Dr. BBQ Is Back! Food Network Star Bringing New Tiki Restaurant to Clearwater Beach

One of St. Pete’s most recognizable barbecue personalities is making a comeback, and this time he’s trading the EDGE District for Clearwater Beach. Celebrity pitmaster Ray Lampe, better known as Dr. BBQ, is preparing to open Squiki Tiki, a tropical barbecue restaurant and cocktail bar inside the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach.

Lampe, a Barbecue Hall of Famer and familiar face on Food Network, previously operated Dr. BBQ and Burnt Ends Tiki Bar in Downtown St. Pete before the restaurant closed in 2022. Now, he’s bringing his signature smoked meats and love for tiki culture back to Tampa Bay with a new beachfront concept expected to debut in December 2026.

Smoked BBQ, Tropical Cocktails, and a Clearwater Beach Comeback

Squiki Tiki with Dr. BBQ will combine traditional barbecue favorites with tropical flavors. The planned menu includes pulled pork sandwiches, St. Louis-style ribs, burnt ends bao, and smoked shrimp summer rolls, alongside a selection of tiki-inspired cocktails.

The restaurant is also getting a tropical makeover, complete with bamboo accents, thatched roofing, comfortable lounge seating, and string lights. It's a fitting combination for Lampe, whose personality and cooking have long embraced both barbecue and tiki culture. Squiki Tiki will welcome both hotel guests and local residents, with planned daily hours from 11am to 9pm.

When Will Squiki Tiki Open in Clearwater Beach?

Squiki Tiki is targeting a December 2026 opening, although an official opening date has not been announced. The new restaurant marks Lampe's return to the Tampa Bay dining scene four years after his former St. Pete barbecue destination closed. For longtime Dr. BBQ fans who remember his EDGE District restaurant, the new Clearwater Beach location offers another opportunity to enjoy his cooking, this time with a tropical twist and a Gulf Coast setting.

Location: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, 100 Coronado Drive, Clearwater Beach, FL

Expected opening: December 2026

Planned hours: Daily, 11am to 9pm