PCB Smoke Off Brings BBQ, Live Music & a Great Cause to Panama City Beach |
Backyard pitmasters and culinary pros fire up the smokers at T’s on Thomas to benefit Warrior Beach Retreat |
The smell of slow-smoked barbecue will be filling the air on Thomas Drive this Sunday as PCB Smoke Off brings together great food, friendly competition, live music and a cause close to the heart of the Panama City Beach community.
The charity barbecue competition takes place Sunday, August 23, 2026, at T’s on Thomas Bar & Kitchen, located at 8011 Thomas Drive, Suite A, Panama City Beach, FL 32408. The venue is known for combining food, drinks and entertainment, with live music regularly part of its lineup.
For barbecue fans, PCB Smoke Off offers a chance to see what happens when backyard cooks and experienced culinary competitors put their barbecue skills to the test, all while helping raise money for an organization that supports America’s wounded veterans.
BBQ With a Purpose
The competition is about more than bragging rights.
Proceeds from the event support Warrior Beach Retreat, a Panama City Beach-based nonprofit that provides retreats for combat-wounded veterans along with their spouses and caregivers.
Warrior Beach Retreat gives participating couples an opportunity to spend time together on the Gulf Coast, reconnect and recharge away from many of the stresses associated with military service and recovery.
The organization has become a familiar part of the Panama City Beach community. Its retreats include public ceremonies and community activities honoring veterans, and the program places an emphasis not only on the service member but also on the spouse or caregiver.
That makes PCB Smoke Off a natural fit for an area with deep ties to both the military and the hospitality community.
Who Will Rule the Smoker?
Part of the fun will be seeing how the different competitors approach one of the South's favorite culinary traditions.
Barbecue competitions have a way of bringing out some closely guarded secrets, rub combinations, sauces, cooking temperatures, wood choices and techniques that pitmasters may have spent years perfecting.
At PCB Smoke Off, backyard chefs will share the spotlight with culinary experts, creating a competition where experience, creativity and good old-fashioned BBQ know-how all come together.
And for the crowd, that means one thing: come hungry.
Whether your barbecue preference runs toward sweet and smoky, spicy and bold or traditional slow-cooked flavor, this is the kind of foodie event made for anyone who enjoys seeing what local cooks can do around a smoker.
Live Music Adds to the Sunday Fun
PCB Smoke Off isn't just about what's coming off the grill.
Live music will be part of the event, turning the competition into a Sunday gathering where guests can enjoy barbecue, drinks, entertainment and time with friends while supporting Warrior Beach Retreat.
T’s on Thomas has established itself as an entertainment-oriented neighborhood bar and kitchen, regularly featuring live music, karaoke and other events alongside its food and drink offerings.
A Local Cause Worth Supporting
Warrior Beach Retreat has been serving combat-wounded veterans and their families for years.
The nonprofit hosts veterans and their spouses or caregivers for retreats in Panama City Beach designed to provide rest, connection and community support. Previous local fundraising events have helped pay the expenses associated with bringing warriors to the beach for these retreats.
For PCB Smoke Off attendees, that means every plate, contribution and show of support helps connect a fun afternoon of barbecue with a much bigger mission.
PCB Smoke Off Event Details
What: PCB Smoke Off Charity Barbecue Competition Live Music: 12 Noon - 9:00 PM, new band every hour Cost: Sample tickets are available for $15.00, granting access to all Pit Master samples Where: T’s on Thomas Bar & Kitchen Address: 8011 Thomas Drive, Suite A, Panama City Beach, FL 32408 Featuring: BBQ competition, backyard chefs, culinary experts and live music
If smoky barbecue, live music and supporting local veterans sound like your kind of Sunday, PCB Smoke Off is worth adding to your weekend plans.
Come see who earns barbecue bragging rights, enjoy the atmosphere at T’s on Thomas and, most importantly, help support the veterans and families served by Warrior Beach Retreat.
