Wilke’s 14 Bones Barbeque

This place is an enigma, but not in a good way. I don’t know what to make of the place. Actually, I do, and I’ll tell you.
On my first two occasions, I’ve had some of the best Kansas City spare ribs I’ve ever had. THAT says a lot, as I am first and foremost a dedicated smoker myself. I have been doing real-​deal briskets, spare ribs, shoulders, baby backs, chicken, fish, etc. Took many years, but my rubs and techniques are down pat. Unfortunately, that makes me a finicky BBQ eater. But, I enjoy all types of well-​prepared BBQ, especially Eastern NC and Texas. However, dry-​rub KC spares are some of my favorite, and I’ve had and made my share.
The first two times, they were just AWESOME. The first visit, they were just ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, or very close to it. I was frankly blown away. I just moved up here 2 years ago and could not believe at how good they were. I’m talking REALLY good, perfectly smoked, not fall off the bone (IE boiled, steamed, wrapped & over cooked, you know, if you know BBQ) but incredibly tender, perfect smoke ring, well-​spiced, utterly delicious KC ribs. The 2^nd time, I got some that were obviously not ready, and the server readily brought me a proper set. You can tell in a second just looking at them whether they are worth diving into or not. The waiter read my face and asked, so I told him.
The next three times, they were the standard (ball-​park) 2 hour offset-​heat open-​pit style ribs at best. No, they don’t have an open pit; they just threw them on earlier and tossed them on my plate hoping I wouldn’t notice or care. I did. They were very chewy, a little smoky, not tender, just not close to ready. –Think chain type pit BBQ at lunch. I spoke to the managers (two different) on two occasions about my experience after the fact, as I should not have to continually ask for «cooked» BBQ ribs, and both times I heard a diatribe about all of the efforts that they put into their ribs… In theory…
OK, I chalked it up to, whatever, and tried to recapture that first experience the fifth time. Same damn thing. Under-​cooked, chewy, open-​pit style ribs.
Plus they served overcooked, dried out, day old brisket to my daughter. She knows better and said so. She was right. My boy had a great burger, but that is not what one should come here for. She ordered the ribs the next two times after trying my first two examples and was quickly disappointed. The kids versions are definitely those same under-​cooked versions. She doesn’t want to go here anymore. She says, «But Dad, your ribs are way better. Why are we paying money for this?» From the mouth of babes. OK, she is ten, but well beyond the years in food.
BUT, I know what their deal is. They are amateurs, sad to say, at least in how they run their business.
In the BBQ world, you either do it right, or you plug along, taking shortcuts to appease the masses, hoping that you will stay in business in a small community with no other options. This is the truth, PERIOD.
If you want to do it right, you do it right, with all BBQ selections, and when you run out, then it is just too bad for the latecomers. You post up what you have run out of, move on, and when you run out, you run out. You cannot just throw ribs on the grill at 5 ‘o clock and expect them to be acceptable at 8.
OK, they are not an enigma. Just scared to do BBQ the way the rest of the legitimate BBQ word does it. I wish they weren’t. They could truly put themselves on the map in FL.

Totally awesome! Chopped pork was amazing, chicken sandwich was hugh, Alabama bbq chicken was incredible. Kids eat free on Tuesdsy. We recently moved here and will definitely be back to this spot. Had five meals and he bill was $ 57.

My family raved about this place but I was not impressed. I got the ribs and brisket with fries and fried corn. The server seemed like he just didnt want to be there. Since we were not ready to order when he brought our drinks he took forever to come back to us. After our food was delivered he didnt check on us till we were almost done and then it was obvious he didnt want to be there. They have a selection of sauce but they really tasted the same and the hot sauce had no heat whatsoever. It was milder than the mild sauce. Probably a mix up on the bottles. The ribs and brisket were cooked right and tasted good. fries were basic fries but the fried corn on the cob was very chewy. all in all I probably wont make a special trip to go back.

Food is Great! Huge portions and always good. Wait staff is very attentive. The greens are a must when you!

I grew up with Bono’s in Jacksonville, Fl. Went to the first little stand they ever had!!!
They have done a great job But, I think they changed the Vendor of the Spare/​St Louis Ribs.
They use to be meaty and fabulous however they do not resemble good olé spare ribs where you chew on the bone and get meat. Now they are mostly grease/​fat and almost like baby backs which is not what I or the south grew up with for spare ribs.
Too bad because none of our locals provide the true low and slow spare ribs that get attention in Memphis, Austin, magazine reviews or any other place that still does the proper smoking of the right type of spare rib.

Oh my word! My husband and I eat our way through vacation. (Mainly BBQ). We rate our BBQ from 1 – 10 with 10 being the best. I’ve had 14 Bone’s bbq wrap and the quesadillas. This place is a perfect 10. Now it’s not just the kids and grandkids in Vero that is worth the trip, it’s great BBQ too! Definitely got a 10 from us. Indianapolis needs you!
Did I mention 14 Bones gets a 10 from us?!

Without question, best BBQ in Vero Beach. They Catered a big event for us 80 people, and it was AMAZING. Everyone raved about the food and they delivered everything on time and with complete professionalism. Can not say enough

Wow — When I’m hankerin a hamburger — this is where I go! BEST IN TOWN! Cooked to perfection and nice and juicy! Fries extra crispy are FABULOUS! Thanks guys! I’ll be back!

