Mission BBQ
 

Quite surprised how good it was.

All meat served dry, but there are six sauces to add at will.

The people were outstanding.

Try It, you will like it.


They do a nice job of honoring our military and first responders.

:wave::wave:

I agree with your assessment. I’m not that big of a fan of most barbecue in Florida but Mission is pretty good.

They do a nice job of honoring our military and first responders.

Neither of the 2 owners are Veterans, nor do they offer a Veteran's Discount.

Seems a bit disingenuous to me.

I went there for lunch once, with two guys. I had never been there, so I ordered a barbeque platter, which I assumed would come with a few sides. No, it came with barbeque only, no sides. Then, the server came to the table and asked us if we were veterans. The other two guys said yes, and I said no. So, she brought the other two guys a free dessert, but brought me nothing. I thought that was kind of petty.

Why?

Do they have to be veterans in order to honor veterans?

And from their website: "We do not offer an individual discount in order to be able to support Our Local Communities. We do however have a Veterans VIP club that all active duty and veterans can sign up for to receive free chow and gifts throughout the year."

How is that being disingenuous?

They gave out free sandwiches all last week for Armed Forces Week. Each service was celebrated on a different day.

FROM THEIR WEB SITE:
“It is more than one day of honor. It’s an entire week! Join us as we celebrate a week of Military Appreciation Days – May 15 through May 19, 2023 – for each branch of the Armed Forces followed by a special lunch on Armed Forces Day on May 20, 2023.”

They also give out a free sandwich to vets on veterans day

Does a business need to be veteran owned to honor veterans? They will offer a free desert to veterans. Is that not a discount? There is also a veteran vip club which offers discounts from time-to-time. Just last week, Mission BBQ had Military Apperception Week. Which of these actions are “ disingenuous”?

PDQ has “Military Mondays”. If you are former or current military a nice discount is given. If you go in with your veteran buddies and are paying individually you (the non-veteran) will not receive the discount…

I (veteran) received a free helping of peach cobbler. You have to tell the lady cleaning the tables you're a veteran.

I understand, but don't you think it is a little crass to come to the table and ask who is a veteran and then to serve two of the three diners a dessert? Really? How low class can you get? I am referring to Mission BBQ, not PDQ.

Mission offer’s free desert to veterans it’s their way to honor and “Thank them for their service”. Guessing some feel their sacrifice isn’t warranted.

You might want to attend Mission when they pin the “Nam” veteran’s. For some it’s one of the few times someone honored them, instead of spitting in their face.

You won’t get a free pin, welcomed home, saluted, or a free dessert. Or understand it took over 50 years to be honored in public. But you can witness a very moving moment for Nam veterans.

Sad, you to think you deserve special recognition, as those sitting at your table. It’s just a free dessert, you must be really upset at PDQ, “Low Class” who gives 1/2 off to Veterans and First Responders, at your table, while you pay full price.

I don't have an issue with any business that wants to offer a discount to veterans.

First, I like their brisket. Second, as a veteran, I always get a free dessert. Third, I try to be there at noon to join in singing the National Anthem. They treat veterans very well and appreciate our service.

Yes indeed!

Nor do I but I don’t think any of us that served (retired Army) should expect any freebie from any restaurants. If they offer a discount great. If not, no harm and no foul. The food and service should be the draw. Let’s face it, The Villages has a large population of military, police, fire , etc retirees. A restaurant would need to bump up their prices for everyone just so they can compete with the discounts offered by another restaurant and still survive. Just enjoy the meal and don’t forget the 25% tip (lol).

Seems like trading respect for a discount is a losing proposition. It cheapens the recognition that was earned. A better way would be to have the restaurant donate a dollar amount to homeless veterans charities for every veteran served.

I think it's kind of petty that you complain about it...they set the rules of their business...they honor veterans by giving them a free dessert...too bad you're not a veteran.

Mission BBQ
 

I have eaten at several of their restaurants and found their meats good. Their sides are ridiculously small and expensive, and not near as good as the meats.

