Mekelburg’s

I can speak for everyone in the house that we really love Mekelburg’s. The neighborhood needed a gourmet grocery store /​sandwich shop. It is much better than Victory Market on Fulton, which has since closed (finally). The bar in back offers many local beers, which is great. Cocktails are not as great or interesting, so stick with the beer. Hopefully that will change. The sandwiches are superb. My two favorite are the porchetta, which is pretty much sets the bar for all porchetta sandwiches ever, and the meatloaf sandwich, which isn’t terribly original and there are better ones in town, but it really hits the spot and is far from a slacker, and I often order it. The grocery section is very high end and small, and I mainly use it for cocktail snacks or for when I cook something small for myself. It’s a little pricey on some things like orange juice — several groceries have some things for several bucks cheaper, including Green Grape, which I refer to as Price Rape, so that’s really saying something when they’re charging even more. But, it’s convenient and close, so that factor wins in the end. One thing that they could change that sometimes makes me crazy: I call in sandwiches quite a bit during the weekdays, and sometimes the bar takes my order and I have to pick it up and pay there. Not a huge deal, but if I have groceries I want to buy, or a juice or something, I have to buy it separately at the register. It’s a pain. I wish they’d just routinely put all called in orders at the register. I know they’re trying to keep the separate departments separate, but in this case sometimes I don’t call an order in when I’m in a hurry and just go somewhere else instead so I can pay once and run. Overall though, I love this place and can’t recommend it enough. I hope they expand to a bigger space and move to Fulton, which is going to be fancy in the next year with the arrival of all of the high end condos…

My girlfriend dragged me to trivia night because the guy running it does one she likes and I was pleasantly surprised — its like this strange grocery store /​restaurant /​bar /​romper room. Beer list was great and the bartenders let me have tastes of whatever. I had a bacon potato and was like…$ 10 for a baked potato?! But… it was definitely worth it. Next time I’m in Brooklyn will go back.
Only complaint — it was SO hot in the bar.
Bonus points — cool girl bartender — nice to see

I love looking at all the different things they sell in the store and I’m definitely going to try every type of ice cream they sell. I ordered the black cod potato with caviar which was delicious and came with a butt load of caviar. I also ordered the wagyu sandwich with horse radish and the B.L.A.S.T which has bacon, letfuce, avocado, soft shell crab and tomato. They were all good but I’m going to have to take off a star due to how overpriced everything is.

I went in for the first time and wanted their veggie sandwich with prosciutto on the side. The cashier replied «then it wouldn’t be a veggie sandwich.» I laughed and thought he was joking but he kept just repeating himself.
It’s fine if you don’t want people to add anything to the sandwich but no need to be rude. Especially when we just walked over to their deli counter to order a side of prosciutto.

Orgasmic experience — caviar baked potato in my mouth while warren g flows in my ears with friendly and even charming service from handsome fellows and still catching the nba playoffs — hell yeah.

Great beer list — check.
Super staff — check.
Cool concept — specialty food market/​deli/​gastropub — check.
Fun cozy atmosphere — shop in front, resto in back, chalkboards all around — check.
Backyard patio with picnic table — check.
Dat food tho — WOW! The mek muffin I had for breakfast was killer. My inner piggie wanted to eat five more. Really tasty.
Went to Mekelburg’s on Sunday after my 5K race. A bit pricey for the Mek Muffin egg sandwich though as I decided to build my own since I’m not eating meat anymore. Problem is when one does that the cost for add-​ons gets a bit out of hand. Sammie started at $ 3.75, then $ 1.50 for some mozzarella, $ 1.75 for some avocado, $ 1.75 for some tomato and in the end it was $ 8.75. For an egg sandwich. Ummmmm… ok. Again, it was a really tasty sandwich, not too big though, and for that cost maybe I expected a bit larger than it was. Gotta try out their salted baked potato if I ever get back over here, and the chocolate babka French Toast — oh yeah.
$ 5.50 for a 8oz glass of Hill Farmstead Mary pilsner. Good beer and refreshing after a three mile run. I did also enjoy their coffee here. Good stuff.
Too bad its way out in bumfluck part of Brooklyn which will actually stop me from eating there every day. Maybe that’s a good thing for my waistline and my wallet.

