Is Hometown Bar-B-Que Really NYC's BEST PASTRAMI?

When it comes to the best pastrami sandwich in NYC, there are no shortage of legendary old school New York Jewish delis that can stake their claim. Katz's Deli, 2nd Ave Deli, Pastrami Queen, Sarge's Deli, and Frankel's Deli are all well known establishments that serve an excellent old-fashioned pastrami on rye sandwich. But recently, the Texas-style barbecue joint in Brooklyn, Hometown Bar-B-Que, has been touted by many as the best pastrami in NYC.
While Hometown Bar-B-Que in Red Hook has many famous items on their menu, such as the Hometown BBQ beef rib, jerk ribs, Oaxaca cheese mac n cheese, and all sorts of delicious BBQ items, it carries a pastrami sandwich over the weekends. The Hometown Bar-B-Que pastrami sandwich is not traditional at all, resembling more of a barbecue brisket sandwich than a kosher deli cured meat sandwich. However, critics, locals, and vloggers all swear by the new take on the classic New York food, so we are setting out today to see if Hometown BBQ in NYC lives up to the hype! Particularly its Pastrami sandwich.
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Restaurant Deets:
Hometown Bar-B-Que
454 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

[@alessandro21686]

Strange to me that they put the rib upside down and then you lose most of the sticky bark on the butcher paper. At least rest it on its side! Weird move by the staff.

[@xc7525]

I know that was painful to watch 😢

[@nickroberts6128]

It looked like it was ready to fall apart when he cut it and mayyyybe thats why he turned it upside down. However, I 💯 agree with you. At those prices, no offense but you expect perfection.

[@MichaelMarcos]

Agree all the salt is now on the wrong side

[@Oobaglunk]

Truly amateur hour for Hometown Barbecue. In many ways. Overcharging for crap food too.

[@MrBluesilverred]

Excellent observation

[@Judah98]

I love this man's honesty. Keep it 💯!

[@zachodonnell7960]

As a Texan, when it comes to ordering brisket make sure you ALWAYS ask for moist. One side of the brisket (the point) is a lot fattier which we call moist, whereas the other half (the flat) is much more lean leading to a dryer cut.

[@dannyMCDelight]

I could tell by UA's face he didn't like the food at all. He was being kind, considering the plate probably cost over $100. #NotWorthTheVisit

[@spinoking9168]

Nah, he's always honest with his reviews. Like he said in the video food was good, but didn't live up to the hype.

[@KevinSmith-fw5tb]

You're terrible at reading faces!

[@thai33oz]

My brother and I went to SC and had BBQ at a restaurant. One of the managers came out and asked how was our food. My brother was honest and told him the brisket was dry. And it looked just like yours. The manager was so nice that he went inside and cut us another portion of brisket. This time it was a lot juicier and softer. It didn't even need to be cut. Much better cut than the first.

[@ramencurry6672]

Unfortunately most BBQ places in the South is mediocre. Good ones do exist but not common….Also, southern food isn’t really that popular in the South.

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

@@ramencurry6672 I live in the south (non-native) and I really don't care for southern food. As far as BBQ, other than brisket I'm not a fan.

[@jaypaladin-havesmartswilll5508]

Thanks for spending your money, not mine and giving us a heads up. I am not spending $48 for a large slab of beef rib. I can see why people would rate this pastrami sandwich over Katz due to the bark, the nice fat and grilled bread. Another great find for the potential NYC visitor or tourist.

[@jessewolf7649]

Lucky ur not going to the top meat palaces in Manhattan. Multiply that 48 by at least 2. Or 3…

[@ramencurry6672]

Never judge food opinions based on KZbinrs and the internet. I’ve been to a lot of places and was surprised how my opinions differed from other big name KZbinrs and commenters. Ultimately you have to physically get up and try it yourself

[@jeremyepstein7977]

48 bucks for a beef rib is a fairly normal price for top BBQ places, outside NYC as well.

