Top 10 BBQ joint loses pitmaster
Pitmaster Will Breakstone (pictured, on April 19, 2014, at South Shore BBQ Company) has barbecue down to a science -- and an art. The meat, coated with an unusual dry rub of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and allspice, takes on a haunting flavor when slow-smoked. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Will Breakstone, the competition champ pitmaster known as Willie B, has parted ways with South Shore BBQ Company in Patchogue, which opened back in March. The restaurant made Newsday's Top 100 list in the category of barbecue restaurants.
Current pitmaster Brian Chichester said he came on board in May and that he worked with Breakstone. Previously, Chichester was smoking ribs and brisket at Fletcher’s Brooklyn Barbecue in Brooklyn and RUB in Manhattan as well as its short-lived East Meadow branch. He added that the sauces and rubs he is using are not Breakstone’s.
South Shore BBQ Company co-owner Tim Lorito said that the menu is essentially the same as it was when the restaurant opened, but with a few additions, like smoked turkey and Brunswick stew.
So, what about Breakstone? For now, he said, he is going back full-time to his occupation as an investment adviser.
South Shore BBQ is at 388 Medford Ave., Patchogue, 631-654-2269, southshorebbq.com
Correction: A previous version of this item misidentified Tim Lorito's position with the company.
