The Parson’s Son BBQ

We found this place a little on accident since it is off the main drag of the tourist traps. It isn’t in a flashy shopping center with neon signs and tour busses.
But, this is worth the drive away from the traditional overpriced tourist crap. My family and I had some amazing food here. Kid friendly meals and everything was tasty. My wife had the mini pig and I had the burnt ends. The green beans were so good my kids were actually arguing over who would finish them. Yea. Blew my mind. Friendly and prompt service.
The price is great and I would eat here any day of the week over the typical stuff we found closer to our hotel.
We talked with the owner and liked the place even more. He was kind enough to recommend other great spots to try out that the locals frequent.
Can’t say enough good about The Parson’s Son BBQ!

This places is really good bbq. Got the ribs and Mac n cheese. They only have lemonade and tea but I wouldn’t want anything else. It’s a hole in the wall restaurant but that is what I look for. Some of my fav Pittsburg places are like this. Highly recommend if you want some really good food. Go there. Like now.

Ordered takeout. Bbq pork was very tasty. Baked beans were good and sweet potatoes casserole was also good. There was three of us and there was enough food for another meal. Will return again. Good food and good price. Friendly service. A winner all the way around.

AMAZING food. VERY friendly staff. Delicious nachos and best BBQ and sweet tea around. Highly recommend. Would love to have these guys cater an event for us in the future.

First, it is a crying shame they are next to Arby’s because everytime I go to Parson’s, the Arby’s drive-​through is packed and I am so sad for the people in line. They could be getting twice the food, that is honestly probably three times as healthy, with usually faster service if they just parked and walked their hungry bottoms into Parson’s. The bbq is an excellent price and its cooked fresh everyday. It’s not loaded with sauces yet either so you can tell how delicious it is even before you sauce it up. The collard greens are my favorite (if they’re in season) but the black eyed peas, the sweet potato mash, and the baked beans are on point. The sour slaw is great too. This is my go-​to place when I don’t want to cook food but I want homecooked food without having to wait. The staff are always friendly and you can tell they appreciate the military! I promise this place will not let you down (as long as you’re not one of those weirdos who likes Arby’s).

Food here was excellent. I had the large pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato casserole. Both were very good and we’re nice sized portiknss. My daughter had the children’s rib meal, which came with chips and a brownie. It’s hard to get her to even try her food, but she tried the ribs and loved them. The service was good. There is basically just a guy that makes your plate behind the counter and another person that rings you up but they were both nice. I would recommend this place to everyone that loves bbq and wants to try a new place in fwb.

I’ve been trying a variety of restaurants in the area, and this was the first BBQ place on the list. I came in around 6 PM and they were out of sausage and pulled beef, but they had pulled pork and chicken. There were two polite workers there, but line service was a bit slow.
The chicken was moist and tender, the pork was a bit stringy and dry, but with any of their 6 BBQ sauces it’s pretty good.
The green beans and baked beans (which they topped with some pulled pork, nice touch) sides were flavorful, hot, and good. The slices of toast that came with my order were thick, crunchy around the edges, and soft and buttery in the center.
They had people trickle in getting orders to go for the 35 minutes I dined in, so they had business around dinner time on a weeknight. However, I’d like to see how they do around lunchtime during the work week.
Overall though it’s a pretty good BBQ place.

Yes!!! Finally some amaze balls BBQ on the gulf coast. You’re greeted at the door with the aroma of pecan wood, meats, and spices.
I had the pulled pork sandwich with perfect Cole slaw on top and a side of baked beans Old Florida style.
The restaurant ambiance is basic which enhances the flavor sensations. Against the back wall there are 6 different BBQ sauces to chose from; sweet southern belle, Georgia peach mustered, Tennessee spicy, hot, Carolina vinger tang, and Alabama white pepper may based.
Boom try it

Not a single complaint or advice for improvement. You can always ask for something not on the menu, they may have it! They also are extremely friendly and helpful, the food is excellent, the prices impressively low, the sauces are great (and there are multiple options), and the service is always fast! A great place to stop for BBQ anytime or for a quick lunch.

This place needs to step it up! I went once when they opened and it was mediocre at best. They were out of most menu items. I figured it to be a result of getting settled in. I went back twice since then and it was more and more disappointing. They were out of most menu items every. Single. Time.
The food was ok– what I was ABLE to order. The chicken is always dry so the sauce bar is a heavenly place! The sauce selection was more than the average q joint, so that was a plus!
Somehow, they managed to mess up powdered lemonade mix. Way too sweet! I had to mix it with unsweet tea to mellow it out!
I did appreciate the very open support of ccw and the second amendment. Every American should do it! Unfortunately, the pros of this place do not outweigh the cons so I will not be back and my word of mouth advertising will not be in a good light for them!

