There’s not much better than BBQ done right.
Anybody that loves BBQ has made at least one attempt. One attempt at their very own pit of deliciousness. I know, I make attempts all the time. Some turn out better than others. One thing they all have in common, no leftovers.
There’s no doubt that taking an eight to ten hour chunk out of your day to get it right is a time commitment. There’s a checklist of things that need to get done. You have to find andĀ purchaseĀ the perfect piece of meat for your smokey experimentation. Wood, specifically what type and what form (chunks, chips or pellets). You’ll need to set-up and fire-up your smoking chamber of choice. And, after rubbing, marinating, injecting or prepping usingĀ some super secret method, it will finally be time to SMOKE!
All of that happens before ANYTHING even starts cooking. Don’t get me wrong, I love conducting my semi-mad scientist smoking experiments.Ā It’s fun, usually delicious and a great excuse to eat meat. But, there are times when you want all of that rich, hearty goodness without the half day commitment. There is good news. Sarasota has some damn good “que”.
Out onĀ Fruitville Road, east of “the highway” is Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse. Yes, it’s across from the RV park and behind the Texaco. As crazy as that sounds, it’sĀ the perfect location for a barbecue restaurant. And, to be honest the food and the location come together in a perfect mix of smoke, Ā flavor and bbq ambiance.
Yes, it’s true. Nothing goes better with BBQ than beer. Stottlemyer’s has a Florida feel tiki bar where you can grab and ice cold adult beverage AND eat some of their smoked delicacies. But, let’s get to it. We’re here for a different reason. There’s lots of place around town to get a beer in a tiki hut. We shouldĀ take a look atĀ what we came here for…
Yep, that’s a little combo plate. Smoked brisket and pulled pork. A taste of collards and cole slaw complete the sampling. Brisket and pulled pork areĀ my two barbecue barometers. I think it’s WAY harder to get those two exactly right than smoking a slab of ribs. And, I love ribs.
There’s a top down view. Those aren’t just any collards. They’re sweet collards with bacon! All you can say is, “they’re real nice”…
This place is the very definition of casual. Picnic style tables. AllĀ outside, mostly covered dining. A friendly staff and prices that are easy to digest complete this pretty little picture.
Yes, it’s off the road most traveled. Yes, we have other BBQ options in town (and they’re good too). But, a trip to Stottlemyer’s will help to broaden your Sarasota BBQ horizons. BBQ should be an experience. And, this is Sarasota BBQ worth experiencing.
Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse
19 East Road
Sarasota, FL
941-312-5969
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