Food: Tori's Bar-B-Q

Like most people, I tend to root for the underdog, and it's hard not to find a bigger underdog than Tori's Bar-B-Q, a little restaurant near Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville. Formerly Terrell's Bar-B-Q (Terrell left the restaurant when it fell on hard times, and Tori bought him out), it's a little place in a strip mall with possibly the worst location imaginable for an independent BBQ place - behind a Sonny's BBQ restaurant (Sonny's is probably the biggest BBQ chain in Florida).

The ribs being served are honest, regular sized ribs, topped with an optional sweet sauce that tastes a lot like Cattleman's or KC Masterpiece. A half slab will set you back $11 and will satisfy all but the hungriest appetite - most will find that it serves two people easily. The sides are about $1 each and are generous portions of the classics - cole slaw, collard greens, green beans, and the like.

There isn't much to say about the decor - you sit on plastic benches, and Wind FM is playing in the background. It's a counter-service type of deal, so no servers to bring you your food. In the final analysis, the food isn't stellar, but it tastes fine and is priced right. All in all, I'd say it's worth the visit.

2/4 stars