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Sweet Racks
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Restaurants Asian Fusion Barbeque, Asian Fusion [Edit]
2920 Thomas DrPanama City Beach, FL 32408
(850) 230-1777
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
Tue-Fri 4:30 pm - 9 pm
Sat 12 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
57 reviews for Sweet Racks
Review Highlights
"The tocino sauce is absolutely wonderful."
(in 6 reviews)
"And these are the best damned ribs ever."
(in 38 reviews)
"Oh, the Lumpia and Garlic Peanuts were awesome too."
(in 8 reviews)
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57 reviews in English
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Review from Criss M.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Updated - 9/17/2011
When you are feeling low and have a bad attitude, go to Sweet Racks. They make everything better, every time. Ain't nothing like it nowhere.
Ben and Naisy should be US ambassadors.
Seriously, Naisy should run for Mayor of PCB and Ben should be Chief of the PCB Police.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/7/2010
My dear wife is from Germany and isn't much of a BBQ fan.
I've been trying to get her to go to Sweet… Read more »
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Review from Jasen F.
11/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
For what they do, they do it very well. The also feature a wonderful, gracious, and beautiful staff that's super-attentive to your needs. AND they serve Dogfish beer, including really good varieties (Burton Baton, Midas Touch, etc.)!
My only complaint is the kick sauce and the normal sauce is not my favorite. It's good, but the hot sauce isn't hot and the other sauce is good, but not great. However, I think I'd be hard-pressed to try any of the other barbeque joints in the area given the beer selection, the staff, and the story of the place.
It's also a great place for kids with a large play area filled with toys. -
Review from Matt W.
Panama City, FL
10/1/2011
This really IS a great restaurant! I was wondering if it would be as good as advertised here on Yelp, but the reviews were right.
The food was reasonably priced, and the portions were very generous. I had the BBQ pork sandwich, and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of meat on the bun. The fries were crisp and tasty, if nothing special.
The Mrs. had a chicken breast coated in the tocino sauce, and reported it was very good also.
The tocino sauce is absolutely wonderful. It's very different from the usual sauces offered at barbecue restaurants, but it's a nice change from the ordinary. It is a very sweet sauce and has the consistency of honey.
Sweet Racks has a very laid back atmosphere and simple decor. There is even a playroom in the main dining area for the kids. I've read at least a few reviews which say that the restaurant should be more upscale given the quality of the product they serve, but I'm of the opinion that the atmosphere is perfect for BBQ on the beach, given the cuisine's simple roots. -
Review from Terri K.
Apopka, FL
1/25/2012
Ate here 3 times recently and can't wait to go back. Food is reasonably priced and quality is mostly outstanding. Their ribs are the best ever.....not your normal barbecue-y ribs but tender, tangy and oh-so-delicious. Loved their cucumber salad and every other side we had. No time to go into detail but do yourself a favor and stop by Sweet Racks.....decor is low-key, service is prompt and friendly, and food makes life worthwhile. This is as good as it gets for this style restaurant and cuisine.
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Review from Anthony T.
Culver City, CA
8/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Absolutely Fantastic.
Sweet Racks was closed when we arrived after a long day of fishing.
The owner opened the door to let us know and then quickly started conversation and ended up being welcomed in with a rack of ribs on the house. We sat at the bar and ordered food and beers.
Food: Amazing. Fantastic Sauce and even better kicker. Between the group we tried almost everything and nothing was less than superb.
Beer: The options are endless. For those of you who don't know what they may like beyond the boring budlight. Come here and have your ways set straight. Very knowledgeable staff will gladly give you recommendations. With the "I will drink it, if you don't like it" attitude.
Staff: Very friendly, welcoming, accommodating. If not for the food and beer go to see how a restaurant should be run.
I enjoyed Sweet racks so much, we came back the next day with the rest of the group.
10 out of 10 we will be back.
-Ryan -
Review from Lacie D.
