09/30/2026
You can usually tell when a restaurant is built around a trend. The menu looks familiar, the room feels designed by committee, and the food is trying to prove something.
Then you walk into a place that feels like one person’s life made visible.
I’m down in Florida for a couple days before heading back to work. I don’t get away much, but when I do, I love finding places I can’t find at home. People doing their own thing and taking real pride in it.
Today, that took me to an old gas station in Cocoa Village, Florida.
The owner and his wife weren’t there, but his manager told us his story. He started making barbecue out of his garage. People kept telling him how good it was, and he traveled through the South and Texas, learning along the way. From what we were told, Central Texas was where he really fell in love with barbecue and learned the most.
Walking into this place, you could feel it. The outdoor tables, the setup, the artwork. Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock playing. A sign telling people they don’t have Wi-Fi, talk to each other. Then the staff starts explaining the white oak they smoke with and the care that goes into the food.
And I gotta tell you, the smoked turkey was the best turkey I’ve ever eaten in my life. I mean that. I don’t know how you get turkey that moist.
Two sausages came with the meal, and sausage can go either way. These were incredible. So were the brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Baked beans to die for. Unbelievable greens. Then pumpkin spice crack pudding that was on another level.
I tried everything with sauce and without it, including the mustard barbecue sauce. I wanted to taste it all. Nothing needed sauce. Not even the pulled pork.
But the people deserve just as much credit. They were friendly, answered our questions, took time to tell us the story, and talked about how much they loved working there. That says something, especially when the owners aren’t in the building.
This man wasn’t there today, and I still felt like I got to know him through his place. What he learned, what he loves, and what he wanted people to experience.
Everything about it, from start to finish, was something to be proud of.
So if you’re ever in Cocoa, give it a try. I think you’ll love it.
I almost forgot the triple chocolate chip cookie topped with sea salt. Sheesh