for the sauerkraut. It was ok....not incredibly tart and juicy tasting as I had anticipated, but for what it lacked in taste, it was incredibly fresh. Perhaps, people in the South like to eat it cold, but I'm sorry, if I want to eat it cold I'd rather order a side of coleslaw.
Oh and make sure to slather your food in the delish sweet barbecue sauce. It's good enough to want to straight up slurp down.
I wouldn't make a second pilgrimage just to visit Fette Sau, but if I happen to be in the neighborhood, it's worth stopping in and waiting the 30 mins for such a meat delicacy. -
Review from Rachel A.
10/11/2011
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* -
Review from Jason L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/16/2012
THE. BEST. BARBECUE. just saying. awesome beer taps by the way. friendly service, awesome atmosphere. Loved the beer taps, kind of morbid and reminded me of a tim burton movie. will be coming back again for sure!
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