Brakes & Briskets is a “Cars & BBQ” restaurant dedicated to premium, craft American smoked BBQ.

But we’re more than just great food and cool cars - we create events and experiences. From curated car shows and watch parties to charitable fundraisers, comedy shows, BBQ clinics, and pre-fixe dinner nights, we’re all about bringing people together.

Brakes & Briskets is a two-person operation. Every detail - from the BBQ to the branding, event planning, renovations, social media, and website - is handled by us.

We began as private caterers, long before carving out a niche at pop-up automotive events. Now we’re stepping into a bold new chapter as full-fledged restaurateurs.

We started this because we wanted to give back to the community by building the kind of inclusive spaces we wish we had growing up. And of course, to serve seriously good BBQ.

MON-WED CLOSED
THU: 3pm - 8pm
FRI: 11am - 8pm
SAT: 11am - 8pm
SUN: 11am - 5pm

Our hours are limited during renovations. Please monitor our website and social media for weekly updates, including additional hours and special events.

Note:

• We don’t know when the renovations will be “done” as there’s a lot to do and it’s just the two of us. But we hope you’ll enjoy the journey together with us :)

• Popular items sell out, sometimes in just two hours! We recommend arriving early to ensure a complete menu. Our regulars come early and place big orders!

Traditional smoked BBQ restaurants typically cannot operate seven days a week or serve food all day long. We utilize outdoor offset smokers and our cooking schedule revolves around the meat, the fire, and the time required to do things properly.

Important! Large traditional offset smokers require substantial outdoor space and appropriate fire-safety clearances, making them generally impossible for typical strip malls and shopping plazas.

Unless you've got a rotating staff of pitmasters and multiple large offset smokers running every day to maintain a continuous cycle of smoking and resting meats, it is simply not physically practical to remain open all day, every day, while maintaining the traditional cooking process we believe authentic Texas BBQ demands.

We are proud to be one of the very few restaurants in New Jersey dedicated to authentic Central Texas-style BBQ. We cook outdoors year-round, whether it's below freezing, pouring rain, or anything in between. There are no shortcuts, no push-button cooking, and no overnight autopilot. Just real wood, live fire, sleepless nights, and hard work.

When it comes to Texas-style smoked BBQ, quality takes time, and we're committed to doing it the traditional way. Some get it, some don't and that's okay.

Understanding the Difference

Not all smokers are created equal, and understanding the difference is important when it comes to authentic Texas-style BBQ.

Traditional offset smokers, like our two custom-built 500-gallon smokers, cook outdoors using real wood and live fire. They require experienced pitmasters to continuously manage the fire, maintain temperatures, adjust airflow, and monitor the cooking process throughout the day and night.

Indoor electric smokers, on the other hand, utilize heating elements, wood chips, and automated temperature controls. These systems offer a more controlled and streamlined approach to smoking meats, requiring considerably less continuous hands-on attention.

While both methods can produce smoked meats, they are fundamentally different cooking processes. This distinction is why traditional Texas-style BBQ requires significantly more space, time, experience, and hands-on attention.

Our Commitment to Texas BBQ in New Jersey
Across New Jersey, many BBQ establishments, particularly those operating in shopping plazas or offering daily service, utilize indoor electric or more automated smoking equipment. These systems allow for a very different production schedule and operational model. Neither approach is necessarily wrong, but they represent two very different approaches to producing BBQ.

Our commitment is to preserving the traditional wood-fired methods that have defined Central Texas BBQ for generations. There are no shortcuts, no push-button cooking, and no overnight autopilot. It's a craft that demands sleepless nights, patience, experience, and an incredible amount of hands-on work.

Custom Offset Smokers (Traditional Central Texas BBQ)
We operate two custom-built 500-gallon traditional offset smokers that require a large outdoor space. We smoke BBQ the way authentic Central Texas BBQ has been made for generations: outdoors, using real wood and live fire.

We spend hours preparing meats, building fires, managing full wood logs, monitoring temperatures, and tending to overnight cooks. It's physically demanding work that often means very little sleep, long hours, and an incredible amount of preparation and labor before we ever open our doors.

Large Private Dining Space (Indoors & Outdoors)
Another thing that makes Brakes & Briskets unique is that we operate on our own privately owned property, giving us the space and freedom to build our business around traditional Texas BBQ rather than the limitations of a typical leased storefront or shopping plaza.

Our property also allows us to offer something increasingly uncommon: spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas where guests can relax, enjoy their meals, and experience BBQ in a comfortable, welcoming setting. Having this space allows us the opportunity to host special events and create unique experiences that go beyond a traditional restaurant visit.

No! Contrary to popular belief, we’re a restaurant first and foremost. No “cool car” required!

What looks like “car shows” are simply our regular business hours. Sometimes we may announce optional vehicle themes, but all are always welcome.

Thanks to our loyal following of car enthusiasts, there’s often great eye candy to go with our smoky offerings. That said, you don’t need to own a showstopper to enjoy our food. Everyone is always welcome at our restaurant and events, regardless of vehicle or theme.

What else?
We’re more than just great food and cool cars - we create events and experiences. From curated car shows and watch parties to charitable fundraisers, comedy shows, BBQ clinics, and pre-fixe dinner nights, we’re all about bringing people together.

See the store menu here!

All items are smoked and prepared directly before service and available until sold out. Our popular items often sell out (e.g., brisket, burnt ends, beef ribs). We recommend arriving early to ensure a complete menu.

Please consider preordering to guarantee your items. Large orders & special items only. Some items are by demand only or limited supply such as beef ribs.

Standard Preorders HERE
Custom Preorders HERE

Recommended for large orders and special items.

Save the hassle and guarantee your BBQ by preordering online or using our booking form. One week advance notice recommended, but we will try to accommodate all requests. Your order is not finalized until payment is received.

We currently do not accept bookings via phone or same-day orders. This is coming soon :)

Standard Preorders HERE
Custom Preorders HERE

Recommended for large orders and special items.

Menus: In-Store | À la carte | Catering
Info: Featured Meats | FAQ | About Us
Media: Food Media