[@RFSpartan]

​​@@jessewolf7649And that's stupid as fuck...your enabling these people to continue ripping you off...go eat somewhere else and save your money

[@bran42]

Thanks for your honest review UA!! We love your videos!!

[@jeffrey3498]

Looks like my dream pastrami sandwich. Every pastrami I’ve ever eaten never has enough fat.

[@rycolligan]

I live by Liebman’s Kosher Deli in the Bronx, they let you specify fatty cut on your pastrami, and I’ve never been disappointed, would recommend if you’re ever up that way

[@vanessagizelledelrio8902]

Only discovered you recently and yours are the absolute very best food connoisseur videos I've ever watched on KZbin!!! Please keep 'em coming my way!!! THANKS!!! They are indeed excellent!!!😊

[@faizanmckagan2827]

Keep up the good work man. Your Montréal vlog was awesome. Made me go to LA banquise!

[@uaeats]

Thank you! Did you enjoy it?

[@faizanmckagan2827]

@@uaeats I definitely did bro. I'm a montrealer my self. Next time if u ever come back. Let me know a few days in advanced. Will definitely take you to eat. My treat brother.

[@2Wheels_NYC]

Great review as always! I love the little nod to James Andrews, you two are in my top 3 NYC vloggers! I worked in the Hook years ago, and my mom's side of the family is from Carroll Gardens. Great neighborhood. I'd definitely keep this on my radar just for the atmosphere itself! Thanks UA!

[@humdumdiggdy]

Hey thanks for the recommendation to James Andrews, I was so happy to find all those vids

[@2Wheels_NYC]

@@humdumdiggdy Him and UA are awesome! Here Be Barr is the third, my friend Jon. You'll spy me on a video of his😉

[@trentbateman]

I was thinking how great it would be for you to review hometown and wow here’s the video! Awesome man

[@Ratrussell819]

Love your reviews brother

[@stephenfisher3721]

When Fred Flintstone leaves Bedrock and visits the Big Apple, that beef rib is a favorite.

[@jeremyepstein7977]

Totally agree on your sandwich point. The obsession now is to just do heavy flavor on top of heavy flavor on sandwiches. Maybe it's simply to stand out because you really can't stand out with a classic pastrami that other places have. These sandwiches have no balance. The sandwich at Katz's, and Langer's here in LA, allow the pastrami to stand its own. They understand the purpose of the bread. When you said that it's exactly how I felt about the famous new school muffaletta sandwich at Cochon in New Orleans which foodies love. I find the classic muffaletta at old school NOLA spots to be better for the most part, because they blend the elements of the sandwich in harmony.

[@nickroberts6128]

I agree with you, in my opinion they need to trim more of the fat. Not sure if they want to capitalize on the weight/cost ratio but that is wayyy to much fat for me.

[@frankb1]

Love your videos!

[@tonygee5673]

Thanks for the video. I like your honesty. I used to feel bad for never trying this place, but not anymore.

[@tnytdn1700]

The long line is a common BBQ joint trick here in Texas. It makes the food seem more desirable than it really is. These joints purposely make the line slow.

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

It's not a trick in Brooklyn. Unlike Texas there are only 2 or at most 3 legit BBQ in all of Brooklyn. BBQ isnt easily available because it's rare to find a wood source as the key smoking method. NYC has way too many rules bout exhaust smoke. Now they want all pizza shops to stop using wood or coal.

[@WilliamKShank]

Thanks for the video. Safe Journey! CHOLULA!!!

[@sbandana10]

The prices are literally insane, $11 for a frito pie is comical and $17 for a half pound of pork is crazy, I understand it's NYC but there's a reason why people are leaving. Love your videos though UA

[@ramencurry6672]

People are leaving NYC but at the same time the population has increased. 7 million people in the 1990s and over 8 million now. If it’s a hot restaurant there is a demand.

[@christianhansen3292]

exactly the regular guy cant survive there with inflated prices!

