The Bearded Pig (now closed) Southern-style BBQ in Union Square

Likely an homage to 2010 Kirstie Alley that one time she accidentally took a bunch of testosterone medicine, The Bearded Pig's a new Southern-style counter-service joint from a Jacksonville-bred political operative-turned-architect, who wasted little time morphing his nascent BBQ catering biz into a 40-seat brick-and-mortar just off Union Square.

Before hitting the MBTA trip planner to navigate your way there, first get yourself up to speed on:

The Space: Say "goodbye" to drop ceilings and exposed faux brick, and "hello, it's seriously a pleasure to meet you, I've heard so much about you" to TBP's mod take on a Southern smokehouse, jazzed up with oak floors, chalkboard menus, a five-stool ash window counter, and whitewashed beadboard found underneath five layers of old wall covering.

The Q: Expect sammies & platters filled with 100% oak-smoked basics (pulled pork, sliced beef brisket, half/ full racks of ribs...), some of which're smoked as long as 14hrs, and all of which're dressed to your liking in nipple pasties and edible underwear! one of four sauces that range from the "I've been making this recipe since I was a kid" Western Carolina ketchup & vinegar-based Original Pit, to a low country, SC-style yellow mustard drizzle.

The Sides: Hot and cold accompaniments that run the gamut from mac 'n cheese and collards, to potato salad and two kinds of slaw (one creamy, one vinegar), to honey jalapeno cornbread and a banana dessert, or what Kirstie no doubt kept lewdly offering up while loaded on testosterone meds.