Eli’s Bar-B-Que

Pulled great was great. Wonderful smoky flavor. Slaw had a twang. Coconut pie was surprisingly good.

This place looks a bit ramshackle but don’t be fooled by its small size — the flavor is huge! Such nice ladies to take your order and the guys out in the back doing the cooking are really friendly — just watching them, who would need a gym membership — that is hard work for sure! The heavenly scent of smoke and bbq hit you early in the day and you can’t wait to line up with the locals on Fri and Sat for your share of chopped beef, chicken, baked beans, slaw and more. We come here every year — sometimes twice in one visit. It is that good! Highly recommend if you like bbq. This is THE place.

Excellent, out of this world pulled pork. Cole slaw is also delicious. Put it on top of your pork sandwich with some of their sauce, you will not be disappointed. Wonderful out door seating by the pinellas trail shaded by a big oak tree.

Some of the best bar-​b-​q in the area. I got the chopped pork dinner (I think that’s what it’s called). You get a sandwich, a small homemade cole slaw, and a small beans.
The chopped pork was so good, it was juicy and tender, you didn’t even need to put bar-​b-​q sauce on it. The homemade cole claw tasted really good and you can tell its homemade. Also get their early, they get slammed right as they open, and they will run out (because they are THAT good).
The only downside is that they are only open on Friday and Saturday. Maybe that’s a blessing in disguise, because I would eat there everyday.

Outstanding real BBQ. The ribs are delicious and meaty. The chopped beef is a thing of beauty almost no weird fatty pieces.
Also have to say that their sausage is wonderful Nice sagey country sausage flavor and so worth trying.
Sauces are on the side as is always the case it seems with true BBQ. Good sauce although I like mine with a little more kick. Don’t eat there best taken to go. Get there early because once they run out its gone. Cash only and limited business hours so check before you go.
The only thing I thought was just okay was the pulled pork but that fine as I go to Reel BBQ in palm harbor for that since it’s the best I’ve ever had in Florida.

I’m so glad I found this little gem. While I wish there were more sides to choose from (I’m not a coke slaw fan), the food was out of this world. I’ll be back to try other menu items!

A good local BBQ shack for when the urge strikes. I wish it were open more than just 2 days a week. The beef sandwich is usually pretty good but I love their sausage – not greasy and tastes heavenly.

Some of the best bbq I’ve ever tasted. If you can get past the flies and ants, and reason for the 4 stars, you’ll experience some really awesome bbq. I usually order and sit in the car to avoid the bugs.

Was finally around on a Friday. Got there 10 minutes after opening and already 10 people eating or getting takeout.
Got a half slab of ribs that must have weighed 5 lbs for 14 bucks. They were great. This is real bbq so if you want sauce you need to put it on yourself. Also got a chopped beef sandwich which was good for 5 bucks.
Friendly ladies behind the register chopping the meat and busting out the orders.
Cash only. Parking is available for 10 – 15 cars depending if people know how to park that day. Also right on Pinellas trail so you can park ¹⁄₈ mile away and take a little walk.

I can’t get past the flies. As soon as you sit down with your food they are everywhere. Flies, flies and more flies. Thank goodness they aren’t the kind that bite.
It’s a cute stand open Friday and Saturdays. Wood fired. Outdoor picnic bench seating with flies.
The beef ribs are meaty and tasty. Don’t even need sauce although they are unseasoned. Flies.
The pulled pork was limp. Not as good as good as Sonny’s. The cole slaw is the awful cheap kind. The beans were interesting and tasty. A bit unusual flavor that I liked. The chicken was standard overcooked. The sausage was OK but fatty. Pretty good flavor. Flies.
Come for the ribs. Skip the rest. The BBQ sauces, hot and mild are good. Flies.
You will have to escape the flies by fleeing as fast as you or become one with them like Jeff Golfblum. Flies.
FLIES!!!

Out of ribs on 2 separate visits. Finally caught them with some and they were cooked well. A little tricky sitting outside and waiting in line and whatnot, but I gave them 4 based on rib quality, I think overall business more like a 3.

Not sure why there is a long line every Friday. I have found that the pork is more fatty than I like. The ladies working the booth are very nice!

