Chunky T’s BBQ

Okay, this is a post mortem, but I simply must comment on this individual’s approach to BBQ.
This was, and still is if you can find him, the finest yellow BBQ I’ve ever tasted. I can’t think of finer BBQ in Florida, possibly anywhere. Not for the ambiance, not for the great location, not for the great sides, not for any of the «restaurant» reasons. Simply because it is life altering great food, in this case BBQ.
I’m not a rib guy, I like pulled pork and pulled poultry. Chunky T changed me. Don’t get me wrong the pulled bird sandwich is a legend unto itself, but the ribs were slap your mouth and call me crazy amazing.
If you can find him, do. If you can hire him for an event, do.
RIP to my BBQ addiction

I went to the Union Street market (downtown plaza in front of the clerk of courts) on Wednesday to get some real (fermented) sauerkraut.
Low and behold… Chunky T’s was there!
I have been in search for good BBQ in and around Gainesville for the last two years with great disappointment. I had found out this place existed after it closed, of course.
Apparently he is running an experiment at the market, keep it fun, twice a month type of deal. You can preorder stuff on their website.
He had some extra butts and was running a special. Buy two bottles of sauce and get a pork sandwich. I never tried his sauce, but it looked right up my alley as I am a mustard sauce fanboy. I make my own doctored sauce, but his looked like the real deal. Since a sandwich at Pearls with a single side is 7 or 8 bucks or so, I had nothing to lose and it was close to dinnertime. I forked over the green and got two bottles of sauce and a sandwich. He prepared it directly off of the butt… and the flood of non-​vegans started swarming. I must have been his first customer as the cutting board was spotless and the butt was whole still.
We will start with 5 stars since the sandwich was EXCELLENT and I felt like I got a show to, like I was at a Japanese restaurant but with no «Choo-​choo onion».
So I will deduct two stars as punishment for two reasons.
1) Geographics/​demographics based. I almost got ran over by a Prius maximizing their gas mileage and I have to battle through a sea of oblivious people with green bags.
2) Food. It is not cool to do that to me. Twice a month?! Finally, I get good BBQ! What if my hours change?!? Did I say twice a month?! I should give you one star for this offense!

My 100^th Review.
R.I.P. Chunky T’s BBQ
I know this place is closed… but damnit my 100^th review had to be someplace epic… and this was it. Ladies and Gentlemen, this place was it.
Back in the day when this place was open, there was no barbecue better. If i was given a gun and my mother was the only thing from me and a rib sandwich… well…I’d need somebody else to loan money from (Just kidding mom, i love ya). But it is that damn good.
The rib sandwich was a heaping pile of ribs on a buttered up toasted bun. It was covered with this mustard based sauce that was dynamite. The pulled pork was great too, but that rib sandwich was unforgettable.
If anyone knows where these guys went… please shed some light. Used to come here once a week with my closest friends in college. Now that we’ve graduated and this place closed down,…Nothing more than distant memories.

I tried to go here for lunch today and it looks like they are out of business, please tell me no! :(

I had to try this spot after smelling my roommate’s lunch. I rushed over there to appease my grumbling stomach and got down on a BBQ tempeh sandwich. Their sauce is fabulous, but became a little overwhelming towards the end. I would have liked an option to add veggies to the sandwich (i.e. lettuce, tomatoes, onions). Did not try any sides. Overall a very pleasing meal.

This is the real BBQ. I never know what it was like to eat BBQ before I tried Chunky T’s. You, reader, yes you, should go and try their rib burger. It’s just soooo good. I’d never go anywhere else to get BBQ while I’m around Gainesville.

The best BBQ I have had in Gainesville! Although the ‘first impression’ may be off putting, don’t let it sway you from trying this place. The food is awesome. I love the extra culinary touches: bleu cheese in the coleslaw & a nice light mayo, tangy vinegar sauce on the potato salad. The BBQ portions were generous (and I have only had the small sandwiches). I cannot wait to try the other choices on the menu. The outside porch will be a great addition & I hope this business continues it’s success. Please remember to bring cash!

