Popular barbecue food truck T-Bone’s Famous Smokin’ Bar-B-Que has made a name for itself on Central Florida’s west coast, and has even begun selling its barbecue sauce by the bottle.
“T-Bone’s Famous ‘Original’ Rib’Licious Bar-B-Que Sauce is now available at the Anna Maria General Store,” the brand posted on Facebook back in April. “Getcha some!!!”
Now, the food truck is about to go brick-and-mortar, launching its first restaurant in Bradenton Beach.
“It’s something I’ve been trying to do for a while,” owner Trevor Peres told What Now in a phone conversation. Peres founded the concept in 2013, and T-Bone’s Famous has been a fixture in the Bradenton area ever since, with a few hiatuses. Peres says the food truck was an ideal form, as the longtime barbecuer is also known for his heavy metal band Obituary. If you’ve noticed stretches during which the food truck wasn’t on the road, odds are Peres was on tour, as the band has received renewed attention in recent years.
“Then, back in February I was just driving around, and I saw this place. It was still being remodeled after [Hurricane] Helene in 2024. The construction company said the space was open, and that’s how I got my foot in the door.”
The new spot on Gulf Drive North will feature a full-service bar with 8 seats serving beer and wine, plus an additional 40 seats with walk-up counter service. There’s also patio seating and large windows with a great view of the gulf, Peres says, making this the perfect spot to enjoy some barbecue before or after the beach.
“It’s barbecue, straight up,” Peres says. “Pork shoulder, sliders, brisket, chicken, and fish—I actually have a separate smoker for whole mullet and smoked salmon steaks. You don’t see smoked fish very much around here.”
Then, of course, there are rotating sides like collard greens, coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and cheese grits.
After more than ten years on the move, T-Bone’s Famous Smokin’ Bar-B-Que is finally settling down, and now we’ll always know just where to find it! This September/October, it’ll be opening by the water at 103 Gulf Drive North.
Launching there, T-Bone’s Famous will bring its barbecue flavor to a restaurant community that features brands like Bridge Street Bistro, Island Time Bar and Grill, Back Alley Treasures, and Daquiri Deck.
You can keep up with updates at the T-Bone’s Famous website and by following the brand on Facebook.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated after a conversation with the business owner.
