10 Hidden Florida BBQ Spots That Rival The Best In The South
Last summer, I drove two hours for ribs that changed my life.
Florida might not be the first place you think of when craving authentic Southern barbecue, but trust me, some joints here can smoke circles around the competition.
Hidden across the state are pitmasters who’ve perfected their craft, creating flavors that’ll make you forget all about Texas and the Carolinas.
1. Big Lee’s – Serious About Barbecue (Ocala)
Walking into this Ocala gem feels like stepping into your uncle’s backyard cookout, except the meat is ten times better. Big Lee’s doesn’t mess around with fancy decorations or Instagram-worthy plates.
What you get is honest-to-goodness smoked perfection that’ll have you licking your fingers shamelessly.
Their brisket practically melts on contact, and the homemade sauce strikes that sweet-tangy balance most places only dream about achieving in their wildest barbecue fantasies.
2. Pearl Country Store & Barbecue (Micanopy)
Tucked away in tiny Micanopy, Pearl’s has been smoking meat since 1989, back when flip phones were science fiction.
This place looks like it hasn’t changed much since opening day, and that’s exactly its charm. Order the pulled pork sandwich and prepare for a religious experience.
The meat comes piled high on a soft bun, kissed with smoke and seasoned so perfectly you might actually tear up a little while eating it alone in your car.
3. Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que (Land O’ Lakes)
Harry wasn’t playing around when he opened this joint. Everything here screams family cookout, from the generous portions to the sides that taste like grandma made them herself.
Their ribs fall off the bone without even trying, and the cornbread is dangerously addictive.
Pro tip: arrive hungry because the combo platters are massive, and leaving food behind feels like a crime against perfectly smoked meat that deserves your complete and undivided attention.
4. Big John’s Alabama Bar-B-Q (Tampa)
Alabama-style barbecue in Florida? Sounds suspicious until you taste Big John’s legendary white sauce. This tangy, mayo-based creation converts skeptics faster than you can say “pass the napkins.”
Founded by a guy who actually knew what he was doing, this Tampa spot serves chicken that’s been loved by smoke and heat until it reaches crispy-skinned, juicy-inside perfection.
Skip the knife entirely because everything here surrenders to your fork without protest or struggle whatsoever.
5. Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q (Fort Lauderdale)
Since 1951, Tom Jenkins’ has been smoking meat longer than your parents have been alive.
That’s not just history, that’s serious street cred in the barbecue world where experience matters more than anything else possibly could.
Their sliced pork is legendary among locals who guard this secret jealously.
The smoky bark on the outside gives way to tender, flavorful meat inside that proves patience and tradition beat trendy techniques every single time without question or debate.
6. Smokin’ D’s BBQ (St. Augustine)
Right in America’s oldest city, Smokin’ D’s proves you can teach old towns new tricks. Owner Dave (the D himself) left corporate life to chase his smoky dreams, and boy, are we glad he did that bold thing.
His burnt ends are criminally good, with crusty, caramelized edges that crunch before melting into beefy bliss.
Pair them with the mac and cheese, and you’ve got yourself a meal worth writing home about, assuming you can stop eating long enough.
7. The Bearded Pig (Jacksonville)
Craft beer and craft barbecue walk into a bar… and create The Bearded Pig.
This Jacksonville hotspot brings a modern twist to traditional smoking techniques without losing respect for the classics or the fundamentals that matter most.
Their brisket gets rubbed, smoked for hours, and emerges with a pepper crust that’ll make Texans weep with joy.
Wash it down with one of their rotating craft brews, and suddenly life makes perfect sense in ways it didn’t just moments before entering here.
8. The Red Top Pit Stop (Lakeland)
Nothing fancy here, just a red roof and seriously good barbecue that’s been feeding Lakeland since forever.
This roadside stop looks unassuming, which is exactly how the best barbecue joints should look before blowing your taste buds into next week.
Their pulled chicken gets piled high and comes drenched in a vinegar-based sauce that cuts through the richness perfectly.
Grab extra sauce packets because you’ll want to put this stuff on everything you eat for the foreseeable future, guaranteed.
9. Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa (Orlando)
Pink Floyd meets pulled pork in this Orlando spot that refuses to take itself too seriously.
The name alone tells you these folks have a sense of humor, but the food proves they’re really serious about smoking meat properly and with style.
Try their brisket tacos for something different that still honors traditional techniques.
The fusion approach works beautifully here, creating flavors that feel both familiar and excitingly new at the exact same time, somehow defying all conventional logic completely.
10. Jimmy Bear’s BBQ (St. Cloud)
Jimmy Bear started smoking meat in his backyard before neighbors convinced him to go pro.
Smart neighbors, because now everyone in St. Cloud benefits from his obsessive dedication to perfect barbecue that borders on absolutely beautiful insanity.
His ribs come glazed with a sauce recipe he guards like nuclear codes.
Each bite delivers smoky, sweet, and savory notes that dance together in harmony, proving that sometimes the best restaurants start with one person’s backyard dream and determination.