Big Lee's - Serious About Barbecue

Big Lee's - Serious About Barbecue 2611 SW 19th Avenue Road, Ocala, FL 34471 The quality of the food he made was unparalleled and I couldn't get it out of my mind. Thanks, "Big Lee"!
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My passion for smoking meats developed years ago when I first witnessed our uncle, Leon (aka "Big Lee"), and his incredible skills on the smoker in the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood to be exact. But beyond his sheer talent, Uncle Leon had such a joy for cooking and, moreover, for sharing his amazing food with others. We lost Uncle Leon in October of 2012 and his passing has made me more conscious o

f not only how well I cook, but also how many people I share this gift with. He was an amazing man and he still inspires us today.

07/26/2026

Miami came through and Big Lee’s delivered.

We had some amazing guests stop by from Miami, enjoy their meals, and of course experience our signature Big Lee’s Tea. Before they left, we caught them for a quick table touch to see how everything was.

Their answer said it all… they loved it.

They told us Big Lee’s will be a religious stop every time they’re in the area. Hearing that from guests who travel to visit us is what makes this so special.

It’s never just about the food. It’s about the people, the hospitality, and creating an experience that makes you want to come back.



07/26/2026

Brooksville is in the house!

We welcomed a husband and wife to Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue, and after they enjoyed their meal, we stopped by the table to see how everything was going.

That’s when we got the reaction we love seeing. He was amazed by the flavors and especially our coleslaw. He couldn’t figure out what made it stand out so much.

Those moments are why we believe barbecue is more than just food. It’s about creating an experience, connecting with our guests, and giving people something they’ll remember.

Thank you to everyone who continues to stop by and share these moments with us.

07/25/2026

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming a family from Lake Helen to Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue.

Seeing families come together over great food is one of the biggest reasons we love what we do. They walked in ready for a great meal and left happy, satisfied, and with an experience they can remember.

It’s never just about the barbecue. It’s about the people, the conversations, and the community that grows around every table.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and make Big Lee’s what it is.



07/24/2026

One of the best parts about what we do is meeting people from all over the country.

This time, we welcomed a guest from Brick, New Jersey who made the trip to experience Big Lee's Serious About Barbecue. Seeing travelers choose to spend part of their journey with us is something we never take for granted.

The amazing thing is that no matter where our guests come from, we continue to hear the same review. Incredible barbecue, genuine hospitality, and an experience they won't forget.

To everyone who has traveled near or far to visit us, thank you for making Big Lee's part of your journey.

07/24/2026

A customer from Chi Town came through ready to experience everything Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue has to offer. He didn’t just order a plate… he explored the menu and got the full experience.

After trying it all, he told us our smash burger was the best burger he’s ever had. That is the kind of compliment that means the world to us.

But what surprised us the most was hearing how much our coleslaw stood out to him. Sometimes it’s the little things that become someone’s favorite part of the meal.

Great barbecue, great people, and unforgettable moments. That’s what Big Lee’s is all about.

07/23/2026

Today we got a visit from a fellow pitmaster all the way from Kansas City who came through with his family to experience what we do. When someone who understands the craft looks you in the eyes and tells you that you’re killing the game, that means something special.

Barbecue is a community built on passion, respect, and people supporting each other. Seeing pitmasters lift each other up is what makes this industry so incredible.

Of course, they had to try our signature Big Lee’s Tea. We truly believe it is one of the best drinks you can find anywhere, and it has become a must have experience when you visit Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue.


07/23/2026

Today we had the honor of welcoming a father and son who traveled from the hills of Citrus County to try our barbecue. The best part was seeing the smiles they brought through the door and the smiles they left with. Moments like this remind us why we do what we do. It is not just about serving great barbecue. It is about creating memories, building relationships, and bringing people together through passion and hospitality.





07/23/2026

Dreams really do come true…

That giant bull mural on our restaurant wall isn’t just art, it’s the exact vision I saw in a dream months before Big Lee’s even started. In that dream, I got a glimpse of the future. The message was clear: everything is going to be bright, vivid, and successful, but when it arrives, don’t run from it. Accept it all.

Standing on the Good Morning America stage as the first person from Ocala and Marion County to ever make it there is surreal. When I started this journey with zero restaurant or culinary experience, the “what-ifs” were deafening. What if it fails? What if people hate the food? I listened to none of it. I trusted the voice within and just went for it.

If you have a dream you care about, and you’re willing to work relentlessly and refuse to take no for an answer when failure knocks, go get it.

Massive love to our team holding things down at the restaurant, my family for always having my back, and my friends at TikTok for supporting creators like us every step of the way. Let’s go!

God is so faithful and dreams really do come true!

07/20/2026

The time has finally come, and I can finally spill the beans! I just found out this past Friday, and to say I’m excited is a ridiculous understatement.

Tomorrow morning, I will be on Good Morning America! This is a total dream come true—built on an incredible rapport, collaboration, and friendship with my people at . Huge shoutout to the team for making these things happen!

Y’all know I don’t believe in exaggerations or hyperbole... I just tell it like it is. Trust me when I say: You are going to want to tune in for a massive announcement. If you miss it live tomorrow morning, you’re going to be finding out second and third-hand, and you definitely don’t want that!

If you’ve been following this journey for any length of time, you already know my biggest message: Pursue whatever your dreams and goals are with everything you’ve got. From winning Food Network competitions and coming back to judge them, to being named to the TikTok Discover List as one of the top 50 food content creators on the planet and now this I honestly didn’t think anything could top everything we’ve already experienced this year. But it has. And you’ve been a part of it every step of the way.

I love you guys. Thank you for following along and being such an important part of this journey. I hope I’m making you proud.

Let’s go, baby! Set those alarms and tune in tomorrow morning!

07/19/2026

A man came into Big Lee's the other day, and while he was in line, I was asking customers if they'd like to sample our Big Lee's Tea.

The man laughed and said, **"I hate tea."**

I smiled and said, **"Just try it anyway."**

He took one sip and looked at me.

And his response was, **"D*nm... that's good!"** 😂

Safe to say, he wasn't expecting that.

Moments like this happen more often than you'd think, and they never get old. It's always fun watching someone's opinion change with just one sip.

If you've ever said you weren't a tea person, our Big Lee's Tea might have something to say about that. 🍹🔥

Address

2611 SW 19th Avenue Road
Ocala, FL
34471

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 7pm
Wednesday 11am - 7pm
Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 11am - 8pm
Saturday 11am - 8pm
Sunday 11am - 7pm

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