LOCAL BBQ JOINTS
By Mia Stinemetz and Nicole Willis
There are few things more American than a loaded, messy pulled pork sandwich that falls right out of the bun, or a tender, melt-in-your-mouth saucy slab of ribs. What better way to commemorate the upcoming Independence Day than by chowing down on some good ole’ American barbecue. If you’re spending the day setting up your fireworks display and don’t have the time to play pitmaster, consider grabbing some barbecue to-go from one of Pensacola’s many barbecue restaurants. From traditional and Southern-style barbecue, to New Orleans and Korean barbecue, we’ve rounded up a list of some of Pensacola’s top barbecue joints.
BUH’S BBQ
1981 Hwy. 87, Navarre buhsbbq.com Open daily from 10:30 am to 6 pm John “Buh” Scott fuses together “Texas Heat’’ and “Tennessee Sweet” to create the mouth-watering Buh’s BBQ—Dry Memphis Style Rub and barbecue sauces. Buh’s BBQ also caters to events with their food truck that can cook up to 500 lbs of meat at a time. Traveling to Navarre for this slow-cooked chicken, pork and beef is a must!
THE RIB SHACK
9532 Navarre Pkwy., Navarre ribshacknavarre.com Open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm Since 2002, The Rib Shack has been serving delicious smoked meats and homemade desserts that are sure to cure your growling stomach. Be certain to try their signature Saint Louis style dry rub, Cincinnati chili or chocolate “damn” cake.
GROVER T’S BBQ
5887 US-90, Milton grovertbbq.com Open daily from 11 am to 9 pm Grover T’s prides itself on providing “A true Southern experience.” Although this joint is most known for its scrumptious Southern-style barbecue, their menu also features a number of other signature favorites like their smoked brisket queso and chips and barbecue egg rolls. Each of their recipes are handcrafted and their meats are slow-cooked over hardwood for up to 18 hours. Grover T’s also offer delicious homestyle desserts, a full bar and a variety of craft beers to choose from.
photo by Ellie Scott
HOT SPOT BARBECUE
901 E La Rua St., Pensacola hotspotbarbecue.com Monday through Thursday from 10:30 am to 8 pm, Friday & Saturday from 10:30 am to 9 pm When Pensacola-native Cheri Hlubek stepped away from her career in the beauty industry after working alongside her mother at their family-owned day spa for 35 years, she and her husband, Jim never dreamed that they would one day become the owners of one of the top barbecue joints in Pensacola. Voted Best of the Coast for six years running, Hot Spot is known for its scrumptious Southern-style barbecue. The Hlubek’s humble journey to barbecue bliss began ten years ago when they, along with Jim’s father, purchased an old rundown building about the size of a house just off Ninth Avenue in Pensacola, where it still remains today. Meat takes center stage at Hot Spot BBQ, where the sauce is served on the side allowing the tender, flavorful meat to make a lasting impression on its own. Of course, if you’re the type of eater who loves brisket, chicken or ribs slathered in sauce, you’ll also enjoy dousing your plate in Hot Spot’s signature homemade barbecue sauce. Hot Spot’s dry-rubbed meats are cooked in an outdoor smoker and seasoned to absolute perfection using their homemade dry rub, with locals going particularly hog wild over the tender ribs. Hot Spot also offers a hearty selection of traditional southern sides, including potato salad, coleslaw and Brunswick stew. Make sure to leave room for a slice of their famous homemade lemon pie (aptly named after Jim’s father). The restaurant offers an impressive wine list as well as a solid selection of beers. Hot Spot also bottles and sells its homemade sauce and signature rub at the restaurant, so be sure not to miss it on your way out! PENSACOLA MAGAZINE | 21
