Brooklyn’s Critically Acclaimed Pig Beach BBQ to Open at Waterfront Park

Popular NYC-based restaurant concept set for spring 2022 debut in Waterfront Park space

Waterfront Park is pleased to announce that work is underway to open New York City-based Pig Beach BBQ in the building formerly home to Tumbleweed TexMex Grill and Doc’s Cantina. Set to debut spring 2022 at 1201 River Road, Pig Beach will bring its signature menu of chef-driven barbeque to the two-level 14,000-square foot waterfront space boasting spectacular river and Big Four Bridge views.

Since first opening in Brooklyn, New York in 2015, Pig Beach’s wildly popular barbecue fare has earned critical acclaim from The New York Times, NBC’s TODAY Show, Eater, Food Network, and more, as well as a coveted spot on Southern Living’s “Great American Barbecue Bucket List.” Along the way, Pig Beach’s award-winning pitmasters, partners Matt Abdoo, Shane McBride and Rob Shawger, have continued to make waves on the competitive barbeque scene, amassing dozens of top championship titles and expanding the Pig Beach collection to include two locations in New York City with another debuting this winter in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“Our dear friend Brook Smith, a fixture in the Louisville community, introduced us to Waterfront Park and we were immediately blown away by everything this space has to offer,” said Pig Beach BBQ Partner Rob Shawger. “From the phenomenal views to its proximity to the amphitheater, ongoing events—it’s truly got it all.”

“Pig Beach offers amazing food and a welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect fit for Waterfront Park,” said Deborah Bilitski, president and executive director of Waterfront Park. “We look forward to activating the restaurant space and integrating Pig Beach BBQ into the park, our events and other offerings.”

“Louisville’s warm, welcoming vibe and rich bourbon culture pairs perfectly with our style of barbeque and hospitality,” said Pig Beach BBQ Executive Chef & Partner Matt Abdoo. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing Pig Beach to such a vibrant destination in Louisville as Waterfront Park, and we look forward to working with local distilleries, breweries, and purveyors in reflecting that flavor and culture throughout our menu.”

Pig Beach BBQ plans to open its doors for Derby festivities in April 2022.

About Pig Beach:
Founded by NYC restaurateur Rob Shawger and fellow award-winning pitmasters Matt Abdoo and Shane McBride—two elite chefs who left NYC’s Michelin-starred restaurants to pursue meat smokin’ mastery—Pig Beach BBQ’s chef-driven barbecue marries tried-and-true technique with a dash of global eclecticism for a fantastically delicious, never pretentious, foray into the Smoked Meat Universe. Since its 2015 debut in Brooklyn, Pig Beach BBQ’s smoke-centric signatures have earned critical acclaim from The New York Times, NBC’s TODAY Show, Eater, Food Network, and more, including a coveted spot on Southern Living’s “Great American Barbecue Bucket List.” Along the way, Pig Beach’s all star trio has continued to make waves on the competitive barbecue scene, amassing dozens of top championship titles from across the country, and expanding the Pig Beach collection to include new locations in Queens, New York and soon-to-debut outposts in West Palm Beach, Fla. and Louisville, Kentucky, opening Winter 2021 and Spring 2022, respectively. The Pig Beach BBQ brand also includes an award-winning line of sauces and rubs, as well as the Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook: Smoked, Grilled, Roasted, and Sauced, launching in May 2022. To learn more, visit www.pigbeachnyc.com and follow on social media at @pigbeachnyc.