Longwood just turned up the heat. Holy City Zoo BBQ opened Tuesday at 190 S. Ronald Reagan Boulevard, where owners Greg and Kristina Gaardbo are pairing Texas-style brisket, ribs, and pastrami with rotating international twists and a beer-forward bar that leans on imported European styles and local taps.
Global barbecue, local hangout
As reported by FOX 35 Orlando, TV reporter David Martin dropped by opening day, with the owners describing Holy City Zoo as a home for American barbecue layered with international-inspired flavors and a lively, beer-focused atmosphere. Business Debut has labeled the lineup "global barbecue," with rotating specials drawing on Spain, Korea, Mexico, and Portugal alongside the classic smoke. The owners said house-made pastrami and smoked porchetta will appear as rotating features meant to keep regulars coming back for whatever is on the board that week.
Where to find it
The restaurant sits at 190 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd in Longwood and lists hours of Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the Seminole County Chamber. The chamber’s calendar and other local listings also point to a ribbon-cutting and grand-opening ceremony scheduled for Tuesday morning at the site, per an event post on AllEvents.in.
Owners' roots and what they bring
Greg and Kristina Gaardbo built their barbecue reputation at Chicago Culinary Kitchen in Palatine, Illinois, before turning their attention to Florida, according to the Daily Herald. Their Chicago operation drew praise for Texas-style barbecue and for classes that paired beer and barbecue, an experience the couple says helped shape Holy City Zoo's approach to smoked meats and its bar program. In interviews with What Now, the Gaardbos said they see the Longwood location as a neighborhood hangout and plan to be on site frequently to test dishes and meet customers face-to-face.
What's next
The owners are planning theme dinners, tasting events, and classes that pair barbecue with beer and bourbon, a lineup noted by What Now. Orlando Weekly places Holy City Zoo in a revamped Longwood retail center, part of a slowly growing restaurant cluster along Ronald Reagan Boulevard. For now, the Gaardbos are staffing up and rolling out the menu they hope will turn Holy City Zoo into a regular stop for nearby neighborhoods.
