- May 2, 2024
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One of the first nights that my now-husband, Patrick, came over to my parents’ condo on Longboat Key, my mom asked, “Do you know how to use the grill?” My husband nodded; grabbed the meat, tongs and cutting board; and proceeded down to the grill with my dad.
After everything was situated on the grill, my dad looked at Patrick, laughed and said: “You should have never told my wife you know how to grill. This will be your job forever now.”
Patrick now mans the grill while Dad sits back, pours a Jack Daniel's and reminds his son-in-law of his new forever role and the one lie he should have told my mom.
In honor of this story, I set my sights on finding the best barbecue joints in town.
Whether it be for Labor Day weekend or just a family grilling night like the many I’ve experienced, these spots are beyond bar-be-cute for any foodie with a hankering for that sweet (or tangy, or hot) sauce.
Food truck locations vary; brick-and-mortar location coming soon to Clark Road; 941-544-1361; MoutholeBBQ.com
Our first stop on this mouthwatering expedition isn't brick and mortar, but I will follow the non-winding roads of Sarasota if they lead to this fantastic food truck. You can follow the barbecue smells to Calusa Brewing on most Tuesday evenings. Check out Mouthole’s Facebook page for other dining destinations (and photos that will have you drooling over your keyboard).
Flippin' Grate: The Calusa Meat Locker is what BBQ badasses like us beg for and Mouthole definitely delivers. Righteously tasty ribs, beautiful brisket, perfectly pleasant pulled pork, yummy mac 'n' cheese, sensational smoked beans, awesome slaw and can-I-fit-more-in-my-belly cornbread ($43).
All Fired Up Over: Mouthole’s Hawaiian menu. These offerings have me feeling like I could like pineapple ever after. If you’re lucky enough to happen upon Hawaiian night at the truck, you can choose from the Shoyu chicken bowl ($14), Kalua pork plate ($15), Teriyaki tri tip bowl ($18) or the Hawaiian mixed plate ($20).
19 East Road, Sarasota; 941-312-5969; StottlemyersSmokehouse.com
Steve and Terry Stottlemyer are pioneers when it comes to the Sarasota eat-and-drink history pages. Steve’s father developed the property where the smokehouse stands in 1955. In 1995, Steve and Terry served home-cooked breakfast and lunch at the adjoining Fruitville Texaco that they built and in 2009 the Chickee Hut was formed. With Old Florida charm being hard to come by these days, it's a sure bet that this pecan-wood smokery will always carry on tradition — and treat our tastebuds time and time again.
Flippin' Grate: The BBQ sampler ($26.99). Ready for a list of lip-smacking, finger-licking deliciousness? Order long bone ribs or a half-rack of baby backs, 6 oz. brisket and half a smoked chicken. Or choose the BBQ pork combo ($28.99) with two long bone ribs or a half-rack of baby back ribs and the 6 oz. pulled pork.
All Fired Up Over: The smoke stuffed bacon-wrapped jalapenos ($8.99). Filled with savory seasoned cream cheese, wrapped in beloved bacon and as it says on the menu, “smoked to perfection.” I wish that these little bites of sweet heat were on every restaurant menu, but this Stottlemyer starter is special and should be devoured by all patrons.
1701 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach; 941-242-5340; Smoqehouse.com
This is not your average smokehouse. Based on Anna Maria Island, the Kubes family has conceptualized their restaurant menu in a unique fashion — it depends on what the cook is inspired by that day. The fast-casual atmosphere is transcended by the barbecue fusion food smells as you walk up to the front door. The menu, in addition to daily delectable specials, has seven craft sandwiches accompanied by a choice of seven craft sides that will make you wonder why it took you so long to get to the island.
Flippin' Grate: If any of the specials I’ve bitten into over the years are offered when you plop down to partake in BBQ, order them all. Leftovers are always a good decision. Grab a fork for the Piggy fries tossed in signature rub, Andy’s BBQ beans, house smoked pulled pork, smoked cheddar and BBQ drizzle. Looking for a sammy? The mushroom Swiss brisket burger is a culinary treasure. Each bite brings garlic sauteed crimini mushrooms, smoked Swiss, red onion and a gracious heap of gorgeous garlic and thyme aioli.
All Fired Up Over: The Pimento burger. It blends the beyond bonkers tasting brisket patty, ooey-gooey cheddar cheese, crisp red onion, freaking phenomenal fried banana peppers and house-made pimento into a perfect package for the senses.
5231 University Parkway, Suite109, Sarasota; 941-841-9279; Mission-BBQ.com
In seventh grade, growing up outside of New York City, I witnessed the Twin Towers fall on Sept. 11, 2001. Two boys in my class lost their fathers that day. I tell this story because Mission BBQ opened exactly 10 years later when two patriotic friends wanted to run “a business with meaning and purpose.” They drove all over the nation from Texas to Kansas City and St. Louis to the Carolinas to give us foodies the best BBQ. I am here feeling patriotic (and stuffed to the gills) for every offering they got.
Flippin' Grate: Keep it simple, keep it sweet. That’s what makes this pulled pork sandwich ($8.89) great. Slather the tender pork with sauce that will effortlessly drip down your fingers and more than likely onto your shirt. Be sure to ask for the Smokey Mountain sauce and make it an XL combo ($5.25) with a side and drink or an XXL combo ($7.25) for two sides and a drink. Sides include Maggie’s Mac N Cheese ($2.99-$13.39) and baked beans with brisket ($2.99-$13.19), to name a few.
All Fired Up Over: The ribs. You can order by the bone, by five bone or by 10 bone. Trust me, you might want to order more. Choose from BAY-b-Back ribs that fall off the bone, spare ribs St. Louis style and more. It makes for a finger-lickin’ good time.