[@jeremyepstein7977]

These are the same prices as top places in Texas and others.

[@greenmachine5600]

​@@jeremyepstein7977true lol, people just like to complain about NY

[@RFSpartan]

​@@ramencurry6672It's called giving birth? Of course the population is going to increase

[@nateb2715]

The reason that brisket wasn't juicy is because they probably didn't use Prime grade beef(more likely choice) but they still charged Prime grade prices

[@jackfrost-fu7hz]

I live in Texas and have eaten a lot of BBQ, most places list the cost of meat per pound, but this place is very expensive, they start the price list by half a pound, that's is forty dollars per pound of brisket. One gripe I have is when they serve on metal trays with paper liners, the paper is so thin that when it gets wet from the meat it tears when cutting the meat, leaving exposed metal that is probably not sanitized.

[@stevec5465]

All NYC bbq is expensive. And bbq is supposed to be somewhat affordable as it's usually the tougher parts of meat. I understand that rent and other factors in the high prices , but it doesn't mean that I like it.

[@thenext9537]

I had several people say "Nah" to this place while in NYC the last week I was there. I had time for Katz which was epic! I also was told about Pastrami Queen, 2nd Ave, and Frankels, just ran out of time and stomach room. Side note, empenada mama was one of my fave meals, quick, cheap and good.

[@MatthewGoczalk]

Did you take the Ikea Ferry to get there? I live in NJ also and we take the bus to PABT, then walk to the pier at 39th St on thr Hudson. Take that free ferry to Ikea in Red Hook and walk to Hometown. Also hear good things about Brookly Crab which is next door.

[@marcs8991]

My fav restaurant in NYC

[@alainlalonde]

Listen. That song when the guy was preparing your food made ma cry - hard. God dam.. Amazing visual. 10/10

[@fergusmccool]

That's not Texas Toast. That's grilled bread.

[@fumeokid]

I agree with you. I was underwhelmed by their Pastrami Sandwich and when I went they only made it on the weekend so I made a special trip. For the prices it is not worth it.. its good but not GREAT.

[@brozors]

Just an FYI, pastrami is brisket that's been cured. This place obviously use the same brisket for their bbq and for their pastrami. The difference is that this place smokes their pastrami a lot longer than Katz. Another key difference is Katz trims away a ton of fat, wheras Hometown does not. The thickness of the slices is a huge difference too because thinner slices can mask tough meats.

[@oldironsides4107]

Pastrami isn’t a brisket cut

[@BaahBen]

First, let me say that you know your Pastrami. You have been to Montreal and had Smoked Meat at Schwartz and Harold's in Edison. I have not been to Langers; I have been to Nate and Al's. So the first thing I noticed is that they seem to have just taken the Deckle part of the brisket and peppered it. But true Pastrami is made from the Navel. In order, my favorite Pastrami is Harold's (machine cut) then Schwartz's, and then Katz's. There is nothing worse than dry mac n cheese. I like your review. Very fair. As far as "Q", the best I have ever had is at Arthur Bryant's in KC, MO. The brisket is sliced, they fry their french fries in lard, their ribs are terrific, too. I've been to Texas, Lockart, and was not impressed. I've been to Memphis and it was just ok. Nope, without a doubt, KC, MO has the best "Q' I have ever had. If in Florida - Tom Jenkin's in Ft. Lauderdale, Brisky's in St. Augustine and Pearl's General Store in Micanopy

[@Gruskinator]

I lived in South Florida for over 20 years and Tom Jenkins does stack up really well with all the famous spots across the southeast region. I've been missing that in NY.

[@tonystrades8007]

I ate these 48 for a large slab of beef rib in miami wen they opened down here they were 22 dollars 3 years ago I like the place but over price for the food but I do have a hidden gem is your ever in miami it's called KUDH one of miamis best keep secrets for pastrami sandwich I been going there for almost 18 years wen you ordered the sandwich comes with a side forget all that and order it with the steak mushrooms OMG you will remember this post if your ever down here

[@jesseyuan]

I didn’t believe the hype until I tried their pastrami sandwich. OMG it’s no doubt better than Katz’s however it’s a bit smaller and cost more.

