Brick City Southern Kitchen — Restaurant in Ocala

We had dinner for two at this restaurant, and the results were mixed.

The food was good. In fact the corn bread was outstanding. My companion liked their bbq. However, my NC BBQ was not as advertised. Eastern NC BBQ is only found along the I-95 corridor in North Carolina, and down into part of SC. It is always the same. Plain, cut bbq, with a sharp vinegar flavor. I was introduced to it by inlaws back in the sixties, and have had it many, many times in the last half century.

The presentation never varies, except for the heat. The brand sold at the Smithfield chain of restaurants is a little more peppery that that sold for example by Parker’s BBQ in Wilson. Otherwise, no matter where you have it it is the same. That served at this restaurant looked authentic, but something had been added to the sauce that very nearly overrode the vinegar flavor.

The service was superb. I usually drink either red wine or iced tea at dinner. On this occasion it was tea, and I hate to have to flag down a server to get a refill. On this occasion, David C, our waiter set a full replacement glass in front of me a good ten minutes before I would have asked for one, and I give him full marks for that.

I also give him full marks for being the only properly groomed male employee of the restaurant that I could see. The rest of them were without exception, too lazy to shave. Poor grooming in the form of beards may be merely unsightly in other situations, but in the case of food handlers, beards are unsanitary.

It is a scientific fact that men shed facial hair at a rapid rate, and a recent study showed that men can have more bacteria in their beards than dogs do in their fur. The thought of those unsightly beards dangling over my food while it is being prepared or served, possibly shedding who knows what into my food, is not...

I hate to write this review because I was really hoping to have another barbecue place but I’m hugely disappointed. I gave this place 2 stars because the service was good and the drinks were okay. I was a little disappointed to find out that even though they advertise as a whiskey bar they literally have no whiskey drinks what so ever they do have bourbon drinks. Some say there is no difference between the two but as a whiskey person there is a difference in taste in my opinion. My boyfriend got the Smitty sandwich and I got the beef brisket. The sides for mine were better than the actual meat. I got the Grits and they were okay more flavor than plain grits but not by much. The sweet potato mash was pretty good almost as sweet as a desert though but still the best part of my meal. The Jalapeño cornbread was just okay as well but no real jalapeño flavor. The beef brisket was a little disappointing. It had a thick layer of fat which helped keep the meat moist but did nothing for the flavor and the meat was very salty. Not just a little salty I mean like licking a salt cube. I actually didn’t even bother eating three out of the five pieces of brisket and I ate as much as I did to try each sauce they had. The sauces were, I hate to say it, disappointing as well. The chipotle had little to no spice or flavor, the mustard tasted like French’s yellow mustard I have in my fridge, the sweet and the mojo tasted the same in my opinion but the vinegar was pretty good flavor wise but nothing to keep me interested. My boyfriend said his sandwich was mostly fat as well but the mashed potatoes were pretty good. I hate to say it but I was disappointed in my meal. Maybe it was a bad night but I don’t want to try again and still be disappointed. There are better places in Ocala for barbecue but this isn’t...

If you're looking for the best cocktails in Ocala and unforgettable service, look no further than Brick City Southern Kitchen! I had the absolute pleasure of being served by Andrea & Erik, and they completely elevated my dining experience. This isn’t just a bar, it’s a whiskey-lover’s destination.

From the moment we sat down at the beautifully lit bar, Erik and Andrea were warm, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about their craft. They took the time to ask about our flavor preferences and then crafted signature cocktails that were perfectly balanced, visually stunning, and full of unexpected, delightful twists. I highly recommend the Old Fashioned, which was hands down the best drink I've had in Ocala.

What really set Erik & Andrea apart was their professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to make every guest feel like a regular. Their knowledge of spirits, wine, and food pairings was top-tier. You can tell they genuinely care about creating a memorable experience.

Whether you're out for a romantic date night, celebrating with friends, or just grabbing a drink after work, Brick City Southern Kitchen is a must-visit. The atmosphere is cozy, the menu is thoughtfully curated, and the whiskey program is easily one of best I have ever experienced.

📍Located in the heart of downtown Ocala, Brick City is now my go-to for handcrafted whiskey cocktails, amazing bartenders, and five-star hospitality. Do yourself a favor and grab a seat at the bar. You won’t be disappointed.

#BestBartender #CraftCocktails #BestCocktailBarInOcala #DateNightSpot #MixologyMaster #TopRatedRestaurant #SignatureDrinks #ElevatedExperience...