First popping up in Richmond around a year ago, the Fancy Hanks boys are fresh back from a three-week tasting tour through barbecue country in the southern United States. Suffice to say, they’re just itching to show off some of the smoking new ideas, recipes and techniques they’ve brought back with them.

So much so, in fact, that they’ve fast-tracked their next gig and from this Friday they’ll be serving up some seriously good southern-style barbecue from new digs in the courtyard behind North Melbourne’s grand old Metropolitan Hotel for the next four weekends straight.

From barbecue pork ribs and big old beef ribs, through to beef brisket cooked low and slow for more than 14 hours and smoky ‘real deal’ pulled pork shoulder sandwiches (“not like the ones you see on every cafe’s menu”), they’ve got all the classics covered.

But things start to get serious when you see a menu that includes Burnt End Bean Stew, a southern favourite that harnesses the smoky, charred goodness of the burnt brisket tips, marrying it with pork and pinto beans to create a scandalously good stew.

Barbecued wings, smoked trout, beer-can chicken and an assortment of salads (coleslaw, potato salad and more) will also be on offer. But the biggest news by far is that, for the first time, Fancy Hank’s will also bring their own bar.

Pulling beers with tequila shots and much more, the Fancy Hank’s team are taking their commitment to providing down-home southern hospitality seriously.

Happy hour drink specials will be on offer every day from 3pm to 6pm, and live music will ensure a perfect soundtrack to your afternoon and keep you kicking into the evening.

WHEN
Dates: September 21 & 22, 28 & 29 and all of October.
Friday and Saturday lunch noon–3pm and dinner 6pm–9pm (or until they sell out – when it’s this slow cooked, you can’t just whip up some more).

WHERE
Courtyard behind the Metropolitan Hotel, 33 Courtney Street, North Melbourne. See map on the Fancy Hank’s Facebook page.