"The Great One" celebrity stops by popular West Palm Beach BBQ restaurant

Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·2 min read
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Pig Beach BBQ in West Palm Beach was once again ground zero for a celebrity sighting.

Hosting Sylvester Stallone and several of his friends back in February, the BBQ joint this time hosted the GOAT of hockey, Wayne Gretzky, who stopped by Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Waiting for a flight out of Palm Beach International Airport that had been delayed, Gretzky, who lives in northern Palm Beach County, and several friends decided to head over and grab some lunch at the Dixie Corridor hot spot.

Though Gretzky had tried Pig Beach BBQ's food previously during a local, catered affair, he had never actually been to the restaurant.

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky poses with staff at Pig Beach BBQ on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at their West Palm Beach location.
NHL legend Wayne Gretzky poses with staff at Pig Beach BBQ on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at their West Palm Beach location.

Executive chef and co-owner Matt Abdoo said that Gretzky, like Stallone, was incredibly nice and "very cool about taking pictures" with staff and guests.

Though maybe not quite as recognizable as Stallone, Abdoo said that "Some people knew him right away and others were looking like 'I know him from somewhere.'"

Chef Matt said that Gretzky's party ordered a little bit of everything and had smashburgers, the sampler platter (which includes pulled pork, smoked turkey, beef brisket, baby back ribs and sausage) and several sides.

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Wayne Gretzky, in his younger years with the Edmonton Oilers.
Wayne Gretzky, in his younger years with the Edmonton Oilers.

Gretzky, the NHL's all-time leading scorer (with 894) and a Hall of Famer, has more than earned the title of G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time).

Agreeing with that sentiment, Abdoo said "having him in the restaurant was surreal."

Gretzky joins a list of other G.O.A.T.S. who live at least part of the time in Palm Beach County, including Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Serena Williams.

Though in his 60s, Gretzky still looks as if he could suit up tomorrow and play.

Not sure if Gretzky's daughter, Paulina Gretzky, has stopped by Pig Beach. She and her husband, pro golfer Dustin Johnson, live in Jupiter.

Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky arrive at the Ryder Cup Gala dinner at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup on September 26, 2018 in Versailles, France.
Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky arrive at the Ryder Cup Gala dinner at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup on September 26, 2018 in Versailles, France.

In addition to Wayne Gretzky and Sylvester Stallone, Abdoo said former NFL defensive tackle and Miami Dolphin Ndamukong Suh and his wife have stopped into the restaurant a few times as well as Major League Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza.

Abdoo said Suh even gave them an autographed jersey to hang in the restaurant.

Capping off the big week in grand fashion, Pig Beach BBQ was named the "People's Choice Champion" for their ribs during the New Country 103.1 Rib Round Up at iTHINK Financial Amphitheater on Saturday, March 2.

Pig Beach BBQ restaurant in West Palm Beach

Where: 2400 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, 11:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday

Information: pigbeachnyc.com/west-palm-beach

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach restaurant visited by celebrity Wayne Gretzky