Best BBQ in Gainesville by far (although that’s not saying a ton). The mustard based homemade sauce is very good. Ribs are probably their best option although the pork is solid as well. Good smokey flavor to the dishes. Mac and cheese is a very good side as well. Good prices too. The regular sized sandwich is plenty big and never felt the need to get the large one.
Serves beer and the guy told me they were hoping to have full bar and outdoor seating for a bit of a nightlife come fall.

Hardcore «barbequer» types may take some issue with the method in which the ribs are cooked, for they are not smoked 100% of the cooking time, however «Old Florida» style BBQ may just mean exactly that. With that said I ordered the Rib Sandwich and had a look around. The space is sparse and had a bit of an Institutional-​Minimalist vibe; as though the décor is a work in progress (I think it is). So what!
Upon the arrival of my sandwich I was immediately struck by the fact that the ribs were, rightfully, still on the bone. I was pleasantly surprised by the bread, which happens to be by the same bakery that supplies Buddha Belly (and the now defunct Ashley’s Pub) with their wonderful burger buns (Beehive Bakery); so I was happy. The rib meat was extremely tender which led me to speculate about their cooking process. I was right. And as I mentioned in the outset, hardcore ‘Q’ers may take issue with it; but I certainly do NOT. For all I know that’s what makes it «Old Florida Style».
The sauce was very good, with a perfect balance of acidic twang and sweet with appropriate spices in both selection and proportion. Do not expect that Kansas City style burgundy bbq sauce; theirs is mustard based. If I had to nitpick though, I could report that the sauce is a little on the watery side. When it mixed with the mayo on the sandwich it acquired that velvety quality for which I was looking. I kept day dreaming about how this sauce, if «monte au beurre» (finished with butter) just before serving, would be celestially good!
The menu is, as it should be, stripped down to the bare essentials:
Ribs, Pork Shoulder Butt, Brisket, Turkey, and, unfortunately a little blow to the prestige: Tempeh. Sides consist of: Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, and Chips, none of which I tried (next time).
I sure would have liked a dessert though! *cough*, *cough* ;-)
Well done folks. Bravo!

Incredible. INCREDIBLE.
I dumped Sonny’s for you, Chunky T’s. I’m all yours. Ravish me!
… okay, (slightly more) serious review time now. First things first, this place is dumpy and dive-​y. If you’re anxious about appearances, this restaurant won’t do it for you at all. But if you can get past all that, you will find a pile of tender, mouth-​watering meat waiting patiently for you. The mustard sauce makes it even better.
Actual quotes from people at my job who passed by me in the lunchroom:
«Holy CRAP!»
«WHERE did you go for those?»
«I’m gonna have to make ribs tonight …»
«That smells so good.» (disgusted look at their own paper bag)
«Is that Terrell’s? … oh wait, it’s Tuesday …»
I’m already plotting ways to be on the east side of town during the dinner hour. If these can’t pry my husband away from the foul embrace of David’s, nothing will!

I come from the school of thought that when one eats at a BBQ the only thing that really matters is the BBQ. Unlike other dining experiences, I don’t care about décor, ambience, customer service or anything unrelated to the actual food.
That being said… Chunky T’s is fantastic! I went with a girlfriend of mine for lunch today. Our first surprise was that they only accept cash. We had to take a side trip to the ATM for that, but the owner was kind enough to prepare our orders while we were gone.
I ordered the ½ rack of ribs and my guest ordered the brisket sandwich. Both were very very good. This is my new favorite BBQ place. I don’t understand why people even go to Sonny’s anymore. By the way they are only open Wednesday through Saturday. And bring cash.

Forget it. This BBQ has crackcocaine in it and it will cause women and small children to run in horror of eating a pound of BBQ meat in one sitting. You cant stop yourself. (if you means ‘I’)
This place is the rockstar of BBQ joints.