New Orleans, LA
8/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Sweet racks maybe one of the best good find in the panhandle. The menu is simple and focuses around their signature honey sweet Tocino barbecue sauce that will ignite your taste buds! The ribs are baby backs cooked to just off the bone and are drenched in the aforementioned honey heaven. Along with comes a side; I got cucumber salad and the dressing was tangy and sweet. I was so disappointed when I got to the bottom if the bowl and all the cucumbers had vanished into the delighted abyss that was my stomach.
They sell the sauce to go and my mind is reeling with ideas of what to do with it. I think I will start with a pecan crusted chicken glazed in it, then fried shrimp bathed in it.
On a side note, they are kid friendly and have a play area... -
Review from David D.
New Orleans, LA
8/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!! WOW! Yelp, you did NOT let me down. HUGE THANKS goes out to those of you that pointed me to this restaurant.
Awesome atmosphere, awesome people and even better food! Hands down, the BEST bar-b-q I've ever had. Had the combo plate and it was all amazing. The tocino sauce is heaven sent. Be sure to take some home with you. -
Review from Allene T.
8/30/2011
CALL BEFORE YOU GO - they run out of ribs sometimes....
I've been here twice - probably will become a tradition every time I travel to PCB.
The first time I went was the best. Went with a group of 20 or so, so I called ahead and they took our reservation. The super sweet owner and her (husband?) seated us and provided us with superb service - the epitome of southern hospitality. Most of us got the ribs... you MUST get the spicy sauce. Sweet, tangy, and spicy all at the same time. SOOO good. We also had the egg roll looking things (forgot what they were called) - DELICIOUS. The garlic peanuts are a must-have too... the owner provided us samples of these. All in all, our group was satisfied and later went into food coma mode.
The second time was good, but not as good. But I still give this place 5 stars for the taste and the unbeatable service. I went with my family and they..... RAN OUT OF RIBS. So make sure you call ahead of time, or don't show up an hour before closing. It was a shame :( We ended up with pulled pork sandwiches, which were just as good, but they just weren't ribs. Since the sauce was so good, I decided I'd drench my sandwich in it - bad idea. Too much sweet and tangy (if theres even such thing).
All in all, this might be the best BBQ I've ever had. -
Review from Juan R.
Gunpowder, MD
8/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This place is AWESOME! I went for lunch just because it had 5 stars on Yelp! and my fellow yelpers did NOT disappoint.
Their ribs are fall of the bone good!!! I had the cucumber salad with it and it was a great combo. I was there at 12:00 so the waitress thought I was stalking the restaurant (I was hungry) I wish I could remember her name, but her kids were funny and helped running the dessert area. Since I was visiting, she helped me to pick which is the best beach to go and what stuff to see.
So needless to say, the service is great, BUT back to the food.
The ribs were so good that I decided to come back for dinner and once again they were soooo goood. This time I had the fried plantains which were great.
I also had the lumpia with lunch, but I replaced that with beer for dinner...
Great ribs, great people. (period) -
Review from John S.
Folsom, CA
7/28/2011
What you're reading about Sweet Racks is true. The food is uniquely good and well worth a visit. The prices are insanely reasonable and you will not regret your visit. We tried almost everything on the menu and were not disappointed. The ribs, chicken, pork--everything was cooked to culinary perfection. And the asian flavors infused with the barbeque were spectacular.
My only recommendation to the owner operators of the restaurant: lose the plastic plates, cups and utensils. I know that means making an investment in plates, silverware and a dishwasher. But when your food is as good as it is--and it is very, very good--it shouldn't be presented to your patrons as if it were coming from McDonalds.
Listen. I will not forget how great the food and service was here and will always stop by when I'm in the area. It's that good. -
Review from Mike P.
Norcross, GA
8/15/2011
Nice place but don't know why it gets a 5 star rating. The ribs themselves are not any better than most rib shacks. The sauce is homemade and sweet which I prefer but I know how some people are about there BBQ and there BBQ sauce so if you like a sweet sauce you'll love it if not you'll hate it. The owner came over and was friendly and made sure everything was to our liking which is a big plus. The waitress was as nice and sweet and helpful as could be.
