Pearl Country Store & Barbecue

Quick summary: Ribs are excellent. Pulled pork is good, but not great. Brisket is a mess.
Okay, I admit that I am a barbecue snob. I grew up in SC and like to smoke my own Boston butts and occasionally baby back ribs. I have spent time in Austin and Dallas eating brisket at a variety of restaurants.
We tried 3 meats at Pearl’s:
1) Ribs — these were the best part of the meal. I prefer baby backs, but these spare ribs were the best I’ve had. Definitely better than Adam’s Rib Co. in Gainesville or even Dreamland in Birmingham. If I’d only had these, I would have given 5 stars.
2) Pulled pork — this was pretty good, but definitely not great. The pork was not super moist, and it had a lot of big hunks of meat and even some fatty parts left in it. It should have been pulled out into nice strips. I wonder whether they waited to pull it until it was cold? I think you have to pull it while it is still hot, like 160 degrees plus, so that the rendered fat can get distributed across the pulled meat. Maybe 4 stars.
3) Brisket — what happened to this poor brisket? It wasn’t very moist or particularly smoky. I can’t understand why it was massacred into a variety of odd size chunks rather than sliced. It just looked pitiful. There were even some all-​fat chunks — ugh. People who complain that 4 Rivers Smokehouse is not real barbecue should compare the brisket at these two places. I had bad brisket on one of my visits to 4 Rivers, but 90% of the time, I have had very good brisket similar to what I have eaten in Dallas and Austin. This does not measure up. 2 Stars.
We didn’t have any sides or desserts, but I will say that the dessert selection looked pretty great.

We were looking for something to eat while traveling down from Georgia to Orlando. This is a little more than 2 miles off I-​75 in what looks like the middle of nowhere but OMG!!! The food is ridiculously yummy!
We had the pulled pork sandwich, ribs and mixed veggies. This food was so good I need Guy Fieri to checks this place out.

What a treat!!! It always reminds me that the best finds are off the beaten path. What appears like like a dive, turned out to be a great dining experience with some of the BEST BBQ I have ever had. (And I like BBQ!!) lesson learned… take a chan e and get off I 75 and try this place… you won’t be disappointed. Chicken, ribs, brisket, pork BBQ, beans and other fixins PLUS a wide selection of Southern desserts make this place a must try!

Best gas station BBQ joint I’ve ever been to. We’ve had the brisket and the pork butt and the ribs. All great. The vinegar slaw makes a great topping on the pork sandwich. Great place with friendly staff. We keep coming back!

Oh my! Generous servings of delicious food.
I had collards, coleslaw, and brisket.
I can’t wait to eat there again. .it is worth driving an hour and a half! Bring a cooler for your leftovers.

I love Pearl’s Country Store – they have good, cheap, southern food that is quick and tasty. They have wonderful BBQ and sides, and a lot of pies to choose from. Service is quick and friendly.

Wonderful BBQ and sides. While most of us went with the pulled pork which was delicious, my husband tried be chicken and ribs. Wow! They were wonderful. All the sides were fresh and tasty. This is southern, home cooking at its best. You should definitely stop if in the area!

If you like authentic backwoods BBQ this is the place for you! Honestly this is the best roadside BBQ I have ever had. The pork and chicken are tender with a sweet and savory sauce. The side items are delicious. I had the Collards and Sweet potato fries Yum! Great deserts too like Banana bread and pudding. It’s all located in a gas station food store… Wow!

Stopped here after going to Paynes Prairie. The Mac and cheese was very good. The garlic toast was actually garlic toast, not like Sonny’s. The chicken was good.
It sits inside a gas station so not the best ovience and a lot of flies.

Wonderful BBQ, The best ever! Also, breakfast omelets are the bomb. So fresh and yummy.

Biblical BBQ. I always buy extra to eat for the next meal, feed others, and just in case it’s my last meal.

