Best BBQ in Ocala
From Mission BBQ's brisket to Sonny's ribs and local smokehouses, the barbecue restaurants in Ocala with verified addresses
The best BBQ in Ocala, Florida includes Mission BBQ, Sonny's BBQ, Fat Boy's BBQ and Big Lee's BBQ. Mission BBQ (2505 SW College Rd) serves brisket and stops for the national anthem daily at noon. Sonny's, a Florida chain since 1968, has three Ocala locations. Fat Boy's (4132 E Silver Springs Blvd) and Big Lee's (2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd) are locally owned smokehouses.
What Is the BBQ Scene Like in Ocala?
Ocala's barbecue ranges from regional chains to locally owned smokehouses. Mission BBQ and Sonny's (three locations) cover the chain side, while Fat Boy's BBQ on E Silver Springs Blvd and Big Lee's BBQ, which grew out of a food truck, are locally owned. Whether you want brisket, ribs or a pulled pork sandwich, the spots below have addresses checked against the restaurants' own sites and the Ocala Marion County visitors bureau.
For dedicated pages on individual spots, see our guides to Mission BBQ, Sonny's BBQ and Big Lee's Serious About BBQ in Ocala, where Food Network's Master of 'Cue, Rashad Jones, smokes brisket and burnt ends on SW 19th Avenue Rd. For locally smoked meats with a devoted following, Artman Country Smokehouse is a smokehouse in Summerfield, south of Ocala. If you love competitive cooking, don't miss the annual King of the Wing cook-off and the Ocala Strawberry Festival — both celebrate Marion County's food culture. For a broader look at barbecue culture and dining in the area, visit our complete BBQ in Ocala guide or browse the full Ocala dining directory.
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Best BBQ in Ocala by Style
What you want to eat changes where you should go. Here are the standout Ocala BBQ spots grouped by style.
BBQ Chains in Ocala
Mission BBQ and Florida-born Sonny's, founded in Gainesville in 1968. Sonny's has three Ocala locations: SW College Rd, CR 484 and E Silver Springs Blvd.
Mission BBQ opened its first restaurant on September 11, 2011, and built its brand around honoring military members and first responders; every day at noon its restaurants stop for the national anthem. The menu lists brisket, pulled pork, turkey, pulled chicken, sausage, ribs and baby back ribs, with sides like mac-n-cheese, collard greens, baked beans and cold slaw. Open Monday through Saturday 11 AM to 9 PM and Sunday 11:30 AM to 8 PM; phone 352-558-8601.
Sonny's BBQ was founded on Waldo Road in Gainesville in 1968 and has three Ocala restaurants. The SW College Rd location (352-629-2663) serves the chain's slow-smoked ribs, pulled or sliced pork, brisket, chicken and turkey with sides like BBQ beans, mac and cheese and coleslaw, and lists dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, delivery and catering. A second southwest location is at 1794 SW County Road 484 (352-245-5595).
Sonny's east-side Ocala restaurant (352-236-1012) is on E Silver Springs Blvd (State Road 40), on the way to Silver Springs State Park. It serves the same menu as the other Ocala locations, with a kids' menu and family meals.
Locally Owned Smokehouses
Ocala-owned barbecue: Fat Boy's on E Silver Springs Blvd and Big Lee's, which started as a food truck.
Fat Boy's BBQ is a locally owned and operated barbecue restaurant on E Silver Springs Blvd. It smokes brisket, ribs, pulled pork and chicken over hickory and serves sides and desserts, with dine-in, outdoor seating and catering. The visitors bureau lists it as open every day, 11 AM to 9 PM; phone (352) 766-1970.
Big Lee's Serious About BBQ began as a food truck and grew into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Ocala, opened July 4, 2023, with food trucks that still run alongside it. Owner Rashad Jones won Master of 'Cue on Food Network's BBQ Brawl and beat Bobby Flay. The menu includes brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, ribs, chicken and sausage. The restaurant's website lists it as open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday 11 AM to 7 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM, closed Monday; phone (352) 670-2972.
What to Order at Ocala BBQ Restaurants
Smoked Brisket
On the menu at Mission BBQ, all three Sonny's, Fat Boy's and Big Lee's. Big Lee's also serves burnt ends, the brisket point cut into cubes.
Pulled Pork
A staple at every Ocala BBQ spot. Sonny's serves it pulled or sliced with five table sauces, from Sweet to Mustard; pair it with coleslaw.
Ribs
Every featured spot serves ribs. Sonny's and Mission BBQ both list baby back ribs alongside their regular ribs; Fat Boy's smokes its ribs over hickory.
Best Ocala BBQ For…
BBQ is about matching the meat to the moment. Here's how locals pick the right spot.
Brisket and burnt ends
Big Lee's BBQ on SW 19th Avenue Rd for brisket and burnt ends from a BBQ Brawl winner, or Mission BBQ on SW College Rd.
Families
Sonny's BBQ on SW College Rd, CR 484 or E Silver Springs Blvd. Kids' menu, high chairs, family feasts and build-your-own bundles.
Locally owned smokehouse
Fat Boy's BBQ (hickory-smoked, E Silver Springs Blvd) and Big Lee's BBQ (SW 19th Avenue Rd). In Summerfield, Artman Country Smokehouse.
