International Barbecue Restaurant to Open in Westhampton

A new eatery featuring international barbecue, called Buckhead's Grill, is set to to take over the former Finn's restaurant in Westhampton with an opening date scheduled for early August.

The building, which has sat vacant since March 31, was bustling on Monday with work crews gutting the Irish decor to make room for cow-hide chairs, country seating, a new bar, big screen televisions, barn doors and open kitchen with cook-out table.

With a cigar in his hand and planks of wood ready to be cut in front of him, owner of the new restaurant, Butch Bales (a pseudonym), said his new place is going to be something that no one on Long Island has ever seen before.

"This is not going to be your basic barbecue. And it's not about sauces. It's barbecue with a twist," he said, pointing to the patio and explaining that customers will be greeted with the smell of an outdoor grill, tables and chairs and a mechanical bull.

Inside, he said, will be rows of country tables, where families can mingle and have a good time.

"This restaurant is for everyone, from the blue collar worker to the lady from Madison," said Bales, who is originally from Toronto.

Bales, who owns several restaurants in the south, from Florida to Georgia and North Carolina, said his newest restaurant is going to mix what he does at those locations with BBQ styles that he has learned while traveling through Europe and Argentina. 

"This is going to be a radically chic barbecue," Bales said. "It's old school country from around the world with style."

Bales says that all his dishes, which will be made with local organic goods, will not only be visually amazing, but the taste will keep customers coming back for more. And the price, he said, will be reasonable, with appetizers ranging between $5 and $9 and entrees between $10 and $25.

Aside from individual dishes, he said, meals can be purchased family-style.

"Everything we do is cooked on a wood grill," he said, "from our burgers to our ribs, pulled Long Island duck, and chicken wings."

And speaking of chicken wings, Bales touts that his wings are the hottest. 

Called Bucks Inferno, the wings are free for anyone who can eat them, he said. "They are black widow."

The restaurant will also feature 20 varieties of tap beer and Long Island wines that can be paired with any dish.

Will you be first in line at Buckhead's? Post your response in the comment section below. 

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