Central Florida

Texas-Style Barbecue Coming To St. Petersburg This January

Treehouse BBQ is expanding from catering into a fast-casual St. Petersburg storefront with a carryout-focused barbecue menu.

Image from Treehouse BBQ website

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Treehouse BBQ is planning a mid-January soft opening at 229 62nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. The barbecue concept is owned by Mike Leander and Tina Hierus, who told Business Debut the opening timeline will depend on final inspections.

The pair launched Treehouse BBQ as a catering operation in early 2021. After outgrowing shared commissary kitchen space, they secured a permanent storefront that became available in October.

Business Debut learned about this story first from What Now.

What to Expect

Treehouse BBQ is expanding from catering into a small, fast-casual storefront with a carryout focus. Leander said the shop is designed for quick in-and-out service, with limited seating inside and a small outdoor area.

The concept began as a catering company Leander and his partner, Tina Hierus, started in early 2021. After outgrowing shared commissary kitchen time, they secured their own space that became available in October.

Leander said Treehouse BBQ’s staples include Texas-style brisket and St. Louis-style pork ribs, along with pulled pork and sausage. The team is also planning sides including coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, cucumber-tomato salad and house-made cornbread.

“It’s going to be fast casual,” Leander told Business Debut, describing counter ordering with food brought to the table and no waitstaff.

Opening Timeline

Treehouse BBQ is targeting a mid-January soft opening, pending inspections. “As soon as everything goes smooth within the next few weeks, I think we’ll get the inspections,” Leander told Business Debut.

Hours

At launch, Treehouse BBQ plans to open Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. and stay open until sold out, which Leander expects will typically be around 4 or 5 p.m.

The team also plans to continue its Sunday farmers market commitment in St. Petersburg’s Kenwood area through the end of May. After that, Leander said the restaurant may add Sundays and shift to a Thursday through Sunday schedule.