The food and staff were amazing. We got the family meal to share and it was plenty of food for everyone! All of the meats were so tender and juicy. The children loved it as well, especially the Mac-n-cheese. The sausage was so unique with the flavor. We also tried Big Lee’s tea (not really tea) and we loved it! Definitely will return next time we are in Ocala.
Stacy Williams
-
January 19, 2026
If someone is serious about dining with friends or solo, the food here is soooo good. The videos are real. We met a lady who drove from SC to Ocala, FL for this meal. We drove 2 hours (Jacksonville, FL). We almost bought everything. Unfortunately, they sold out of the sausage before we could get there. It just means I must go back, and hopefully I will remember to ask for my military discount (lol). I even ordered food to go. We did not finish the family meal, but we did talk about how juicy the meat was and how we looked forward to eating the to go order later in the day or the next day as leftovers.
Tim Lovingood
-
March 01, 2026
The wife and I took a little road trip down to Ocala. It was an 1 1/2 hours just to eat at Big Lee's. I had warned her that if the line was out the door, I wasn't going to wait and be prepared to eat somewhere else. We arrived a little after 12 on a Saturday and was surprised to see that while busy, the line was moving at a pretty good pace. Several of the employees spoke to us and were friendly as we waited. The cashier was exceptional and helped us order. My wife order the pulled pork sandwich with corn nuggets and I got the brisket and burnt ends with beans and fried okra. We found a seat outside and waited for a few minutes. I didn't get the ladies name, but she brought us our food and was so helpful. From the first bite I could tell that this was quality bbq! Although to sauces were excellent, it didn't even need them. This was some of the best bbq I've ever eaten and I'm not exaggerating! I was so good we decided to get a rack of ribs, Big Lee's tea, peach cobbler and Biscoff cheesecake to take home! The food was so good and the services was just as good. I hope that in the future they expand and open more locations closer to us. We will definitely make another trip in the future!
Casual Explorer
-
April 25, 2026
Great barbecue! Smash burger was delicious. Friendly staff. Wanted to rate it a 5, but there was no BBQ sauce on our table. Grabbed a squeeze bottle of sauce from a vacant table and it was plugged. The restroom was out of paper towels. A bit disappointing as it was not busy. Again food was delicious and we will be back soon.
Robert Valentine-Miller
-
March 04, 2026
We expected more Flavor. Let me preface this by saying the bar & my expectations were very very high. I have lots of family & my wife are from Texas. I have had unforgettable BBQ & especially Brisket from Texas during our visits there. My wife had the Ribs platter & I ordered Brisket and Burnt ends. I will say the meat was all very tender and well cooked; it was just lacking any kind of smoky flavor- I even remarked to my wife that this could have been cooked in an oven vs a Pit. We loved the desert Banana pudding cheesecake & their SweetTea was also good.
The service was great & everyone that was there Staff & Customers all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I will also say that the inside was smaller and the Tables, seating fills up fast; we arrived right before Noon & it the restaurant got busier as time passed.
If, when we are back in Ocala (we drove up from Tampa), I would give this place another chance to see if there's any change. I do hope this place success & open another location down here
Our Address
2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd, Ocala, FL 34471, USA
Claim Listing: Big Lee’s – Serious About Barbecue
Please Login or Register an Account to Claim Listing
The food and staff were amazing. We got the family meal to share and it was plenty of food for everyone! All of the meats were so tender and juicy. The children loved it as well, especially the Mac-n-cheese. The sausage was so unique with the flavor. We also tried Big Lee’s tea (not really tea) and we loved it! Definitely will return next time we are in Ocala.
If someone is serious about dining with friends or solo, the food here is soooo good. The videos are real. We met a lady who drove from SC to Ocala, FL for this meal. We drove 2 hours (Jacksonville, FL). We almost bought everything. Unfortunately, they sold out of the sausage before we could get there. It just means I must go back, and hopefully I will remember to ask for my military discount (lol). I even ordered food to go. We did not finish the family meal, but we did talk about how juicy the meat was and how we looked forward to eating the to go order later in the day or the next day as leftovers.
The wife and I took a little road trip down to Ocala. It was an 1 1/2 hours just to eat at Big Lee's. I had warned her that if the line was out the door, I wasn't going to wait and be prepared to eat somewhere else. We arrived a little after 12 on a Saturday and was surprised to see that while busy, the line was moving at a pretty good pace. Several of the employees spoke to us and were friendly as we waited. The cashier was exceptional and helped us order. My wife order the pulled pork sandwich with corn nuggets and I got the brisket and burnt ends with beans and fried okra. We found a seat outside and waited for a few minutes. I didn't get the ladies name, but she brought us our food and was so helpful. From the first bite I could tell that this was quality bbq! Although to sauces were excellent, it didn't even need them. This was some of the best bbq I've ever eaten and I'm not exaggerating! I was so good we decided to get a rack of ribs, Big Lee's tea, peach cobbler and Biscoff cheesecake to take home! The food was so good and the services was just as good. I hope that in the future they expand and open more locations closer to us. We will definitely make another trip in the future!
Great barbecue! Smash burger was delicious. Friendly staff. Wanted to rate it a 5, but there was no BBQ sauce on our table. Grabbed a squeeze bottle of sauce from a vacant table and it was plugged. The restroom was out of paper towels. A bit disappointing as it was not busy. Again food was delicious and we will be back soon.
We expected more Flavor. Let me preface this by saying the bar & my expectations were very very high. I have lots of family & my wife are from Texas. I have had unforgettable BBQ & especially Brisket from Texas during our visits there. My wife had the Ribs platter & I ordered Brisket and Burnt ends. I will say the meat was all very tender and well cooked; it was just lacking any kind of smoky flavor- I even remarked to my wife that this could have been cooked in an oven vs a Pit. We loved the desert Banana pudding cheesecake & their SweetTea was also good. The service was great & everyone that was there Staff & Customers all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I will also say that the inside was smaller and the Tables, seating fills up fast; we arrived right before Noon & it the restaurant got busier as time passed. If, when we are back in Ocala (we drove up from Tampa), I would give this place another chance to see if there's any change. I do hope this place success & open another location down here