Brooklyn has officially found its new excuse to eat something fried, order a cocktail, and stay awhile.
Ferguson’s Country, affectionately known as Ferg’s, has opened at 732 Lorimer Street in Williamsburg, right across from McCarren Park. The Southern-inspired restaurant comes from co-owners Scott Ferguson and Gabriella Mann, and it is bringing a little Alabama warmth to North Brooklyn.
The concept is deeply personal for Ferguson, who grew up in Alabama eating the kind of Southern food that doesn’t need a food stylist. Think fried catfish, shrimp and grits, hush puppies, fried okra, country-fried steak and cornbread—the sort of dishes designed to make you immediately reconsider your decision to skip lunch.
Among the early standouts is the hot chicken biscuit, featuring fried chicken, pickles and Alabama white sauce tucked into a massive buttery biscuit. There are also saucy ribs served with cheesy grits, warm pimento cheese with red pepper jelly, and a “front porch fritto” loaded with fried shrimp, okra, green tomatoes and sweet onions.
And then there is the moonshine.
Ferguson’s Country offers moonshine flights featuring three one-ounce pours, accompanied by corn nuts. The selection reaches well beyond Tennessee, with bottles coming from Mississippi, Nova Scotia, Mexico and Brooklyn’s own Kings County Distillery.
The atmosphere keeps the Southern theme going without taking itself too seriously. There is a working jukebox spinning 45s, outdoor seating overlooking McCarren Park and plenty of rustic touches that make the restaurant feel more like a neighborhood hangout than a themed attraction.
Currently, Ferguson’s Country is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with brunch planned for later this fall.
So if you’re looking for Southern food in Williamsburg, Ferg’s is making a very strong case.
Come for the fried chicken.
Stay for the moonshine.
Leave with absolutely no regrets.
