Jared Says for May 2000

I love to collect, I love baseball, and I love to eat good B-B-Q!

When traveling in Florida I find it's a major challenge to locate a non-chain restaurant that has a native down-home touch. I found such a place in Lakeland Florida: Leon's B-B-Q.

Leon's is not far off Rt 4, near the Detroit Tigers spring training camp (on Rt 98 near the junction of Rt 92, 1302 N.Florida Ave., Tel 863-802-1944). It's a small place. Less than 10 tables.

Remember in the book BLUE HIGHWAYS? How Least Head Moon talked about eating in a restaurant with the owner's name outside? This is one of those. It's operated by Leon O'Neil. He is expanding his resturants in Florida from two locations in Galveston, Texas.

Leon has quite a background! He spent two tours in VietNam where his cooking skills drew the attention of the generals and that was it for the enlisted men. After his tour in Nam he retired a Master Sergeant and opened his two places in Galveston. In Galveston he has also catered for large political events including some for the governor Ann Richards while she was in office. Leon makes an impression!

The first thing that strikes you about Leon's is the friendliness and desire to please. For our initial dinner we had the "roundabout" which is a large circular platter of all the meats: beef, pork, chicken and ribs. The B-B-Q is not cooked in a sauce, but prepared dry so that you could add sauce to your taste. The sides of beans, greens and potato salad were either homemade fresh. Everything was excellent.

The next day we came back for pork sandwiches to take to the ballgame. You couldn't beat the price or quality! After the game we loaded up on a large take out order. I am not a dessert person, but his B-B-Q cake and sweet potato pie were to die for!

If you happen to be in the area stop, by and give Leon our regards. You will not be disappointed.

Reminder: I will be at flea market in Brimfield, Massachusetts the 12-13 of May. It will be at the J&J Field #J-9. Please stop by!

Have a good month.

    Jared Aaronson, J-RED