Sonny's Real Pit BBQ

What can we say? This chain of restaurants in Pensacola (and elsewhere) is a franchise and a down-market franchise at that, but we love their BBQ! Sonny's is absolutely perfect for a particular type of situation: When you are hungry and want lots of tasty food fast, without the need to get dolled-up to go out. Which is exactly when you crave BBQ, is it not? Sonny's is that place we go when we don't want to cook, we don't want to drive far, don't want to get cleaned, up, and just want to dive into great food. The service is friendly and accomodating. The meat is all slow cooked all-day, so its ready to hit the plate as soon as you order it. Sonny's is one of the last restaurants in Pensacola to have a GREAT salad bar to get food right NOW. And the bill is very reasonable.

Since it is a BBQ place and we love our BBQ, let me take a minute to lead you in the right directions. First , let's talk sauce. All of Sonny's sauces are exactly how they are tagged: Mild, Sweet, Sizzlin' Sweet, and Smokin'. Don't expect the Smokin' to be super hot, but it is spicy. I like the Sizzlin' Sweet for the best of both worlds. On a good night, you just can not beat Sonny's baby back ribs. Be careful- the Sweet and Smokey ribs can be dry at times. (I like to ask for a one rib sampler, or I just go with Baby Back, which are almost always great!) The pulled pork and the beef brisket are also winners.

We listed one dining location below. It's the one we most frequent. But there are other locations in Pensacola as well.

Name: Sonny's Real Pit BBQ
Location: 6757 North 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL, 32504
Phone: 850-476-7618
Price: $-$$
Website: http://www.sonnysbbq.com/

City Grocery

Every city is full of deli restaurants and counters, many of them outstanding. Pensacola is no different. The City Grocery is unique in its atmosphere, history, and location. Inside, it is completely urban, like any deli you find on a street corner in New York. It has an old feel to it, and for a reason. The City Grocery has been around for a very long time, since the antique building was built.Prior to 2003, you could find articles on the stores shelves that seemed to date back to the seventies. What kept it in business was its neighborhood location, its outstanding deli grill, and its BBQ, smoked fresh every weekend. In 2003, the store was bought by local businessmen and underwent a gradual but marked updating process. They scrubbed the store down, replaced the old merchandise with specialty foods, expanded the deli offerring, kept the BBQ, and added a great wine selection.

The result is a bustling little neighborhood store than gets drop-ins from all over the city. During the warmer three seasons, patrons can be found relaxing at its outdoor tables. On weekends, BBQ is being smoked right out front. On Fridays, weekly wine tastings get East Hill residents (on wannabees) ready for the weekend.Did I mention that the BBQ and chicken salad are the best in the city? And the wine selections, while small, is excellent. Need a wine recommendation? Talk to Ed. City Grocer is the conerstone of the the new emergence of the 12th Avenue renaissance sweeping Pensacola. With new restaurants on the horizon, City Grocery will remain a corner stone of the East Hill dining experience.

Name: City Grocery
Location: 2050 N 12th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32503
Phone: (850) 469-8100
Price: $
Website: none available

Red Barn BBQ

Just west of the intersection of Avalon Blvd. on Highway 90, about 10 minutes from I-10,this BBQ joint is worth the drive to Milton from Pensacola. It is a country atmosphere with a focus on the barbeque, and oh my, is it ever. Regular specials provide all-you-can-eat opportunities, but you’ve got to have a big appetite to go for seconds. Everything about Red Barn’s fare is tasty. Even the fries are perfect. They offer a selection of house sauces that hit every note just right.I’m not sure that can write anything more to praise a BBQ place then what I’ve already written. BBQ should be an experience quite unlike other dining experiences. Red Barn BBQ delivers.

Name: Red Barn BBQ
Location: 5887 Highway 90, Milton, FL 32583
Phone: (850) 983-9771
Price: $-$$
Website: none available