I will say THE FRIED PORK CHOP WAS KILLER. It was seasoned perfectly. It was moist. It was one of the best pork chops ever. I could have eaten 10 of them. I will definitely go back again and order several chops for myself. -
Review from ashleigh b.
Atlanta, GA
8/13/2011
Haiku for Sweet Racks:
(by Ashleigh Bennett)
Wanting different 'cue,
Many Yelpers gave 5 stars,
Now I see why - Wow!
(this place is case-in-point why I use Yelp. Coolest people ever running it and the food is like nothing I've ever tasted. In a world filled with sub-par barbecue, Sweet Racks is a breath of fresh, albeit smoky/sweet air! Took home a mason jar full o' Tocino sauce...can't wait to drown some Green Egg smoked Boston butt all in that stuff!!) -
Review from Thomas I.
Panama City, FL
6/4/2011
I have lived in Panama City for 25 years. Sweet Racks is my favorite restaurant that has ever been open here.
The ribs are phenomenal. The chicken wings (which are not always available) are wonderful. The lumpia is great.
They also have a pretty good beer selection, especially for Panama City. They usually have stuff from Dogfishhead, Bell's, Sierra Nevada, and Abita (plus lots more). -
Review from Joseph L.
Washington, DC
10/23/2011 1 photo
So glad we turned off the strip to eat here. Some of the best barbecue you will find anywhere. Had the pulled pork and ribs- both amazing.
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Review from Timothy O.
Annapolis, MD
3/24/2011
I thought chicken and pulled pork were far better than ribs. Get spicy
sauce.
Incredible taste, great value!
Highly recommended!!!! -
Review from Rachel B.
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Okay. Let me say right off the bat that when I found this place on yelp (it was ranked #1 in reviews in Panama City), everyone laughed and thought it was a Floridian version of Hooters. But once we got that out of the way we were all very excited to come here.
When you walk inside, you just feel like you're on somebody's enclosed porch. It's wonderful. The seating is very comfortable and the vibe is really down-home.
As everyone else mentioned, the owners are AWESOME. The guy served us, shot the shit with us, made jokes at our expense, and gave us free samples of beer. He was fantastic.
The food? Incredible! I had never heard of a Filipino/BBQ hybrid. It was phenomenal. It's like the best comfort foods of both the Asian and Southern influences. The tocino sauce was unlike anything I've had at a BBQ place. If I had to compare it to anything, I'd say it was sort of like maple syrup with HOT pepper flakes in it, only much more tantalizing. I'm not really doing it justice by describing it like that. But it's more liquidy, and sweet, and hot than others I've had. I had a juicy pulled pork sandwich and the sauce came on the side, and I just drizzled it on the sandwich and the bread got all soft and it all came together like NOM. (sorry for doing that, but it had to be done.)
Two of my dining companions liked their half racks of ribs so much, they ordered more. No joke.
We also got the lumpia, a set of ten piping hot spring rolls with sweet and sour sauce. Don't bother trying not to order these. It's the law.
They have lots of great beer here too. My husband got a Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA and someone else got a Maple Pecan Stout from an all-female brewery in Mississippi. Then we sampled a Bell's Java Stout ... HELLO food coma. Dammit. And then we had to go to a wedding. It's a shame we couldn't just sit there all day drinking and eating ribs. -
Review from Ashley S.
Panama City, FL
1/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
We were looking for something that was a little bit different and we stopped by Sweet Racks. We thought a Filipino/BBQ place sounded interesting.
We were pleasantly surprised with all the craft beers that they had. They even had my favorite, Young's Double Chocolate Stout! I love that beer...If you love darker beers, you will like this!
This place is very casual but clean. Come as you are!
We ordered the lumpia...YUMMY! We have had a lot of lumpia while stationed in Guam and were surprised that we could find good lumpia in Panama City, FL. The sauce was delicious!
We ordered the ribs and chicken with a little extra kick. I really enjoyed the ribs, even if they were a bit messy. I would recommend this restaurant to someone that wants something a little different.
