Fatty's BBQ & Soul Food — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

Fatty’s BBQ & Soul Food is hands down some of the BEST BBQ you will ever find in Florida. I don’t say that lightly either, I’ve only had it a few times, but every single time it has been absolutely unforgettable.

The ribs in particular are out of this world. They’re perfectly tender, smoky, and full of flavor, and the sauce is the kind that makes you lick your fingers and wonder how it’s possible for food to taste that good. In fact, the photo I attached was taken after I had already taken a bite, I couldn’t resist diving in before snapping the picture. That alone should tell you how irresistible this food is!

What makes Fatty’s stand out is not just the taste, but the heart you can feel in every meal. I’ve never actually been inside the restaurant myself, my mom usually goes in and brings it out, but even from the outside you can see the pride and soul poured into this place. The colorful bench, the vibrant artwork, and the welcoming vibe all give you a hint of what’s waiting in the box: food cooked with love and passion.

I don’t know who the owners are or the pitmaster behind the grill, but they deserve major recognition. Whoever is making this food should be extremely proud of themselves because it’s not just barbecue—it’s an experience. You can taste the love, the tradition, and the hard work in every bite.

And let’s not forget the prices. For BBQ this good, you’d expect to pay way more, but Fatty’s keeps it real and affordable, which makes it even better. It honestly feels like a hidden gem, one of those rare places where you get more than your money’s worth every single time.

If you’re anywhere near this area, do yourself a favor: stop at Fatty’s BBQ & Soul Food. Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, you’re going to walk away with a smile, a full stomach, and a new favorite spot. I’ll definitely keep coming back, and I can promise you this, after your first bite, you’ll...

We were craving BBQ while in Gulfport so we decided to try Fatty’s. What a great idea that turned out to be! We are pretty picky about BBQ and this was the real deal. From the minute you pull into the parking lot, you can smell the smoke.

The ribs were outstanding—perfectly tender but not too soft with a great crust. The seasoning is flavorful but gentle enough to let the meat flavor come through. We chose the sweet sauce, which is a mustard-based classic, but the ribs didn’t need it. They were pulled straight from a huge iron smoker oven.

The chicken was cooked well, not dry like many places. It was full of smoke flavor and tender.

The baked beans have a generous dose of maple syrup, which might be too sweet for some, but I ate every bean. They were the perfect companion to the ribs. String beans were plain but what we expected. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion size. The menu is not huge but it has a few imaginative twists, including the “rib dog.” The service was very friendly in this tiny take-out shop. Jesse, the owner, was delightful and rightfully proud of the food! We got there too late for the Mac and cheese, but we will definitely be...

Just stopping in to write a review and my mouth is literally watering. No joke. This place is the real deal. It’s a newer restaurant in the location of a long-running BBQ joint but don’t let its newness turn you off. This place, opened in memory of the proprietor’s sister, “Fatty” (seriously, if I called my sister that, she would rip my face off), this restaurant eats like an old time BBQ joint.

I got the pork with a combination of the spicy and regular sauce and it was mouth-watering good. The side of slaw was a little dry; all the liquid was in the bottom of the carton. No worries; I just added it to the meat and ate it together. It was delicious. Of course the Mac and cheese was good - how can you go wrong? - and the collard greens had an interesting spice mix that I really liked.

The atmosphere inside was fine - it’s a take-out place. But there was camaraderie and banter among friends and regulars there. We chose to eat at the picnic table outside — they are planning to redo that area and make it more inviting for eating there...