ALBANY — New York Mets legend Mookie Wilson, who with his family has a barbecue catering company with a location in the Mets’ home stadium, Citi Field, is developing his first dine-in restaurant at the War Room Tavern as a partnership with War Room owner Todd Shapiro.
Called Mookie Wilson’s Legacy BBQ at the War Room, the business is projected to open on the first weekend of November, Wilson said Wednesday in a phone interview. The restaurant arrives 40 years after Wilson helped the Mets win the 1986 World Series with a dramatic grounder in the 10th inning of Game 6 that rolled between the legs of Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner.
With a menu based on family recipes and traditions passed down from Wilson’s mother, Nancy, and his mother-in-law, Jessie, the restaurant will serve traditional South Carolina-style barbecue fare including brisket, spare ribs, chicken wings, smoked sausage, baked beans, potato salad, homemade banana pudding and pineapple cake, Wilson said.
He said he became acquainted with Shapiro during promotional appearances he made for clients of Shapiro’s Manhattan-based public relations firm, and Shapiro broached the idea of opening a Wilson’s Legacy BBQ at the War Room. The tavern closed in March as Shapiro focused on Greenhouse Social Club at La Serre, due to open on Green Street downtown later this fall. Shapiro owns the building where the tavern operated.
The new venture, at 42 Eagle St., across from the Albany Capitol Center convention facility and down the hill from the state Capitol and Empire State Plaza, will retain some of the political memorabilia that defined the War Room but also add televisions for viewing sports and Wilson memorabilia and baseball decor, Shapiro said in a brief phone call from Turkey, where he was traveling on business.
In a statement, Shapiro added, “People love barbecue and people love baseball — and Mookie Wilson brings both at the highest level. This is not just a restaurant opening. We are saving The War Room and creating a true Albany destination: great barbecue, a great bar, huge TVs for every big game, baseball history on the walls and a real family behind the food.”
Wilson said he and family members will be in Albany next week to clean and begin adapting the War Room. They plan hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, though they may be adjusted as dining patterns develop.
Wilson said he had visited Albany on only a few occasions, for sports cards shows, before coming back to look at the War Room.
“I’m not that familiar with Albany, but the location is great and the size of the place is perfect for what we want to do,” he said.
In a statement accompanying the opening announcement, Wilson said, “For our family, this is about legacy. My mother taught us how to cook, my father loved baseball, and my wife, daughter, brothers, sisters and family have always done this together. We are excited to bring real South Carolina barbecue to Albany and welcome people from across New York and the country.”
Dining and Cooking