Feels Like Home

There are so many different restaurants I have added to my list to try since moving to Florida. The weekend I moved to Florida, we picked up my mom from her flight in Orlando and stumbled across Mission BBQ, but it was closed for the evening. Months later, I stumbled across a Mission BBQ location in my own town. It was in such close proximity to me this entire time, and I had no idea. I made it a priority to go try it last week. It blew my expectations out of the water, and my unforgettable experience is shared below.

I entered into my local Mission BBQ establishment, and walked up to the counter to order. Who else looks at the restaurant menu online before arriving? I always need to feel prepared on what to order. I knew I wanted to try a few of the meats and a few of the sides to get a well-rounded tasting. The friendliest woman greeted me. She had such a warm and welcoming energy. She introduced herself and asked me for my name. As I told her mine, she said, “It’s nice to meet you Jessica.” My order is pictured below. I ordered a platter of brisket, pulled pork, and jalapeño cheddar sausage. I was asked if I wanted a drink, but I declined. I also ordered some sides and asked if my platter came with any, but it turns out all sides are a la carte aside from a complimentary piece of cornbread. I ordered corn casserole (I’ve never had it before, and it was unbelievable), mac n cheese, and baked beans. I then asked if there were any sauces, but was informed that those are handled at the other side of the counter when my order is being packaged. I am sure I gave off the vibe that I was a first-timer by all my questions – LOL. After paying, I thought to myself: “Maybe my platter did come with a drink, so I should grab one if I paid for it.” I followed up and asked if a drink came with my meal, and she said that it didn’t, which didn’t bother me because I was bringing my food home anyways. As I started to walk away, she stopped me, smiled, and handed me a to-go cup. It was the sweetest gesture, so unexpected, and beyond appreciated. I thanked her with a beaming smile.

Once my order was called out, the man packaging up my order asked if I wanted any BBQ sauces. I love dipping sauces, so I was excited to accompany some new kinds with my food. I asked what he had available, and he took the time to carefully explain what flavor notes each of the 6 BBQ sauces were made up of. It was very thoughtful to go the extra mile and explain the sauces in detail. I asked if I could try one of each, and he gladly agreed. I made light of our conversation and explained that it was my first time at Mission BBQ, so I might as well try them all right? He asked how I liked the aroma when I walked in, and I said it smelled delicious. He chuckled and said, just by the aroma of the food, he knew I would be back again. He walked away for a moment, which made me think he was grabbing another sauce, but he came back with a complimentary piece of cherry cheesecake to add to my order. I thanked him, and was so grateful. I LOVE cheesecake.

As I said goodbye, and approached the exit, the lovely woman who took my order was wiping down a table, and she said, “Bye Miss Jessica. Have a great night!” I wished her a wonderful night as well. The fact that she remembered my name was so impactful. Each interaction and thoughtful gesture I had, made for such a remarkable experience. The food was excellent, but even if it wasn’t, I would still give Mission BBQ my business solely based off of their hospitality alone. It left such an impression on my heart. That alone boosted my appreciation for my new town, and has started to make Florida feel a bit more like home. If you ever find yourself near a Mission BBQ near you, definitely try the Florida Gator Bite BBQ sauce. It was by far my favorite, and was packed with flavor!

Take the time to open up, and do not be afraid to feel out of place or new somewhere or while doing something. You have the ability to turn someone’s day around by being kind and compassionate. We live in a world where we are taken aback by acts of kindness. Treating people with consistent kindness should be normalized. No act of kindness is too small. It's why I end my blog with the same tag line below.

Remember to stay humble and kind, always!

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xo –Jess