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    Big Lee’s Barbecue

    3.6 (142 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    BIG LEE’S BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

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    Pulled Pork sandwich
    Mel M.

    Having moved from Texas, the bar for good BBQ is set high for us. When our other Texas transplant friends invited us to sample BBQ at Big Lee's, we went with healthy skepticism...but with some anticipation as we've seen the proprietor win competitions and be featured on Triple D. He can't be besting others with less than top notch BBQ, can he? I ordered the Burnt Ends plate ($16), excited to see it on the menu since burnt ends are not always available to order in most Texas BBQ joints since they run out of it very early. My wife tried their Pulled Pork sandwich ($14) and our friends ordered the Brisket/Burnt Ends combo ($18) and a Smash Burger ($12). My wife thought the pulled pork, while tender, lacked the smoky flavor we've come to expect. She had to douse it with their mustard-based BBQ sauce, which was actually pretty good. The burnt ends were nice and tender but I would echo my wife's feedback about the meat lacking that distinctive smokiness. Additionally, I'm used to burnt ends having all that concentrated flavor and char...this one didn't have that. The prices are decent...a good value for BBQ nowadays. However, their offerings fell short of our perhaps lofty expectations. We'll have to check out other local BBQ joints to match BBQ from Salt Lick, Black's, Kreutz Market, Smitty's, and even Luling City Market...not to mention those legendary BBQ joints in Austin.

    Amy A.

    We had to stop in and try this place as I kept seeing TikTok's about how great this place was. My husband got the pork and I got the burnt ends. The food was very good. They have a couple different bbq sauces and they were all very good. We both got Mac n cheese which was very good, we got fried okra which was good and baked beans which were great. We both tried out the Big Lee's tea and it was so good. The staff here was very friendly and helped us pick items out to try. The restaurant itself is small and not many places to sit but there is additional seating outside. Great little place to try for sure.

    Lees bbq
    Joaquin C.

    I WANT ALL THE SMOKE! I heard so much about this place and expected good things. However the food was painfully mediocre. I got the big plate with brisket, beans and fries and a pulled pork sandwich with mac. The brisket was pretty insignificant lacking any real flavor or... smoke. Zero smokiness. The beans were ehh and the fries were run of the mill fast food spuds. The pulled pork and mac n cheese was kind of okay in the way that your coworkers office party potato salad is kinda okay; it fills you up but leaves you reminiscing of a better meal made in your own home. I cant understand the hype other than whats available in Ocala in comparison makes Lee's "incredible". I wish I had a hot tub time machine to get my $50 back. Oh well

    Pit Plates with brisket, burnt ends, slaw. Top had fried okra. Bottom had pork added and corn nuggets (delish)
    Haley K.

    We were up in the Ocala area and decided to finally pop in on a Sunday afternoon. It was busy but the line moved quickly. The girl at the register was super sweet & helpful. We got two pit plates, an extra side of pork, and two drinks for $44. Not a bad price considering BBQ is expensive! The food was out quickly and there was adequate seating inside. My main reason for 4 stars is because they were out of rolls which they did not specify until I got the tray and asked about them, since I thought maybe they forgot. I also thought the restaurant was a little underwhelming overall and the food was delicious, but not "drive an hour" worth it. If you're in the area, 100% I'd recommend stopping in. The meats were tender & tasty but the portions overall seemed small. I also felt like it was "quick service" BBQ, which I can get anywhere in Orlando (i.e.- Bubbalou's, 4 Rivers, Polite Pig, etc.) and it lacked the WOW factor that you get from somewhere like Smokemade Meats. I was happy and satisfied, but would only stop in if I was nearby!

    Sausage, fried okra, "the Kelly" (Mac & cheese with brisket), coleslaw, roll, and banana pudding cheese cake.
    Cameron S.

    Rashad Jones (the owner) was very awesome to meet and very friendly. The servers behind the counter were nice and helpful. The ambiance was friendly but busy. The food was amazing. Coming from Texas where people take pride in their BBQ, where Texas usually falls short is on their side dishes. This place was great! The sausage and brisket had great flavor, but the sides were just as great. They lifted and elevated the experience and I would definitely go back!!