So I paid $ 15 for a sandwich. $ 15. Yes that’s a fortune. I expected a large footlong sandwich for that price and got a normal sized sandwich in return. It wasn’t even that big! The quality of it was really good, they only use the best meats and cheeses here. The shop itself is a cross between a gourmet deli and a bar, it’s in a basement as well. I got an Italian sandwich, because sopressata is delicious. The sandwich was really good, but I couldn’t forget how much I paid for it– that’s $ 7.50 for half a sandwich!!! I feel like I got robbed big time. Don’t come here if you don’t want to spend that much, I don’t recommend this place to anyone. The food is good but not worth the price. I figured that since there were so many good reviews it had to be worth trying out. I was wrong.

Awesome place. Specialty market with gastro pub in the back with outdoor seating, offering over 10 craft draft beers, wines and cocktails and delicious sandwiches. Had the Porchetta sandwich and the meatloaf sandwich (they were out of the roast beef).both were amazing though the Porchetta was a little dry, could use some kind of sauce and the meatloaf was lacking the meat.
We ordered a non specific Pinot Noir (had the bar tender choose) and it was super sour, my girlfriend couldn’t drink it, we didn’t feel like sending it back for there was a crowd at the bar. We went in planning on ordering a few drinks but after looking at the prices, we re-​considered. $ 65 for 2 drinks and 2 sandwiches.
We then went to the market and bought 4 grocery items, totaling to about $ 38. Amazing organic, specialty items that we love but can’t stomach. the price tag (we are not trust fund kids).
Would come every day if I could afford it! Don’t get me wrong this place is awesome, a must see if your in the area. Have never been to a place like it!
*Edit: Owner contacted me and offered a replacement Glass of wine, he said he was out of town at the time, so he called in and informed his bartenders of the matter. He informed me that they tried all of the wines and removed any bad ones. Real nice guy, glad to see owners that care!

I just moved to the area and was on a hunt for great places since it was finally my day off. I searched on Unilocal for great bars and winded up at this place. I was instantly confused the moment i arrived. I literally stepped into a supermarket/​deli. The front staff mustve noticed my confusion and directed me to the back of the place. Thats where the bar and pretty looking backyard is. The way the place was designed was very cute with such a great concept. The staff were super friendly — especially my bartender Eric. I ordered the bacon and potato appetizer (which i ordered a few minutes before kitchen was scheduled to closed… what an asshole thing of me to do, but seriously i was hungry). It was great and the slab of bacon was juicy; wish it was bigger though. I thought the price was a bit much for just a potato and a piece of bacon.
I would return if i was in the area, but i wouldnt rush out of my way.

After being quoted a wait of 1+ hrs at Speedy Romeo my friend and I ventured to Mekelburg’s and posted up at the bar. It was a chilly night, but I can see how alluring the backyard will be as the weather warms. The patient bartender let us sample no less than two wines, three beers, before we settled on our drink of choice. Food-​wise, we split the meat and cheese platter and I ordered the baked potato (obviously) and my friend went for some type of garden/​avocado sandwich. The baked potato was truly incredible. I would typically scoff at ordering a baked potato since they’re so easy to make but this was 100% amazing. The platter was skimpy on the portions, but that’s okay. I love that it’s sort of «cheesemongers» choice as to what you end up with.
I wish I lived closer since the front of this place is actually a charming little gourmet grocer. Definitely worth the trip anyway. On a Thursday night, it apparently gets rowdy with college (Pratt??) kids so just fyi. Don’t worry, you will still love the experience.

Mekelburg’s is quickly becoming the worst kept secret in Brooklyn. Mostly because of my big mouth.
Coming here is so cozy! You walk through a beautiful gourmet grocery store that’s filled with stuff that you’d buy when you’re trying to make a meal to impress someone you’d really like. Or if you just had a crushing defeat in life and just really need a pint of decadent ice cream. Or if you’re really drunk and see a chocolate bar with a chihuahua dressed as Michael Jackson on it and you didn’t know how you’d lived your whole life without this chocolate bar…
Anyhow…So you walk through this magical land of deliciousness into the best craft beer bar and gastropub (is it still cool to call places that?)!
With something like 16 beers on tap + a bunch of beers in bottles and cans, a huge wine list, and handful of classic cocktails, it’s really hard not to find something you like! The beers are constantly changing and always super interesting (unless you think Bud/​Coors/​Stella are interesting… cuz they’re not gonna be on the menu). The bartenders are also there to help you when you’re paralyzed by indecision. They’re knowledgable and can help you identify a drink you like and will offer you a taste of anything to let you know that you is kind, you is smart, you is making good beer choices.
And now the food. Please try the food. It’s so delicious. Daniel and Alicia are amazing chefs that got their start doing underground supper clubs and the food is that perfect mix of exploration and comfort. You’ll be able to tell you’re eating a sandwich (or whatever) but you’ll suddenly think, «Man, that’s kinda punchy! Fun!»
My personal favorite is the Baked Potato with Smoked Cod. It’s just a plain potato but topped with smoked fish and caviar. You can just imagine this is what a Russian Tsar with a crazy hat and mustache would totally eat while contemplating beheading his advisors. The Meatloaf Sandwich will seem innocuous but then you bit into a pocket of yummy ricotta and it’s like your tongue is floating away on savory marshmallow cloud.
Service here is casual but friendly. If you’re lucky, Daniel and Alicia will come by and chat with you about their adorable kids or their latest adventures or talk to you about the neighborhood’s sordid history. It’s always a good time.
Oh, and if I haven’t convinced you to go yet, as summer slowly (serious emphasis there) draws near, they have a fantastic backyard.
See you there!