This place seemed to be very family friendly with a place for children to play. A note to keep in mind, sometimes they are out of things because they only make so much for the day. So word to the wise, go early or call ahead to make sure they have the item you are looking for. -
Review from David H.
Nashville, TN
8/7/2011
Kick ass ribs with a spicy sweet twist. Boom! Another family owned joint (wich I love). Good beer selection too! One of those places you get much more than you expected from the food and the very nice staff.
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Review from Rod H.
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
All the BBQ was amazing. I had the sampler with Chicken, pulled pork and ribs. The pork perfectly smoked didn't need sauce, the chicken was amazing some of the best I have had, the ribs had great flavor but small. We took home and order of the garlic peanuts they are good but, you will taste them for awhile. I will make this a must have on my next trip to PCB.
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Review from Kat U.
Hancock Park, CA
3/9/2011 2 photos
When I yelped for good restaurants in Panama City Beach, I came across this and was like "Whoa! BBQ and Filipino food?! I HAVE to try this". So, I go for an early dinner and was greeted by the nicest people. It's owned by a Sicilian husband and a Filipina wife...I like that it was family owned and they made you feel right at home.
The food: Of course I wanted to try everything, but my eyes are always hungrier than my belly - story of my life. So with my predicament, I asked what I should get so I can get my fill without over ordering. First of all, they gave me a rib to sample and gave me a sample of the garlic peanuts...peanuts reminded me of home :) It was her nanay's recipe.
I wanted the ribs, pancit and lumpia, so she suggested order the pancit and it comes with 4 lumpias and just get the ribs (meat only)... PERFECT! More than enough food for my belly.
Here's the scoop:
Tocino Ribs - succulent and fell off the bone just the way I like my ribs :) And the sauce, mmm a perfect blend of sweetness with just the right amount of heat for a little kick at the end... make sure you reserve a portion or rack if you come for dinner, they can get pretty busy and you might miss out...
Pancit and Lumpia - true Filipino flavor surprisingly! Of course nothing compares to my mom's pancit, but this did the job well enough. And the lumpia was just the way I like it and she makes it with turkey and pork. The dipping sauce was really delish, not too sweet and she gave me a side of soy-mansi (soy sauce and calamansi) for my pancit - I likey! -
Review from Marvin H.
Fort Walton Beach, FL
8/7/2011
Awesome BBQ! The Lumpia rocks and the greens are completely off the hook! Make sure and ask for the "kick" sauce with your BBQ it's perfectly balanced sweet and hot. Oh yeah, one dollar PBR's just to top it off. Totally cool place.
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Review from Dayle S.
Panama City, FL
8/5/2011
This place is awesome. Great ribs and the sauce is the best. Family friendly atmosphere and great beer selection. The owners are super friendly and helpful. I can't say enough how amazing the sauce is :)
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Review from Benny B.
Bonne Terre, MO
8/22/2011
Vacationed a week in PCB August 2010, and ate here 3 times despite wanting to check out more restaurants. Oh yeah...the place is that good. Food was fantastic, owner and staff were great, and the atmosphere was laid back and relaxed.
We tried nearly everything over the course of visits, but the ribs are the signature item. Even bought a jar of the unique sweet, syrup-like sauce to bring home. After learning it was our first visit, Ben (owner) brought out various things for us to try 'on the house,' which was a very nice touch. Lumpia and garlic peanuts were great and took some back to the condo for snacking later. Tried the pancit one night and it was great also. Ben also selects and serves the finest craft beers, and will tell ya about the beer or recommend a pairing if asked.
The last night we showed up right before close, and despite offering to do take out, they insisted it was fine to stay and didn't rush us to leave. And although we didn't have kids along, it was nice to see they have a neat little play area for the wee folk.
Highest recommendation for Sweet Racks, and we'll be going back anytime we're within an hour's drive. -
Review from Reese S.
Tuscaloosa, AL
After reading the reviews on Yelp, I had to check this place out, and I can say that you people didn't lie. Sweet Racks was some of the best BBQ I've ever had the pleasure of eating. It's sweeter style sauces are much different than the tangy vinegar types I am used to in Tuscaloosa.
