Roll up your sleeves, Jersey City. Boots and Bones is officially open at 116 Newark Avenue, just outside Grove Plaza. The all-American restaurant is bringing a touch of the South to Jersey City, along with delicious barbecue. The restaurant is the latest project by the hospitality team behind Jersey City’s The Ashford, Six26, and New York’s Chinese Tuxedo.
“Boots & Bones is an all-American restaurant with Southern soul barbecue as the bones of the restaurant,” says executive chef Kenny Callaghan. Callaghan worked at Union Square Cafe for eight years and was also responsible for ushering in a new era in New York barbecue with Blue Smoke & Jazz Standard, where Callaghan worked as executive chef and pitmaster. Along with restaurateur Danny Meyer, Callaghan also co-founded the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party — a 2-day festival that brought pitmasters from around the country to New York’s Madison Square Park.
“I love the diversity in New York and saw that here, which is why we chose to open in Jersey City,” says Callaghan. “We want New Yorkers to take the nine minute ride and experience [Boots & Bones].”
Boots and Bones Menu
In order to serve proper barbecue, Boots and Bones’ chef Callaghan oversaw the installation of two massive smokers at 116 Newark Avenue. With these smokers and Callaghan’s extensive barbecue skills, Boots and Bones is offering specials like St. Louis ribs, pork shoulder, beef brisket, smoked chicken, and smoked sausage. (Note: That the full menu will release on April 7th. They’re currently offering a limited menu). Other signature dishes will include gulf shrimp & grits, pulled pork on brioche, and a black angus burger. The menu will also feature custom-made sausage from New York’s Salumeria Biellese and Blue Stone Ground Anson Mills Grits.
While meat will be the main focus of the menu, vegetarians will also be able to enjoy a mix of dishes such as chef Callaghan’s smoked nut-crusted tofu kebabs.
“The menu at Boots & Bones will appeal to everyone, meat eaters, vegetarians, everyone,” says Callaghan. There will also be a family style menu for large groups and a special brunch menu for weekends.
Under The Boot speakeasy to open alongside Boots and Bones
Boots and Bones features a full cocktail program created by partner Chris Byrne. The beverage menu includes BBQ-friendly libations, a wine list, and domestic/craft beers. However, there will also be a lower-level lounge by the name of Under The Boot. The clandestine lounge will be reachable via a secret staircase located on the corner of Grove and Morgan (behind Basile’s Pizza).
“Under the Boot will feature high-end bourbons that are not easily found,” says Callaghan. Signature cocktails will include the Smoked Old Fashioned featuring Angels Envy bourbon; the Medusa (Ketel One, blackberry cordial, St. Germain, fresh lemon juice); and the Hemingway Daiquiri (Bacardi, maraschino, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, simple syrup).
You can follow Boots & Bones via Instagram or checkout their website.
