Ocala knows about Big Lee's. What other barbecue spots, here and statewide, are hot?

Staff report
·2 min read

Rashad Jones and his Big Lee's – Serious About Barbecue operation are getting lots of attention this week after Jones won "BBQ Brawl" on the Food Network.

What about other barbecue places in Ocala?

Google "best barbecue in Ocala" and the first item to pop up is TripAdvisor's 10 Best BBQ restaurants in town.

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Big Lee's was atop that list on Wednesday, followed by Brick City Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar on the downtown square; Sonny's, the chain with several Marion County locations; and then Fat Boys, 4132 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Can't get enough barbecue options? Tropical Smoothie and Mission BBQ are building in this plaza along State Road 200 at the former Cody's Roadhouse site in Ocala.
Can't get enough barbecue options? Tropical Smoothie and Mission BBQ are building in this plaza along State Road 200 at the former Cody's Roadhouse site in Ocala.

The list also included Southern Pig & Cattle Co., which has two Ocala locations; Big Rascal, 3437 NW Blitchton Road; and the Smokin' Swamp food truck, 5015 NE Jacksonville Road.

Yelp's list had many of the same names, although it lists Brick City first. It also includes a few places that TripAdvisor didn't, including Kountry Q, 6725 SE Maricamp Road (Friday-Sunday only); and Roosevelt's, State Road 326 At 49th Avenue.

What about Florida in general?

The state of Florida has many great barbecue places. The Star-Banner's sibling papers in the Gannett chain recently prepared a roundup of eateries throughout the Sunshine State.

It includes eateries with names like Smokin’ Momma Lora’s and The Bearded Pig.

Kiln-dried oak powers the smokers at Big Lee's.
Kiln-dried oak powers the smokers at Big Lee's.

What if I want to try cooking?

The Star-Banner asked Jones for a few tips to share with backyard grillers. Here is what he said:

  • Use a good quality grill, not one made out of light sheet metal.

  • Have a good meat thermometer; temperature is very important

  • Use high-quality ingredients and cuts of meat

  • For muscled parts of meat, slow cooking is best.

Star-Banner correspondent Andy Fillmore contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Great BBQ spots in Ocala, Florida and statewide