Wilke's 14 Bones BBQ

General information

If you're driving on U.S. Highway 1 in Vero Beach, you'll notice some significant changes to the popular food establishment that for nearly 21 years was known as Bono's Pit Barb-B-Q. There's the freshly painted, light-gray and black-trimmed exterior, a beautifully landscaped yard and a newly raised sign with a new name: Wilke's 14 Bones Barbecue. Inside, however, it's still the same eatery our community has always loved -- owned by the same restaurateur, me, Scot Wilke, and manned by our same dependable and courteous staff. We held on to our favorite General Manager and Catering Consultant Brian Mock. Adding a powerhouse staff such as Glenn P. Taylor previously from Yum Brands and McDonalds and the seasoned kitchen manager Juan J. Rosario. The menu has a new look, with comically and artistically designed bulls, pigs and donkeys -- Illustrated by Vero's own artist Steve Diossy and designed by Sebastian's Brad Lee Butcher, but it's still the same delicious food that visitors have long enjoyed.

We opened the franchised restaurant in March 1993 and, with hard work and his knack for building lasting friendships with his customers, has consistently maintained a high quality of food and service in Vero Beach and earned the respect of our franchisor and other franchisees. In fact, over the past few months, when we decided to become an independent owner-operator and put my name on the restaurant, the Bono's people both understood and endorsed the move. This is who we have been all these years, and we are trying to stay true to ourselves now that we finally have our own identity and a very loyal customer base. On any given day you'll see businessmen, professionals, politicians, tradesmen, and of course great local families all enjoying the best barbecue in town. We also offer some terrific bluegrass on Thursday and great local artists playing original music on Saturday and Sunday evenings, as well as our catering business, which will continue. We are making some great interior and exterior changes, but diners immediately can enjoy some tasty, new barbecue sauces and purchase promotional products, such as T-shirts and posters.

Wilke's 14 Bones Barbecue is located at 1500 U.S. Highway 1 in Vero Beach. Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, contact the restaurant at 772-770-5646 or visit online at www.14bones.com