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.

07/19/2026

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. 🍹🔥

07/18/2026

One of the best compliments we can get isn't a review...

It's seeing familiar faces walk through the door again.

Especially when those faces traveled from out of town to get here.

There's something pretty special about knowing people enjoyed their first visit enough to make Big Lee's Barbecue part of their plans the next time they're in the area.

That's what it's all about for us. Serving food that's worth coming back for and creating an experience people remember.

To everyone who's made Big Lee's a stop every time you're in town, thank you. We love seeing you, catching up, and making sure you leave just as happy as the last time.

Who's been back for a second (or third... or tenth) visit? Let us know in the comments! 🔥🍖

07/18/2026

You know what's funny?

We hear it all the time...

"I'm not really a tea person."

Then they take one sip of our Big Lee's Tea... and suddenly they're asking for a refill before they even finish their meal. 😂

It's become one of those things we love watching happen over and over again. People come in expecting "just tea" and leave wondering why it tastes so different.

Around here, we believe the little things matter. When every part of the meal is made with care, people notice.

If you've had our Big Lee's Tea, let everyone know in the comments. Did it surprise you too? 👀🍹

And if you haven't tried it yet... your opinion on sweet tea might be about to change.

07/17/2026

One thing you'll always notice at Big Lee's Barbecue is that we don't just hand you your food and disappear.

We love talking with our customers, checking in to make sure everything's tasting just right, and making sure you leave with a smile.

For us, great barbecue and great hospitality go hand in hand. A friendly conversation at the register, stopping by your table to see how everything is, or just getting to know the people who walk through our doors. That's what makes this place feel different.

At the end of the day, we're not just serving barbecue. We're building relationships, one customer at a time.

If you've eaten with us before, let us know your favorite part of the experience in the comments. We'd love to hear from you! ❤️



07/17/2026

A family made the trip from Georgia to Ocala with one stop they couldn't miss. Big Lee's Barbecue.

That's pretty awesome.

There's something special about seeing people turn a barbecue meal into part of their family's road trip. Great food has a way of bringing people together, and we love being a small part of those memories.

To the family from Georgia, thanks for stopping by and hanging out with us. We hope you enjoyed every bite and had an amazing time in Ocala.

If you're ever passing through Central Florida, make Big Lee's Barbecue one of your stops. Come hungry, bring your family, and see what everyone's been talking about.

We'll have the smoker going. 🔥❤️

07/17/2026

A couple came into Big Lee's today, ordered about $40 worth of barbecue... and when they got ready to leave, they left us a **$100 tip**.

To say we were blown away would be an understatement.

With how expensive everything is these days, we know eating out isn't always easy. That's what makes moments like this so incredible. It isn't just about the money, it's about the kindness behind it.

Lately, something really special has been happening at Big Lee's. People aren't just coming here for barbecue. They're showing up for each other. They're encouraging our team, sharing stories, and reminding us why we love doing what we do.

To the couple who did this today: thank you. You probably have no idea how much your generosity meant to everyone here.

If you've been thinking about stopping by, we'd love to have you. There's a really special atmosphere growing at Big Lee's, and we can't wait for you to be a part of it.

❤️ We hope to see you soon.


07/13/2026

They tell you the odds.

Year 1: 20% fail.
Year 5: 50% fail.
Year 10: 70% fail.

Most people see a business; I see a statistic that didn’t win.

Today marks 12 years of Big Lee’s. In an industry that eats dreams for breakfast, we’re still here, still tending the fire, and still cooking at the absolute pinnacle of barbecue.
We didn’t make it this far by luck. We made it by faith in God, faith in our craft, and faith in the partnership between Patrice and me. We’ve never bought an award, and we’ve never taken a shortcut.

12 years isn’t just time passing. It’s 12 years of survival. It’s 12 years of discipline. It’s 12 years of proving that the “impossible” is just another day at the pits.

Here’s to the ones who refuse to quit. We’re just getting started.

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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