- May 26, 2026
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As season draws to a close and the slow days of summer arrive, May has a way of making me think more intentionally about time. How fast it moves, how much we try to control it and how often the best moments in life are the ones that refuse to be rushed.
That’s where National Brisket Day, on May 28, comes in.
In its own smoky, slow-cooked way, brisket is really all about time. It doesn’t hurry, it doesn’t cut corners, it asks you to wait, gather and sit around a table with people you care about while something low and slow becomes something worth remembering.
In honor of National Brisket Day, I’m serving up local eateries with the best brisket plates around. You might not even know some of these places exist. One is a food truck and another is takeout only. When it comes to slow-cooked meat, it’s all about the flavor, not the ambience of the vendor.
941-203-0013; Assorted locations. JoetheBoar.com
Holy Smoke: This food truck makes you rethink whatever quick lunch plan you had planned for the day. The brisket sandwich ($15) is tender, smoky and stacked just right. The brisket and pork plate ($18) leans all the way into comfort with sides like smokehouse dirty rice, sweet potatoes or classic coleslaw rounding everything out.
Pit Happens: And if we’re not counting calories, which, honestly, we’re not today, the brisket mac and cheese ($8) is my move. Creamy and loaded with smoky brisket folded into every bite, it’s the kind of dish that quietly keeps you searching for this food truck's location time and time again.
19 East Road, Sarasota; 941-312-5969; StottlemyersSmokehouse.com
Holy Smoke: In a town where Old Florida charm feels harder than heck to hold onto, this pecan-wood smokery continues to carry the smoky, soulful and deliciously nostalgic torch. And honestly, the Cornbread Smokestack ($20.99, add brisket for $2) might be the best representation of that comfort-food legacy.
Pit Happens: The mini BBQ sampler ($25.99) happily solves any indecisive eater (me) problem because you git a lil' bit of everything — a smoky spread of a half rack of baby back ribs, 4 oz. brisket and choice of light or dark smoked chicken. This is the kind of feast that requires extra napkins and absolutely no shame. Or level up with the East Road Sampler with 6 oz. brisket ($23.99).
936 42nd St., Sarasota; 941-351-1445; PerrysSauce.com
Holy Smoke: This takeout-only spot keeps the focus exactly where it belongs — on tender beef brisket by the pound ($28), piled onto dinner platters ($22) with comforting sides like baked beans, collard greens, mac and cheese or potato salad that redefines home-cooked family dining. And yes, adding the cornbread for $2 is your responsibility.
Pit Happens: Feeding an army? Perry’s has you covered with their three-meat family meal ($80), stacked with a full rack of St. Louis-style ribs, a half chicken, 1 lb. of beef brisket, baked beans and your choice of large coleslaw or potato salad. It’s comfort-food excellence with a spread that turns an ordinary night into a “grab extra napkins and loosen your belt” occasion.
