Oink and Moo Opens BBQ Marketplace in New Jersey
Oink and Moo BBQ Market partner Joshua Sacks stands in front of his new store in Somerville.
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Barbecue enthusiasts in New Jersey now have a new option for securing everything they need to up their barbecue powers with the opening of Oink and Moo BBQ Market in Somerville, NJ. The new market opened less than a month ago in downtown Somerville and offers meats, rubs, sauces, spices, premium charcoal, smokers, and much more.
Oink and Moo BBQ owner Joshua Sacks has operated barbecue food trucks in NJ since 2012 and still operates them today. But he said the idea behind the new Market was that he wanted to work on a new kind of BBQ operation after he had to close his Hunterdon County, NJ restaurant earlier this year.
“It was a big spot with 100 seats and a liquor license,” Sacks said. “It became a takeout restaurant, so it was too big to carry. We couldn’t survive it. But we’re happy to come over here.”
Sacks partnered with restauranteur Kevin Trimarchi on the project. Trimarchi, who owns 22 West Tap & Grill in Bound Brook, NJ, had owned the Main Street Deli in Somerville. The Main Street Deli also struggled to make ends meet due to COVID-19, so it made sense to transform the space into the Oink and Moo BBQ Market.
“A lot of my customers smoke themselves and were asking me what wood I use, what kind of meat I use, and talk about smoking, so not only did they want to eat my barbecue but they are barbecue enthusiasts,” Sacks said. “I figured why not create a space where they can get raw meat, charcoal, rubs, sauces, and even smokers. We know we can provide high-quality, high-end stuff.”
Oink and Moo BBQ Market offers raw meats, premium charcoal from FOGO, and more.
When asked about differentiating this marketplace from other stores, Sacks said it’s about providing premium and more specific products that you won't find anywhere else.
“We don’t want to compete with supermarkets and don’t want to be selling what they are selling,” Sacks said. “We want to sell stuff people will be throwing on their smokers overnight, like tomahawk steaks, pulled pork, baby back ribs, and full briskets. It’s hard to get full briskets at supermarkets because they trim them down too much, and we can offer the full packer briskets.”
The Oink and Moo BBQ Market also sells rubs, sauces, and smokers as well.
While you can buy barbecue products at the Oink and BBQ Market, you can also buy some deliciously prepared food as well. The menu includes all the staples you'd expect to find including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausages, chicken wings, chili, and sandwiches.
On my own visit, I opted for the very tasty barbecue taco sampler platter so I could try out the smoked chicken, brisket, and pulled pork. I also got a side of their scrumptious cornbread.
The BBQ taco sampler at Oink and Moo BBQ Market.
Sacks and Trimarchi are hopeful about the future of the operation and are looking forward to the rest of the year. They also hope to potentially open more Oink and Moo BBQ Markets down the road.
“We have to see if this concept takes off,” Sacks said. “If it works as a market, restaurant, and butcher, then we are happy to keep adding and expanding what we offer and maybe even expanding our locations.”
Sean Ludwig
Founder, NYC BBQ
Stop by Juicy Lucy BBQ for its Halloween-themed scary movies at its drive-in movie theater.
Here are the top BBQ and related food news stories you need to know about this week:
Juicy Lucy BBQ on Staten Island was shouted out by Eater NY for its Halloween activities including scary movies playing until November 1 at its drive-in movie theater. The restaurant will be playing classics such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and (the original) Halloween. Juicy Lucy also has a family-friendly “pumpkin patch” running through Halloween.
New York restaurants were given a little more wiggle room to figure out their financial situation, as the state’s eviction moratorium on commercial leases was extended through January 1.
If you’re looking for heated outdoor dining, Eater NY has put together a list of 41 NYC restaurants with heated outdoor dining areas. The list includes The Standard Grill, Royale, and Roberta’s.
A fundraiser was recently held for 49-year-old pitmaster and chef Richard Daviau of Damn Yankees BBQ in South Deerfield, MA. Daviau has been attempting to recover from COVID-19 for more than 100 days. “Richard is now home with his family, but has a long road ahead of him,” the fundraiser organizers said. “Richard has ongoing medical concerns that he will be dealing with for the foreseeable future.”
IRL BBQ EVENTS
BBQ popup operator Smoke Sweats will be hosting a very cool popup event this weekend at Project Parlor in Brooklyn.
October 24, 2020: This weekend, BBQ popup operator Smoke Sweats will be hosting its last popup of 2020 from 2-9 p.m. at Project Parlor in Brooklyn. The menu will include pork ribs, beef short ribs, Frankenstein 50-day dry-aged burgers, queso elote, and more. More info here.
November 8, 2020 - February 8, 2021: The Forest Hills Wings Fest has been canceled but it has turned into The Great Queens Chicken Wing Hunt instead. From 11/8 through 2/8, you can pick up a “Wing Hunting Season Pass” and visit great joints around Queens to try wings. At each participating location, you’ll get four jumbo wings. Buy tickets here.
January 30, 2021: The 11th Annual Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival will be back at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint. The event focuses on bourbon and beer tastings, along with multiple barbecue joints serving up lots of excellent smoked meats. More info here.
April 21, 2021: If you love brisket, you won’t want to miss Brisket King 2021. More than 15 chefs and pitmasters will be there serving up their takes on brisket and pastrami. Read more about the 2019 edition of Brisket King or about the importance of Brisket King to the BBQ community. Buy tickets here.
NOTE: Due to COVID-19, information concerning events in NYC is subject to change, and events may be rescheduled. CHECK OUT THE FULL EVENTS CALENDAR HERE
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