Pig Guy NYC celebrates home-base opening in Bay Ridge

The Pig Guy has entered the building.

Critically acclaimed pork aficionado Pig Guy NYC has made itself at home on Third Avenue. Owners of the eatery – who celebrated a grand opening on Wednesday, July 15 – are excited to bring their knack for traditional barbecue, as well as some spicy-sweet twists, to the Bay Ridge and beyond.

“We’re so excited to bring the brand to life in our own backyard,” said Chef Thomas Perone who opened the flagship store with childhood friends, Pasquale “Bino” Trunzo and George Venetsanakos.

According to Perone, it all started with a single pig roast.

“It all started when I was doing a catering business, and I was doing pig roasts,” he said. “I started doing a lot of them and, one day, these gentlemen asked me to do a pig roast for them.”

Those gentlemen were WFAN Radio’s Boomer and Carton.

The pair christened Perone “The Pig Guy” in 2013 after the Brooklyn native was called on to help “guarantee the New York Giants a win” with one of his extravagant “Pig Roast Tailgates” at MetLife Stadium. His pig roast (one of 300 he’s done in the past three years) helped prompt a six-game streak for the team, according to the chef, and thus, Pig Guy NYC was born.

“From there it just exploded,” said Perone, who went on to bring Pig Guy NYC to such venues as MCU Park, Citi Field and the Gansevoort Market. “My childhood friend Bino wanted to open up a business with me and so I said, let’s grow the brand.”

The trio of childhood friends found their new digs within the first week (with the help of Clara Frisone of Ben Bay Realty of Bay Ridge), Perone said, stressing that Pig Guy’s venture to Bay Ridge is only the beginning.

“We will be coming to Staten Island, we will be coming to New Jersey,” he said, amped to one day expand, but first, offer hungry Brooklynites dishes “a little bit different than the norm.”

“We are not trying to be the greatest thing in the world,” Perone said. “We’re just trying to give you good food and a nice Brooklyn feel.”

He’s also pumped to work with his pals.

“Bino is like my little brother, I want to see him do the best,” Perone added, “and the same goes for George, I love that kid like a brother. I want the best for them.”

Local dignitaries were also on hand at the opening to wish the threesome the best of luck.

“This is an amazing moment for three young men from the neighborhood,” said Deputy Borough President Diana Reyna, “to be able to stay together since childhood and to understand what it is to get through thick and thin.

“We look forward to seeing Pig Guy NYC become a national chain,” she went on, also offering congratulations from Borough President Eric Adams.

State Senator Marty Golden echoed Reyna’s words of encouragement.

“Make Bay Ridge strong, make Third Avenue strong,” he said. “Thank you and welcome.”

Pig Guy NYC – located at 8413 Third Avenue, and now open for business – offers in-house seating, curbside pickup, and catering. The full menu includes starters, sandwiches and sides, owners promise, will please just about any palette.

For more information, visit www.pigguynyc.com.