JamBone has a lot more than barbecue

SANTA ROSA BEACH - After serving as chef at fining dining restaurants around the country from Nashville to Seaside, Scott Alderson said he was ready to open a restaurant that catered to a broader socioeconomic status. That's how JamBone came about, described as a "hardwood joint" that serves barbecue, burgers and a lot more.
   
JamBone prides itself on serving flavorful food fast. So, when diners enter the restaurant they are directed to a menu on the wall where they can choose from an array of items. Nearby, a cashier takes orders and gives you a number.
   
After filling their drinks and grabbing condiments, diners can choose from booth seating to traditional tables or high-top tables. When the food is ready, a waitress brings it to the table.
   
The food
Though it bills itself as a hardwood joint, JamBone isn't strictly barbecue.
   
For those in the mood for barbecue, diners can choose from barbecued pork, chicken and brisket sandwiches or a dinner plate. The meat is cooked over 100 percent natural lump oak charcoal and local seasoned pecan wood.
   
And, Alderson said, menu selections are hormone- and steroid-free, free range, organic and bought from local farms whenever possible.
   
Sandwiches come with one side, and dinner plates come with two. Sides range from French fries and baked beans to coleslaw and macaroni and cheese.
   
At each table standard barbecue sauces, Tennessee white, Georgia red, Caroline vinegar and Texas mustard, are available. However, if you're a little more adventurous, and for an small fee, you can drown your meat in Jamacian jerk, Buddha BBQ, Mojo Cubano or Tuscan Truffle sauces.
   
The rest of the menu is rounded out with specialty pizzas, such as BBQ chicken, pork, cheeseburger or buffalo chicken pies.
   
JamBone also serves hot wings, nachos, ribs, burgers, tacos, hot dogs and salads.
   
Alderson prides his establishment on serving fresh, source-traceable ingredients and it shows. My lunch date described the taste as "a new spin on old recipes." Even though it's a more affordable, laid-back restaurant, Alderson's skills as a gourmet chef shine through in his offerings at JamBone.
   
I had the macaroni and cheese with my pulled pork sandwich. The giant macaroni shells bubbled in a sea of creamy cheese sauce and was topped with green onions.
   
For a side, we ordered the fried pickles. When we were done, it look like they'd never been touched there were so many left. You definitely get what you pay for here.
   
Inside JamBone's, at Tony's Rockin' Raw Bar they serve Apalachicola oysters and 108 beers from more than 20 countries.
   
The atmosphere
JamBone's is very laid back. It's the kind of place you can take your family for lunch in the day, then come back at night for a drink and to listen to a live band. They also have eight flatscreen TVs, which are perfect for a game-day get-together.
   
The service
Even though you don't have a waitress taking your order, the staff is friendly and stopped by the table to make sure we had everything we needed. They were also knowledgable about the menu and upcoming entertainment acts.
   
A final taste
I'll be heading back to JamBone to taste something other than barbecue. After my first taste, I want more. If you like good food, prepared by someone who enjoys finding new ways to tantalize your taste buds, stop by JamBone.

QUICKBITES

Location
3906 Highway 98 W
Suite 10, Santa Rosa Beach
(850) 267-1497

Hours
11 a.m.-2 a.m. every day

Handicap accessibility
Good

Children's menu
Yes

Price range
Sandwiches
$7.95-$9.95
Sides
$1.95-$3.95
Wings
$8.95-$10.95

Payment
Major credit cards