[@MrEndzo]

Same price

[@barakzakk]

Always appreciate your honesty

[@openmythirdeye]

That beef rib will steal the show every time

[@AussieAngeS]

wow that beef rib looked amazing! I have never had a pastrami sandwich, that sandwich looked fabulous

[@chansoopark9953]

My favorite food channel. Thanks UA you da man

[@anthonyv1719]

surprised no sauces given for the food?

[@steveno7058]

Good TX beef BBQ should not have sauce

[@erinwoempner1228]

If you ever come to a Indianapolis you have to go to Shapiros deli it’s his old is cats and there’s is fantastic. I think it’s may be 16 or $17.

[@alexandria7214]

Try Batesy’s BBQ and Bar in Queens NY. Great prices. Really good pastrami sandwich. I love their brisket too. Soo good.

[@spiritualityjuice]

Everyone, look how UA has been growing. Do your part and share his stuff. If we can get him to 1 million followers, we’ll get him full time.

[@mikeweber6565]

Ribs..... ribs... beef ribs.... i am in the mood now I am getting a big beef rib this weekend.

[@MrBluesilverred]

Thanks UA for another fun and detailed review. The vibe from your experience with the food is underwhelming, although you had enough to feed yourself for days…..

[@ilivemylifeaquartermileata9147]

you deserve much more subs bro. love the content!

[@johndefalque5061]

Brisket looked dry but the sandwhich and the rib looked damn good! I don't know that Montreal deli but I do love Dunn's on Ste Catherine. I had a blue rare T-bone yesterday.

[@lorifreeman1746]

Thank you looked good thank you for the honest review ❤

[@carrpet790]

Any Texas bbq place worth its salt should allow you to specify the cut of brisket you would like, since the fat level depends on where on the brisket they slice it. I agree with you that I think that “medium fatty” is optimal. In my experience, especially outside of Texas, the default is to give you lean brisket since maybe the fatty cuts aren’t as popular even though they are more delicious!

[@모-q4z]

I like your honesty

[@soupafi]

Let's get to 30K by the end of the year!

[@dhkim3986]

That looked like the point (fatty part) of the brisket, it has that fatty strand running through the center. For it to not be moist and juicy, I'm sure they over cooked it. Very hard to mess up the point.

[@JonHop1]

The point is above that fat layer, flat is below. Point only runs along half the brisket usually.

[@qn6673]

Love your video man

[@gregorymiller5113]

I really enjoy your channel.

[@DaveFromBrooklyn]

The pastrami sandwich is decent enough However, paying 10% to 15% more than Katz’s, I expect to get a nice size sandwich and not the one off of the kid’s menu. Their lamb belly was rank and their potato salad tasted like cold mashed potatoes made out of the box. And it’s a shame because when they first opened up the food was off the chain! Now, it’s all gimmick; and being in the part of town where the subways don’t go and the buses don’t run often, you should expect more from a place which should appreciate your effort into going there and spending a lot of bank.

[@trentbateman]

I did notice their quality is down from 2016 era. Katz on the other hand is somehow better.

[@samuraidoggy]

Exactly how fat are you, if that sandwich filled with meat looks small to you?!?

[@heheheheh356]

Excellent review

[@WarChortle]

I think in general you actually got a deal for the beef rib. It’s generally pretty expensive. I think that price is quite a bit lower than Terry blacks which is the only spot I know of there that does beef ribs every day.

[@lizw.4901]

Agree with your comments - another great, honest video!

[@DaveFromBrooklyn]

Dump the leftovers. Nothing to feel guilty about. You may want to check out David’s Brisket House in Bed-Stuy, on Nostrand Ave bet Herkimer & Atlantic infor pastrami. They’ll cut to order and even let you taste the corned beef and brisket if you ask.

