Dining Out: Dr. BBQ is Comfort Food

BY MARCIA BIGGS

It’s been a rough year. Between the continuing pandemic and political mayhem, travel cancellations, sports separation anxiety, and kids that rarely leave the house, is it any wonder that dining out has taken on a new meaning? Have you found yourself almost giddy with excitement when you decide to treat yourself to brunch, or lunch or dinner at a restaurant?

Venturing out for a meal should not be cause for anxiety. One thing that most restaurants continue to strive for no matter where we stand with COVID is safety for all patrons and workers, which means masks continue to be worn and diners separated. Choosing a spot with wide open space is at the top of my list when selecting a restaurant and Dr. BBQ fits the bill nicely with its two-story 9,000 square feet of cavernous dining space allowing plenty of room to spread out. A breezy outdoor balcony bar that looks out on the Trop and Central Avenue’s bustling Edge District is also perfect for drinks.

Comfort food is back and back big, and we found it during a leisurely Sunday lunch that allowed my companion and I to kick back and relax with some creative ‘cue. The BBQ man himself, Ray Lampe, was on hand to greet and chat up diners. He’s often there on weekends to welcome folks and pose for photos, happy to recommend menu items and talk about his recipes and grilling. They don’t have Sunday brunch, per se, he told us since the regular menu items are always in demand.

“We’ve been open two years now, and we finally feel like we’ve hit our stride,” he said proudly. “The smoker is at the heart of the restaurant and the heart of the menu.” Indeed, with two in-house smokers working round-the-clock, Dr. BBQ has mastered the art of perfectly smoked meats from chicken and ribs, to pork belly and brisket.

Earlier this year when the restaurant was closed to diners, they did a brisk business of carry-out meats by the pound and still do, Lampe told us. (Take note, holiday cooks, you could make this a BBQ Christmas.)

The menu is a smorgasbord of grilled and smoked meats and sides. Six house barbecue sauces are yours for the asking, although hardly needed. A good place to start for first-timers is the Texas Two-Step. Select from two meats – Pulled Chicken, Smoked Turkey, Sliced Brisket, Pulled Pork, Sliced Pastrami, Pork Belly or Sausage -- and two house sides of your choosing. We tried the Smoked Turkey, thick slabs of moist and perfectly smoked bird, and the house-cured and smoked Pastrami. Add on a side of the Tai Pei Sweet Corn, whole ears of fire-roasted corn basted in honey-Siracha aioli, to knock your socks off.

The St. Louis Ribs are meaty and juicy, slathered with a sweet and spicy sauce. A variety of sandwiches are mighty tempting, too, including a perfectly seasoned sliced brisket topped with melted pepper-jack cheese on a toasted baguette. Your mouth will sing with flavor when you sink your teeth into the Korean-inspired Sticky Ribs dusted with sesame seeds and green onion.

Tacos with a choice of meats on flour or corn tortillas and a hefty Frito Pie covered in chili, queso and jalapenos are great for sharing. There are plenty of offerings for the non-meat eater here as well, including a three-bean Meatless Chili, Beyond Tacos, and four salads.

Signature sides include the Smashed Potato, Jack Daniels BBQ Beans and Sandi’s Bacon Blue Cheese Slaw. You can also pick from Collard Greens, Mac N’Cheese and a Cowboy Caviar of roasted corn, black beans, tomatoes, Kimchi Fries and Fried Avocado Wedges.

Not up for a lotta eatin’? It’s worth a trip just to share one of the humongous, sinfully tempting Southern desserts like the Epic Peanut Butter Pie, the perfect-for-two Banana Pudding Parfait or the Horse Soldier Bourbon Chocolate Cake.

A massive bar in the main dining area is perfect for hanging out with lots of space and on Sundays you can watch the games projected on the brick wall. Take a stroll upstairs, admire the collection of barbecue trophies, and check out the balcony bar. You’ll feel right at home and maybe, just maybe, you won’t think about the woes of the world for a few hours. Heavenly!

Dr. BBQ 1101 1st Avenue S. St. Petersburg (727) 443-7227 drbbqs.com