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Mission

Mission Possible: Barbeque with a Purpose

| Jodi Schwarzenbach |
Mission

The term “barbeque” immediately sends the senses into overload with mouth-watering remembrances of eating tender, sweet ribs, or a perfectly grilled steak. Along with that comes the olfactory satisfaction of inhaling that first waft of smoke from the charcoal or that sizzle of meat and veggies as they hit the grill. The whole experience of barbequing usually includes a laid-back, casual time with family and friends, enjoying the preparation of fresh, amazing food that just tastes better when blazed upon a grill. A local restaurant is gaining an advantage over that experience by providing a patriotic and meaningful experience and ambiance to accompany barbeque food. They are crushing expectations of even the most stringent barbeque connoisseurs and giving back to heroes who serve us all.

From their website, the story of Mission Barbeque:

“MISSION BBQ opened its doors for business on September 11, 2011. Ten years after our world changed forever, in some small way we wanted to change it back. We strive every day to remind ourselves what makes Our Country great—its heroes. It started with two best friends patriotic for Our Country, passionate about BBQ and who believe in running a business with meaning and purpose.

We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ. And nobody more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve Our Communities and Our Country. We do what we do for the love of our soldiers, firefighters, police officers, first responders—all our loved ones in service.

We set across this great land from Texas to Kansas City, Memphis, St. Louis and the Carolinas…to discover the secrets of great BBQ.  Every day we work hard to prepare you authentic BBQ, made from the freshest ingredients. Serve it to you in a patriotic dining room filled with tributes to those who’ve made Our Community and Our Country great, given to us by the people who earned them. Stop by at lunchtime, and you might catch us during our daily salute to the Stars and Stripes.”

Mission BBQ

That’s right, if you are lucky enough to be dining at Mission BBQ at noon, the patriotic site of the patrons standing to salute the American flag gives whole new meaning to enjoying nostalgic barbeque. On our visit to the Mission BBQ located at 4501 14th St. West in Bradenton, we were immediately drawn to the brisket, which is a prominent figure on the Mission BBQ menu. We were not disappointed. The brisket was piled high with smoky tenderness in a might mound that seemed insurmountable. Let me tell you, we devoured every morsel.

Afterall, how do you leave that kind of goodness resting on a plate? The accompanying “Maggie’s Mac-N-Cheese” and green beans with bacon completed a platter fit for royalty. The coleslaw, which is always a standard bearer for me when I visit new restaurants, was super tasty and crispy, not wilted. The chopped brisket sandwich (we had a theme going) marinated in the Memphis Belle sauce was simply the showstopper. All dressed up in that incredibly sauce with an appealing sweet/hot tang, it was irresistible. Mopping up the extra sauce with their bountiful garlic toast was the cherry on top. Speaking of desserts, we just could not do it. But seasonally, they offer a strawberry shortcake that looked incredible.

You can enjoy Mission BBQ in Bradenton, Brandon. Tampa and Fort Myers, as well as several locations throughout Florida. Knowing that some of the proceeds of your meal go directly to local and national charities such as Navy Seal Foundation, USO, Honor Flight Network and many more, is a benefit of visiting the restaurant. And those “ooh’s, “aah’s” and “mmm” remind you there is nothing better than good old American BBQ.

Photos courtesy of Mission BBQ Facebook page.

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