I heard about this place and it is apparently legendary in Ft. Pierce but before I talk about the food let me clear up any confusion because I was confused about the name and history. The name they're known by is Tillman's Famous Bar BBQ however it is actually Seaway Smokehouse. Apparently, Barrachel Tillman opened this joint over 30 years and has recently sold the place but is now owned and operated with Mr. Tillman's pitmaster and apprentice Lee Mulderrig and Cliff Johnson are still there and responsible for all the meats and goodness that you're served. My friend, who is a new snowbird in the area, had heard good things about this BBQ joint and while out taking a tour with him I first smelled, then saw the big smoker outside the place just blowing a very familiar smoke in the air. Well, that's all I needed to know and I whipped into their parking lot to see what all the fuss was about :-) Once inside I spied the menu hanging from the ceiling that sported "St. Louis Style Ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked sausage, rib tips, smoked chicken, and Caribean J*** chicken as well. Well as I've said before having grown up in NC, lived in Memphis for 20+ years, traveled across TX, visited Kansas City and St. Louis many times, and had BBQ all across the country. I'm a bit fussy about my Que. That being said, I ordered up some brisket and pulled pork to give these Floriday folks a try. Okay the brisket was good, but don't expect Texas brisket, it's a well prepped and smoked brisket that is sliced just right but just a bit dry but not bad. the pulled pork was pretty good, not quite Memphis style, but was lean and I sure do love that smoke. BTW their meats are smoked fresh every day starting the night before, cooking all night long for that low and slow taste that only happens with BBQ TLC. I didn't try the ribs or chickens but depending on whom you ask they're not bad at all, maybe next time. (Whom? Do I sound like a BBQ snob? LOL) As for the sides, the coleslaw is excellent and the mac n cheese is okay too. There's a drive-through and big covered picnic tables outside with a nice water view so a comfortable setting while smelling that smoker. They have a couple of choices for sauce, both of which are not bad at all, and their private label sauce is available in jars to bring home with you. Bottom line: Everyone behind the counters and the prep area were quite friendly, informative, attentive, and answered all my curious questions. The barbecue is good and if you're not as fussy as I am then you might find it really good or just maybe great. Give these folks a try, they are doing BBQ justice. Recommended website: facebook:
Karen B.
We were in town for a week and stopped to eat lunch, I had the ribs and my husband had the brisket and it was the best meal we had all week. I normally don't eat bbq sauce but it was excellent and even bought a bottle to take home. Great job!! Highly recommend!
John Hickey
We are visiting St Lucie County and found Tillman’s BBQ for lunch. Great food; we had the brisket & pulled pork. Collards, potato salad & Cole slaw also very good. But the best part was the excellent service.
Barrington Bethel
The best rib tips I've had in a VERY long time!
John Matthew Crane
My wife’s brisket was tender and flavorful. The pulled pork I had wasn’t dry at all, nor did it taste like it was over-smoked, like all I’m tasting is smoke. A real good flavor. The bbq sauce was sweet and thick, but not too sweet. The collards were great. My wife liked her sweet potato, but for her personal taste it was a little too sweet. Definitely recommend this place!
Chris G.
Very expensive for what you get. The smoked BBQ was amazing But the Mac n cheese and baked beans were boxy boxy. $15 for a BBQ wrap and small bowl of Mac n cheese. Would not go back
Wade Klein
Awesome ribs! And the big guy that usually works behind the counter Is always very friendly and attentive. Seems to take great care and pride in his job!
Melanie Yearby
7p on a Friday evening most all the sides were sold out the selections that were available were tasty but not exactly what we desired originally.
Dawn C.
I don't even want to give it one star. I could not believe the lack of hygiene I witnessed. The two guys serving were sitting by the dumpster when we pulled up. Then, they went into the building and proceeded to serve food. Dirty nails and dirty hands . I was grossed out . I almost felt like I was on an episode of What would you do . Don't eat here .
Brandon Switzer
Dropped in a couple days ago on my way back to Orlando, my advice, don’t bother ordering it to go. I sat on the side of the interstate slowly eating what was without a doubt one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I have ever had the grace to eat. This man knows his Q and is a master at his art. Come find out yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
BBQ was fantastic! We tried the pulled pork, chicken and rib tips. Everything was juicy and BBQ sauce was perfect - not too sweet. Service was friendly and quick.
Victoria Davis
I think I left this restaurant a different person. It was the best pulled pork, coleslaw, and baked beans I've ever had! The pulled chicken was smokey and next level as well. They are handicap accessible and my wheelchair was able to pull up to a table no problem.
Roosvelt Gutierrez
Stop by Tillman’s today for the first time, ordered the Rib plate w/ Beans & Cole slaw, the food was great!!! Plus the service at the truck was very pleasant, very polite… if you like BBQ, stop by and get yourself a plate or two.
J Malley
This is my go-to for barbeque in the area. I'm not a barbeque puritan but I was raised by a chef so I'm a bit picky. The pulled pork plate is delicious - juicy, flavorful, and the portion is enough for dinner and lunch then next day. The corn bread and candied yams are another favorite. Highly recommend combining the two different sauces (they have a traditional Carolina sauce as well as a sweet sauce). I'll be testing out the ribs next time I go. The staff has always been incredibly friendly and helpful, and the wait is minimum. ?
