Spring showers couldn’t stop the party vibes that went down at Pig Beach (35-37 36th Street) in Astoria on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The top pitmasters from across the nation reunited at Pig Beach BBQ Queens for the 6th Annual Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit.
Astoria welcomed pitmasters from all walks of life to join the uplifting celebration, while also paying homage to the legacy and impact of Jeff Michner. Michner sadly passed away in May 2018 at the age of 36, leaving behind his wife Sara, young daughter Hayes, and twin sister Meghan, wife of Pig Beach BBQ’s Matt Abdoo. Despite the inclement weather, Abdoo and his crew made sure that the festivities pushed through while creating a warm, friendly environment that Michner would have been proud of. It’s no surprise that the Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit is recognized as one of the country’s premier BBQ fundraisers. The beloved event in Queens has raised close to $300,000 since its inception. Every year, the proceeds are donated to the Jeff Michner Foundation, an established 501c3 nonprofit formed by the Michner family. The foundation supports struggling families navigating loss and grief. Scholarships are also provided for graduating high school students whose passions include cooking and golf.
Notable names who were on hand last weekend included BBQ Hall of Famers Tuffy Stone (Cool Smoke BBQ, Virginia), Chris Lilly (Big Bob Gibson BBQ, Alabama); 2x World Food Champion Mike Johnson (Sugarfire, St. Louis), Bill Durney (Hometown BBQ, Brooklyn), Amy Mills (17th St BBQ, Illinois), and Carey Bringle (Peg Leg Porker, Nashville). A few standout dishes that wowed the crowd on Saturday were Tuff Stone BBQ Provision’s Snake River Farms Pork Smash Burgers, Toons Bar & Grill’s Danny B’s Famous Wings, Ubons BBQ’s Alligator Jambalaya, County Smoak BBQ’s Duck Pastrami Loaded Fries, Baker Goog’s Peacan Caramel Hand Pies, and Turtle + The Wolf’s Lo’s Hot Chicken. Attendees were more than thrilled to wash down their delicious eats with a variety of beverages that kept spirits high throughout the rainy day.
Readers interested in Pig Beach’s menu and hours of operation can visit www.pigbeachnyc.com/location/pig-beach-queens-ny for more information.
Photos Courtesy of Kyle Stevens / @ thekylestevens
Baker Goog of South Carolina offered an array of delicious treats that were enjoyed by patrons at the 6th Annual Jeff Michner BBQ Benefit last Saturday.
Ubons BBQ served up alligator jambalaya at Pig Beach on April 25.
Mouthwatering loaded fries from County Smoak BBQ kept attendees full throughout the day.
Turtle + The Wolf’s Lo’s Hot Chicken included smoked chili oil, cabbage slaw, dill pickle, and Martin’s slide roll.