'Watts for Dinner': Michelbob's are champions of barbecue

Michelbob's Championship Ribs & Steaks has reached legendary status in Southwest Florida with a restaurant in Naples and a take-away location on Marco Island, the latter of which we visited for this review.

Serving Southwest Florida for nearly four decades, Michelbob’s is a Trip Adviser Hall of Fame restaurant and sits on nearly every best of foodie list in Southwest Florida.

While the restaurant is well known for its ribs, we took a different route for today’s review.

First up, the pulled pork sandwich. It had a monster pile of meat between two giant toasted slices of bread; and was scary good. Tender, moist and filled with slow-cooked goodness.

We divided and shared the sandwich; and my half it was still larger than most other’s full-sized offerings. The dish came with both sweet and tangy barbecue; and for the life of me, I could not decide which one I liked best. It took both packets just to get through this half sandwich.

Also, in our box of goodies were grilled barbecue chicken breasts, no bones about it; also served with toasted bread. These gems came pre-basted. Again, tender and moist; but no competition for the pork.

On to the sides: we selected corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw.

Don’t eat the corn too close to anyone else, they will get wet; and that’s a good thing. This is the first time I’ve eaten corn without butter, because it just wasn’t necessary.

The potato salad was one of those sides that could be the star of the show. It had a yellow tint to it; I’m guessing it was mustard in there; which I adore.

The cole slaw was a bit wet for my taste; but my partner in dine loved it. It could have used a twist to make it stand out; but since many diners slather it onto the top of their BBQ; I understand why it is the way it is. I’m not a baked beans fan; but if there’s such a thing as good baked beans, then this would be the ones.

Bottom line: Beneath the smoke and the sweet or tangy sauces, the secret to Michelbob’s success is the meat. You can taste the quality and the pork had no visible fat.

More:‘Watts for Dinner’: Fine French cuisine at Bistro Soleil

More:‘Watts for Dinner’: Cocomo’s offers the variety a small community needs

This newspaper pays for all meals related to dining reviews. We do not solicit or accept free food.

If you go

Michelbob's Championship Ribs & Steaks

• 915 N. Collier Boulevard, Marco Island
• 239-394-0302
• www.michelbobs.com