Smalls Sliders drops first restaurant - literally - on North Davis Highway

Smalls Sliders first Florida location has touched down in Pensacola, laying the groundwork for its expansion to other parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

On Tuesday, a giant crane dropped a massive shipping container at 5301 N. Davis Highway, which the restaurant will operate out of come late August or September, said owner Matt Gallagher, who signed a deal last year to open three more locations in the Pensacola area.

The Louisiana burger franchise operates all of its restaurants out of converted shipping containers, but still provides customers with limited outdoor seating options if they opt to eat at the restaurant rather than going through the drive-thru.

“Pensacola is a growing town, a lot of businesses are opening and operating here. We know it’s kind of a big foodie town,” Gallagher said. “We love the people we’ve met so far, everybody seems to be excited about it.”

The crane was visible from the busy highway and residents stopped to learn more about what was happening.

“I love that, it’s part of the process that makes it great,” Gallagher said. “I think people are dying for authenticity or something real and that’s what we’re trying to be. We want to give the customers an experience.”

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The chain teased news last year that they planned to eventually build four locations in the area, but it wasn't until December that they officially began to work with the county on a site.

Former NFL player Fred Barnett will serve as the franchise’s general manager and partner in the area. Barnett was also recognized during the event as Smalls Sliders’ "Smalls Town Hero," which recognizes someone who has made a positive contribution to the local community.

Barnett is the owner of the nonprofit Minor League football team, Greater Pensacola Jets, which focuses on giving young athletes a second opportunity to further their football career.

Barnett was motivated to work with Smalls Sliders after seeing fellow NFL alumni Drew Brees working with the chain.

“I like the concept and I like the mission, it’s community based and I wanted to get involved in that,” he said.

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Where is Smalls Sliders opening their first Pensacola location?

Smalls Sliders will open from a 1.61-acre parking lot at 5301 N. Davis Highway. Their shipping container restaurant will be 930 square feet with 32 outdoor seats for customers, according to the project’s site plan filed with Escambia County.

Three additional restaurants are planned for Gulf Breeze, Pace and Nine Mile Road near University Parkway, Barnett said. Depending on the approval process for each project, all three locations could be open for business next year.

What is Smalls Sliders?

Smalls Sliders was founded in 2019 by Brandon Landry, who is also the owner of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux. Walk-On’s Pensacola location closed down last October after only a year of operating on Airport Boulevard.

Developing the Small Sliders "cans" into a restaurant space may seem extraneous but its cost is far less than what it would cost for a brick-and-mortar, according to Barnett.

They’re made in south Florida before being shipped to a Smalls Slider location, where staff will add refrigeration units and smaller equipment like grills before opening.

Smalls Sliders has multiple cans operating across Louisiana and over 100 units under development in other states including Georgia, South Carolina and Texas.

What’s on the menu at Smalls Sliders?

Smalls Sliders keeps its menu simple by letting customers customize their freshly made sliders and milkshakes with a variety of flavors. “The concept is simple. It’s sliders, cajun fries and milkshakes, that’s it,” Barnett said.

Their standard sliders come with cheese, pickles and their signature “smauce” sauce on a toasted-butter bun.

Combos will range from one to four sliders and include fries with a signature seasoning and more smauce, as well as a drink. Customers can add bacon to their sliders, get the “Smalls Way” for their fries including smauce and queso in, and double their sliders’ patties by getting a “Biggie Smalls.”

Grilled cheese sandwiches are also available, according to their website.

You can even cater from Smalls Sliders using their “Party Packs,” with orders taken in multiples of 25 sliders.

Sweet treats like shakes will also be available at Smalls Sliders in chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Smalls Sliders Pensacola location on North Davis close to opening