gRub Tropical BBQ — Restaurant in Anna Maria island

GREAT turnaround! One year later, we've been three times, and the ribs couldn't be better. Still very pricy, but a large order of 8 was plenty for the three of us; they're good sized and very meaty. Bartender is extremely pleasant, there's non-alcoholic beer as well as regular alcoholic drinks, and all in all we were thrilled at the transformation. So far as we can see, almost everything we'd had a hard time with was fixed. The rub is no longer super salty. Only con, for us, was the sides. Still. Costly for what you get, and I'd really like to see something like a good portion of greens in place of the slightly over-sweet cucumber salad. Especially in a place where people get to-go and take home, things like cukes never last well. But we've been several times and will keep coming back. What a pleasure to have this easily available. AND we love that Sato and his family live above the restaurant. Nice to see this "mixed residential" actually behaving like that, instead of the spanking new party houses going up all over Pine. A commitment to the community, in a very direct way. ORIGINAL REVIEW (edited) As long time half-year residents of AMI, we were very excited to visit Ben Sato's restaurant - he's well known and well liked here, and the buzz was excellent. I'm giving it three stars because it IS new, and I'm sure that despite the many tasting events, there are still bugs to be ironed out. We went inon a weekday, assuming it would be less crowded. Ben was behind the counter in the cookspace, and I think his wife (Ashley?) was at the register. Everyone was friendly. The four of us ordered platters - full rack of ribs , peri peri chicken, shaved brisket, moji pork. We assumed this would be plenty of food for four adults and two small children, since each came with a side. Just in case, we ordered a few extra sides. We drank only water. PROS: food delivery by a friendly young man was quick. Restaurant not too noisy. Seating was comfortable; we never felt rushed. Sweet potato chips were excellent, though somewhat over-salted.Ccucumber salad wasn't that sticky sweet you often get, and vinegar-based cole slaw was a welcome change from mayonnaise-laden typical fare. The minuses: Could they possibly have used more salt? We ended up scraping off as much of the rib dry rub as we could - and 3 of us were Southerners to the bone, raised on the stuff! I'm also not sure why they talk about their "honey spare ribs", because the only sweet thing we could find was the sauce, available next to the soda machine in small plastic containers from a pump. Sadly, neither rub nor sauce were anything special; far from it. The ribs themselves were not very tender, and worse yet, for our $32 we received enough for 2-3 adults at one sitting if there were a couple of sides. The servings were European size, which we liked very much. We find most American restaurant servings are absurdly large, so we're used to taking home half the meal for the next day. However, the cost of these small servings was, to our minds, absurd. $6 for a small side of cucumber salad, and $7 or $8 for the potato salad? For $16, our chicken platter came with one side and, my wife estimated, about as much chicken as you'd get from 1 1/2 breast pieces. Perhaps two. It was tender, but again, nothing special. There was no hot sauce to be seen, which might have livened things up, and we didn't ask for any. I did ask whether the restaurant had a spicier sauce than the one we got next to the soda machine, since there were two separate pumps for sauce, but was told no, that was it. A pity, because a good tangy, spicy sauce would have gone a long way. Our two biggest problems were the prices, which we all agreed were very high given what you got, and the salt. Again, four people raised on copious amounts of salt had to scrape off the ribs before we could eat them. We may try again in a few months, assuming that after non-invitees continue posting, adjustments have been made. If we do, I'll post an addition to this review. I really am hoping...

Oh, let me tell you about gRub Tropical BBQ on Anna Maria Island – it's an absolute slice of culinary paradise that will leave your taste buds singing with joy! This place has got it all: tantalizing flavors, a tropical ambiance, and those empanadas... oh, those empanadas!

First things first, the empanadas at gRub are out of this world. One bite, and you'll be transported to a realm of savory delight. The dough is perfectly flaky and golden, cradling a generous filling that bursts with mouthwatering goodness. Whether you opt for the classic beef, chicken, or vegetarian, each empanada is lovingly crafted with a medley of authentic ingredients that create a symphony of flavors in your mouth.

Now, picture yourself on Anna Maria Island, strolling along the sandy shores, the sun kissing your skin, and the sea breeze caressing your hair. What better way to complement your island vacation than by indulging in gRub's scrumptious offerings? With its laid-back, tropical vibes, the restaurant provides the ultimate setting to savor those delectable empanadas and more.

In fact, I can confidently say that gRub Tropical BBQ is a place you'd want to visit not just once, not twice, but three times a week during your island getaway. Yes, you heard me right – it's that good! From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality that make you feel like part of the gRub family.

While the empanadas might steal the show, don't overlook the rest of the menu. Their BBQ dishes are a tantalizing blend of smoky goodness and bold flavors, paired with vibrant sides that perfectly complement the main event. And oh, their tropical-inspired cocktails – they're like sipping paradise in a glass!

The relaxed atmosphere of gRub makes it the ideal spot to unwind after a day of exploring Anna Maria Island's natural beauty. Whether you're dining indoors or enjoying their outdoor seating area, you'll find yourself immersed in a delightful experience that tantalizes all your senses.

And let's not forget the staff – they're the icing on the cake! Friendly, attentive, and passionate about their culinary creations, they ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a culinary haven on Anna Maria Island, gRub Tropical BBQ is the place to be. From the heavenly empanadas to the mouthwatering BBQ dishes, every visit promises a feast of flavors and an experience that lingers in your heart. So, don't hesitate to indulge yourself and make gRub your go-to spot during your vacation – it's an island treasure that will leave you...

Fantastic service. We got there right at open and had the whole place to ourselves. The chef/owner was nice and helpful when asked questions about the food. The lady at the bar came over and took everyone's orders, which was a bit confusing, because it's a counter service restaurant and we ended up leaving a tip because she got drinks for us (self-serve soda fountain) and brought the food to the tables. She was super nice and wonderful - it was just confusing if she was expecting a tip at a self-service restaurant so we erred on the side of generosity.

I didn't realize this was billing itself as a "healthy" BBQ, but I'd say the flavors were on the lighter side. The mojo pork wasn't deeply flavored, the smoke was light, and the BBQ was sweet. I'm fine with sweet BBQ being an option, but they need another sauce - something that's hot and/or smoky. Portions still seemed small despite the numerous comments on here from months ago that they improved portion sizes.

The Cuban was really light on filling and the bread to meat ratio was way off - I couldn't taste much smokiness/saltiness from the pork belly which should have been a flavor bomb. Empanadas were good. Charred romaine salad needed more char and the brisket served with it had a fair amount of inedible fat/gristle - need to work on trimming consistently.

I wouldn't go back just because the smoke/flavor level and pineapple-sweet sauce isn't what I like in BBQ, but I think the whole place has a great vibe, service that is really attentive, and a lot of people obviously like that lighter and sweeter flavor. I think you'll do great but agree with most that portion sizes need to go up for the price - especially on the ribs ($34 for 8 ribs and they...