Finally!!! They were right.
My friends have been telling about Meks for months and I’ve been so backed up with work. This past week I finally had the chance to go for breakfast and I do tell you, they do not disappoint.
So you may get confused walking in, as the front of the store works as an adorable quaint deli and grocery but let that not deceive you. Walk through the isles and this amazing bar/​food area awaits you.
Like all other reviewers, I will point out that the beer selection is definitely a selection you will not find elsewhere. Breweries who are new to the game or old ones, you’ll find the one that hits your sweet (or sour) spot here. I did love that at 9:45am there were three guys sitting at the bar drinking beer. I have yet to see that elsewhere.
The ever so friendly waitress saw us entering and ran over to tell us she’ll be a moment as she’s serving someone else at the front end. When she came back we already knew what we wanted and ordered. My friend ordered the Mek-​Muffin and I the Chocolate Babka French Toast (Exactly as phenomenal as it sounds). The french toast was pure insanity. It was brought to the table hot and smelled so damn good. It was soft, runny chocolate and delicious flavors all around. The Mek muffin was just as amazing in a savory form. Fresh delicious eggs on brioche with crème fraîche, bacon and some more heaveness (that’s not a word but still).
The prices are quite reasonable too and parking is a breeze which is never likely in Clinton Hill.
We really enjoyed our breakfast here and as my friends told me, I must go back for dinner. So I will be back. Very very soon.

Stopped in for an early brunch and was greeted by a smiling, courteous bartender. We sat at the bar, ordered a couple mimosas and chatted about food options with the bartender.
Brunch options: unique considering what typical brunch menus can be.
He got eggs, porchetta and broccoli rabe on a brioche roll.
I had the whitefish tartine and the smoked salmon tartine… Don’t judge, I LOVE food! Both were incredible! He gave his sandwich five stars. I especially loved the smoked salmon.
Check this place out!

Heyo! Another cute and fun thing that’s popped up in the area. Can never get enough of those!
They’ve got an outdoor patio (which sadly doesn’t get any sun — probably best in the summer months) and a small area inside to eat as well, with about 8 bar stools too. Fresh beer on tap. This is not really a place I’d come to eat often, as there are not a lot of vegetarian options, but holy crap, the ones that ARE on the menu are fantastic (buratta + acorn squash and the veggie sandwich, which also comes with buratta on it). Whatever spread/​garnish they use on the acorn squash is absolutely delicious.
All around the store (and even in the bathrooms) the walls are lined with chalk boards that people can write on. My personal favorite was «what’s your patronus?» with a turtle drawn next to it. Hah!
The specialty store in front has a great selection of fine goods at a reasonable price. I wish I lived in the area, as I’m sure this would be my primary reason for stopping by!

First & Foremost: I’m marrying the Salt Baked Potato. Preferably the one with the slab of bacon.
Second: You’re lucky there’s a picture of the potato.
Third: I took your coasters, deal with it.
Now that we have that out of the way…
Mekelburg’s is like a mullet, business in the front & a party in the back.
When you first walk in, you will see a grocery store & towards the back, the bar/​dining area.
Come here with a good friend to catch up on life & you’ll never want to leave.
Seriously, you will lose track of time.
I didn’t get a chance to taste the legendary Mek Muffin, but everything else I did get to try was absolutely delicious.
My favorites being the N’Orleans BBQ Shrimp Po Boy & the Salt Baked Potato (clearly).
I still dream about this potato at night.
One of these days I’ll wake up in time for brunch.
I’m pretty sure I need one of these Mek Muffins in my life!
They have a wide variety of beer.
Since I know absolutely nothing about beer, I can’t really comment too much about it.
The cider the bartender recommended was good!
I shall return because I have to eat everything on the menu & run these people from Ohio out of our town!

