Lakeland Florida

Looking for some top notch BBQ in or around the Lakeland Fl. area.
Any suggestions?

zigfus, Lakeland has a couple of BBQ joints. Perry's BBQ, and Jaybird's both on US 98 in town. And Jimbo's on US 92, also in town. I saw another place but do not remember the name. There are many good roadfood type places in town, and many ethnic places from Greek, to Cuban. I had lunch today at a neat place downtown called Stadium Pizza. Pizza and chicken wings, both excellent. Lots of places in town. Don't go north of I-4 for eats. There's a mall and it is surrounded by chains.
Another suggestion, in Mulberry, just south of here, a place called The Fish Place, a little corner joint right in the center of town has the best and biggest hamburgers I have ever had.

Thanks Carlton! Appreciate all the suggestions.

Auburndale:
Peebles BBQ in Auburndale. It is a classic family owned Cracker dive. Zagats would rate it high on atmosphere alone,Pit in the restaurant, open air, no A/C....Its a piece of BBQ culture.


Call to be sure of hours,and expect a crowd for weekend nights.

Brandon
There is a BBQ joint in Brandon Florida off of Hwy 60 by the driver's license office and Aaron's sale's and lease ownership store. It's called First juice BAR-B-Q. On any day of the week you will find a line out the door and then some at lunch time this place is great. The ribs melt in your mouth the pork platter is out of this world the baked beans are delicious and everything else too.


You might want to try First Choice Southern Bar-B-Que, 10113 Adamo Dr E., Brandon, Fl (813-832-3584) That's actually Hwy 60 E. of Tampa. Real wood fire cooked meat. Ribs and pulled pork galore. Sauce served separately on the table.

Good Luck

Tom

quote:

Originally posted by Tom-Fl

Auburndale:
Peebles BBQ in Auburndale. It is a classic family owned Cracker dive. Zagats would rate it high on atmosphere alone,Pit in the restaurant, open air, no A/C....Its a piece of BBQ culture.


Call to be sure of hours,and expect a crowd for weekend nights.

Brandon
There is a BBQ joint in Brandon Florida off of Hwy 60 by the driver's license office and Aaron's sale's and lease ownership store. It's called First juice BAR-B-Q. On any day of the week you will find a line out the door and then some at lunch time this place is great. The ribs melt in your mouth the pork platter is out of this world the baked beans are delicious and everything else too.


You might want to try First Choice Southern Bar-B-Que, 10113 Adamo Dr E., Brandon, Fl (813-832-3584) That's actually Hwy 60 E. of Tampa. Real wood fire cooked meat. Ribs and pulled pork galore. Sauce served separately on the table.

Good Luck

Tom

The First Choice and First juice referred to above are both the same place I'm pretty sure. It's actually behind a McDonald's and a Sweet Tomatoes restaurant way back at the back of a strip shopping center (not actually a mall) just off the I-75 at the Route 60 exit. Yes, it's very popular and the que is above average. Also in Tampa definitely worth checking out is Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Q--a Tampa legend for que!
QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

I had lunch today at the Fish Place in Mulberry. This place is a roadfood gem. The building it's in was constructed in 1907, and the owners have had this place since 1968. The hamburger is large, juicy, and quite excellent. Same with the fries and cole slaw. I also had a pice of the cod which was excellent as well. Mulberry is about 10 miles south of Lakeland and this place is at the main intersection of town where Rt 37 meets Rt 60. About a mile or so east on Rt 60 is a BBBQ joint but I drove by too fast to notice the name but it looked pretty authentic.

Carlton - I take it that The Fish Place also serves seafood? What else are they known for there? Catfish? Being a HUGE burger freak, I am definitely going to hit that place when I am passing by next time! Thanks for the suggestion! Also, thanks for all the 'Q info in and around Lakeland. That will come in handy too!

Catfish, Grouper, and Cod appear to be the main three fish served. I'll post their menu in the next couple of days.

PEEBLE'S IN AUBURNDALE FL. IS THE BEST BBQ IN FL. THEY ARE SEASONAL SO THE WINTER TIME IS OUT OF THE QUESTION .
JIMBO'S IS THE NEXT ON THE LIST (ASK FOR EXTRA PICKLES).
IF ALL ELAE FAILS THERE IS A BBQ STAND ON THE CORNER OF 26TH ST AND HAVENDALE BLVD EVERY FRI. THE PIT IS 20FT LONG AND THE MEAT IS FALLIN OFF THE BONE (TELL JOHNATHON THAT DENNIS SENT YOU )

Lotta confusion here. I live in Lakeland and have never heard of Perry's. Jaybird's is gone now, replaced by The Quail House. I haven't been there yet, but they say they will still serve Jaybird's Q, along with some other things. BTW, it is North of I-4, past all the chains. There is also Garl's up North here, an old Florida redneck BBQ joint.

Brother's BBQ is in the middle of town. Pretty good, but get the sauce on the side for sure. There is also Happy Jack's on way South 98, headed to Bartow. It's a funky little drive up place, but the Q is good enough to be in my top 5 joints in my book.

If you're here in January, there is a great cookoff, and one of the best for sampling BBQ. Most of the teams sell food, and the health department just stays away.

Last but not least, Peeble's is seasonal, but this is Florida. It's closed in the summer, not the winter.