With a name like Fat Fred’s, you don’t have to do much convincing to get me in the door. Follow that up with a peek at their brisket and back-to-back weekends of sold-out smoked meats, and you’re at the top of the list.
Fat Fred’s BBQ has made its debut as a weekend pop-up at 1001 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District, the previous home to Cafe Ten-O-One and currently Creative Catering. The third-generation restaurant goes all out on smoked meats, with a focus on Texas-style BBQ, including ribs, pulled pork, brisket, beef tenderloin, wings, sausage, and a variety of sandwiches and classic Southern sides. They even have key lime pie and banana pudding. You can try them this weekend, beginning at 11 am Friday and Saturday.
Photos via Fat Fred’s BBQ
Led by Frank Edgar, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Fat Fred’s traces its lineage all the way back to H&D Cafeteria, which was run by Edgar’s grandparents and great-grandparents. Award-winning food runs in the blood, perhaps with a tinge of dry rub.
Fat Fred’s BBQ made its EDGE District pop-up debut in July with a couple soft opening weekends that sold out every day. They’re back this weekend, Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8, beginning at 11 am each day and running until they’re sold out. Based on the last few weeks, we’d recommend arriving early.
The food can be taken to-go or enjoyed right there in the dining room. Just about any meat is available as a sandwich or platter, and there are also appetizers like smoked fish spread, hush puppies, and corn fritters. Side options include fries and cornbread. This is Southern bbq the way it’s supposed to be: served on a plate with no room or in a styrofoam carryout box that you can barely close and need some napkins just to hold.
To keep up with hours, specials, and daily availability, give Fat Fred’s BBQ a follow on Instagram.
The opening of Fat Fred’s comes as part of a mini BBQ renaissance in St. Pete. While recent years saw the closures of some of the few standalone BBQ spots like Dr. BBQ, Urban Brew & BBQ, and Gulfport’s beloved Smokin’ J’s, recent months have seen a return of smoked meats. Treehouse BBQ has been selling out every day since moving in off 4th Street North, while Zee’s Barbeque has opened to rave reviews at Foodie Labs.
The more the merrier, even if it means more regular cardiologist visits.
Dining and Cooking