Yes, well put. Or Baby Killer at Logan Airport
Does one Village entertainer understand
That when he ask virtually everybody to stand for the Lee Greenwood type anthem when the person next to you that you don’t know might have been at Logan ?

It's not a big deal. I don't have a problem with the rule. But, most restaurants would ask everyone at the table if they wanted a dessert.

They are 100% upfront with their policy. How petty can you get? How low class to complain about your buddies getting a dessert. Break out your wallet and buy dessert.
Incredibly petty.
Best BBQ, service and atmosphere around.

Your glass might be 1/2 full:

I was asked three times if I'm serving or have served.

Also, from MBBQ:

While we do not offer individual discounts, we do give back to our local Military, Fire, Police, and EMS in Our Community. We do also give back to larger organizations such as the USO, Special Operations Warrior foundation, Wounded Warrior Projects, and others. We do not offer an individual discount in order to be able to support Our Local Communities. We do however have a Veterans VIP club that all active duty and veterans can sign up for to receive free chow and gifts throughout the year.

They play the National Anthem at noon. Everyone stands for it, unless you are not an American citizen.

I thought the slaw tasted excellent (but i do hit it with some q-sauce) and for 2-something, good price.

:wave::wave:

Where is Mission BBQ located? I we have been to their restaurant in Virginia.

That's pretty harsh. You ride in on your buddies coattails, and expect the perks they qualify for?

If you take your grandkids to a restaurant that offers a discount to seniors, do you think the kids should get it too?

In a shallow sense, what you suggest could be considered stolen valor.

Retired guy - buy your own dessert and. get over it! This isn't "most restaurants". SMH

631 US Hwy 27 #441, Lady Lake, FL 32159

Inquiring Minds want to kno.......................what was in the empty store-front behind MBBQ??

Earth Fare

We have eaten at Mission before they open in TV. Meat is always smoked perfectly, and best Mac & Cheese I have ever had.

I arrived in Detroit, people yelling baby killer, spitting on my family and me. No one would hire me tearing up applications in front of me, not because I wasn’t qualified, but I was a VN vet. After 5 months a few very wise Doctors told me not to admit, and remove “boots” in mash units in rocket alley. Offered 3 jobs soon as I did.

Over 45 years I kept quiet, but places like Mission BBQ bring us in the light.

My best moments at Mission was a 5yo little girl, came up asked if she could hug me, after I received my pin. She whispered in my ear, “my daddy says, nobody hugged you when you came home from war. I wanted to be the first.”

So good food, unbelievable great service, and sometimes the best hugs

Thanks for the info, definitely will drive on up and give them a try.
Any place with good food and supports our vets will get my business.

Not all people are veterans or serve in our military. There are other ways, occupations, to serve our country and contribute to society. Your comment and criticism are unwarranted and don't show you in a construction light.

Best BBQ - pork or chicken and collard greens and other sides in Florida! Nothing else in the area comes close. 6 sauces plus 1 test sauce. Friendly staff also. Be there at noon and the flag and singing begins!

There brisket is off the charts best I ever tasted, was served wet.

It may have been a little tacky, that said if I was one of the 2 guys with you I would have turned down the free dessert. I for one am not interested in eating in a military theme park. I always find it humorous , especially in the villages the constant search for recognition of service (hats are a big one) when most guys couldn’t wait to get out of service . The constant search for discounts , pins and participation trophies , I find a little nauseous, but HEY it works for Lee Greenwood

Mission BBQ
 

You don’t get a discount with your regular orders. You DO get a free sandwich for military events: last Tuesday was USMC day, Saturday was Armed Forces Day where all bets got a free sandwich.

You do realize there is a large percentage are retired military in TV. They took multiple years, before “They got out” They volunteered to serve their country, and stayed.

I volunteered didn’t wait for the lottery, as I stated I didn’t talk about, wear a hat or acknowledge service, to anyone including my own family, for over 45 years. Then all the cancers took parts of my life from me, and I searched for Hope to keep me alive, not free food and discounts.

So sorry in the last couple of years some of us wear a hat.

For me it’s an honor to thank that guy who wears a WW hat, otherwise how would I get to thank him for his service.

Well thank you for your service