(Photo: Miles Dixon)
Everyone knows Brooklyn’s culinary scene is heating up, but Williamsburg’s first specialty hot sauce store is taking things to a new level. With 100 varieties of hot sauce on offer and space for 50 more, Heatonist is a haven for those who like it… well, you know.
In fact, there are almost too many condiments to choose from, but luckily, Heatonist is not just a store, it’s an experience. A “hot sauce sommelier” is on hand to help customers pick out sauces that match their food and flavor preferences.
Want something with a splash of pineapple, and a zing of habanero? They’ve got it. What about a spicy cherry concoction? No problem. Their most popular hot sauce of the moment is the Serrano Ginger Lemongrass offering from Marshall’s Haute Sauce of Portland, Oregon.
Photo: Miles Dixon
Around 70 brands are represented at Heatonist, all of which match the ethos of the store. “We like to work with companies that bring the same values as our store,” said owner and sommelier Noah Chaimberg. “We’re trying to be a way for people to be more considerate of the food they eat.”
Heatonist only stocks sauces that are made from natural ingredients, forgoing any sauces that include additives and/or artificial preservatives. The store also supports local brands, offering a number of locally sourced hot sauces from companies such as Brooklyn Grange Farm, Queen Majesty Hot Sauce and Gorilla Condiment Company – all based in Brooklyn. “It’s the right place for it,” said Chaimberg of the store’s location. “The food scene here has grown by leaps and bounds, and we just felt it was ready for a hot sauce store.”
Heatonist, 121 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, 718-599-0838; open noon to 8pm daily