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Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Q
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
1471 Lee RdWinter Park, FL 32789
Neighborhood: Winter Park
(407) 423-1212
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Q
Review Highlights
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"The pulled pork is really delicious." In 7 reviews -
"You can't have BBQ without baked beans." In 4 reviews -
"Their BBQ beans are some of the best in Orlando." In 6 reviews
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Matt L.
Salem, NH
7/16/2011
Most parts of the country don't know what they are missing by not having "fast-food" BBQ. Bubbalou's is not fast food in any way except that there are numerous locations that provide quick (even drive-through) Q.
I had a big pulled pork dinner plate with an additional side of fried corn. For about $11, I had a great plate of BBQ. The pork was juicy, smokey, and fresh. The collards were rich and tangy, the beans and slaw were very good. Fried corn was a fun experience, but not as exciting as it sounded at first.
This isn't destination Q, but it qualifies as a great quick meal served up by friendly folks who are concerned about feeding you real food. -
Review from Arlene S.
Bubbalou's is a small BBQ places on Lee Rd in between I4 and 1792. There is space to sit inside and outside. Not a lot of space or room for a lot of people.
I got the beef brisket sandwhich and really enjoyed it. It was a bit on the dry side but still good. They have a variety of BBQ sauces on to try. You can pick and choose which ones to try or combine them! I got fries and baked beans as sides. They were average, nothing special.
My one MAJOR dislike were the restrooms. You have to go outside to get to them. I went to wash my hands and almost gagged as soon as I walked in. The smell was horrible. I had to hold my breath as I washed my hands. I have been to porta potties (sp?) better then this. That smell almost made me not want to eat there, I recommend not using these. Hold it, walk across the street, pop a squat....anything but these restrooms.
I will be returning here and trying other things on the menu...they are pepsi pour as well!!Listed in: Places for Lunch
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Review from Francisco I.
Kissimmee, FL
4/21/2012
Small place with good BBQ flavor
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Review from Annette E.
Orlando, FL
6/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really like Bubbalou's, but I am just not digging this location. I went in to Bubbalou's that day knowing exactly what I wanted: chicken, beans, coleslaw, and baked potato or sweet potato. I asked the lady if they had any of the potatoes in question she said no. Then when I started placing my order, I asked what sides I COULD get, and she said all dinners come with beans, slaw, and fries no substitutions. Ummmm ok so I guess I'm getting fries. Mind you my friend who ordered in the register next to me was able to sub his coleslaw for mac and cheese for a small charge. What the hell? If there was a fee I would have gladly paid it, if it meant getting what I wanted.
Anyhoo, the chicken was good, the beans and slaw were great. I threw away the fries, my only qualm with the food here was the gross Newbrunswick stew which tasted like bland sludge. And their toasted bread...which was supposed to be garlic bread, but had no hint of garlic or flavor.
So overall, food was "meh," and service was "meh." If we go back to Bubbalou's I'm sticking to their UCF location on Alafaya! -
Review from Paulette G.
Fern Park, FL
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing !!! Food was great customer service.was A+
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Review from Mark D.
4/27/2011
I love Bubbalou's. I say Texas smexas. North Carolina, who needs ya? St Louis, move on over. Bubbalou's can play the BBQ game with anyone.
This is plain ol' good barbecue and good fixuns. They are very friendly. So, just walk up to the menu counter and place your order. Get your cup. Pour your ice tea. add a slice or two of lemon. Go sit down and wait for some great food to show up.
I always get the same. The pulled pork sandwich with fries, a side of corn bread, and a side of friend okra. Oops, I forgot the baked beans. You can't have BBQ without baked beans. That just wouldn't be right.
I love the soft bun. I love the tender pulled pork. I am usually in to much of a hurry to worry about which sauce I am spraying all over my sandwich but I usually try and grab the spicy. I love their crispy fried okra. If you think okra is slimy. Give theirs a try. No slime in sight.
The ambiance is basic bbq. But then again, you don't come to Bubbalou's for a white table cloth. It wouldn't be white when you finished you anyway.
The prices are good too. I can feed a whole mess of people for $100.
I will finish the way I started. I love Bubbalou's. This is one of those places I could eat at every single day. I might not last too long. But I would die one very happy man. -
Review from Brandi B.
12/28/2008
Dear Bubbalou's,
Met you about 7 or 8 years ago and I was so happy to have discovered a new BBQ joint! You smelled so tasty and looked so good from the outside...but appearances can be so deceiving.
M-E-H. Meh. Over the years, I've come to learn the real you. You're just not that great. Your meats are overly smokey and dry. Like jerky. And your beans are tasteless mush, your french fries are also mush (always ordered them extra crispy, too), and frankly, I just don't like your sauce.
And I HATE your sticky, crumby picnic tables.
