Pearl Country Store & Barbecue

Driving north on I-75, my partner, d'André, was searching for a great BBQ joint using his iPhone.  We had made a couple of false passes at some BBQ joints he had found, but with no wood outside, no smoke, and too much fanciness, we had passed them up.  And d'Andre does not like the BBQ chains, nor crappy BBQ of any sort.  Not one bit.  He is bitchy that way, actually.

Not knowing for sure what he had found by searching on his phone, d'André, whose nose is usually unerring, yelled at the last possible moment for me to swerve off I-75 at the Micanopy exit.  I asked "my canopy?"

d'André replied "mik' a no pee" snippishly.  (d'André was tired, I think.  We had been driving for a full 3 hours, and he was NOT looking forward to the rest of the 12 hour run all the back north to DC.)

About a mile off the interstate, we found what we were looking for.  A country store and gas station.  We parked outside, and in we went.  One glance told me we were right with Jesus.  Everything was there, including the unmistakable hallmark of good BBQ, it's smells and a blackened cooker-oven in the back.

I do not know much about actual BBQ, so I can only relay d'André's thoughts.

I must say d'André was put off at first by the churlishness of her girlishness--the waitress with the inviting front yard.  But I didn't  think she was as hostile as d'André did.  We placed our orders.  

I had always wanted to try that Southern ethnic dish called collard greens, not really knowing what they were.  I fell in love immediately and thought they were heavenly, and asked d'André if he would just leave me there and pick me up next year on our way back to Key West. d'André replied that I could find my OWN way back to Key West, and find a new boyfriend, too,  if I made him drive all the way home.  

I am not quite sure how I felt about the rest of Pearl's food, but d'André had very strong opinions, which I will try and relay here.

First d'André like the baked beans, and thought they were meaty, well-cooked.  He pronounced them a 4.5.

The only thing I had a high opinion of, of course, were the collards.  I LOOOVED their rich pot liquor seasoned with pepper vinegar.  A definite 5.0.

The beef brisket:  texas style, but chopped.  d'André thought it a little dry for his tastes, but very good nonetheless.  A 3.5 - 4.0.

Pork:  chopped too coarsely for d'André.  Too  chunky.  Would have been hard to consume on a bun.  d'André prefers a finer chop or pulled.  A 3.0.

The chicken:  Not much flavor, but cooked perfectly.  a 3.5.

To try pork, chick, and brisket, get  the Meat Lovers platter.  A steal, and you will have plenty to take home with you after you eat.

Finally, the ribs!  A ROCK-SOLID 5.0!  Even I had a strong opinion about those excellent meaty ribs.  I ordered a rack to go, and got them chopped into individual ribs, sauce on the side.  Both d'André and I LOVED those ribs!  They were gone by the time we passed Gainesville, and we got to throw the bones at the rednecks as we drove.

I think next year, I may take d'André up on his offer to leave me if I stay at Pearl Country Store on the way home.  Don't get  me wrong, I love d'André,  But honestly, he is getting so bitchy, that a few months of Pearl's collards and ribs may be just what our relationship needs.

Ta ta, for now.

A mile or so off hwy but well worth the trip. Great BBQ

Went in today for lunch. Like everyone else has said, the food was phenomenal and the service was fast and friendly. Not much else to say on the matter except its definitely a good choice.