Great Brisket, Wine Program Phoning It In
Hoboken Waterfront · Jersey City · Barbecue · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed House of 'Que’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walk into House of 'Que and the smell of smoked brisket hits you before the wine list even crosses your mind — which is probably fine, because the wine list doesn't have much to say. This is a beer-and-whiskey room through and through, and the wine program exists mostly as an afterthought for anyone who wandered in without a taste for IPAs or bourbon.
The list is about as deep as a paper plate: House Chardonnay, House Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Rosé that shows up in summer and disappears like a seasonal intern. No producers are named, no regions are called out, and there's no indication anyone spent more than fifteen minutes putting this together. For a Texas-style barbecue spot leaning hard into smoke, heat, and fat, there's actually an argument to be made for a punchy Zinfandel or a cold-climate Syrah alongside the ribs — but that conversation isn't happening here. What you get is the wine equivalent of a condiment — present, functional, forgettable.
Glass pours run $9–$13, which is about as inoffensive as the wines themselves. The Rosé is your best seasonal bet — a cold glass of pink with pulled pork is never a bad idea — but don't expect anyone behind the bar to have opinions on it. The by-the-glass program is set-it-and-forget-it, rotating only when the calendar tells it to.
House Rosé — $11
At a spot that doesn't pretend to be a wine destination, the Rosé is the least offensive pour and the most food-friendly. Cold, simple, and it won't fight the smoke on your brisket.
House Rosé (Summer Seasonal)
Most people here are drinking beer, which means the Rosé gets ignored — but pink wine and barbecue is a genuinely good combo. If it's on the menu, it's the move.
House Cabernet Sauvignon
A generic house Cab at a barbecue joint is the wine equivalent of ordering a plain hot dog at a steakhouse. It won't enhance the brisket and it won't impress anyone at your table. Grab a beer.
House Rosé + Pulled Pork
The slight acidity and fruit in the Rosé cuts through the fat and smoke of the pulled pork in a way the Cab simply can't. It's the one pairing on this list that actually makes sense.
The Bottom Line
House of 'Que is a genuinely fun spot for barbecue and live music — just don't come here expecting wine to be part of the experience. Order a beer, eat the brisket, and save your wine night for somewhere that cares.
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For a Japanese lounge with a 21-bottle list, Stingray is doing more work than it has any reason to. The Grüner, the Loire whites, and that Grand Cru Champagne are all legitimate finds at prices that won't sting. If you're nearby and want something better than the usual sushi-spot house white, this is worth the detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · Italian
Laico's has been doing this for over 30 years, and the wine list isn't why people keep coming back — the Chicken Francese and the neighborhood warmth are. If you're looking for a deep cellar or adventurous pours, this isn't your spot. But if you want a solid glass of something Italian to wash down a classic red-sauce dinner without getting gouged, Laico's delivers exactly what it promises.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Amanda's isn't going to make a wine lover's heart race, but it's doing the honest work: fair prices, enough variety to match a proper New American menu, and a by-the-glass program deep enough to drink your way through a multi-course meal without getting stuck. If you're in Jersey City and want a reliable bottle without a markup argument, this list delivers.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · American Bistro
Court Street's wine list is functional and fair — no embarrassing markups, a couple of genuinely good pours hiding among the Coastal Ridge, and glass prices that won't wreck your dinner tab. It's not a destination for wine lovers, but it's a perfectly fine neighborhood spot where you can drink the Rioja or the Sancerre and have a good night. Send your friends here for dinner; just steer them away from the mystery Champagne.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jersey City · Jersey City · Italian
Il Tavolo isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine — it's a reliable Italian spot with fair pours, sensible pricing, and enough range to keep the table happy. If you're in Jersey City and want a glass of Chianti that won't cost you a car payment, this is a safe and honest bet.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Anthony David's wine list is reliable without being exciting — it does the job for a casual dinner without making you work too hard or feel gouged at the lower price points. The by-the-glass program is legitimately strong for a list this size, and the Crémant de Loire is a smart pour. If you're a wine-first diner, this isn't your destination, but if you're coming for a neighborhood meal and want a decent glass to go with it, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Branson · Barbecue
Come to Gettin' Basted for the barbecue — not the wine. The $5 house pour is a service item, not a program, and there's no evidence anyone is minding the cellar (or even has one). Order a beer, enjoy the smoke, and don't think about wine until you're somewhere else.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Storrs Smokehouse is a Wild Card in the truest sense: a no-frills BBQ joint sitting in one of the best wine regions in the country, doing something quietly interesting with a local-leaning list. We'd send a wine-curious friend here without hesitation — just go in knowing you're choosing adventure over depth, and let the smoked meat do the heavy lifting.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Peoria · Peoria · Barbecue
Come to The Blue Duck for the ribs, the whiskey, and the riverfront view — not the wine list. If wine is your thing, order the Decoy and move on; if it's not, you're in the right place anyway.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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