What an awesome addition to Clinton Hill! Mekelburg’s is just a few blocks from my apartment, so my boyfriend and I came here for brunch a few weeks ago. The dining space is small, and there were a few people waiting for a seat, but luckily you can browse the shop while you wait. We ordered coffees, mimosas, and two mek-​muffins. The coffee was a bit watery, but the mimosas were good. The mek-​muffins were large and yummy! They come with malaysian sriracha, which added that extra flavor to the sandwich. We also ordered the roast beef sandwich to go, because I had read tons of great things about this sandwich. Luckily, we had gotten there right before noon, and they started making the lunch sandwiches soon after. We ate it after a walk down Dekalb and a walk through the Fort Greene farmer’s market. I’m happy to say that it was as delicious as I had hoped. My boyfriend loved it too.
The dining space is kind of minimalist and industrial. There are bright lights and a low ceiling. They have a large patio that I’m excited to try out when it gets warmer. They also have a bar with tons of beer and cider on tap. They have varied sizes so that you can try different kinds!
The shop area has those typical fancier goods that you’d expect to find from a shop like this, including cookies, tea, frozen pizza, ice cream, crackers, etc. They have lots of local items, along with meat and cheese. They also have a laundry soap refill dispenser where you bring your container and refill your soap. They also have a meat club and a cheese club – info is on their website.
Our brunch experience, as well as the customer service in the shop, were both very enjoyable! It’s just the type of neighborhood foodie spot I love.

KenScale: 9.0÷10
I always find a joy in discovering unassuming restaurants in the city that not many people have been talking about but deliver outstanding food. I try to make as many trips to Brooklyn (also planning on making more trips to Queens) to discover these places that are outside the radar of Manhattanites. This time the restaurant that I visited happens to be inside a grocery in the Flatbush area; the whole setting looks like it could be a great find as long as the food is great. Well, Mekelburg’s definitely delivered and I already have two dishes that would likely be strong candidates for my annual dishes of the year.
Mekelburg’s menu consists of simple small plates, sandwiches, baked potatoes and cheese and meat plates. The awesome balance of flavor and texture, however, totally belies this simplicity. Burrata with roasted acorn squash had the wonderful combination of salty burrata and sweet squash, and the texture of silky smooth burrata was something that I would remember for a long time. Wagyu roast beef sandwich was also quite nice, with fresh and tender roast beef that was very pleasant inside my mouth. It was, however, overshadowed by the sensational porchetta sandwich with broccoli rabe. I’m not even a huge fan of porchetta sandwich as I usually find it too stuffy, but the one at Mekelburg’s just had perfect texture of the meat with the ideal balance of flavor; you would never get tired bite after bite, and I just absolutely loved how a simple sandwich could make a wonderful meal. Salt baked potato was another dish that totally delivered. I tried the one with smoke black cod, crème fraiche and caviar and just couldn’t stop digging the dish, which had soft potato working magic with decadent combination of crème fraiche and caviar. My dining companion, who’s not even a fan of potato in general, couldn’t rave about this dish, either. It’s such a pleasure to see how much impact a simple baked potato can make.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations and given the tiny size of the space, I suggest arriving early to secure your seat at one of the tiny tables. The dining space got quickly crowded by the time the food started coming out. Mekelburg’s has some interesting beer selections that you could also try to complement your meal. Get a pint of IPA and enjoy with the wonderful food coming out of the kitchen. This is a gem that any serious diner in NYC should know about; on the other hand, I prefer that it stays under the radar so I can always visit next time I’m in Brooklyn. Porchetta sandwich and salt baked potato were just too sensational!