I love BBQ, I really do. I've tried loving you, Bubbalou's, but I have no love for tasteless or jerky. So, I think it's time we parted ways, sorry.
With Love (for good BBQ),
brandiListed in: Sorry You Suck So Much, Still searching for 5 star BBQ
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Review from Leonardo C.
Orlando, FL
3/22/2010
Went here for lunch with the family and we all loved it! I love that the pulled pork was a bit dry and not dripping fat. I will be going here often which sucks for me because it means I will have to work out more.
For all BBQ lovers, this place is a must!! -
Review from Monique C.
New York, NY
1/15/2011
Very good food! Never a disappointment!!!
If you want good food, and good service, this is the place to go! -
Review from michael m.
Orlando, FL
9/5/2010
Bubbalous is an institution.
Few (legal) things on this earth, will make you feel as happy as their sausage (kielbasa) sandwich basket.
Their BBQ mustard based sauce is a nectar from the gods finely distilled off delicate unicorn tears- its just amazing!
Their pulled pork is also amazing- its dry, but thats for a reason- so you add the sauce, and how much of it, unlike other amateur bbq joints where they smother the pork in a sauce you may not digg
I love how laid back and dissorganized this place is, its just an Orlando institution one must try. -
Review from Gracie-C Y.
San Francisco, CA
10/26/2008
I'm on vacation.
I'm planning a cruise.
Cruising to me involves lots o' food,
lots o' simple mid-western folk,
And LOTS o' old people... plenty of old people.
More old people than you can shake a stick at.
To get me into the mood for my first cruise experience, I decided to partake of that great american creation, barbeque. Or more precisely, BBQ.
Granted, central Florida is not well-known for it's "authentic" southern-style BBQ. But just like a good morning bowel movement, when the mood strikes, ya gotta go!
I used Yelp extensively for my research since pretty much every other "reputable" source for dining in the Orlando area sucked ass. While we're on the subject of ass-sucking, I have never visited a place so devoid of culture than Orlando, Florida. It even beats Las Vegas by a country mile as a destination without a soul. Chain restaurants seem to thrive like noxious little weeds here and every piece of written detritus by the local press seems to be controlled either by Disney or some other corporate pimp.
Example: one local rag recommended TGI Friday's as the best local restaurant... you have my permission to shoot me directly between the eyes if this ever becomes true.
Anyways, since Yelping is relatively new to Florida, I found a few heartening reviews about Bubbalou's and decided to give it a try. It seems to be a small local chain which started in Orlando. This location on Lee Rd. is where all the magic appears to have originated.
This beat-up, roadside stand is everything I love about eating out.
Drive up, walk over to the counter, and order anything with pork or brisket and you won't be disappointed. Sit your ass on one of the lovely wooden benches and admire the multitude of BBQ sauces at your disposal. Everything from their sweet secret sauce to "killer" heat is tastefully provided to you in food-grade squezee bottles at every table. My favorite was a neato mustard BBQ number with plenty of depth and smoke.
I chomped down a tasty pulled pork sammich while wifey devoured a brisket and chicken combo (chubby wifey). Portions were generous and staff were nice. We finished our meal with a great slice of homemade pumpkin toast.
Yep, Bubbalou's hit the spot.
I was so satisfied after our meal, that the thought of enduring 4 days of Ben-Gay marinated geriatric cruise passengers didn't even phase me... much. -
Review from Dan J.
It was a beautiful day out in Central Florida so we went to Bubbalou's and sat outside. Bobbalou's has been around since 1986 and the Lee Road store is the original. They have won the Orlando Sentinel's readers poll for the best BBQ 14 year consecutively. They have also been awarded the best dine in BBQ in America by the Food Network. I recently read an article in the Orlando Sentinel about Clarence Wheeler and how he has been working in their oak pit for more than 20 years. So the BBQ must be good!
As we arrived to the packed parking lot the smell and sight of smoke coming from the restaurant greeted us. The line inside and starting to form outside is what greets you on a typical weekday lunch. The dish that I usually get is the Smoked Turkey BBQ Basket. I get it on a regular bun rather than the garlic toast and I substitute coleslaw for the baked beans. I need the creamy slaw to cool down the killer hot sauce that I spread over the fries and sandwich. The smoked turkey with its salty smoked flavor was great as usual. They have 3 versions of their BBQ sauce; mild, hot, and killer. I usually use a mixture of hot and killer. They had a the addition of a mustard sauce today, I did not try it.
We sat outside on one of the picnic tables overlooking Lee Road, and enjoyed the cooler weather. I would agree with the awards that Bubbalou's has obtained, when I want BBQ it's at Bubbaslou's. -
Review from will r.
Lancaster, PA
12/28/2008
Youve heard it before... and youll hear it again right now...
EVERYONE else is a pretender to the throne!
