Westport’s Bootleg BBQ Adds Breakfast With a Smoky Twist

There’s a new breakfast sheriff in town, and he’s bringing the smoke.

Bootleg BBQ on Main Road in Westport, known for its slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork and ribs, is now serving up breakfast on weekends – and it’s got the whole town talking.

A Weekend Wake-Up Call

Owner Fred Melnyk officially launched breakfast service at the beginning of August running from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday and Sunday. The debut was a hit right out of the gate, with loyal customer Danny Desmarais claiming the very first plate at 7:01 a.m.., and giving it “a six out of five" rating.

The menu leans into the comfort of a classic greasy spoon: eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, pancakes, waffles and eggs Benedict, all homemade from scratch. In true Bootleg style, some of the restaurant’s signature smoked meats have found their way into the breakfast offerings, including smoky brisket and house-made corned beef hash.

From BBQ to Breakfast

Melnyk said breakfast has been on his radar since opening Bootleg BBQ in December 2022, but the timing finally felt right.

“It was something we always wanted to do,” he said. “With the Barn and Commons Lunch (closed) and pretty much nothing south of Route 177, there was a hole in the market we wanted to fill.”

READ MORE: SouthCoast Favorite Breakfast Spots and Orders

The expansion was made possible with the help of veteran breakfast cook Kathy Wood, who brings more than 20 years of morning service experience, including time at The Bayside and The Commons Lunch in Little Compton.

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Not Just Breakfast — Brunch, Too

While breakfast is served until noon, Bootleg BBQ’s liquor license kicks in at 10 a.m.., meaning mimosas, Bloody Marys, and the full bar are available for those looking to stretch breakfast into brunch.

What’s Next

For now, Melnyk is keeping breakfast as a weekend-only service while fine-tuning operations, but he says there’s room to grow. More signature BBQ meats may make their way onto the morning menu, and if demand is strong, weekday breakfast could become a reality.

“Everybody wants breakfast,” Melnyk said with a grin. “We’re just getting our feet wet, but the response so far has been great.”