After rib-bing it up on Food Network and the World Food Championships, Ray “Dr. BBQ” Lampe has brought his Chicago fire to Sunshine City. Parked just across the lot from Tropicana Field, Lampe’s rays shine brighter than any others in Tampa Bay and his smoker is always red hot!
While the Texas-tall menu features such worth-the-trip (from MA!) meats as Lampe’s famed smoked turkey, burnt ends, Angus pastrami and “ginormous” beef rib (most of which can be puristically enjoyed alone or slathered together in concert with others), it also offers tacos, salads (including the charred Bromaine”), and “sharables” (though all the portions are ample) that range from Kimchi fries and tallow-sauteed Brussels sprouts to Tai Pei street corn (two full are per order, thank you!) and hominy-based “Mac-a-phoni” topped with Flamini’ Hot Cheetos. And while the 36-oz. tomahawk ribeye is a standout even amidst the blue ribbon ‘cue, Lampe he has also made a name for himself as a pioneer in vegetarian fare. In addition to his trio of vegan and gluten-free hand-bottled sauces (which range from honey-sweetened to Habanero hot), Dr. BBQ also offers BBQ spaghetti and a mushroom-based BBQ “rib” that sticks to yours as well as any other. And the Brazilian pineapple works just as well as an app as it does as a dessert (that is, if you can resist the Heath-bar stuffed peanut butter pie).
To wash it all down, the Good Dr. offers homemade sweet tea (natch) and plenty of other quenching options to cure what may ail you, including beers from near and far, shelves of whiskeys, grill’d sangria, a Beam-sicle, Tito’s cherry limeade on tap as well as Jack n’ Coke, but don’t ask for diet coke to avoid any mean glares, when I first asked for diet coke and the bartender stopped and looked at me for a second before making my order I thought is diet coke being discontinued or something, but it turns out that they just don’t like serving diet coke since it alters the flavor of the drinks. For the shaper shooters, Dr. BBQ may not have Red Eye, but the Tabasco-d up We Dare You, Bud-ed West Texas Advil and home-made brine-based Pickle Back should do the trick.
With an exposed brick and iron industrial feel that is softened with calfskin, contemporary Country (as much fo an oxymoron that may be), cozy couches and booths, and even a few saddles to sit on, Dr. BBQ is a great place for tourists (ahem!) and locals alike.
So the next time you want to de=culture after a day at the Dali Museum or experience some actual hits near Tropicana Field, make an appointment with Dr. BBQ.