I’ve run across Mission BBQ on my road trips around the U.S., but I’ve never eaten at one. Unlike Carl’s Jr. and Twin Peaks, their location’s opening in Doral did not receive much fanfare.
My brother from another mother, Ed, asked me where I’d like to go for a birthday lunch, and without hesitation, I said Mission BBQ. Jarce, who ate at many restaurants with me from 2008 through 2011, joined us.
By 10:50 a.m., we were parked outside, waiting for Mission BBQ to open. Once that door opened, we were smacked with the delicious aroma of smoked BBQ. The seating area consists of booths, tables with chairs, and benches.
We walk by a cooler filled with glass bottled drinks like Big Red, Cheerwine, Frosty, and Yoohoo. I’m happy to see that selection, but I’m all about lemonade with my BBQ.
Every table has a roll of brown paper towels, a bottle of North Carolina vinegar, and a sixer of BBQ sauces. I’m not much for vinegar and sauces on my ‘que, but the sauces will come in clutch later.
Sides and Fries
For some reason, the cole slaw at Mission BBQ is called “cold slaw,” but I don’t know the story behind that. This was Ed‘s side, but I did sneak a bite. It was cole slaw. There’s no real thought behind it, but I’m not a cole slaw kind of guy, so keep that in mind.
The cornbread was just that, cornbread…maybe a giant dollop of honey butter would have excited me more about it.
I’m an expert at fresh-cut fries, and these fries were excellent. I loved the simple seasoning, which gave some depth to the flavor. The mac-n-cheese was good, but the crispy, crunchy cheese topping made it better. My vote is for a cup of crispy, crunchy cheese.
Mission BBQ ‘que
Ed is a ribs guy, and it was the first thing he mentioned when ordering at the counter. The baby back ribs are available per bone, five bone, or ten bone.
I was able to sneak a bone or two and enjoyed them, but they are not better than the brisket. However, if you’re a ribs person, you will be satisfied.
Jarce ordered the 3 Meat Sampler with brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. Here are his thoughts:
The best were brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken in that order, but all good actually. And I’m sure would’ve been amazing with the bbq sauces for the chicken. The pork and brisket had enough flavor on their own. The pulled pork borderline tasted like Cuban lechon.
Jarce who is on a keto wishing he tried the sauces
I snuck some brisket from Ed and Jarce, and it was smokey and tasty. My first thought was, I need to eat this in sandwich form.
Half-pound Smoked Cheeseburger
Next up was my lunch choice, the half-pound smoked burger with cheddar cheese. It was hefty but not smoky. I did like looking at the beef bite and after bite at the smoked meat. The texture was more like that of a meatball.
I’ve eaten many smoked burgers in the past, but I’ve never had one that was like this. I used this opportunity to try out all six of the BBQ sauces and treat it more like a meatball sub.
I gave the Florida Gator Bite a slight edge over the Tupelo Honey Heat only because I’m not big on sweet sauces. Perhaps the smoked burger had an off day, but it let me down.
I don’t know how, but I didn’t order a smoked jalapeño cheese sausage. I’m disappointed in myself. Now, onto the desserts!
While Ed was ordering, I was eyeing the desserts. There are two on the Mission BBQ Doral menu: banana pudding and peach cobbler. Both are solid choices, and cobblers are my thing, so you know which one had my heart.
One thing I forgot to mention is that Mission BBQ is big on paying tribute to our soldiers, firefighters, police officers, and first responders. Every day at noon, they perform a lovely, unexpected Stars and Stripes salute.
Mission BBQ
10007 NW 41st Street
Doral, FL
(305) 400-4899
Website – https://mission-bbq.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/missionbbq
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/missionbbqtheamericanway
Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 am – 8:00 pm