Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue Offers a Casual Hangout for Foodies on a Date

The Short Version: Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue has brought the slow-cooking flavors of Texas to New York City, and it has been a huge hit with foodies in the area. The neighborhood restaurant serves delicious BBQ platters as well as sandwiches, salads, and tacos that are great for a grab-and-go lunch or a casual dinner. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, couples have gone out of their way to enjoy Morgan’s takeout and delivery as a special treat on their date nights.

Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue has long been a wingman for first dates, anniversary dinners, and other celebrations. In April 2020, the culinary team even came to the rescue with a special doorstep delivery for a COVID birthday party.

Carl L. threw a virtual birthday party for his husband and chose a Morgan’s meal to add extra flavor to the shindig. The food arrived hot and on time, and it helped the couple share a touching moment and make the best of a difficult time.

NYC couples can enjoy Texas-style smoked meats at Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue.

“I am forever indebted to the talented, hardworking, professional team at Morgan’s,” Carl said in a Yelp review. “I strongly recommend them for takeout, delivery, and (when it’s safe) catering.”

Morgan’s delivers classic Texas barbecue with a uniquely Brooklyn spin on it. The chefs have reimagined traditional dishes ranging from gooey mac and cheese to smoking hot wings, and the result is a smorgasbord of delight.

When Morgan’s opened in 2013, it created a buzz in the community and hosted many date nights, family dinners, and after-work happy hours. The neighborhood restaurant became known as a low-key space to indulge in a hearty meal and have a memorable time with loved ones.

The last year has been a wild ride for Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue, but the team hasn’t let any crisis (not even the fire in January 2021) deter it from its mission to serve great food at an affordable price.

Morgan’s owner Mathew Glazier described the restaurant as a passion project. “It’s about having a great time,” he said. “Our goal is to make people want to come back.”

The Brooklyn neighborhood is famous throughout the world for its artistry, attitude, and diversity. The rich melting-pot culture has made the area an iconic place where anyone can find something that reminds them of home. Even Texas-style barbecue.

Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue has made a point to be accessible and welcoming to all types of people.  Morgan’s menu is full of comfort food, and it can accomodate an array of dietary restrictions and flavor preferences. For instance, vegan and vegetarian diners can indulge in the Impossible Taco or Impossible Burger, while carnivores dig into a plate of pulled pork or smoked wings.

Morgan’s serves traditional barbecue, specialty mac and cheese, and decadent desserts.

Of course, the smoked BBQ flavors are a big draw on the menu. The kitchen smokes its brisket for over 12 hours to ensure it falls apart and has lots of juicy, savory flavor.

“It’s a labor of love,” Mathew said. “It takes a lot of time to make the BBQ, but it’s worth it when it hits the table with those killer flavors.”

Couples can share the Fried Chicken Platter and still have leftovers to take home. This made-to-share meal comes with a fried chicken breast, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread.

The Elbow Room Macaroni and Cheese has wowed people with its many types of cheeses and add-ons. Customers can choose to add mushrooms, hamburger meat, or avocado and tortilla chips to enhance the experience.

From the handcrafted cocktails to the soft-shell tacos, Morgan’s goes the extra mile to elevate its menu and provide a little something for everyone. Brooklyn culture has seeped into every aspect of the food, making it more inclusive and more exciting than run-of-the-mill BBQ.

Couples visiting Morgan’s on a date can choose their own culinary adventure and dine at their own pace. They may want to keep things light by sticking with cocktails and appetizers, or maybe they’re feeling hungry enough to tackle a BBQ platter. A lot of couples decide to split a slice of pie for dessert and end the night on a sweet note.

“It’s a fun place for a first date because it’s so casual,” Mathew said. “Not every date has to be a white tablecloth experience. This is a comfortable place to meet new people.”

Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue has successfully won over BBQ lovers in New York City and gotten rave reviews for its delicious food and friendly service.

“Food was excellent, as always. You might come here for the barbecue, but the sleeper hit is the cocktails. They’re all excellent,” writes a New Yorker on OpenTable. “Order a little bit of everything, and then take some home for happy midnight snacking.”

Many locals sing the restaurant’s praises and recommend it as a date venue that won’t put on airs or break the bank.

“This is one of my favorite barbecue joints in the entire city,” said Frank M in a five-star review. “My girlfriend and I eat here very regularly because it’s that good. And it’s reasonably-priced by NYC standards.”

The outdoor patio welcomed couples and families looking for a respite from lockdown life.

A Yelp reviewer named Melissa C. said that she and her current boyfriend went on their first date at Morgan’s and had a great time sharing a BBQ feast. “We got the pork ribs, pulled pork, and brisket,” she recalled. “I went for the ‘fatty’ cut, which he says is when I won him over.”

During COVID, Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue has followed community health regulations and provided a safe atmosphere for people to enjoy a bite without worry. Throughout 2020, the restaurant saw many dinner-date takeout orders as well as outdoor dates and celebrations on the patio.

“Let me just say The atmosphere was so serene,” said Red. G., who said in a Facebook review that she had her birthday dinner on Morgan’s patio in July 2020. “I definitely recommend Morgan’s Brooklyn BBQ and will dine there again soon.”

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a crisis in the restaurant industry, but some local favorites managed to shift gears and thrive in the takeout business. Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue kept delivering the flavor for at-home date nights and special occasions, and it brought joy to customers during a difficult time.

Unfortunately, Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue has temporarily closed to repair fire damage, but the team is aiming to come back in 2021 with a new look and new menu items. Barbecue lovers can follow the Facebook page to get updates about the reopening schedule.

In the meantime, hungry New Yorkers can walk two blocks down to enjoy the homemade tortillas at Tiny’s Cantina, a Mexican restaurant developed by the owners of Morgan’s. The cantina opened on April 30 on Flatbush Avenue.

Morgan’s has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Brooklyn BBQ scene, and the team has plans to continue to grow in other markets in the coming year.

“It’s nice to make a living, but it’s also important to do something people enjoy,”  Mathew said. “We’ve created a fun place where the food is good and people want to come back and have it again.”