Roadside Rib Shack’s BBQ worth the drive

Why are we reviewing this restaurant?: Roadside Rib Shack serves some of the best Southern-style barbecue the area has to offer, just a quick drive down U.S. 301 South and around the corner from Sarasota High School.

What’s on the menu?: Everything you’d expect from traditional barbecue fare — ribs ($10.50 to $13.89), pulled pork ($8.25), chicken ($8.25) and beef brisket ($9.75). Roadside Rib Shack’s meat comes fresh out of their on-site smoker each day and is served with your choice of sweet or spicy homemade barbecue sauce. They also offer sandwiches ranging from $6.25 to $8.25 that come with coleslaw. All of the dinner platters and combos are served with a choice of two delicious sides (baked beans, coleslaw, corn, potato salad, mac and cheese, collard greens, green beans, corn bread and sweet potato casserole). They also sell pulled pork and smoked turkey by the pound and offer catering, with party packs of ribs, chicken and sides ranging from $57 to $137.

What did you eat?: My wife and I dropped in for dinner on a recent weeknight. She had our favorite off the daily specials menu, the Roadside sandwich — a mixture of pulled pork and chicken on a fresh roll with two sides for $7.48. She’s a big fan of the sweet potato casserole, and we both love the mac and cheese, which is crunchy and baked on top and creamy in the middle. I went with the large portion of ribs (six for $13.50), which were gigantic, juicy and topped with the sweet barbecue sauce and came with mac and cheese, potato salad and cornbread. I’m a big eater, but I could only get through about three of those monsters. Luckily, the food is served in a take-out box.

Do they serve alcohol?: The restaurant plans to add beer and wine to the menu soon. For now it’s Coke products and sweet tea.

How was the service?: Chef Kevin has taken our order from behind the counter the past few times we’ve visited. He’s more than happy to explain how he starts preparing the meat at 6 or 7 a.m. each day or to offer a sample of just about anything off the menu. That’s helpful for yankees like my wife and I, who didn’t exactly grow up with collard greens or brisket in New Jersey.

How was the décor/cleanliness?: The down-home décor — from the checkered tablecloths on wooden tables to the old washtubs and out-of-state license plates decorating the walls — is warm and inviting. It’s a small dining room, and it can fill up quickly when the lunch crowd stops in.

Is the restaurant family friendly?: There isn’t a specific kids menu, but I doubt any little ones could resist the mac and cheese or the chicken finger appetizer ($5.95).

What was our verdict?: Roadside Rib Shack is a great spot for a quick lunch or a down-home dinner. The food is filling and has that homemade touch. We’ll also keep in mind their party packs or a giant take-home pan of their mac and cheese ($25) the next time we’re hosting a cookout. You’ve got to try it.