Explore 30A BBQ
- John Squiric

- Jul 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 5

If you're searching for the best BBQ around Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A, here's a well-rounded guide—highlighting local favorites for brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and more:
🍖 Top BBQ Spots on or Near 30A
3 Sons Bar-B-Q (Santa Rosa Beach, on Hwy 30A)
Highly praised for fall‑off‑the‑bone ribs and tender brisket, this local favorite serves classic smoked meats with Southern sides like mac n’ cheese and cornbread. Visitors and locals alike call it "the best BBQ we have found in Destin area" and “highly recommend this place” for its quality BBQ.
98 Bar‑B‑Que (Santa Rosa Beach, Hwy 98)
With a 4.4-star rating on TripAdvisor and over 190 reviews, this spot delivers a well-rounded BBQ experience: brisket, pulled pork, chicken, plus generous sides. Locals praise its sauce, consistency, and value—though some Reddit users mention occasional inconsistency.
Evie Mae’s Barbecue (Santa Rosa Beach area)
Often highlighted as the best in Walton County, Evie Mae’s draws fans for its real-deal BBQ and homestyle sides. A Facebook group consensus calls it "by far the best" among local competitors—though some mention the pricing is on the higher side.
Back Beach BBQ (Panama City Beach, just west of 30A)
This Texas-style stick-burning BBQ smokes up brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, and more. It’s close enough to be an easy one-stop if you're exploring western stretches of 30A.
🗣️ Local Community Insight
30A Reddit, one user emphasized:
“If you're looking for brisket then 3 sons or back beach bbq are the only ones”
And a local Facebook group chimed in:
“Evie Mae's in Santa Rosa is by far the best. Backbeach is good. Evie Mae’s is better.”
📊 Quick Comparison
Restaurant | Standout Items | Vibe & Notes |
3 Sons Bar‑B‑Q | Brisket, ribs, mac & cheese | On Hwy 30A, reliably excellent smoked meats |
98 Bar‑B‑Que | Pulled pork, sides, sauces | Local favorite for value and classic BBQ |
Evie Mae’s | Smoked plates & sides | Premium quality, slightly pricier |
Back Beach BBQ | Texas-style brisket, sausage | Close to western end of 30A, rustic & hearty |
✅ Best Pick Based on Expectations
For the heartiest, most consistently praised brisket & ribs on 30A itself: go with 3 Sons Bar‑B‑Q.
For a broad BBQ menu and good value on Hwy 98: try 98 Bar‑B‑Que.
If quality and upscale smokehouse experience matter most: Evie Mae’s Barbecue.
If Texas-style smoke flavor and variety matter and you're near Panama City Beach: Back Beach BBQ is a compelling choice.
Disclaimer
Some content on this website was generated or assisted by artificial intelligence tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT. All final edits and fact-checking were done by a human.

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