The place is a roadside shack, and is nothing special on the inside, but it gives a great small-town, hole-in-the-wall feel, and I only saw four workers, two of which were the owners. Everyone was extremely friendly, and had a great sense of humor, and helped those of us who had never heard of Filipino BBQ.
I ordered the Combo plate which came with 1/3 rack of their Tocino ribs and a scoop of pulled pork, and one side (I chose baked beans). Their Tocino ribs were unbelievable. Good? Great? Those mediocre adjectives don't describe Sweet Rack's "ribolutionary" ribs. Stupefyingly good. 1/3 rack ended up being 5, meat melting-of-the-bone ribs; the meat was literally hanging on by sheer juicy will. If not for the plate of support under them then the bones would have been standing alone with a tender pile of meat sitting at their feet. The Tocino sauce changed my life. I am so used to the sour tang of that yellowish brown vinegar based sauce from Bama, but this stuff was a viscous dark brown that tasted of bourbon and brown sugar. Initially, a tingly tang enters the mouth, then a deep sweetness gives a swift kick to the tongue that will shatter your previously safe thoughts about normal BBQ sauces. The pulled pork was a mammoth on the plate. They were generous with all their portions. The meat, like all their others, was very tender and well cooked. I use baked beans at BBQ joints as a standard to measure each of them by. Theirs were light in color with chopped green peppers mingled in, and had a vinegary taste.
Others in our party ordered various items: the fried plantains were dark and moist and resembled sweet potato wedges in flavor; the smoked chicken was practically walking off the bone and was the juiciest of the meats.
The food bested anything I've had in Panama City, but the real difference maker, the thing that sets Sweet Racks apart, was that everything was made from scratch; everything on the menu is the product of an original recipe of the owner (except their fries, which the owner told us was the only thing frozen).
If you're in Panama City then you've gotta check out Sweet Racks. It offers a radically (and much needed) change from the seafood joints that litter the streets. They even have a sticker on their door that says, "People on Yelp love us!" I can now say I am one of those people. -
Review from amanda u.
Fishers, IN
3/31/2011
So, SO glad we tried this place. My husband and I just spent the week in PCB for vacation and I looked up what local restaurants got the best reviews. We fell in love with Sweet Racks immediately!
The entire staff is fabulous. The owners/cooks are awesome - down to earth, friendly and helpful. The waitresses were incredibly sweet and fun to chat with. I loved the casual, no frills atmosphere. Very relaxing and fun. We didn't have our children with us, but it would have been a great place to bring them.
Now, the most important part.....THE FOOD. Wow. I've never had ribs or pulled pork like this. It was unique and SO good. The tocino sauce was incredible, like nothing I've had before. I probably wouldn't have ordered the ribs (I love pulled pork), but they brought us each a sample of the ribs right when we arrived (again, awesome customer service) and I was sold. I got the combo plate, which was a 1/3 rack of ribs and a hearty pile of pulled pork with your choice of side dish. This was a LOT of food and I was stuffed by the time I left. But it was SO good, that I couldn't leave any behind!
We ended up going back a second time during the week and our experience was equally as good. We absolutely loved that place and was sad to leave the PCB area knowing that we won't have access to Sweet Racks!! But, we'll be back someday :) -
Review from Mike B.
Juneau, AK
10/6/2010
I'd seen the great reviews here on Yelp since I moved to PCB in August but didn't get a chance to eat here until 2 weeks ago. I've been 5 times in the last 2 weeks. I'm going to have to limit myself to once a week from now on.
The owners are great, incredibly friendly, and Ben is as big a fan of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as I am. Both Naisy and Ben are beer nuts and they carry a great little selection of craft beers.
If that's not enough, the food is amazing too. Easily the best BBQ I've had and I grew up in NC so that's saying a lot. The specials shouldn't be missed either, the smoked chicken salad on Saturdays is awesome. -
Review from katie a.
