Travels with Bob — Heroes Always Welcome Here
Story and Photos
By Bob Nesoff
It wasn’t that many years ago that members of the military returning from combat, specifically veterans of the Vietnam War, were not always treated with great respect. Thankfully, much of that has changed today with ordinary citizens seeing someone in uniform and commonly saying “Thank you for your service.” Others would find themselves having dinner tabs picked up by thankful people. In one instance, a woman spotted a man who was wearing a “Special Forces” (the elite Green Beret) shirt and insisted on paying for his groceries at checkout.
But one place stands out above the rest. A place where not only are active service men and women welcomed, but all of those who have served are as well. But it doesn’t stop there.
Sarasota’s Mission BBQ goes the extra mile for not only veterans but for first responders as well.
Outside the restaurant are two signs on posts noting that these prime parking spaces are reserved for veterans. A plaque on the entrance says, “Proudly Serving Those Who Served.” Walk in and you can spend more time reading the displays on the walls honoring military, police, fire and EMTs. There are photos of veterans of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
It’s obvious that the management has gone above and beyond to collect artifacts, plaques and insignia of ranks from the various branches. Mission BBQ is a virtual museum of those who have served this country in the military and as first responders.
Oh, and about the food … There are places all around the country that hold themselves out as BBQ restaurants. Some think putting a brisket on some coals in the back yard is a BBQ and that thought is carried along by some restaurants.
The brisket, chicken, sausage and a variety of options are what a Texan would consider real BBQ. That’s the litmus test. If a cowboy likes it, you know you have the real stuff.
The general manager, Kirk Tyree, is an Army veteran himself and he takes a personal interest in greeting anyone in uniform or whomever might be a veteran or first responder. Not only is he a greeter, but he works behind the counter slicing and dicing like any other employee.
He takes such a personal interest that when he learned a frequent customer had penned a novel about the military and terrorists, he immediately scheduled a date for the veteran/author to hold a book signing of the novel in his restaurant.
Vietnam veterans receive special treatment here. They were the ones who suffered the most disdain and he does his best to make up for it and honor them. On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, anyone who can say he’s a veteran of the Vietnam War, gets to eat for free. That’s noted at the entrance, right near a bronze plaque that says: “Honoring those who serve.” And underneath that is a tribute to the other first responders who went in on 9/11 as the Twin Towers burned and collapsed.
But even if you have never served, or never had a family member who served, Kirk Tyree treats all guests with the same warmth and courtesy.
Mission BBQ is more than a restaurant. It is more than a museum. It is a destination that is well worth stopping in for something to eat.
Mission BBQ is located at 5231 University Parkway, in Sarasota, Florida, (941) 841-9279. As an old television commercial once said: “Try it, you’ll like it.”