Was disappointed. Focus seemed to be quantity over quality. Brisket and chicken were quite dry. Smoked turkey tasted like processed lunch meat. Presentation was unappealing. Service was great. Pulled pork was fine. Coleslaw and beans were the best part of the meal. Not inclined to return — bummer.

Pretty solid bbq. They have great wings that are ridiculously cheap on Wednesday night wing night. Had dinner in the little side patio and really enjoyed the service and the BBQ

2^nd drive through experience. Only one in line at time of order inside not that busy. 35 minutes waiting at the window. Pulled pork sandwich was good. However service lacking no offer of BBQ sauce sorry for the delay BBQ sauce on the take container from someone’s hands. Maybe inside service is better.

My family’s favorite restaurant in town! We eat here at least 2 – 3 times a month for lunch and/​or dinner. Can’t go wrong with Sunday Chicken or their smoked turkey. Haven’t had anything on the menu that wasn’t amazing.

I’ve been a fan for years when this was Bono’s and am just as much of a fan today. You smell the wonderful smoke the minute you get out of the car.
This place is really busy nearly every time we go; however, we get seated immediately or after a very short wait every time.
The meats are tender and juicy. Even chicken — which is hard to smoke and stay juicy — is tender and moist.
The Corn Nuggets are a favorite of ours when we go. I don’t remember a time we didn’t order them. Tonight I tried to order Fried Mushrooms but they were out.
The ribs are fork tender and a half a rack is plenty with the sides. I’m really impressed that they serve melons and grapes as their fruit and not frozen or canned.
The service is always friendly. The only down side is when it’s really busy, it’s quite loud inside. They do have a front and back patio which is great when it’s not hot outside.
We will continue to go here and tell our friends about it.

Pulled pork was not smoky in the least and the brisket was pretty much inedibly dry, not to mention presented on the plate in embarrassingly ugly fashion. Extremely disappointing; not inclined to go back at any point.
Thursday night bluegrass players were good, at least. And the Brunswick Stew and sweet tea are acceptable.

59 cent wings on Wednesday nights, can be ordered in quantities of 10. They offer different flavored we tried Buffalo– they were good.
Everyone enjoyed the corn fritters dusted with powdered sugar although I didn’t taste one…
Kids ribs were fatty she didn’t enjoy them…
I had brisket on Texas style toast with a loaded baked potato– brisket was great. Several BBQ sauces to choose from on the table.
Wait staff was friendly and accomadating.
Next time I’m in Vero Beach — I’d come back.

Nothing to write home about. Good service. Very attentive. BBQ was a bit dry and bland.

Just left this place. First time for us. Everything was very good, clean interior, excellent service by Trace. Started with some buffalo Parmesan wings, they tasted good. I got ½ rack of baby backs and some brisket. My wife got the signature ribs-​delicious and super tender. She got a stuffed baked potato that she loved.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the brisket as I’m partial to how I prepare mine, but not bad. All and all we would definitely go back.

Being from Texas, I am a little particular about my BBQ (to say the least). As my wife and I walked through the parking lot, I started salivating because of the AMAZING aroma! I was INSTANTLY back in Texas about to destroy some grub!
I’ve lived in Palm Bay for 4 ½ yrs and been trying to find good BBQ. Sonny’s is pretty good, but I wanted a mom-​and-​pops joint that I could love.
THIS IS NOT THAT PLACE!!!
The best part of the whole meal was the fried okra appetizer. Pretty sad.
I had the 2 Meat Combo with Pork and «Texas Beef Brisket,» and Red Beans & Rice and Fried Corn-​on-​the-​cob.
My wife had the Babyback Ribs and Pork with Mac & Cheese and French Fries.
Where to start?
The Great State of Texas should sue for slander for putting its name on the dry, tough, flavorless Brisket. The pork was no better. The fact that both were dry, yet had HUGE gobs of fat on them was sad, yet kinda impressive; I mean, that takes talent. The Red Beans & Rice were overcooked, dry, and flavorless. The Fried Corn-​on-​the-​cob was recommended by the server, but tasted like they accidentally dropped some corn in the fryer and, after waiting 30 min for the food, the corn took an additional 15 min and was barely warm. The Mac & Cheese was bland, but, the Fries were decent. The Babyback Ribs were okay, but they just covered the burnt parts by slopping sauce all over them. And, the Garlic Bread had sesame seeds?!
The only moderately redeeming thing was the Formula 14 BBQ sauce and the sweet tea.
Short review long, stay away. Well, unless you like throwing money away on terrible food.

Love the food, staff and atmosphere! We have never
Had a bad meal here! Highly recommend!

Have been here 3 times and each time was better than the last. First time had a wonderful pulled pork sandwich and hubby had a pulled pork and brisket plate. Both meals came with a nice side dish. I chose coleslaw which was creamy and fresh. He chose rice and beans which were OK.
Their baby backs are fantastic, fall off the bone style. I asked for no sauce and they were perfect. Ordered 2 sides: huge baked potato and cole slaw. Hubby had a brisket burrito loaded with lean meat, rice, beans and cheese.