As spring brings longer days and new beginnings, Chris Hujber and Larry Mondello have reopened Meats Meat BBQ Smokehouse and Tuckers Taproom this month for the upcoming season. The duo—Hujber, the general manager, and Mondello, who runs the kitchen—worked at the restaurant last year when it was The Branch Brewing Company. They now own the business and have made some changes based on comments from local customers.
Instead of a no-frills cafeteria-style barbecue restaurant (common in the south), Meats Meat has revamped their point of service system and will have waitstaff assisting customers by delivering food and refills to their tables. “They’ve asked for real plates and silverware,” says Hujber, which the restaurant has accommodated. “We want to make sure we are meeting their needs and expectations.”
A full bar is another welcome amenity. “We are waiting for our liquor license, which we are hopeful we will have in May,” says Hujber. “Last year we had a farm brewing license. With a full bar, we can offer more choices and a wider price range to our customers, including lower-priced domestic beers.” Customers will be able to order alcoholic drinks and food at the same register, which was not the case in the past.
Pit master Larry Mondello will continue to smoke various meats on his custom-built, 1,000-gallon smoker from Texas—the aroma of which you will notice if you are anywhere in the vicinity. Brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, spareribs, sausage and pastrami are all on the menu, with a few new items this season, like fire chicken (a deep-fried, buttermilk-smoked chicken thigh) and the PBLT (a traditional BLT made with house-smoked bacon). There’s also the popular smoked brisket burger, available with different toppings and house-made sides. The eatery will continue to operate its food truck around town and offer a full catering menu.
Live music—blues, rockabilly and classic rock—is on tap every weekend until June, and music bingo is planned for Wednesdays. Hujber notes that the business has all the major sports packages available on their many televisions, and anyone who wants to watch the game is welcome. “We’ll have baseball, basketball and maybe soccer, which is on in the early morning.”
Plans are in motion for an outdoor beer garden, with a possible Oktoberfest event in the fall. “We plan to offer great food and entertainment for our customers,” says Hujber. The sprawling property offers plenty of space to spread out, too, now that the weather is warming up.
Meat’s Meat BBQ is open Friday to Sunday in April; in May they expect to expand their hours and will remain open year-round. For the latest information, check their social media or stop by when you smell that meat smoking.
Meats Meat BBQ and Smokehouse/Tuckers Taproom is located at 9095 Old Sound Avenue, Mattituck, 631-29807251; check meatsmeat.com for updates.
