East Manatee
It took roughly two years for a popular homemade Southern barbecue restaurant to return to Bradenton.
BubbaQue’s, 6310 53rd Ave. E., opened this summer in a space previously occupied by Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s.
“We identified that this was the place that we were going to be and set our roots and be a great servant to the community,” owner Tarek Kazbour said. “And give great barbecue and hospitality.”
Some signature menu items include the Texas brisket, St. Louis ribs and chicken wings. BubbaQue’s smokes their pork and brisket overnight for 14 hours.
“Our chicken wings are a little hidden gem,” Kazbour said. “We smoke them and then we flash fry them to order. They’re gonna have a nice crispy crunch, but nice smoky flavor.”
In addition to brisket, ribs and wings, the menu includes appetizers, nachos, oven-baked large potatoes, sandwiches, salads, chicken baskets and side dishes such as fried okra, fried corn on the cob and jalapeño poppers.
There are seasonal and daily specials, too. Most basket dishes, which include meat, one side and bread, cost between $15 and $18. A create-your-own combo dinner, where you pick either two or three meats and is served with two sides and bread costs $22.99 and $26.99, respectively.
Baby back ribs at BubbaQue’s, 6310 53rd Ave. E. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com BubbaQue’s barbecue returns to Bradenton
Kazbour’s father, Zee, and his friend Ryan Bell co-founded BubbaQue’s in 2008 in Levy County, Florida. They’ve only grown since then. Based in Hillsborough County, they’ve opened 10 restaurants in Florida and one in Louisiana.
Five of the locations are family-operated, while the other six are franchised. The Bradenton store is family-run.
The previous Bradenton location was on the north side of State Road 70 near Manatee Technical College.
“They had (chosen) to shut it down and it’s now a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s,” Kazbour said.
The new location took about nine months to renovate to give it the BubbaQue’s feel, Kazbour said. The walls are adorned with various trinkets, such as guitars, a propeller and sports gear.
“What we pride ourselves on is great barbecue and great hospitality,” he said. “Our service is second to none. When the customer comes in, the experience is all about that.”
BubbaQue’s, 6310 53rd Ave. E., is pictured on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com Manatee restaurant serves made-to-order meats
The sit-down restaurant has 90 seats and a drive-thru, though it isn’t fast food. Every order is made-to-order, including the meats being sliced to order, Kazbour said. Customers also choose between moist or lean brisket.
“We still have a gap in between fast food and what barbecue is,” he said. “Takes hours to smoke, but still served in minutes.”
BubbaQue’s has seven different sauces varying between sweet and spicy. There’s the original sauce called the Tractor Grease followed by the mustard-based Ole Yeller, molasses-based sauce Mississippi Mud and a honey barbecue sauce called Sugar Shack.
The Bubba Marley, Moonshine, Alabama Slama, Buffalo and Rump Roaster are also available.
“(The Rump Roaster) is our spiciest,” Kazbour said. “It’s not going to burn your mouth, but it’s cayenne (pepper) tomato base.”
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. BubbaQue’s also offers catering services.
For more information, visit www.BubbaQuesBBQ.com/Bradenton.
The dining area has several televisions and lots of country-style decorations at BubbaQue’s, 6310 53rd Ave. E. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com 
A multitude of sauces at BubbaQue’s at 6310 53rd Ave. E. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Jason Dill
Bradenton Herald
Jason Dill is a sports reporter for the Bradenton Herald. He’s won Florida Press Club awards since joining in 2010. He currently covers restaurant, development and other business stories for the Herald.
Dining and Cooking