I don’t even know where to start. My fiancé and I are fairly new here and have been trying to find the best of all cuisines. I am from the south and I love BBQ more than anything. I was very excited to see such positive reviews for this establishment. I cannot imagine how those reviews can be possible.
The pulled pork has to be the worst pulled pork I have ever consumed. The pork was so tough it could have been jerky. It was impossibly stringy and very dry, as well as very very white. Pulled pork should never be white. I was so disappointed.
My fiancé had the brisket, and he said it was decent, but not great.
The sides were delicious though. We got sweet potatoes, green beans, red beans and rice, and potatoe salad. The green beans were especially great. Unfortunately, we will not be back. I love local places because they generally have better food and I can support local business. At this point, Sonny’s has better food.

Fort Walton… if you’re not hip to this place, then you are missing out! Don’t let the looks or the location turn you away. When you pull up and get out of your car you can smell that smokey scent. Step inside and it’s a small restaurant with a counter space of BBQ goodness.
I got the ½ slab rib meal with 2 sides (mashed sweet potatoes & BBQ beans). Comes with 2 slices of Texas toast. Tuesday’s & Thursday’s they have Mac n cheese. Go early because they will run out.
They have a wide selection of sauces. I preferred the Peach Carolina I think it was called. Military/​police/​ems discount (–12%).
Meat falls off the bone tender.
FWB don’t sleep on this place!

Had the 9.99 half chicken dinner (it really is HALF OF A CHICKEN). The dry rub was amazing and it was the most tender chicken I think I have ever had. It was almost hard to eat because the meat just slid right if the bones. I am a person that likes big meals but even I couldn’t quite finish this bad boy.
The red beans and rice is phenomenal with that perfect amount of enough spice to wake you up but not have you reaching for your drink.
Also had the sweet potato casserole with cinnamon sugar. I didn’t have it long though. Superb.
Family said the pulled pork was good too. We sampled all of their homemade BBQ sauces too and they were all amazing and very different.

The amount of quality food one can get for under ten dollars at this place is simply unbelievable. They have done a great job of providing great tasting BBQ and sides at a price that anyone can afford.
The place is small and modest and shares a parking lot with Arby’s so it may not seem like the nicest location. The interior is extremely basic and unassuming. Picture a big sterile room with tables, chairs, a window, and a counter for ordering and you your imagination will probably look nicer than what is actually present at this restaurant. The prices were great and the ordering process was very easy. They have a mobile billing system which makes transactions fast and easy.
I opted to get my food for carry-​out. It came packaged nicely in separate styrofoam containers and bags. They also had a plethora of homemade sauces to choose from ranging in flavors and spice levels. The three that I had were very flavorful and complemented their meats extremely well. As for the meats, they were extremely tender and melted in my mouth. The meal also came with a choice of two sides and bread. The bread was buttery, which is always good, and the sides were interesting. The beans were great and the sour slaw added another flavor dimension to the meal that was unexpected.
Overall, this place was great. It was small and basic but had some great food and service. The staff were happy and loved to talk and they served up some delicious meats. I would recommend this BBQ stop to anyone looking to enjoy a new business in the Fort Walton Beach area.

Props to the new kid on the block. I tried this a couple months ago (never got around to my review) but I must say I liked what I saw/​got.
Staff: ⁵⁄₅.
Location: ⁵⁄₅. Can’t miss it on Beal. Convenient on the outside, clean on the inside.
Food: ⁵⁄₅. As I said for my review of Sonny’s up the road, I’m a proud Texan (who we all know hold our BBQ up to a serious standard) The ribs combo was a nice set. Fell right off the bone, cooked right. The selections of sauce were a nice touch. Can’t have BBQ without the sweet tea! Good job guys!
Pricing:4/5 Not too shabby for what you’re getting.
Overall: ⁴⁄₅. Every BBQ place I go to, I look for some good ol’ Mac N’ Cheese. No Mac here :(. Free Wi-​Fi and seriously supportive of the military community.

It was just okay and felt a bit overpriced for what they gave me.
$ 14 for ¼ rack rib, two smoked sausages, baked beans and drink. The ribs and beans weren’t too bad but the sausages were gnarly and bland. I tried most of the sauces and had too much mustard for my liking.

I was pleasantly surprised. The food is good at great value. FWB your sleeping on this one.

If you’re looking for an upscale place for your celebration or night on the town, keep looking. The Parson’s Son is a humble, homey place that won’t win any awards for its décor.
However, if you’re looking for authentic barbecue that’s smoked on site and fall-​off-​the-​bone tender and juicy, with simple and delicious sides, nothing else in town beats it.
I had a half smoked chicken dinner (and folks, you order a half chicken, you literally watch them cut a whole chicken straight down the middle — these guys do not mess around) with baked beans and some of the best potato salad I’ve had in a long while. It was enough food for two meals for me, so bring your appetite or ask for a box.

Absolutely AMAZING! Great customer service friendly and humble staff. The pulled pork is some of the best I’ve had. I’ve traveled the U. S and make it a point to try the best BBQ. They have an assortment of BBQ sauce so something for everyone. And you don’t have to pay extra for it. The portions are very generous so come hungry. The sides are just as good. God bless great BBQ!

Great food, clean environment, & even better food.
Just like stepping into a family BBQ. We enjoyed our sides and meat flavor! Home made sides and sauces… VERY affordable. Highly recommend!!! Free Wi-​Fi. Tipping not desired.