Nobody expects Texas-caliber barbecue in Connecticut, and that is exactly why Hindsight BBQ in Waterbury has become such a delightful surprise. 🔥
This Texas-style barbecue joint started as a pandemic pop-up and grew into one of New England’s most talked-about smokehouses.
From patio regulars smacking their lips over ribs to takeout orders packed with brisket and mac and cheese, this Thomaston Avenue spot has built a passionate following fast.
How Hindsight BBQ won Waterbury’s hearts
Hindsight BBQ’s story starts with Jeff Schmidt, a self-described “restaurant baby” who grew up around his family’s other Connecticut restaurants.
Schmidt began smoking meat as a hobby before turning it into weekend pop-ups at Black Rock Tavern, his family’s restaurant in nearby Thomaston.
When the pandemic hit, that hobby became something bigger. 🔥
As Schmidt put it himself, COVID happened and he wanted to do something new, so he started smoking barbecue every day instead of just weekends, and by the time things calmed down, he knew he never wanted to stop.
To sharpen his craft, Schmidt traveled through Texas, Georgia, and other barbecue strongholds, spending time at respected spots like LeRoy & Lewis BBQ in Austin before bringing what he learned back home to Connecticut.
That dedication paid off in a big way when Texas Monthly named Hindsight one of the top barbecue joints outside of Texas, a rare honor for a smokehouse this far north.
Locals have embraced the restaurant’s willingness to experiment, from Alabama white sauce wings to Asian-glazed burnt ends, rather than sticking to a single regional style.
Add a lively patio with cornhole, a full bar, and a menu that changes with rotating specials, and it becomes clear why this Waterbury barbecue spot has earned such devoted local loyalty. 🎉
Food Highlights
- Prime Brisket Burger: Ground beef brisket, BBQ-rubbed, topped with melty American cheese, pickles, pickled red onions, and tangy aioli on a potato bun. 🍔
- “Hog on the Heifer” Burger: A smoked prime beef brisket burger topped with melty cheese, BBQ sauce, sliced smoked sausage, and tangy aioli. 🍔
-
Texas Twinkies: Smoked bacon-wrapped, brisket-stuffed jalapeño poppers finished with a BBQ sauce glaze. 🌶️
- Texas Trinity: A shareable platter of prime beef brisket, pork spare ribs, and a smoked sausage link, served with a choice of two sides. 🍖
-
Brisket “Philly” Empanada: BBQ ground beef brisket, melted cheese, peppers, and onions baked inside a crispy shell, served with cheese dipping sauce. 🥟
-
Burnt End Pesto Mac & Cheese: Creamy mac and cheese topped with savory pork belly bacon lardons and burnt ends.
- Pit-Smoked Chicken Wings: Smoked wings finished with a choice of house sauces, including a tangy Alabama white sauce option. 🍗
-
Prime Beef Brisket Platter: Sliced prime beef brisket smoked over red oak and white ash, served with house pickles and pickled red onions. 🥩
Atmosphere
Hindsight BBQ carries a casual, divey charm that matches its backyard-smoker roots, complete with outdoor picnic tables and cornhole for waiting guests. 🌳
The smell of red oak and white ash smoke greets visitors before they even reach the door, setting the tone for what is coming.
Dogs are welcome on the patio, making it an easy stop for families and pet owners alike during warmer months.
It feels less like a polished restaurant and more like a genuine backyard barbecue that happens to serve some of the best smoked meat in New England. 🐾
Bottom Line
Visit for the wood-smoked brisket and creative burnt ends, standout dishes like the Texas Twinkies and chimichurri steak sandwich, a laid-back patio atmosphere, a Texas Monthly-recognized menu, and proof that great Southern barbecue can thrive in Connecticut. ✅
Address:
1503 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT 06704
📞 (475) 233-2971
🕔 Open Tue-Thu 10:30 AM–8:30 PM, Fri-Sat 10:30 AM–9 PM, Sun 10:30 AM–7:30 PM (closed Mon)