Mekelburg’s is the reason why I will move to Clinton Hill one day. Mekelburg’s might also be the reason why I might start cooking one day.
The front part of the establishment is a specialty food store, including a cheesemonger’s counter. Since I haven’t cooked in over a decade, I have not spent much time in this section. What I have seen so far, though, is likely to tempt me to pick up some groceries from here and create some culinary wonders of my own.
The rear section is the bar and restaurant. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have ever eaten here, although my favorite would have to be the sambal butter roasted oysters. Each serving consists of four plump, juicy oysters that are packed with flavor.
The baked potato with smoked Alaskan cod, crème fraîche, and caviar is quite delicious too, as is Nana’s meatloaf sandwich. The sandwich is layered with velvety ricotta cheese, a generous slice of beef meatloaf, and a tomato-​based red gravy. The combination of textures and flavors is absolutely delightful.
My other favorite is the barbecue shrimp po’boy. The grilled shrimp and the luscious sauce is stuffed inside the baguette, such that when you bite into the sandwich, the filling gushes forth and fills your mouth with stupefying scrumptiousness. OK, I’m being a little too dramatic here, but try it for yourself. The po’boy really does exceed expectations. For one, the shrimp is grilled rather than deep fried. Also, the sauce it is drenched in is bursting with a bold piquancy. It is easily one of the best sandwiches I have ever tasted.
If the food alone weren’t enough of a reason for me to frequent Mekelburg’s, add to it that Daniel and Alicia, the owners, are two of the nicest people in our city. A meal at Mekelburg’s has evolved into more than just a meal; it is quality time spent with some very special friends.

This place is one-​stop shopping if you want to get drunk on delicious beers you’ve never heard of, eat amazing and beautiful food, and/​or pick up carefully curated cheese, charcuterie, or other gourmet groceries* to cook your own amazing and beautiful food at home. Since those are basically my only hobbies, I see Mekelburg’s being a regular spot for me.
If you really need me to tell you how to live, I would recommend:
1. Coming in with gluttons who like to share. If you don’t know any of those, I would recommend getting new friends. I’ll be your new glutton friend if you’d like, but you’re buying until I figure out what it is you bring to the table.
2. Drinking all the beer. Chances are you’ll discover something you never knew you liked (Pineapple cider! Sours! Quads! Cask ales!). The 8 oz option, as well as the extremely hospitable staff that are happy to pour you tastes, make this easy.
3. The salt baked potatoes. We had both the black cod/​caviar and the slab bacon/​raclette versions, and it’s honestly difficult to imagine such deliciousness until you dive in. In this Age of Instagram, it doesn’t hurt that they are absolutely gorgeous as well.
4. Sandwiches. The Wagyu Roast Beef and the porchetta/​broccoli rabe are the only ones I’ve had the pleasure of trying so far, but I imagine the quality remains high throughout the list.
To be fair, you are paying for the quality… but I’m not sure you can go wrong here.
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*It’s nice to see that they also support local spots, sourcing at least baked goods from some favorites (Bien Cuit croissants, everything baguettes from Mazzola, etc.).

I really like the concept behind this place: a gourmet grocery store at the front, a bar that specializes in craft beers, and a compact menu serving really delicious food. Add a nice, quiet backyard to the mix, and you have a winner.
First things first: the beer selection is fantastic, one of the best in Brooklyn. The very well curated craft beer list offers 16 rotating taps in 8 oz, 16 oz, and growler size. Every time I come here I’ve seen new breweries featured including, among others, Finback, Firestone, Evil Twin, Gigantic Brewing, Knee Deep, Other Half, Gun Hill, and Barrier. Being a sour beer lover, I’m also happy to see that there are always a couple of sours/​gose available.
it’s worth noting that you are allowed to get a growler and drink it on site, which is great if you come here with a group of people.
The bottled beer selection is also remarkable, featuring rare brews such as YumYum, an outstanding American pale ale from 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
As far as food, don’t be fooled by the compact menu: the small kitchen offers some extremely tasty dishes, such as soft shell crab sandwich with lettuce and avocado ($ 15); roasted mackerel with pesto, coleslaw, and avocado ($ 13); bone marrow ($ 11). Or the Sambal butter roasted oysters ($ 13), alongside the porchetta sandwich with broccoli rabe ($ 15), which is like an orecchiette pasta dish in a sandwich[1].
If I had to pick a favorite, though, perhaps it would be the baked potato. Yes, a baked potato. With crème fraîche, smoked black cod, caviar, dill ($ 9). What makes this simple dish so good it’s the smoked black cod: so incredibly flavorful, it goes perfectly well with caviar, transforming this simple dish in a decadent treat.
The menu changes constantly, as Daniel and Alicia like to experiment with new dishes. In fact, you should talk to them if you see them around: they always make for a great conversation, and you may even get to try some new dishes that are not on the menu.
There’s also a selection of meat and cheeses available in 3 sizes (3mers, 5mers, and 7mers). You should definitely try the duck belly prosciutto, alongside several lamb charcuiterie offerings.
This is a great place to meet up with friends after work, to catch up with somebody you haven’t seen in a while, or to just relax at the bar while enjoying a tasty brew and a dish.
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[1] And I love orecchiette with broccoli rabe.