Alexandria, VA
5/5/2011
Interesting marriage of filipino and southern style food. Very good. I like how there's a little play area if kids get restless from the adults hanging out enjoying their meal and drinks, the atmosphere is like cheers lol the owner i think obviously likes what he does and it shows in the food.
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Review from Daniel K.
Fayetteville, NC
8/5/2011
What a perfect way to end my vacation with the family. This is not just a restaurant, it is a perfect place to enjoy a family style meal for a very reasonable price.
With a family of four, our meal cost $44 and we were too stuffed to move. The combo platter was absolutely amazing. Very moist chicken, perfectly smoked pulled pork, and ribs that fell off the bone.
The baked beans have their own special additions so don't worry about it just coming out of a can. The cucumber salad was great. Very refreshing and had the perfect amount of sugar and vinegar to it.
You can tell everything is cooked right there on the spot. The owner Ben was very nice and a great person to talk to.
Take it from someone who grew up on KC BBQ and now lives in North Carolina, this was the best and highest quality BBQ you will get in the South.
You have to go here! -
Review from Beck G.
Panama City, FL
8/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Most amazing food ever! Upon visiting for the first time or returning endlessly, you will meet the couple that owns and operates this fine establishment. There passion is clearly evident as they serve the most uniqe taste in BBQ ive ever had! Chicken, ribs, pork and an essential order of Lumpia! Best place in PCB hands down. I would know, i live here.
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Review from John B.
Enterprise, AL
1/14/2011
Great experience! We came to PCB in January (off season=ghost town), and found Sweet Racks was open.
The menu is small, which is good because there is NOTHING bad on it...I think we tried everything. The owners (husband and wife) both came to sit and visit with us. They would have made the trip if their food wasn't so good. Everything was reasonably priced and came out super quick.
I will definitely be back. -
Review from Joel C.
Leesburg, VA
4/24/2011
Tried this on a business trip based on Yelp reviews. They were not wrong. The ribs were awesome and the lumpia were delicious! Will certainly go back when on travel there.
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Review from Hales L.
Chicago, IL
3/24/2010
Definitely true to its words, "best mom & pop bbq." As a Chicagoan, the concept of bbq really rock my socks, and when I saw the good reviews this place had, I was excited to try it out.
Cute little restaurant that gives you a constant reminder that you're in beach town. Was greeted by the owner, Ben, who was hilarious, and just about as down to earth as it can get.
Everything about this places screams no frill. You seat yourself, no checks, pay at the counter, awesome acoustic music. The menu wasn't 3 pages long, it focused on the good stuff, and the good stuff were the RIBS. And these are the best damned ribs ever. This means a lot coming from a Chicago girl who loves her bbq. I have yet to find a place that serves ribs like these in Chicago. First time I tried Lumpia (Filipino eggroll) and Pancit (stir fried glass noodles) as well.
Everything I tried here was delish. So good, we had to take some for the road. Definitely try this place out if you're in the area, you will not be disappointed. -
Review from Michael J.
Oklahoma City, OK
1/13/2010
Sweet Racks is pretty much the best place that almost no one goes to on the beach. Ever. Even if there was a fire.
Fact: There is a seafood restaurant that is always packed right next door and no one has the balls to get their face righteously BLASTED with flavor grosse pointe blank at this unique dining facility.
Fact: This place serves up lumpia Wednesday and Saturday that will completely melt your face off. Literally. They serve them really hot, guys.
Fact: My monologue will bite your face off.
This place is really something special. It is owned by a husband and wife team that met at Loyola university in Chicago. They have children, but I believe that this could also be considered as their child.
The sauce is of the Filipino tocino variety which I have had in a prepackaged and a freshly prepared format at someones Filipino cousin's graduation before but never like this. Remember in the second season of Lost when they decided to not to press the code into the machine and the hatch ate it's own face? That is exactly what will happen to you upon nourishing your soul on their expertly smoked baby back ribs.