    Chopped brisket sandwich

    Food and service was excellent! Greeted when we walked and Lee himself was behind the register. Food and service was excellent! Greeted when we walked and Lee himself was behind the register.

    Wing I.

    Me and my family were here at late December for a family meals before an event. We ordered the family meals and it was able to feed all 4 of us (adults) They were very flavorful and the cashier and server are both very friendly and approachable! The restaurant is clean and chic! The food is yummy and tender! I especially love the brisket! I wish they have the burst end in the family meals before also.

    Kimmie B.

    .We got there a little close to an hour before closing and they were out of ribs, sausage, chicken but luckily had brisket and pulled pork. Unfortunately also out of desserts. But they remained friendly, helpful in answering questions, patient when we needed more clarification. The food was good. I would say the fried corn was my favorite side. The brisket was flavorful and juicy. The sweet sauce is popular but I loved their tangy sauce. Once the craziness of the shift died down, they made sure to check on us... twice. Extremely friendly staff. For the people complaining, read the room. Obviously if the staff is so inundated with orders, they wont be as attending. Also, if you go towards the end of the day, they might be running low on a few things because everything is made fresh.

    Rib plate
    Helen N.

    I got the little rib plate, which came with three ribs and two sides. I picked the corn nuggets and french fries, and also tried their sausage. I got everything as takeout and reheated it in the air fryer. The sausage had a nice kick and a crispy skin. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The corn nuggets were very crispy and a good size. The fries were standard but solid. Overall, it was really good barbecue, but not quite good enough to drive all the way to Ocala from Gainesville just for it.

    Birria tacos with street corn as a side
    Nyamekye A.

    This. Place. Was. Amazing!! I'm not much of a barbecue fan but this place did not disappoint and I heard it was a really popular spot so me and my boyfriend had to try. My boyfriend knew about this spot and told me that he wanted to try it . I didn't know it is owned by Rashad jones. For context he was on cooking shows and won master of "cue" and the show eat, sleep, barbecue. My boyfriend told me about him and this place so I was very excited to see what his barbecue was about. When I tell you this place did not disappoint!! It did not disappoint like I was surprised how much I like it considering that I don't eat barbecue as much. The ambiance was super cute and gave me that ocala feel when I entered. You were immediately greeted when you entered by them saying "welcome to big Lees" . The staff were amazing, very friendly and provided great selections. I was able to try their famous sweet tea infused I can't remember what the exact name was but it was really good. The food was the best part aside from the decor. When I tell you the tacos were flavorful they were flavorful! I added the street corn on top and I was so satisfied with the meal. I was also able to try my boyfriend's food as well which he got the rib tips. We happened to be in the area of ocala and wanted to try this place and I'm not going to lie I will drive 2 hours again just to eat at this spot. That's how good it was. 10/10 I recommend! Thank you big lees for the amazing service and amazing food

    Patrick J.

    This is a very good barbecue place and a fantastic location with friendly staff. I would definitely come back again.

    Left-Chicken, fries and fried okra.  Right - Burnt ends and Brisket with fried okra and corn nuggets.

    Oh. My. Goodness! This place is awesome! We were driving through the Ocala area and HAD to come eat here - to try the food that beat Bobby Flay. We tried every meat except the sausage and they were all delicious- just the right amount of smoke and so tender! We tried 3 different bbq sauces and all 3 complemented the bbq really well, not covering the taste of the meat, and all distinct in flavor. The were out of the peach cobbler and banana pudding, BUT the Biscoff cookie cheesecake was SO decadent we didn't miss them (neither my husband nor I are really cheesecake lovers, but this one I would definitely order again!). Divine. If I had to only order one or two meat choices I would choose burnt ends and the ribs. I like the corn nuggets over the fried okra also (they were out of baked beans, Mac n cheese, and Mexican corn). Fries were perfectly seasoned crinkle cut, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect.

    Small brisket plate with half fries and half fried okra

    You walk in and u are greeted with a warm welcome in prices are not bad at all the employees are very nice the food is cooked fresh and delicious it just falls right apart the place is very clean will definitely be back

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    The WORST!!! Food was awful, cold and service almost non existent. Unbelievable that this guys on Food Network.

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