East Ocala / SR 40
Sonny's BBQ at 4102 and Fat Boy's BBQ at 4132 E Silver Springs Blvd, a block apart on the way to Silver Springs State Park.
Catering a big event
Sonny's, Mission BBQ, Fat Boy's and Big Lee's all list catering. Call for menus and minimums.
Honoring military or first responders
Mission BBQ. Opened on September 11, 2011, the chain stops for the national anthem every day at noon.
Pulled pork sandwich
Sonny's, the Florida chain since 1968, or Fat Boy's for a hickory-smoked local version.
Quick BBQ lunch
Mission BBQ and Sonny's both take online orders for pickup; Sonny's also lists curbside pickup.
Trying multiple meats
Sonny's build-your-own bundles come with two, three or four meats, so a group can compare ribs, pork and brisket.
How Do Ocala BBQ Spots Compare?
| Name | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission BBQ | 2505 SW College Rd, Unit 200, Ocala, FL 34471 | $$ | |
| Sonny's BBQ (College Rd) | 1845 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34471 | $$ | |
| Sonny's BBQ (Silver Springs Blvd) | 4102 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470 | $$ | |
| Fat Boy's BBQ | 4132 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470 | $$ | |
| Big Lee's Serious About BBQ | 2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd, Suite 100, Ocala, FL 34471 | $$ |
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ in Ocala
What is the best BBQ restaurant in Ocala, Florida?
It depends on what you're after. For brisket and a daily noon national anthem: Mission BBQ at 2505 SW College Rd. For Florida's own barbecue chain: Sonny's BBQ, with three Ocala locations (1845 SW College Rd, 1794 SW County Road 484 and 4102 E Silver Springs Blvd). For a locally owned smokehouse: Fat Boy's BBQ at 4132 E Silver Springs Blvd or Big Lee's BBQ at 2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd. Just south of town, Artman Country Smokehouse is in Summerfield.
Where is the best brisket in Ocala?
Brisket is on the menu at Mission BBQ (2505 SW College Rd), Big Lee's BBQ (2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd), Fat Boy's BBQ (4132 E Silver Springs Blvd) and all three Sonny's BBQ locations. Big Lee's also serves burnt ends; its owner, Rashad Jones, won Master of 'Cue on Food Network's BBQ Brawl.
What is Florida-style BBQ?
Florida barbecue has no single official style, but Sonny's BBQ, founded in Gainesville in 1968, is the state's best-known barbecue chain: pulled and sliced pork, ribs, brisket and chicken with a choice of sweet, original, spicy and mustard sauces. Fat Boy's BBQ in Ocala smokes its meats over hickory.
Does Mission BBQ in Ocala really play the national anthem at noon?
Yes. Every day at 12 noon, Mission BBQ restaurants stop while the national anthem plays. The chain opened its first restaurant on September 11, 2011, and built its brand around honoring military members and first responders. The Ocala restaurant is at 2505 SW College Rd, Unit 200.
Where can I get BBQ catering in Ocala for a large event?
Mission BBQ, Sonny's BBQ, Fat Boy's BBQ, Big Lee's BBQ and Artman Country Smokehouse all list catering. Contact each restaurant directly for menus, pricing, minimum orders and delivery.
How many Sonny's BBQ locations are there in Ocala?
Three: 1845 SW College Rd (352-629-2663), 1794 SW County Road 484 (352-245-5595) and 4102 E Silver Springs Blvd (352-236-1012). The first Sonny's opened on Waldo Road in Gainesville in 1968; there is no Waldo Road location in Ocala.
What types of BBQ are available in Ocala?
Between the chains and the local smokehouses you can find brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, St. Louis and baby back ribs, smoked chicken, turkey and sausage. Sonny's offers five sauces including a mustard sauce, and Fat Boy's smokes over hickory.
Are there any locally owned BBQ restaurants in Ocala?
Yes. Fat Boy's BBQ (4132 E Silver Springs Blvd) is locally owned and operated, and Big Lee's BBQ (2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd) grew from a food truck into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Artman Country Smokehouse is a local smokehouse in Summerfield, south of Ocala.
Where can I get BBQ on the east side of Ocala?
On E Silver Springs Blvd (State Road 40): Sonny's BBQ at 4102 E Silver Springs Blvd and Fat Boy's BBQ at 4132 E Silver Springs Blvd, both on the way to Silver Springs State Park.
What is the best BBQ for a family or group?
Sonny's BBQ has a kids' menu, family meals and build-your-own bundles with two to four meats, at three Ocala locations. Mission BBQ, Fat Boy's and Big Lee's also cater larger groups.
Is there BBQ near Ocala in southern Marion County?
Yes. Sonny's BBQ has a location at 1794 SW County Road 484, and Artman Country Smokehouse is at 6900 SE Highway 42 in Summerfield.
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Mission BBQ
2505 SW College Rd
Sonny's BBQ
Florida BBQ since 1968
Artman Country Smokehouse
Summerfield
Fat Boy's BBQ
4132 E Silver Springs Blvd
Addresses checked against restaurant websites and the Ocala Marion County visitors bureau. Updated October 9, 2026.See our editorial standards
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