MISSION BBQ — Restaurant in Jacksonville

My first impression upon walking in was that the decorations elicit pride and a sense of community as an American. The staff members were friendly and helped me understand the menu, that being said, having good values and a positive atmosphere will not unfairly influence my review of the food.

I ordered 5 bones of their spareribs and a side of Maggie's macaroni and cheese. My drink of choice was their sweet tea, which was sweetened nicely.

My food came out and included an extra side of cornbread, which was the first thing I ate, and it was by far the best thing on the tray, and among the best cornbread I've ever eaten from a restaurant, it was sweet and moist, just how I like it, I'll give the cornbread a 9/10.

The next thing I ate was the ribs, which I divided into 5 samples, the first sample was eaten with no sauce. The ribs did fall off the bone, which was a good sign, however I did not enjoy the ribs with no sauce, they tasted like they were baked instead of barbecued, and the rub was actually a little unnecessary because it didn't really add anything. The second rib was eaten with the Smoky mountain sauce, which did help redeem it a little bit, but it wasn't anything special or memorable. This was followed by the Texas Twang sauce ,which was my personal favorite, but the rub took away from the experience. This was followed by the Florida Gator Bite sauce which, while memorable, isn't exactly a good memory; there may be a way to incorporate citrus into a barbecue sauce, but this wasn't it. The final sauce I tasted was the Tupelo Honey Heat. This sauce had a very strong honey flavor, which I didn't necessarily dislike, but found to be very striking at first, however it did grow on me a bit and I'd probably go for it again if I was to return. Overall, my experience with the ribs was a 4/10 due to them tasting oven baked instead of barbecued.

Finally, I'm going to address Ms. Maggie. I'm not sure who Maggie is, however, after eating her macaroni and cheese, I'm lead to believe she's affiliated with the Food Network. Immediately upon looking at the macaroni, I was concerned because I saw bread crumbs, which is usually a bad sign, but I went ahead and tried it anyway. There was a vague cheese flavor, however my impression is that the cheese used was mild, and then had its flavor further diluted with milk. I wasn't able to finish it. I'm giving this macaroni a solid 2/10.

Overall, the experience wasn't horrible, but the food definitely did not leave a good impression. Mission BBQ needs to get a real smoker instead of glorified ovens, and they need to get take macaroni off their menu until they learn how to make it taste better than Kraft...

Exceptional Experience at Mission BBQ – Town Center Jacksonville!

From the moment we stepped into Mission BBQ at the Town Center in Jacksonville, we felt like family. This location isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a deeply patriotic, community-driven experience that celebrates our country, our heroes, and the art of amazing barbecue. And at the heart of it all is Joe, the General Manager, whose leadership, kindness, and passion truly set this place apart.

The smell of the smoker hits you in the best way possible when you walk in – smoky, rich, and mouthwatering. The restaurant is spotless, the décor honors veterans and first responders, and you feel a sense of pride in every corner. Even before ordering, several staff members greeted us with genuine smiles and enthusiasm.

Joe personally came to check on our table – not just a quick hello, but a warm, sincere conversation. He asked how we were enjoying our food, offered recommendations for next time, and shared a bit about Mission BBQ’s mission to give back to the community. It’s clear Joe isn't just managing a restaurant – he’s building a culture. His staff clearly respect him, and it shows in their outstanding service and positive energy.

Now the food… wow! The brisket was unbelievably tender, with just the right amount of bark and smoky flavor. The pulled pork melted in our mouths, and the ribs were fall-off-the-bone perfect. Every sauce on the table had its own personality – from sweet to spicy, smoky to tangy – and all were worth trying. The sides? Homemade tasting and packed with flavor – especially the mac & cheese and the green beans with bacon.

If you're anywhere near the Jacksonville area – especially the Town Center – do not miss this location. The food is phenomenal, the service is top-tier, and the respect for our military and first responders is unmatched. And if you're lucky enough to meet Joe, you're in for a real treat. His dedication, leadership, and personal touch elevate the entire experience.

Thank you, Mission BBQ, and thank you, Joe, for making our visit unforgettable. We’ll be...

I went to the bridal show and tried some of the food and I was obsessed, and the owner was so sweet, I was so excited about possibly booking mission BBQ for my wedding. I visited Mission BBQ at the town center at 5pm last night, to try out a big plate with a friend and the food was so disappointing, the pork was so dry it almost taste like plastic to me, even with a ton of BBQ sauce, I only ate half the sandwich, the Mac an cheese was the same way super dry and seemed like it was made early that day. The most disappointing thing to me was the cashier at the front, I walked in the restaurant not knowing where to go or what to expect, and we stood at the door for about 3-4 mins no one looked greeted us or anything, than we realized we have to go to the front to order I spoke to the cashier ( INDIA ) first she was just looking at us. Than I told her sorry we’ve never been here before and she just said okay what do you want? She didn’t even smile it truly looked like she didn’t want to be there and hated her job. I ordered a pork sandwich, Mac a cheese, and I said mash potatoes, she replied we don’t have mash potatoes, I mis spoke and looked at the menu and said cheese potatoes, which was the only potatoes on the sides so I’m sure she could have figured out what I wanted. My friend ordered also. Than she sat the drinks on the register, and I was looking around because again I’ve never been to this restaurant and I asked her where is the drink fountain and she just pointed to the wall. Just pointed. Being the first person to talk to when you enter a restaurant I just expected a little more, being I told her I’ve never been to this restaurant. My first impression was horrible. There was a very nice manager I’m guessing walking around and asked us if everything was okay and if she could get us anything. Overall I probably won’t come back to...