Florida might be known for its beaches and sunshine, but the Sunshine State also boasts a sizzling barbecue scene with some of the nation’s absolute best rib restaurants. From tender, fall-off-the-bone baby backs to smoky St. Louis-style slabs, Florida has the ribs to satisfy every craving. Get ready to fire up your tastebuds and embark on a culinary journey across the state as we uncover 5 of the best ribs serving restaurants in Florida.
Rib Restaurants
1. 4 Rivers Smokehouse – Multiple Locations (Winter Park, Orlando, etc.)
- Why it’s a must-try: 4 Rivers Smokehouse is a Florida barbecue institution. Their dedication to traditional slow-smoked techniques results in consistently mouthwatering ribs. Choose from St. Louis-style or baby back ribs, both bursting with flavor.
- Signature touch: The signature 4 Rivers sauce provides a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy finish.
- Locations: Winter Park, Orlando, Coral Springs, Tampa, and more.
- Website: https://4rsmokehouse.com/
2. Tom Jenkins BBQ – Fort Lauderdale
- Why it’s a must-try: A Fort Lauderdale landmark, Tom Jenkins BBQ has been serving up legendary ribs for decades. The ribs here are dry-rubbed for intense flavor and then slow-smoked for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Signature touch: Choose your sauce—sweet and tangy, or try the mustard-based Carolina-style sauce for a unique kick.
- Location: Fort Lauderdale
- Website: http://www.tomjenkinsbbq.com/
3. Rob’s Family BBQ – Davie
- Why it’s a must-try: This unassuming spot serves seriously good ribs with generous portions. Rob’s Family BBQ uses a special blend of spices and smokes its ribs to perfection.
- Signature touch: You won’t leave hungry! Pair your ribs with classic sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and baked beans.
- Location: Davie
- Website: http://robsfamilybbq.com/
4. Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que – Multiple Locations (Orlando, Winter Park)
- Why it’s a must-try: This lively chain delivers finger-licking good ribs with a variety of sauces to choose from. The ribs are tender and flavorful, satisfying both barbecue purists and those who like a sweeter sauce.
- Signature touch: Don’t miss their award-winning smoked wings alongside your ribs.
- Locations: Orlando, Winter Park, and across Florida
- Website: http://kirkman.bubbalous.com/
5. BBQ Rib Shack – Miami
- Why it’s a must-try: For a taste of Caribbean-inspired barbecue, look no further than the BBQ Rib Shack in Miami. This soulful spot serves up fall-off-the-bone ribs with a jerk-inspired dry rub, alongside traditional barbecue sides with an island twist.
- Signature touch: Try the ribs with a side of fried plantains for a sweet and savory combination.
- Location: Miami
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Soul-Food-Restaurant/Barbeque-Ribs-Chicken-Jerk-Shack-1416219061946764/
Tips for Enjoying the Perfect Ribs
- Embrace the mess: Ribs are best enjoyed with your hands! Don’t be afraid of getting a little messy.
- Plenty of napkins: Keep a stack of napkins nearby – you’ll need them!
- Try different sauces: Experiment with different sauces to find your favorite flavor combination.
- Order sides: Ribs pair perfectly with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, and mac and cheese.
- Go with friends: Ribs are the ideal food to share, so bring along good company to enjoy the feast.
Conclusion
Florida is a rib lover’s paradise! These are just a handful of the amazing rib joints scattered throughout the state. From smoky and tender to sweet and spicy, there’s a perfect rack of ribs waiting for everyone in Florida.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- Don’t be afraid of less famous spots: Some of the best ribs are found at smaller, hidden gem restaurants. Do your research, read online reviews, and ask locals for recommendations.
- Look for the smoke: The aroma of smoked meats is the first sign you’re in the right place for delicious ribs.
- Call ahead: Barbecue places can get busy, especially during peak seasons. It’s helpful to call ahead to check for reservations and wait times.
SEO Optimization
To make this article more likely to show up in internet searches for rib fans, here are some SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tips:
- Keywords: Include relevant keywords naturally throughout the article. Examples include: “best ribs Florida,” “Florida barbecue,” “baby back ribs,” “St. Louis-style ribs,” and the names of specific cities mentioned.
- Title tags and meta description: These give search engines a summary of the article’s content. Make sure to include relevant keywords.
- Image Optimization: Add descriptive file names and alt-text tags to images you include, using relevant keywords in a natural way.
Sources
To provide credibility and enhance the article, you can include some sources:
- Review Sites: Yelp and TripAdvisor often have a wealth of reviews for barbecue restaurants, providing insight into real customer experiences.
- Food Blogs and Local Websites Look for food bloggers based in Florida, or local news and entertainment websites that may have done best-of lists or reviews of barbecue restaurants.
