If you’re ever in Sarasota, Florida, Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse is definitely worth checking out! It’s located further east, so many visitors might not stumble across it, but the locals know all about it.

It has a really cool, rustic feel, with Chickee-style huts made from cypress logs and covered with native palm leaves. These traditional structures were designed to withstand hurricane-force winds, and the word “Chickee” comes from the Seminole word for “house.”

I also love the laid-back vibe, with string lights, picnic tables on one side, a massive bar area, a live stage, a huge dance floor and a casual dining area on the other. Everything is outdoors under the huge Chickee-style roofs.

The atmosphere is carefree, fun and has that true “Old Florida” feel. Everyone is friendly and just there to have a good time, especially when a band is playing on the live stage. Before you know it, everyone is up dancing like nobody’s watching!

The bar is always packed, and it seems like everyone knows each other. The parking lot is usually filled with golf carts and motorcycles, and there’s even a gas station attached. The only fuel I noticed was diesel, selling for over $6 a gallon.

The food is definitely worth the visit, too. They have Southern barbecue favorites like brisket, ribs and pulled pork, along with award-winning fried chicken, homemade cornbread and a full bar with plenty of creative cocktails.

On our most recent visit we ordered fried chicken with fries and a salad, along with the complimentary cornbread, of course. We also tried a couple of specialty cocktails served in mason jars. Out back, there’s an artificial turf area that’s perfect for kids to run around and play or for anyone looking to start up a game of corn hole.

All in all, Stottlemyer’s is a fun, casual spot where you can enjoy good food, live music and a little taste of Old Florida. It has that feeling of the good old days when the music is playing, everyone is laughing, and nobody seems to have a care in the world. You can just sit back, enjoy the moment, and forget about everything else for a little while.

— Darla Mossotti, account executive