Crydermans Barbecue — Restaurant in Cocoa

Cryderman's is definitely a new staple in my list of "go-to" BBQ joints.

I went a few weeks ago but wanted to go back a second time before reviewing. Having just completed my second trip, time for the review.

The good - Brisket, spare ribs, crack pudding, baked beans, pulled pork, turkey, onions/pickles, and Hawaiian tea!

The okay - Other sides (tried them all), bread pudding, baby backs

The bad (not much) - Seating

Both trips, I ordered the pick 3 combo and opted to pay more for 2 sides of brisket. The first trip I had pulled pork as the 3rd option, second trip got sliced Turkey. All meats were great. Love how the brisket here is presented, thick full slices, as opposed to chopped or thinly sliced at most other restaurants. Brisket is really good. Tender, moist, and not over seasoned. Pulled pork was equally as well done. Some bark in there, tender, moist, and flavorful. Turkey was tasty as well, tender and moist. The stand out for me was definitely the. Brisket, which I highly recommend going out of your way to try.

My wife tried both the baby back ribs and spare ribs. Sadly, while very tasty, baby back ribs were very dry. Almost jerky like. Still enjoyable as they had a tasty/spicy sweet sauce drizzle on top, but not something I would order again. Spare ribs were the exact opposite. Not as spicy, very moist, super tender. Pulled right off the bone with ease. I really loved these ribs, and alongside the brisket, were stand out menu items for me. I'm sure the baby backs were a fluke, as all other meats here were on point. It happens.

Side wise, baked beans here are some of the best I've had. Home made and it shows. Sadly, most other bbq places in the area serve canned baked beans, so it's really nice to see a place do it scratch and do it right. Other than the baked beans, the other sides were underwhelming. We tried all of them I think, baked beans, mac, cole slaw, and potato salad. Mac needed flavor, was just lack luster. Coleslaw had a pretty cut/mix on the cabbage, and looks very appealing, but overall was like the mac in that it lacked flavor. Potato salad too was very appealing visually, but lacked in the flavor category. Almost tasted like salt may have been forgotten with the mac and potato salad. Don't get me wrong, they're not bad in the slightest, just not something I'd go out of my way to order again. They do however provide you with a complimentary pile of pickles/onions. I really appreciate this unusual addition. No other local joint does this, but I wish they did. Adds a fresh element to bbq that enhances it I think.

Both trips we wrapped things up with desert. We tried their crack pudding , which this month was banana and peanut butter brittle, and a bread pudding that I forgot the exact name of. The crack pudding is one of the best desserts ove ever had, and I think that's a lot to say about a pudding. The pudding itself was perfect flavor and consistency wise. Augmented with fresh bananas and a delicious peanutbutter brittle crushed on top. Its really stellar. Not too much, like some deserts can be. Just right. Highly reccomend trying this menu item, regardless of monthly variation. Bread pudding was just okay. Good but one dimensional. Would've been helped by some whipped cream and maybe a drizzle/sauce. Not bad, but wouldn't order again.

Overall, Cryderman's has some real standout items that in and of themselves are worth going out and trying. I could confidently recommend anyone to try this place. They also have a Hawaiian tea that when mixed with a little unsweetened (too sweet for me), is really delicious/unique. Try that too.

Only bad thing I can say about this place is the seating. Wish they'd have some air movers/fans in the corners of their outside seating areas. I think they'd also do well to at least screen in the area. We legit spent half our meal shooing away flies. Not their fault, its Florida and outside, but if you're outside only, it could be done a lot better. I'd get take out next time.

Thanks Cryderman's, we...

At long last, I finally got to try the mighty Crydermans Barbecue in Cocoa Village. The experience was, surprisingly, a mixed bag for me...

I have on occasion over the years, with a hankering for barbecue, made my way to Cocoa Village and tried to stop in and try this place. All those times, I came up short. As they state, they are open until a certain time or when the food runs out, and mostly it's considerably earlier than when they close. But on this day, I got lucky. We arrived here at the request of our birthday girl - a very close friend of the family - and not only found the place open, but with a very small line to order from...

Let me just say that the food is simply exceptional - we all had their main offerings - brisket, ribs, pork, Cole slaw, collard greens, mac-n-cheese, and so on. The servings are big and the flavor is truly something to experience. The guys working behind the counter are truly artisans and it shows in the food.

Now, the place itself is a bit wonky. There is only outdoor seating, and the manner in which you come into the indoor area where the food is served is even wonkier. An entrance that is literally in the way, everyone's way, and you better keep an eye out for it. This experience left me with two thoughts - only eat here during the "cooler" FL months or just make it take out. Though there's plenty of outdoor seating and it's under cover, when it's hot - it's hot. Just not the kind of place and time to really relax and eat some good hot food.

Nonetheless, Crydermans did end up being everything it was hyped to be, just not a place to really go out...

If you're on the hunt for mouthwatering barbecue that'll have you coming back for more, look no further than Cryderman's Barbecue! Nestled in the heart of Cocoa Village, this hidden gem has quickly become my go-to spot for satisfying my carnivorous cravings.

Let's talk about the star of the show – the baby back ribs. Oh boy, these bad boys are a game-changer! Tender, succulent, and bursting with flavor, they practically fall off the bone with each bite. Honestly, they're so delicious that you might find yourself questioning the need for barbecue sauce – but hey, no judgment if you decide to slather on a little extra!

Now, let's not overlook the brisket. As someone who's not typically a huge brisket fan, I was blown away by Cyderman's rendition. The bark? Impeccable. The juiciness? Off the charts. It's like a flavor explosion in every bite, leaving you craving more long after you've licked your plate clean.

And let's not forget about the smoked turkey – a true crowd-pleaser in its own right. Tender, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying, it's the perfect option for those looking to switch up their barbecue game.

But here's the kicker – you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. From the creamy mac and cheese to the smoky baked beans, to the pièce de résistance – the cornbread cookie (yes, you read that right!), Cryderman's knows how to deliver on flavor in every dish.

So whether you're a barbecue aficionado or just someone looking to indulge in some seriously good eats, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Cryderman's Barbecue. Trust me, your taste buds will...