There’s good barbecue in Tampa.
Al’s Finger Licking Good, Wicked Oak—great stuff.
But Tampa is far from a “Barbecue Town.”
With older spots like Kojak’s falling by the wayside to newer, hipper establishments, where does one go to kindly sit their ass down on an oak tree-shaded picnic table to eat ribs until their heart explodes?
Give a fond, friendly wave to Smokin’ Aces BBQ & Steakhouse.
It’s an Old Florida, Plant City smoke haven with a bevy of awards and plenty of family-found grub. It feels like a proper smokehouse the moment you pull in, tucked under curtains of Spanish moss directly across from a Stingray Chevrolet—strong indicators of any solid barbecue joint. There’s a hit of nostalgia in the smell along with the prices. An ideal sit-down before heading to wider pastures at, say, Keel and Curley Winery or a Lynyrd Skynyrd show at the Strawberry Festival. But its deep menu of prized meats is well worth the trip on its own.
Here are our favorite things we took down at Smokin’ Aces over the weekend. We recommend the backyard tables before the heat and the bugs make their comeback. We’ll be back for the ribs.
The Kings Wings (5) with Fried Okra & Mac ‘N’ Cheese, $10.49
We caught wind of the award-winning dry rub from a bartender at a nearby watering hole. Grilled over an open flame and flash-fried to perfection.
Pulled Pork Sandwich with Fries, $9.99
Said practically inaudibly through a mouthful of pork: “On’a the bethst pull poak thandwiches I’ve eva had.”
Brisket Frito Nachos, $12.49
The Frito serves as a far sturdier base than the standard tortilla chip, which is good, because there’s a pitcher’s mound of meat and cheese on this thing.
Sizzlin’ Shrimp Tacos, $13.99
You can probably throw anything in this rub and have it turn out tremendous, but the shrimp are no-nonsense and jumbo-as-hell, for what it’s worth.
Full House Brisket Sandwich with Bacon & Cheese; Mac ‘N’ Cheese, $14.99
When the bacon’s cut thick, you know something special’s going on around here.