The rib plate lived up to its rep. The beans and potato salad were great too! I couldn’t have asked for more. In fact, I got a doggie bag!

A Florida gem, this place is the real deal. I’m a creature of habit, I normally like one thing at any one place I frequent, but I can almost never decide what to eat at the Pearl.
First lets talk location. Micanopy is almost in the middle of no where and that is the way fans of the Pearl like it. This place is an old time gas station that still pumps kerosine. The fantastic food is served from the lunch counter in the gas station and patrons enjoy their meals at the counter or at one of a few tables.
Lets talk process, you head to the counter — take forever to decide what to eat — they write up your order on a ticket — choose your drink (all meals come with a drink, and you choose what to have, beer from the cooler, fountain soda, milk, water) — take the drink and the your ticket to the cashier — pay and get your pink pig stamp.
This pink pig stamp is Charlie’s golden ticket, you have been given permission to fly to flavorsville.
Everything and I do mean everything is homemade and rib-stick’n good. It is full of gluten, fat, butter, and probably some salt. It’s real southern barbecue and though I couldn’t convince my doctor to allow me to eat like this more than a few times a year, I count my trips to the Pearl as a blessing and an honor.
Stick around long enough and you’ll find out that the employees have been manning those counters, smokers, and cash register for many years.
The Best Kept Secret: The pie.
Oh my gravy, the pie. I could review just the pies. The previous owner is an elderly lady whose soul is in these walls. She isn’t able to keep this place going any more, but she still comes in several times a week and makes the pies from scratch.

Food is alright mac n cheese is always dry and kinda cold never any mashed potatoes but for the price you can’t beat it

Rednecky gas station on a quiet highway about 20 min south of Gainesville.
Some of the best bbq I have ever had. I have tried most of the menu and never been disappointed at all.
I love sitting at the counter in the middle of the lunch bustle.

Gas, convince store, local gift and BBQ
You heard me BBQ in a gas station and it’s amazing! they smoke all the meats in house and make awesome breakfast sandwiches lunch & dinner plates.
I take every out of town visitor to this unique spot

Some of the best bbq I have found has been at gas station places, and this place is no exception. The ribs are fantastic. They seem almost candied on the outside which creates an outer layer similar to bacon with delicious, perfectly cooked ribs underneath. It is superb. The brisket is also good, but is a bit on the dry side for me. Sides are tasty. Service was quite friendly to us. Mustard sauce was solid. Gotta try the ribs here…

Very good Barbecue! My last name is McCue, so I’ve been on a quest for the best Cue, and this is some really good Cue!
Best thing about BBQ is that you find some of the best in the most unexpected places. This BBQ joint is located in a gas station on 441. I went there a few times when I lived in Gainesville about 10 years ago. I went again tonight and I can say that they are doing it right! Deep pink smoke penetration into the meats, great sides, and good variety of sauces to compliment the smoked goodness.
If you’re looking for good Cue in N. Florida, you need to check this place out! And to the person (Cathy?) who was all pissy about waiting for ribs and went to 4 Rivers instead, I’m glad they turned you away, because great BBQ is not rushed. Great BBQ is only ready when it’s ready, and good BBQ joints are not going to sell inferior product by rushing the process, regardless of Your timetable. The reason you left is the same reason you shouldn’t be reviewing a place at which you never have eaten, you don’t get it.
Go here for great Cue!

We decided to stop here on our drive up to North Florida. This place has some pretty legit ribs and is easily accessible off of the highway. Good southern atmosphere and located in a gas station. Who could ask for more!

Best kept secret in North Florida. I went to school at UF in Gainesville and always make sure to stop by Pearl Country Store for some delicious BBQ whenever I’m in the area. This place has the best ribs I have ever had.
Try the southern hot BBQ sauce for a deliciously hot and tangy sauce. It’s good over all the various types of meat they offer but especially good on the ribs.
Make sure to stop by! They are really friendly as well.