Dave’s Rub A Dub Dub: A Local Flavor Story with Big Personality
Select Saturday mornings at the Fernandina Beach Market Place, you can count on one thing: Dave’s Rub A Dub Dub offers award winning seasonings on North 7th Street.
Dave has built a loyal following on Amelia Island with his bold, handcrafted seasonings — especially his signature Dittle Datil blend, a datil‑pepper‑forward rub that packs flavor without overwhelming heat. What started as a family recipe has grown into a full line of clean‑ingredient seasonings, including an award‑winning blend that keeps customers coming back week after week.
This Saturday, Dave returns to the market with his full lineup, ready for grilling season.
The Story Behind the Shaker
Dave didn’t set out to become a seasoning maker. Like many great food stories, his began at home — cooking for friends, experimenting with spice combinations, and perfecting a rub that hit all the right notes: savory, sweet, smoky, and just a touch of heat.
People kept asking for jars. Then they started asking for refills. Then they started telling their friends.
Eventually, Dave realized he wasn’t just making a seasoning — he was building a brand.
Today, Dave’s Rub A Dub Dub is a familiar name at the Fernandina Beach Market Place, and his booth is one of the most visited stops for home cooks, grillers, and anyone who loves a little local flavor.
The Original Blend: Where Dave’s Flavor Story Begins
While Dittle Datil may be the crowd‑pleaser, Dave’s Rub A Dub Dub Original BBQ Dry Rub is the backbone of his brand — the blend that first convinced friends and family he had something special. It’s an all‑natural mix of premium spices with just enough cayenne to wake up the palate without overpowering the food.
Dave describes it as “an all‑natural blend of spices with just enough kick to get your attention,” and that’s exactly what it delivers: balanced heat, warm aromatics, and a smoky‑sweet finish that works on just about anything.
Like all of his seasonings, the Original blend is ultra low sodium — just 15 mg per serving, compared to the 300 mg you’ll find in many commercial rubs. That low‑salt approach means Dave packs his shakers with “more of the good stuff,” letting the spices shine instead of relying on salt for flavor.
Mighty Mild: Flavor Without the Fire
For those who want all the richness of Dave’s rubs without the heat, Mighty Mild is the go‑to. It’s built on the same foundation of chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, cumin, fennel, coriander, and onion, but with the cayenne dialed way back.
It’s ideal for families, lighter dishes, or anyone who prefers a gentler flavor profile. Mighty Mild still caramelizes beautifully on the grill and adds depth to roasted vegetables, seafood, and chicken.
Happy Habanero: A Fruit‑Forward Kick
On the other end of the spectrum is Happy Habanero, a blend that brings a bright, fruity heat without sacrificing Dave’s signature balance. Habanero peppers add a natural sweetness along with the spice, making this rub perfect for shrimp, wings, pork loin, and anything that benefits from a little fire.
Despite the heat, it’s still low sodium, still clean ingredients, and still free of anti‑caking agents — a rare combination in the world of spicy rubs.
Why Dave’s Rubs Stand Out
Dave’s Rub A Dub Dub seasonings have earned a loyal following because they check every box home cooks care about:
- Ultra low sodium (15 mg per serving)
- MSG‑free
- Gluten‑free
- No silicon dioxide or anti‑caking agents
- All‑natural ingredients
- Small‑batch production
- Versatile enough for any cooking method
They work on the grill, in the smoker, in the oven, on the stovetop, in slow cookers, and even in unexpected places like egg dishes, hummus, roasted corn, and root vegetables.
Dave likes to say, “You’ll struggle to find anything that won’t taste better cooked with my rub,” and honestly — he’s not wrong.
How to Use Dave’s Rubs at Home
Here are some local‑favorite ways to put Dave’s Rub A Dub Dub blends to work:
- Grilled chicken wings
- Smoked baby back ribs
- Pork spare ribs
- Beef ribs and steak kabobs
- Pulled pork
- Pork chops
- Smoked turkey thighs
- Lamb chops
- Salmon and sautéed shrimp
- Blackened fish
- Roasted root vegetables
- Egg frittatas
- Hummus
- Roasted corn
Whether you’re a “meat‑a‑saurus,” vegan, or somewhere in between, Dave’s rubs add depth and character to any dish.
Where to Find Dave This Week
Dave will be at the Fernandina Beach Market Place this Saturday, stocked with:
- Dittle Datil
- Original
- Mighty Mild
- Happy Habanero
- 2‑packs and multi‑packs
If you’re planning to grill this weekend, this is the perfect time to stop by, sample the blends, and pick up a shaker or two.