I first visited Big Lees back in 2018 after a google search of “best BBQ near Orlando” came up with Big Lees at the top of Trip Advisor (an average of 4.9 out of 5 if I remember correctly).
Having never had “real” BBQ (only...ever having a shop bought sausage or frozen burger burnt over charcoal!) I wanted to make sure I was trying a piece of “real” BBQ’d brisket: none of this smoke flavoured tack or braised muck.
I can honestly say I was so taken by how good it was (and the nice touch of Rashad welcoming the increasingly large queue) that I had to have a return visit during our next holiday from Scotland to Orlando. It even got me buying my own grills to try my hand; at present, that’s not going to well!!
Today my Daughter and I took a 5 hour, 150 miles round trip from Davenport to visit again. I could have been disappointed that we didn’t get to see Rashad this time round, had it not been for the wonderful staff who tended to my every need and answerEd many questions as well as posing for a picture with us too.
I am no BBQ critic or aficionado, I’m not even a good BBQ cook (I can’t run an off-set or get good results from a WSM) but feel that a pound of brisket and a pound of burnt ends from Big Lees was worth taking a day out of the vacation for; if that doesn’t tell a story, I’m not sure how else to let you know this place has my vote!
As others have noted, as does Big Lees website, you need to be there early.
We arrived at 14:00, to collect an online order made at 10:30 to make sure we got what we were wanting, and found all sides were sold out except fries. Other customers asked for items whilst we were there that were also sold out.
The price is maybe a little higher than what you would expect to pay for a pound of lower grade beef (we would in Scotland), but once you factor in the man hours to do a 12 hour cook and take a premium to pay for the craftsman’s skill who creates a perfectly rubbed/seasoned, juicy, well barked tender brisket flat, it’s worth every cent.
Emails to Big Lees are answered quite quickly by Mrs Evans herself, who makes great conversation and leaves you feeling like a truly welcomed and valued customer.
Keeping a family run business going, having the closeness of the owners to the product and the level of quality are all great reasons to make a trip here too.
Well done to Mr & Mrs Evans, please keep doing what you’re doing. 👍🏴More