Since this place is only open 2 days a week, it’s a little hard to visit. But while we were in dunedin today, we decided to check it out for lunch.
It’s a tiny little snack that produces some mighty fine bbq. The prices are really cheap ($ 6 for a meal) and service is quick.
I went with the pulled pork sandwich with a side of baked beans and coleslaw. Now the sides were nothing great, but the sandwich was really tasty.
My husband ordered the ribs and he devoured them.
Was it the best bbq I’ve ever had? No but it was definitely a great spot for lunch.

more hit than a miss is why the 4 rating. Their dark chicken sandwhich is so moist and smoke. i always get this along with the Beef Sandwhich (sometimes can be miss) most of the time the beef is über moist and smokey but once in a while i will have one with dry hard to chew meat (doesnt happen often).
I have also had their sausage and ribs. Ribs were nothing to write home about. Sausage was homeade goodness. the pros outweigh the cons by far. when its good its Great. i go weekly on fridays for quick lunches.

I just tried Eli’s Bbq for the first time Delicious. I met the owner Veronica Who is sweet as pie. She recommended the bbq beef sandwich with beans and coleslaw. So tasty and juicy. I then ordered their famous bbq chicken for dinner. These people take pride in their cooking. I can’t wait to go back for their pulled pork and ribs. Yummy

I don’t see what the big deal is, it was good but not enough to come back. My ribs were fatty and served over generic tasteless bread. My husbands chicken was juicy and tender. It’s right off the Pinellas trail so it might be nice to stop off for a quick bite on a walk or bike ride, but I wouldn’t make it a point to come back.

It’s Friday mid-​afternoon in Dunedin and I still haven’t had any lunch. A friend says to me, «Do you like barbeque?» After living in the Carolinas for much of the last 30 years I respond, «Oh yeah, and I’m pretty hungry too!» He goes on to tell me there is an iconic little hole in the wall just a couple of miles away, so off we go…
It’s around 2:30 — 3:00, so Eli’s has only been open for a few hours. Apparently they are only open for two days (Friday & Saturday) and you would hope that so early in the schedule they are well stocked with menu items. Nope.
As we approach the window to place our order, I ask the lovely young woman on the other side, «Which do you like better, the pork or the beef?» She responds enthusiastically, «The beef.» «Great», I say. ««Let me have one Beef Platter.» OOOPPPS! She tells me, «We are out of slaw. I can let you have a double order of the beans. Open for just a few hours and already out of coleslaw?! (first star lost)
Moments after placing our order, we are called to pick it up. I notice a condiment area with two kinds of sauce — regular and spicy. Being a spicy kind of guy, I reach for that one. Regular Kraft BBQ Sauce is spicier/​hotter than this stuff! (another star falls away)
I can’t remember when my jaw worked harder chewing slow-​cooked barbeque beef. Doesn’t that usually almost melt in your mouth? (third star gone)
While eating, we notice several people wearing Eli’s shirts standing around. They look to be employees. With that many people standing around, we started to wonder how they ever managed to run out of coleslaw. Before too long two or three of the employees started yammering to each other in a very cartoonish manner from distances of 30 – 35 feet. To be heard from that distance outside, you really have to project your voice. These clichés were up to the task. (another star bites the dust)
It’s possible that I just caught Eli’s in one of those «perfect storm» moments, but with so many other places to enjoy lunch in the area, I’m not sure I will return to find out…

I had the sausage Sammy and my was it awesome! I would give more stars but didn’t try any sides — not sure that I fully experienced this place. Everyone else I was with really liked their food too. Take note that if you order the «chicken sandwich» it’s chicken on the bone slapped on some bread. That caught one friend off guard. :)

This is a great little «hole in the wall» in the Dunedin area.
I must admit that I’ve only gotten their chopped pork sandwich with 2 sides, but it’s not a bad stop. I’ve been here 10 – 12 times in the past 3 years.
The pork is mildly tasty, and I cover it with hot sauce and hot peppers anyway. But it’s an overstuffed portion on a hamburger bun. $ 4.50 without the sides.
They are only open Friday and Saturday from 11 – 6. The waiting line can get fairly long at lunch time. There is only outside seating. Why only 3 stars? Well… the flies knock it down a star. I hate flies.

I kept going back because people say it’s so good, but I will not return. It’s only open 2 days a week, I don’t see how I missed the good food they talked about every time I went.
The meat is tender yes, and flavorless, and comes on white bread with no sauce. The ribs are done well but again, no spice, and store made barbecue sauce to choose from? Pass. I do better barbecue at home and I’m not even that good at it. And the non-​toasted wonder bread that my sandwich was on? A little shocked, I tossed it in the trash.