I know some of you quakers out there will vie for the pulled pork but my god, they prepare the baby back ribs like they were giving birth to it. The husband is very meticulous in his rib preparation and he will make every attempt to convey to you that his smoker is armed and fully operational like the Death Star. Alderaan is your mouth in this obscure metaphor and the ribs are Darth Vader, the laser beam that destroys Alderaan, the Millennium Falcon, Harrison Ford, Mathew Modine, Billy Dee Williams and the Colt .45 that Billy Dee Williams drank on the set on Return of the Jedi. Simply put, it's flavor overload.
Their menu, albeit limited, is more than enough to run a veritable train on your taste buds. My favorite side is their white-brown rice mix. Quite creative. They also have PBR for you hipsters and Dogfish IPA's for you actual beer drinkers out there.
I am always shocked to see people who have lived on the beach for awhile, drive past this place all the time and never stop to check it out. I know you guys love the 233904230482309482039842034 seafood restaurants that litter this beach landscape but my god, step outside your box get with the kid!
Have you seen my baseball?
XOXO,
Mikey -
Review from Aimee C.
Panama City, FL
2/23/2010
"Woohoo! As good as it gets!" Yes! You are missing out if you haven't eaten at Sweet Racks yet!
Okay, so I made the comment previously that "barbecue is barbecue, is barbecue, is barbecue..." I TAKE IT BACK! This place is phenomenal!
Ambiance: Casual. Booths and tables. Tall ceilings. A windowed wall separates the regular dining area for the bar. Very clean.
And, if smell can be added to "Ambiance," the smell of the food was fantastic.
Staff: The staff tonight were the owners themselves. Both were incredibly friendly and helpful. They checked on us several times. They even brought out samples of items we didn't even order!
Food: "Wow!" is what my husband and our friend said as they each took their first bite of the ribs. WOW! So flavorful and juicy, I didn't want to stop eating! The pulled pork and chicken were the same: flavorful and juicy. Their special sauce was to die for! Yum! I had the fried plantains as a side dish and my husband had the cucumber salad. Both were great!
Oh, the Lumpia and Garlic Peanuts were awesome too!
ATTENTION those of you with children: They have a huge play area in the dining room! My two boys, ages 6 and 3, were completely occupied in this area the entire time (except when we made them sit down to eat). When it was time to go, they didn't want to leave!
Bottom Line: Sweet Racks has changed my opinion of barbecue. This place is simply incredible all the way around. I can't wait to eat my leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
I'm impressed. -
Review from Mark N.
Absecon, NJ
1/15/2011
This place near the beach is a truly unique and fantastic establishment. The menu is a mixture of southern style barbeque with Filipino food such as adobo chicken with rice or Filipino style "egg roll"-like things called lumpia.. The signature item, which they call "Tocino Ribs", is traditional barbeque in a Filipino style sauce referred to as "tocino" in the Philippines.. (yeah I know, it just means bacon in Spanish, but in Tagalog the meaning is apparently somewhat different).. If you get the BBQ ribs you can choose from a list of side items including traditional options like corn on the cob and collard greens and Filipino options liked fried plantains (great if you have not tried). They have a Filipino chile infused palm vinegar that goes great on the collard greens.. The couple who run the place are extremely friendly.. The place has a very casual, laid back, friendly atmosphere. They have a nice selection of high quality beers.The dessert selection varies, today I had the "guava cheesecake" (presumably Filipino influenced), it was SUPERB!! I am assuming the hybrid of Filipino food with southern BBQ is unique in the World to this one place, and it is a fantastic concept.. You NEED to go..
Definitely the most distinctively creative restaurant in the Panama City area. Reasonable prices.. -
Review from Andrew D.
Panama City Beach, FL
Updated - 10/25/2009
Just wanted to update my review. It's been six months since my first review and I now feel this place deserves five stars. Take a look at my profile and notice how many five-star ratings I give out: very few. Yeah, it's that good.
I must say the the Filipino take on the traditional BBQ is something special. I've become a big fan, and I feel this place has the potential to be an establishment in Panama City. This is a family run business and they sure make you feel like part of the family when you visit. Ben (the owner) always comes out to my table and asks me if everything is alright.