Panhandle Fork Foodie Take
There are plenty of reasons to chase good barbecue, but it's even better when the food comes with a purpose. PCB Smoke Off combines local cooks, BBQ, music and community giving into one tasty Sunday afternoon in Panama City Beach.
Who do you think makes the best BBQ around Panama City or Panama City Beach? Tell us in the comments, Panhandle Fork is always looking for our next great foodie stop.
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50 Comments
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I’m just showing up for dessert. Somebody’s gotta have good banana pudding.
Big thanks to whoever organizes this every year. Go veterans!
Anyone know if dogs are allowed? Would love to bring mine.
It’s all about the wood you use. I want to see who’s bringing the mesquite this year.
Is it kid friendly? Want to bring my little ones for the music.
Not from here but might drive in for it. Panama City Beach knows how to throw a party.
If you come hungry you won’t leave disappointed. Marking my calendar!
Will the chefs share any recipes or is it all secret? Would love to learn some tricks.
Wish I could be there but work has me out of town. Somebody enjoy an extra plate for me!
I love that there’s music every hour. BBQ and tunes, doesn’t get better.
Does anyone know if dogs are allowed outside at T’s? I want to bring my buddy.
Can you bring your own chairs or is it just bar seating?
Love that the caregivers get recognized too. They deserve it.
Supporting Warrior Beach Retreat is an easy yes from me. Big thanks to the organizers.
Sweet and smoky all day for me, not into spicy. Excited to try different styles.
T’s on Thomas is the best place for local music. Glad to see them hosting this.
Hope they got enough parking at T’s cause it gets packed there!
I wish this happened more often. We need more fun competitions like PCB Smoke Off.
Hope there’s some chicken! Not everybody wants pork.
Are kids allowed or is this just for adults?
Shout out to all the pitmasters keeping the secrets close. Y’all are doing God’s work.
I’m not a big fan of crowds but might tough it out for those pitmaster samples.
I always say nobody beats my uncle on the smoker but I’ll let these guys try.
I live right by Thomas Drive, can’t wait to smell all that smoky goodness.
Do they do anything for folks with food allergies at these events? My kid can’t have gluten.
Last year’s smoke off was awesome, brisket was gone so fast. Come early!
Love to see community events like this. Good for Panama City Beach.
Live music every hour? That’s a lot of bands. Hope I find a new favorite!
Parking at T’s can be a pain when it’s busy. Get there early if you want a spot.
I just hope there’s plenty of spicy sauce. Sweet BBQ’s good but I like it hot.
Huge thanks to everyone helping veterans and their families. Means a lot.
Backyard cooks always surprise me at these things. Watch out for the underdogs!
Anybody know which local bands are playing? I love a day with music and food.
Fifteen bucks for barbecue samples is a deal with all that live music.
We went last year and the ribs were killer. Hope someone brings that heat again.
Now I just gotta choose which pitmaster to root for. I hope somebody does brisket!
Warrior Beach Retreat is awesome. Glad to see them getting support.
Can’t beat good BBQ for a good cause! I’ll be there for sure.
Anyone know if they let you vote for people’s choice? That’d be fun.
Hope they have some vegetarian sides too. Not a BBQ fan but I love supporting vets.
This is my favorite kind of event. Food, music and people coming together. Go PCB!
Love seeing backyard chefs get a shot next to the pros. Those home cooks know what’s up.
I’m most excited for the live music actually. Any word on the bands yet?
I hope someone brings Alabama white sauce, that’s the good stuff.
Warrior Beach Retreat does so much for our vets. Happy to support them.
Do they have anything spicy? I need that kick in my BBQ.
$15 is not bad for samples and all for a good cause. Count me in!
I’ve never been to T’s before, but I might have to check this out.
Glad it helps veterans too. I’ll be there for the ribs.
That sounds like a perfect Sunday to me. BBQ and live music? Yes please.