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Bearded Baby Que

Hardwood-smoked Texas BBQ in Sussex NJ, from a family that started with a garage full of string lights

Bearded Baby Que — Sussex Borough, NJ

At a glance

  • Brisket, burnt ends and pulled pork smoked over real hardwood, plus a Taste of Texas trio for the undecided
  • Fries cooked in beef tallow, never seed oils, with every sauce and side made in house
  • Family run and kid friendly, with catering for weddings, backyard parties and Sussex County events

What Bearded Baby Que Is Doing on Main Street

Smoke moves down Main Street in Sussex Borough well before the doors open at eleven. That is a fair introduction to the place: everything at Bearded Baby Que goes over real hardwood, and the pit is running whether or not anyone has sat down yet. This is Texas-style BBQ in Sussex NJ, cooked slowly, out of a small borough storefront a lot of us used to drive right past.

The restaurant got here the long way. Pit Master Brian and his wife Cyndi started throwing backyard parties after their 2011 wedding, graduated to garage cookouts strung with lights, then took on catering gigs, then a bare-bones concession trailer Brian rebuilt into a food trailer. For a few years you found them at farm festivals and brewery residencies around the county Sussex County breweries. The question at every single event was where the restaurant was. In the summer of 2025 the family signed the lease on Main Street, and the answer finally changed.

What to Order

Brisket is the reason to make the drive, and it earns it: dark bark, honest smoke, the kind that is genuinely hard to find in North Jersey. Burnt ends have a way of selling out. The Taste of Texas plate solves the indecision problem with brisket, pulled pork and burnt ends plus two sides. Smoke-a-Fried wings get a Cajun rub, time in the smoker, then a turn in the fryer, served with homemade Alabama white sauce. Smash burgers come with Brian’s Moo Mayo, the fries are cooked in beef tallow, and the mac and cheese has its own quiet following.

A Family Business, and You Can Tell

Brian works the line but comes out to thank tables. Cyndi runs front of house and social media. Their daughter Olivia helps stack the wood shed and waits tables after school. The dining room splits into a quieter front room and a room with TVs, which makes it work for a two-top and a group of eight alike. Catering never went away either: weddings, rehearsal dinners and backyard parties across Sussex County.

Sussex Borough sits a few minutes from High Point and the Wallkill valley, so this is an easy stop on a hiking or antiquing day other places to eat in Sussex Borough.

FAQ

What are Bearded Baby Que's hours?

Bearded Baby Que is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm and Sunday from 1pm to 7pm. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours can shift around holidays and private events, so check the website before making the drive.

Where is Bearded Baby Que located?

Bearded Baby Que is at 52 Main Street in Sussex Borough, NJ 07461, in the heart of downtown Sussex. It is roughly ten minutes from High Point State Park and an easy stop off Route 23 for anyone looking for BBQ in Sussex NJ.

Does Bearded Baby Que do takeout and delivery?

Yes. You can order pickup directly through the website, and delivery is available through DoorDash. The full menu is available for takeout, including platters, sandwiches, sides and wings.

What should I order at Bearded Baby Que?

Start with the brisket or the burnt ends, which are the top sellers. The Taste of Texas plate gets you brisket, pulled pork and burnt ends with two sides. Regulars also swear by the smash burger and the mac and cheese.

Does Bearded Baby Que cater?

Yes, catering is a core part of the business and predates the restaurant. Brian and Cyndi have catered weddings, rehearsal dinners, backyard parties and festivals across Sussex County. There is a catering request form on the website.

More to explore in Sussex Borough

Places to stay nearby