Since my first review they have added more help and service has improved as a result. There's no lunch vs. dinner menu. It always costs the same. They now have a beer selection that includes Guiness and Dogfish Head 60 IPA. The 16oz PBR can is a favorite of mine.
Great food here and even better people. Sweet Racks is definitely my favorite restaurant on this side of Thomas drive. If you enjoy the food here, please come back. Everyone knows the restaurant business in PCB is taking a hit these days, and I would hate to see this one go.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/17/2009
I had an an opportunity to try this place for the first time today. Not too long ago, this place… Read more »
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Review from John S.
McCalla, AL
5/18/2011
We sought this place out based on it's great reviews, and it really lived up to them. Very casual atmosphere with a kids play area. Very much a dive. The service from the waitress was fantastic, and we were pleasantly greeted as well by one of the owners and founders.
Fantastic BBQ joint with unique fusion of BBQ and Filipino flavor. We tried the ribs, chicken, and pork. All were great. The sides were pretty darn good as well. If you are a BBQ aficionado, then this place is a must add to your list. We did not drink, but they have one of the better beer selections in town. A good place to come have a craft beer if you are in PCB and tired of beach beers. -
Review from Alelie A.
Spring Valley, CA
3/28/2011
My fiance and I decided to try this place out after I read the reviews on Yelp and a friend highly recommended it. The advertised combination of Filipino food and BBQ caught my attention. I was expecting to see some Filipino workers but I was surprised to see that the servers were white. It made me wonder where they got the Filipino recipes.
We started off with lumpia and it was just your basic lumpia with sweet and sour sauce. Doesn't beat homemade lumpia though.
The Tocino ribs are a must-try!!! Absolutely delicious. I'm very familiar to tocino and the addition of their sauce is amazing! My fiance's favorite food are ribs and he said that this was one of the best he's ever had (and then demanded that I learn how to make it). The meat came right off the bone but there was a lot of fat on it. Nevertheless, still yummy!
The employees are very welcoming and respectful to tourists (us) and regular customers (the other guests). They serve Jones soda, my favorite type of soft drink.
Make your trip special and visit Sweet Racks. Just check out the other reviews, you won't be let down. -
Review from Kyle B.
Panama City, FL
12/10/2009
So as you're driving down Thomas Drive on the way to the beach there are a bunch of mom-and-pop restaurants that you could stop at to eat. Sweet Racks is one of those places, and you could drive by it (and probably have if you've been to PCB) and never know the pure joy that comes from devouring a 1/3 rack of their fabulous ribs. The sauce is an addictive sweet and spicy mix that I have never had anywhere else. And I love crunching on the bits of garlic in the garlic peanut appetizer as I wait on my ribs or chicken.
The atmoshpere is casual, the prices are reasonable (especially considering the food quality), and the service is good (after a few hiccups right after they opened). The owners are hands on, friendly, and there most of the time to ensure a good experience. What more do you want? Try this place, you won't regret it. -
Review from Claude W.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2011
While passing through PCB during a 3,500-mile road-trip, my wife & I ate at this unique BBQ joint, and it was the most memorable dining experience of our journey!
The smoky aroma hits you in the parking lot. The restaurant's interior is spacious yet comfy, and the gracious hospitality of the owners lights the place up. A play area for little ones includes a "Sweet Treats" booth where customers' kids can puchase treats for a quarter. The clientele was a healthy mix of tourists, snowbirds and locals.
The owner is not only a ribmaster, but also a beer expert. Describe your beer preferences and he'll offer a list of exotic brews you might like to wash down your garlic peanuts or lumpia. Only a madman would suggest a chocolate stout and banana malt to accompany Filipino-style tocino ribs, but it was perfect.
The combo plate was great, with tender ribs, juicy chicken and the most flavorful pulled pork I've ever had. The refreshing cuke salad was icy cold and the fried plantains were buttery. The guava cheesecake was silky-rich and set the standard for all future cheesecake.
If you are within 50 miles of Panama City Beach, follow your nose to Sweet Racks.
