[UPDATE] Texas Barbecue Is Not Headed to Fort Point

Hill Country Barbecue in New York / Photo provided

UPDATE: December 8, 2016: Hill Country Barbecue’s plans for a Fort Point restaurant have fallen off the horse, Eater Boston reports. “We hope to find a new location in this great city sometime in the near future,” a rep told the website.

PREVIOUSLY:

Dry-rubbed, slow-and-low-smoked brisket, ribs, sausage, and other central Texas specialties—honky tonk included—are two-stepping toward Fort Point. Hill Country Barbecue announced today that its fourth location will open on Congress Street next fall.

Hill Country founder Marc Glosserman, a fourth-generation Lockhart, Texas native, opened the first shop in New York in 2007. Since then, it’s been lauded as New York’s best barbecue, and one of former New York Times food critic Frank Bruni’s favorite restaurants.

Hill Country Barbecue / Photo provided

Glosserman’s hometown, officially declared Texas’ capital of barbecue in 1999, is also the native land of Blacks Barbecue, Chisholm Trail BBQ, Smitty’s Market, and Kreuz Market. The latter ships its sausages—including jalapeño cheese and peppery Hill Country hot link—to the East Coast-based restaurant group. In addition to by-the-pound meats, there are gut-busting sides, like Longhorn cheddar mac ‘n cheese, green bean casserole with Durkee onions, and Texas black-eyed caviar; plus house-made desserts, including peanut butter and jelly cupcakes, and market items to-go. Eater Boston caught up with Glosserman, who said to expect “some Hill Country firsts for us in Boston regarding design and menu,” as well.

The beverage program includes Big Red soda, another Texas import, plus a wide selection of beer, bourbon, and tequila. Expect house cocktails like the Kreuz margarita with Corralejo Blanco, Cointreau, Serrano peppers, fresh-squeezed juices, and agave nectar; and 8-Layer Dip, a vodka-and-tequila-laden take on the bloody Mary.

The chain is also known for live music. “Boston has been on our radar as a great food and music town for years,” Glosserman told Eater Boston. “We’ve been looking for the right location for some time now, as we’ve been trying to understand the city’s unique dining culture and restaurant personality. The Fort Point area has several great old brick warehouse buildings that really match the type of aesthetic that we were looking for in a neighborhood.”

Hill Country’s Boston shop will join New York City, Brooklyn, and Washington, D.C. locations.

Hill Country Barbecue, opening fall 2016 at 371 Congress St., Boston; hillcountryny.com.