27-20 40th Avenue
Aug. 17, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
The owner of John Brown Smokehouse, Josh Bowen, is opening a new Texas barbecue joint called Mothership Meat Company, equipped with a BBQ pit big enough to roast a whole hog.
Bowen has teamed up with the Queens Dinner Club to offer a sneak peak of the cuisine next week.
The Queens Dinner Club, a group that hosts a monthly meal at a local eatery, will hold its August 22 event at the new Mothership Meat Company, located at 27-20 40th Avenue at 7 p.m . In addition to mountains of barbecue, Bowen himself will be taking to the stage with his band, the John Brown All Stars.
QDC founder and local chef Jonathan Forgash explained that this will be an opportunity for the neighborhood to come together for an old-fashioned, picnic-style BBQ. “It’s not really about a business, there’s not tons of money being made. We just get to eat, hang with friends and neighbors, and do something cool that helps everybody,” he said.
Forgash said he has been a friend and fan of Bowen since he opened John Brown in its first location five years ago, and when he heard about the opening of Mothership, he suggested a pre-opening collaboration and Bowen jumped at the idea.
“He was all in for the sneak peak, and we immediately began riffing on menu ideas,” Forgash said. Ultimately, they settled on a menu that will include Mothership Meat Co. Signature Brisket with garam masala pepper rub, Astoria Special Short Rib pastrami, Yuzu Smoked Duck, Smoked Whole Hog, Slaw, JB Cornbread, and Saffron Bread Pudding.
At Motherhouse, Bowen has managed to maintain the traditional appeal of true Texas-style barbecue, but has also put a creative spin on it by embracing the diversity of Queens, and the spices that come with it. He is using unique spices such as garam-masala, and cooking fats like ghee, or clarified butter.
“He deserves a lot of credit for maintaining the traditional feel and still being free enough to step outside the box,” Forgash said of Bowen.
Though no official opening date for Motherhouse has been released, Forgash said he hopes to announce it at the event on Monday.
Bowen could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.
Tickets for the sneak peek opening of Motherhouse Meat Company cost $60, and can be purchased here:
