You know the idiom: “as American as apple pie”? We believe the phrase originally began as a sentence: “It was as American as good barbeque, followed by a slice of apple pie.” BBQ has a long history from sea to shining sea, but the Southern and Midwestern states stake their claim most fervently on this slow-cooked flavor. We’ve searched high and low for the best places to enjoy this eminently American cuisine and we discovered the best dishes are served with care by those filled with passion for their life’s calling: feeding good people good barbeque.
Brick’s BBQ – Sarasota
Mark Gabrick keeps an exceptionally popular stand at Downtown Sarasota’s Farmers Market where every Saturday morning he sells out of everything, usually hours before the market closes. His loyal fan base will tell you to get up pretty early if you want the best Texas-style brisket, Kansas City-style ribs and Southern-style pulled pork you’ve ever tasted. Gabrick’s stand is so popular that he once ran out of almost 300 pounds of brisket in under four hours. Lucky for you late risers and Saturday morning workers, Gabrick plans to open a brick-and-mortar version of the stand in the near future. Watch this space. Hot Dish Texas-style beef brisket cooked the right way—low and slow—so that the meat has that smoky wood character and tender texture we crave.
Yummies Donuts & BBQ – Venice
If you happened upon Yummies Donuts & BBQ, you might be surprised to find a bustling store filled with happy servers dishing up fresh donuts and barbeque. Allen Tines and wife Karen have owned Yummies since 2006 and Allen was excited to add smoked barbeque to the menu in 2010. Yummies runs a successful catering business and thanks to a recent national story the small storefront in Venice has become more popular than ever. Hot Dish The famous Sticky Pig Sandwich is as decadent and satisfying as you’d imagine. The tender pulled pork is stuffed between two halves of a fresh-glazed cinnamon bun and served warm. We loved it with the house raspberry BBQ sauce—no dessert required.
Darrell’s Restaurant – Venice
Darrell and Lisa Hornberger spend more time at their restaurant in Venice than they do at home. As Lisa puts it, “Everyone here is like our family.” Darrell’s website claims to be “where the locals eat” and it’s easy to see why when you visit this family-owned Southern restaurant. Booths and chairs are named for individual regulars and both Lisa and Darrell are actively involved in community outreach and fundraising. Darrell’s Restaurant smokes its fresh meat on the premises and out-of-town visitors have been known to come for lunch and stay for dinner. Everything is made to order and seasoned to perfection; even the salad dressings are homemade with love. Hot Dish The smoked pig wings at Darrell’s Restaurant have us questioning why anyone would eat regular chicken wings when they can enjoy these wondrous morsels. The 4-oz. pork shanks are smoked then flash-fried so that they come cleanly off the bone and crackle juicily at first bite.
Alday’s – Sarasota
The Alday family has served some of Sarasota’s favorite barbeque for more than 30 years and their stand on the corner of Bahia Vista and Beneva remains a popular weekend destination. Regulars are fiercely loyal and vocal about their favorite dishes and have been known to stand in line debating the merits of the various sides and combinations available. The service at Alday’s is always genuinely hospitable, as befitting of a BBQ dynasty, and the distinctive smell of oak smoke in the air lures many from the busy intersection. Hot Dish Order a whole chicken for a family feast and be sure to include homemade sides of coleslaw and baked beans. The chicken tastes as juicy and tender as it looks and the skin is beautifully crisp.
Buffalo Bill’s Brew-B-Q – Venice
Gary Steinwach’s parents opened Buffalo Bill’s in 1964 in Venice. What began as a coffee shop has morphed over the years into the current incarnation: Buffalo Bill’s Brew-B-Q. Steinwach is passionate about his meats, which are oak-smoked on premises. He’s also a firm believer that barbeque pairs best with a good craft beer, and Buffalo Bill’s has a variety of local drafts on tap. Steinwach intends to brew his own beer to sell at the restaurant as soon as he finds a moment between his booming catering business and fledgling barbeque restaurant. Steinwach loves his customers and he’s always excited to spot a newcomer in the small, wood-paneled dining room. He will insist you sample his excellent sweet tea and some of the moist, tender brisket. The meats at Buffalo Bill’s are deliberately sauce-free and the homemade sauces on the tables at Bill’s were designed to complement, rather than disguise, the flavor. Hot Dish Oak-Smoked St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs are covered in a proprietary dry rub and oak-smoked using Florida oak; the ribs are so tender, your fork can slide the meat clean from the bone.
Pride of the South – Gulf Gate
We weren’t expecting to find a great barbeque restaurant in Gulf Gate, but thanks to the folks behind the best late-night restaurant in town, Munchies Café, we now have Pride of the South. Mike Swofford, the pitmaster here, hails from Oklahoma and smokes all the meat out front in a giant smoker. The aroma of barbeque permeates the air and draws customers in like moths to an open flame. The menu is tongue-in-cheek with sides like They Call Me Tater Salad and the service is just as relaxed and friendly. Hot Dish The BBQ smoked sheperd’s pie begins with the moist and hearty smoked meatloaf, then covered with a warmed-up serving of house-made potato salad and topped with fresh corn.
Brick’s BBQ: Sarasota Farmers Market, Downtown Sarasota. Yummies Donuts & BBQ: 2001 S Tamiami Trl., Venice, 941-493-7170. Darrell’s Restaurant: Brickyard Plaza, 530 U.S. Hwy. 41 ByPass South, Suite 20A & 21A, Venice, 941-485-9900. Alday’s: 1135 S Beneva Rd., Sarasota, 941-928-2279. Buffalo Bill’s Brew-B-Q: 1262 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice, 941-485-8807. Pride of the South: 6616 Superior Ave., Sarasota, 941-926-0099.