Jaime Uribe
Some of the best ribs I've ever had! Glad my neighbor introduced me to them. ?
I heard about this place and it is apparently legendary in Ft. Pierce but before I talk about the food let me clear up any confusion because I was confused about the name and history. The name they're known by is Tillman's Famous Bar BBQ however it is actually Seaway Smokehouse. Apparently, Barrachel Tillman opened this joint over 30 years and has recently sold the place but is now owned and operated with Mr. Tillman's pitmaster and apprentice Lee Mulderrig and Cliff Johnson are still there and responsible for all the meats and goodness that you're served. My friend, who is a new snowbird in the area, had heard good things about this BBQ joint and while out taking a tour with him I first smelled, then saw the big smoker outside the place just blowing a very familiar smoke in the air. Well, that's all I needed to know and I whipped into their parking lot to see what all the fuss was about :-) Once inside I spied the menu hanging from the ceiling that sported "St. Louis Style Ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked sausage, rib tips, smoked chicken, and Caribean J*** chicken as well. Well as I've said before having grown up in NC, lived in Memphis for 20+ years, traveled across TX, visited Kansas City and St. Louis many times, and had BBQ all across the country. I'm a bit fussy about my Que. That being said, I ordered up some brisket and pulled pork to give these Floriday folks a try. Okay the brisket was good, but don't expect Texas brisket, it's a well prepped and smoked brisket that is sliced just right but just a bit dry but not bad. the pulled pork was pretty good, not quite Memphis style, but was lean and I sure do love that smoke. BTW their meats are smoked fresh every day starting the night before, cooking all night long for that low and slow taste that only happens with BBQ TLC. I didn't try the ribs or chickens but depending on whom you ask they're not bad at all, maybe next time. (Whom? Do I sound like a BBQ snob? LOL) As for the sides, the coleslaw is excellent and the mac n cheese is okay too. There's a drive-through and big covered picnic tables outside with a nice water view so a comfortable setting while smelling that smoker. They have a couple of choices for sauce, both of which are not bad at all, and their private label sauce is available in jars to bring home with you. Bottom line: Everyone behind the counters and the prep area were quite friendly, informative, attentive, and answered all my curious questions. The barbecue is good and if you're not as fussy as I am then you might find it really good or just maybe great. Give these folks a try, they are doing BBQ justice. Recommended website: facebook:
We were in town for a week and stopped to eat lunch, I had the ribs and my husband had the brisket and it was the best meal we had all week. I normally don't eat bbq sauce but it was excellent and even bought a bottle to take home. Great job!! Highly recommend!
We are visiting St Lucie County and found Tillman’s BBQ for lunch. Great food; we had the brisket & pulled pork. Collards, potato salad & Cole slaw also very good. But the best part was the excellent service.
The best rib tips I've had in a VERY long time!
My wife’s brisket was tender and flavorful. The pulled pork I had wasn’t dry at all, nor did it taste like it was over-smoked, like all I’m tasting is smoke. A real good flavor. The bbq sauce was sweet and thick, but not too sweet. The collards were great. My wife liked her sweet potato, but for her personal taste it was a little too sweet. Definitely recommend this place!
Very expensive for what you get. The smoked BBQ was amazing But the Mac n cheese and baked beans were boxy boxy. $15 for a BBQ wrap and small bowl of Mac n cheese. Would not go back
Awesome ribs! And the big guy that usually works behind the counter Is always very friendly and attentive. Seems to take great care and pride in his job!
7p on a Friday evening most all the sides were sold out the selections that were available were tasty but not exactly what we desired originally.
I don't even want to give it one star. I could not believe the lack of hygiene I witnessed. The two guys serving were sitting by the dumpster when we pulled up. Then, they went into the building and proceeded to serve food. Dirty nails and dirty hands . I was grossed out . I almost felt like I was on an episode of What would you do . Don't eat here .
Dropped in a couple days ago on my way back to Orlando, my advice, don’t bother ordering it to go. I sat on the side of the interstate slowly eating what was without a doubt one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I have ever had the grace to eat. This man knows his Q and is a master at his art. Come find out yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
Restaurantji Recommends
BBQ was fantastic! We tried the pulled pork, chicken and rib tips. Everything was juicy and BBQ sauce was perfect - not too sweet. Service was friendly and quick.
I think I left this restaurant a different person. It was the best pulled pork, coleslaw, and baked beans I've ever had! The pulled chicken was smokey and next level as well. They are handicap accessible and my wheelchair was able to pull up to a table no problem.
Stop by Tillman’s today for the first time, ordered the Rib plate w/ Beans & Cole slaw, the food was great!!! Plus the service at the truck was very pleasant, very polite… if you like BBQ, stop by and get yourself a plate or two.
This is my go-to for barbeque in the area. I'm not a barbeque puritan but I was raised by a chef so I'm a bit picky. The pulled pork plate is delicious - juicy, flavorful, and the portion is enough for dinner and lunch then next day. The corn bread and candied yams are another favorite. Highly recommend combining the two different sauces (they have a traditional Carolina sauce as well as a sweet sauce). I'll be testing out the ribs next time I go. The staff has always been incredibly friendly and helpful, and the wait is minimum. ?
Some of the best ribs I've ever had! Glad my neighbor introduced me to them. ?