[@lolocarter7837]

I was looking for this comment. David's Brisket House is the Best in my opinion.

[@stephenfisher3721]

NY Mag reports:"A onetime Brooklyn Jewish deli now owned and operated by Yemenite Muslims serving serious sandwiches to a mostly African-American clientele? Absolutely. Despite the name, you’d be wise to opt for corned beef or, even better, the pastrami, with mustard on rye. - ROBIN RAISFELD AND ROB PATONITE"

[@scenesfromthecouch1288]

I’d be curious to see you go to other BBQ spots in the city

[@jeffgordon2199]

You should review South Jersey shore restaurants Star with Crab Trap in Somers Point

[@davidherz499]

You also should have gone to Steve's Pies around the corner from Hometown...amazing key lime pie!! Check out John Brown Smokehouse in Long Island City...great smoked pastrami!!

[@t0rnt0pieces]

It's a shame Harry & Ida's closed (Foxface Natural is now in their old spot). They had hands-down the best pastrami ever. Katz's wasn't even close.

[@guspetapevo]

Why wont u start giving grades to the foods that u eat? It would be great! From Brazil!

[@iraAlbucher]

Hard to beat Katz’s. Over 150 years

[@Pinworms666]

My face when I saw that delicious beef rib: 😍 My face when I saw the $48 price: 😧

[@dyl923gonz7]

omg that whole meal is a heart attack

[@albertdtom]

Try Sarge’s The Monster challenge on third Ave in NYC.

[@weeziepuff13]

Barbecue places are really hit-or-miss. More miss in my experience and the prices are usually way too high.

[@Dawisk]

You should be eating the item you're reviewing first so the other stuff doesn't mess up your palate ! Never understand why you do it that way.

[@johnkovalicky3389]

Me either I agree stop analyzing it and taste it and then give your review and fingering it to death LOL

[@trentbateman]

If he let Katz sandwich sit at room temp for that long it would’ve been gross as the fat congeals. I made that mistake once and it was a night and day difference than eating it when it’s hot. I agree with your take

[@gerrykomalaysia2]

What is that fan rattle sound in this and last video?

[@patrickwong4824]

UA, no self-control, only pastrami. 😂 Then again, I have one of everything.

[@roi3761]

Yellowjack 🐝 didn’t seem to mind the brisket !

[@boooop4340]

Nearly 50 dollars for one beef rib is most definitely not “market price”…

[@SomeDude......]

UA dont know he's at one of the best fishing spots at night for striper run!! 25 to 4o lb fish caught at night there this time of year

[@TonyTony.321]

Disappointing when food looks better than it tastes. ☹️

[@sundaybest27]

Thanks UA

[@ckaras100]

Hometown used to be my favorite place to eat, unfortunately I feel like they went down hill last few years. They also changed their Mac and Cheese recipe

[@Im_not_good_with_names]

I’ve come here for the pulled pork brisket and sticky ribs even taken my co workers here I’m guessing this was a bad day for them

[@barberjeff67]

Dammit, now I'm hungry! Lol

[@johnde2754]

Hey U.Q. Eatery, when are you going to make it down to Austin, TX for the TRUE BBQ experience fella' ?!? Go to Stubb's, Salt Lick, Franklin etc. Try them ALL and report back soon. Many Thanks Yo ! 👉. 🎯. 💯

[@zeitgeist8870]

Brisket had a weird color too.

[@user-uv7ip4qz5r]

Jfc $50 bucks for one piece of rib ??? gtf outta here lmao

[@trentbateman]

Well a one pound steak is usually like 60-70 bucks at the steakhouses and that rib is better than a lot of them. Not too overpriced imo, though you really should share it.

[@matsm8711]

The mac looked wet, but it was dry!

[@johnkovalicky3389]

That was the worst Mac and Cheese I ever saw yuck it look like paste

[@Idelia412]

The Mac & Cheese is dry looking as you say which I don't like. I like creamy and cheesy style.