Bubbalou's is THE real deal!
Still my absolute favorite bbq Shack (yep it sure is!) in the USA.
I'll keep trying the others hoping to find one better... no one else has come close... and it's been over 25 years! -
Review from jason k.
Portland, OR
6/4/2011
Completly proper BBQ. Super casual. Super fast. Good prices.
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Review from Dave N.
Orlando, FL
2/3/2010
Good BBQ is a labor of love, and it would appear that they love BBQ.
Bubbalous's prices are pretty reasonable, and the sliced pork is really tasty. The staff is friendly, but when it's busy, they can be a little short with you. The drive thru is quick and easy.
Something to note :
The killer sauce is really hot, so use with caution.
Their BBQ beans are some of the best in Orlando.
The parking can get a little tight when it's busy.
Mehh:
They had a chili special a little while back which they assured me was amazing. I ordered it with corn bread. The chili was overloaded with beans, and was way too thick. I know real chili, and this was just an average bowl. It wasnt Wendy's bad though :). Also, the cornbread was a kind of dry, and the butter packets that they put in with it melts by the time you get it home. -
Review from Venu N.
9/24/2008
Bubbalou's makes pedestrian level BBQ, but it warrants a 4 star rating simply for the craziness that is their "Psycho Sauce". Quite simply, it is the hottest BBQ sauce I have ever had, and it's not even close. My brother and I piled it on, confident in our ability to find most sauces not spicy enough for our tastes, and we were both looking for Coke, sugar, and butter within minutes! Indeed, it very well might be one of the hottest foods I have ever placed in my mouth within the United States. Again, their BBQ is average, but you are there for the sauce.
Listed in: Intro to BBQ
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Review from cherie c.
12/4/2007
A sight to see. Definitely a place to bring out-of-town guests. Messy, slow-cooked barbecue.
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Review from Amanda W.
2/26/2008
I'm originally from northern Indiana and BBQ there is baby back ribs from Chili's. I had real BBQ for the first time at Bubbalou's and now I'm hooked. I'm a huge fan of the pulled pork and baked beans. The onion rings are very tasty too.
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Review from Sergio S.
8/11/2008 3 photos
I'd stick to the pork menu here. The pulled pork is really delicious! I also enjoyed their gizzards. The beef barbq, however, was a let down. Very dry and not very much flavor. Like I said--stick to the pork and you'll walk away happy.
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Review from Ellen B.
Orlando, FL
9/6/2008
Greasy, greasy, greasy. The ribs lacked actual meat but had tons of fat. The okra was soggy, the beans were mushy. The bread was simple pieces of white bread. I just was not at all impressed with quality of the food served at Bubbalou's. Plus, the tables were greasy, as were the bbq sauces left on the table for everyone to use.
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Review from Norman S.
New York, NY
11/28/2008
i first saw this place driving by and i had to slow down to look more closely at this little shack off the road, i saw harley bikers, families with kids, and seniors dining at the picnic tables outside. figured this has gotta be a good local barbeque joint.
wow i didn't know you could find such good barbeque in central florida. the pork was absolutely delicious. sauce was really great. anytime i'm in orlando i like to stop by this place for lunch. -
Review from brian g.
San Francisco, CA
7/31/2008
i don't know that i'd necessarily call central florida a great place for bbq, but compared to where i live now, it may as well be memphis. so whenever i'm back there, i usually try and grab some - and bubbalou's has always been my favorite spot. but if you are used to SF bbq, beware, you will find no sake here.
when i come, i like to fully embrace the car culture of orlando and drive through (oh yes, my friends, they have a drive through), and take everything home in multiple non-recyclable styrofoam containers. don't forget the giant sweet tea.
update 12/23/08 - went here last night while in town for xmas. was pleased to see that the same old lady still works here, and that she's just as crotchety as ever. -
Review from Adam M.
New York, NY
4/14/2009
1.5
This is an institution. And one of my favorite places. The help is friendly, the dining in is great and food...don't get me started.
On my most recent visit, however, they were off...way off. I got the incredible ribs and chicken combo for 9.99. It's a hell of a deal. Ribs were tough, really tough. Chicken was mostly bone. I hope they were just having a bad night. But you should check this place out if you're in the area for sure. -
Review from C H.
Sanford, FL
6/15/2008
Bubbalou's has been a family favorite for years. We've even used them for catering a few times. Unfortunatly, the quality of the food has slipped lately. We've always loved the pork sandwich, the beans and the ribs. We can't quite put our finger on what is different, but it's just not the same. Maybe they downgraded the quality of their ingredients or switched supplies, but it's just not what is use to be.
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Review from Margaret E.
Orlando, FL
8/14/2008
The meat was fine, however the sides were consistently poorer than average. Dry, tasteless cornbread and insipid baked beans.
