In Austin, Texas, a woman decided to celebrate her husband’s birthday with a bodega-themed party, bringing a slice of his Brooklyn home to the Lone Star State.
Initially, Joel Durbarge, who hails from Williamsburg, wasn’t keen on having a party, as his wife, Kristen, recounted. But, the mention of a “bodega” sparked his interest, she said, highlighting that her “Bodega Brunch” video has gone viral with 1.8 million views on social media platforms.
To create an authentic atmosphere, Kristen went all out. They transformed their kitchen into “J&J Grocery,” complete with real scratch-off lottery tickets, signs announcing “ATM Inside” and “OPEN,” and surprisingly, a gray and white stuffed cat perched atop the bagel display—evoking memories of a childhood cat Joel loved.
There were mini bags of potato chips lining the counter and a Styrofoam carton filled with Snapple. Of course, Kristen served bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches, stating, “That’s just New York—every day.” She even humorously omitted the letter “D” from the sign reading “COFFEE LOTTO SAN WICH,” noting that such misspellings are typical in local markets.
She presented a drink that looked like lemonade but was actually a margarita, served in a deli container with a straw. The dessert table included some of Joel’s favorite childhood candies, which brought back nostalgic memories for both him and Kristen.
The entire setup drew inspiration from stories Joel shared about growing up. He fondly recalled how he and his father would hang out at a bodega, grabbing beers in brown paper bags and playing dominoes.
Many viewers admired Kristen’s effort online, commenting on the classic vibe of the beer in a paper bag and the cute cat. Others expressed their own nostalgia, with one person reminiscing about their Brooklyn childhood, saying they could not love the celebration enough.
Even Joel was moved, shedding tears when they sang ‘Happy Birthday,’ a rare occurrence for him, Kristen mentioned.
Some comments pointed out minor details that could have been included, like a blue coffee cup instead, while others argued that the bacon, egg, and cheese should have been served on a roll rather than a bagel—though Kristen defended her choice based on their fondness for bagels.
This creative celebration seems to have sparked a trend, as several commenters mentioned wanting to host similar parties in the future.
Kristen, who originally grew up in Las Vegas and has Puerto Rican roots, moved to Bushwick in 2011. She met Joel, who is Dominican, at a barbecue shortly after. They relocated to Texas in 2018, where they continue to find ways to recreate their beloved New York experiences, albeit with homemade versions of bacon, egg, and cheese, which she acknowledges don’t quite match the originals.
Whenever they return to Williamsburg, Joel makes a point to visit his favorite bodega, often asking Kristen if she needs anything.