[@stephenfisher3721]

A traditional Jewish deli will never serve buttered and toasted rye bread. Years ago, the rye bread itself was something special but has deteriorated and is almost a lost art.

[@cyvais]

What was the total bill for your meal, out of curiosity?

[@dtna]

Thnx. I really don't like fatty pastrami and will pass.

[@stevec5465]

Some fat on pastrami is good. Otherwise it will be too DRY for the lean.

[@christianhansen3292]

fat =flavor dont be lazy if u dont like fat cut it off yourself

[@aioncrypto974]

You got the lean brisket. Need to ask for the point if the brisket or ask for fatty FYI. Believe or not in Texas many ask for the lean

[@fatdoi003]

will some sour elements like pickles or sauerkraut be complement to the pastrami?

[@soupafi]

UA I do have one suggestion. Would you consider releasing your videos on set days/times?

[@JonHop1]

That brisket was over cooked(or over smoked).. your smoke ring should not be that big on brisket.

[@steveno7058]

You kidding right? The smoke ring in the smoked brisket was on point

[@JonHop1]

@steveno7058 you have no clue what u are talking about. You do not want a deep smoke ring like that.. it's too much. Even watch Franklin who describes the ideal smoke ring. On a brisket, this is far too much, which is why it's texture was bad.

[@steveno7058]

@@JonHop1 bull. Franklin never says a smoke ring has to be a certain size. You are just making crap up. I can tell you never smoked a Brisket in your life

[@JonHop1]

@steveno7058 ?? Bud Franklin has an entire video on smoking brisket, and talking about an ideal smoke ring you are looking for. Brisket, especially, has very similar proportion each cow. A smoke ring can tell u many things. Tell me, if this was so great of a smoke ring, why was it bad? I have been to this place multiple times, and the smoke ring was how it should be and it was fantastic.

[@steveno7058]

@@JonHop1 as a person who lives in TX and smoked close to 100 briskets: smoke ring has nothing to do with flavor. Its 100% aesthetics

[@stevejones5075]

Having been to Hometown, save your money. Fly to Texas and get better BBQ there

[@Eric_G65]

Original Kosher deli's generally used classic rye bread but never buttered, because of religious reasons but also because it contrasts with the meat. Also, toasting is wrong. The meat is smoked and the texture contradicts the pastrami experience. 2nd Ave is still the best pastrami. I don't know if you tried them yet but they are better than the rest in my opinion. Liebman's in the Bronx is very good too.

[@memesfarsi3111]

Please review Amber Steakhouse

[@robertpearce6657]

UA I went there when I was in New York in 2015 for lunch on a Friday , being from Australia with my wife and 2 friends we asked the locals what’s best to have , so we had Brisket Rolls , Ribs, spicy chicken wings , and coleslaw it was amazing and very reasonably price I think it was $64.00 US enjoyed the place and would definitely go back there

[@ernestedwards4073]

Mmmmazing! That RIB!

[@nycxed521]

Delaney BBQ says it's permanently closed... 😔

[@johnkovalicky3389]

So thanks for the heads up I will not be going there on my trip back to New Jersey New York everything look just so dry from the beef rib to the mac and cheese and that pastrami look like leftover corned beef from St Patty's Day slice real thick and fatty I can't understand why there was a line unless those people have nothing to compare it to and the prices of course are out-of-this-world❤

[@BNatoAk]

My dude, its "nothing to it but to do it" lmao

[@jeremysampson2762]

How this is my favorite BBQ spot in the area. I guess I need to up my standards

[@claudtalkz2194]

Nah, yer good. I live here, too. Hometown is just fine. Better than the other places around this part of Brooklyn.

[@ramencurry6672]

No. Never judge by opinions of others. If you like it then it’s good

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

That yellow jacket wanted some.

[@rexiioper6920]

James has upped the ante in his rivalry with Ue with his review of Le Bernardin. Actually James has kind of gone all in. How will Ue respond.