You’ve just pulled into Fort Lauderdale’s most coveted BBQ joint, only to be met with a line snaking out the door. Settling for subpar ‘cue is unthinkable, and driving elsewhere feels like surrender. What you need is a definitive guide: Thirteen smoke-kissed sanctuaries where the brisket melts, the ribs glisten, and the wait—if there is one—is always worth it.
Gen Korean BBQ House
$$ | (954) 271-3343 | WEBSITE
To experience some of Fort Lauderdale’s best Korean BBQ on Los Olas without a reservation, you should anticipate a bit of a wait, then head straight to Gen Korean BBQ House. The bustling spot offers exceptional Korean BBQ options, including the popular beef bulgogi and beef short rib. Plus, if you come hungry, they provide unlimited dining for up to two hours, so you could savor a wide selection of meats, seafood, appetizers, soups, noodles, and vegetables.
Or, check out the lively atmosphere—it can get busy with locals and tourists, but you can always enjoy the comfortable grilling experience with good air ventilation and attentive service.
Reb’s Famous BBQ
$ | (954) 203-6639 | WEBSITE
The drive to Reb’s Famous BBQ in Fort Lauderdale might take you about 15 minutes, but there’s no need to hurry. Explore the nearby neighborhoods, or take a leisurely stroll—you’ll likely have some time to spare, so enjoy the pace. Then settle into a seat at Reb’s Famous BBQ, in the family-friendly dining room or at one of the spacious accessible tables, and order the fall-off-the-bone ribs, and maybe the standout collard greens.
Alternatively, you might actually have the appetite for a full feast, and the menu features some of the most satisfying dishes—the just-right mac and cheese and the sweet and tangy baked beans.
Fat Boyz Barbecue Restaurant
$$ | (954) 769-1486 | WEBSITE
While you mentally prepare yourself for the several-hundred-dollar bill you’re going to receive after a dinner at some fancy steakhouse, might we suggest a relatively affordable meal at Fat Boyz Barbecue? It’s exactly what you want an American BBQ joint to be, and it’s just sort of unremarkable in the best way. Bring cash and stick to brisket at a table in the casual, friendly atmosphere.
Or, if you’re more of a pulled pork person, try the burnt ends—the brisket is tender and spicy and the highlight of the meal. The ribs are fall-off-the-bone with a sticky glaze, and the sides are around $4 each.
BIG BOYZ BBQ
$ | (954) 870-6378 | WEBSITE
The best place to fuel up before a long day exploring Fort Lauderdale? At BIG BOYZ BBQ, an exceptionally welcoming spot with barbecue that will take any hunger-associated pain away. Order a rib tip dinner and a sandwich if you need one. BIG BOYZ BBQ is takeout only, but there is generous portioning—so if it’s too busy, head to your car, a place where you can enjoy perfectly smoked ribs and a pre-dinner mac and cheese.
B&D Trap
$ | (561) 382-7944 | WEBSITE
The folks behind some of Fort Lauderdale’s best barbecue joints essentially opened a spot to handle the overflow, and for that we’re grateful. B&D Trap in Ft Lauderdale is just a short drive from those other smoky favorites, and it’s a picture-perfect destination for brisket and mac and cheese. Like its barbecue counterparts, this place can get pretty crowded with everybody else who’s also waiting patiently for their ribs.
If there’s a wait for the waiting area, head to the counter inside where service is quick, or grab one of the picnic tables on the canvas-covered patio outside instead.
Smoke BBQ Restaurant & Catering
$ | (954) 530-5334 | WEBSITE
If Smoke BBQ were a parking lot, it would be spacious. But it’s a barbecue joint, so parking’s tight. And unless you arrive at this Fort Lauderdale spot just before opening, you can safely bet that you’ll face a line. Enter the brisket. There’s a trio of barbecue sauces on the table, a kid-friendly atmosphere with no barriers, and fast service even when busy, so nibble on some cornbread with honey cinnamon butter while you wait for your ribs.
Or—if you’re feeling adventurous—try the jalapeño potato salad, which has unique flavors and gluten-free options.
R&R World Famous BBQ
$ | (954) 515-9799 | WEBSITE
We have no idea how long it’ll take for you to get your order at this legendary Fort Lauderdale barbecue spot. Seriously, your guess is as good as ours. But instead of agonizing over your future ribs, might we suggest some lemonade? The sweet-tart drink is a favorite among customers, and it’s what you should sip while you wait for your fall-off-the-bone tender ribs. Alternatively, consider the mac and cheese.
Creamy comfort food, in the form of their signature side dish, which is sort of like a hug in a bowl. That’ll keep you satisfied and ready for some flavorful BBQ chicken.
Mission BBQ
$ | (754) 200-5343 | WEBSITE
A quick lunch at Mission BBQ always seems like a good idea, until you pull into the parking lot and find a line of hungry customers waiting to order, just so that they can wait a bit longer for their brisket. Join the queue, and then take in the atmosphere. Chances are high it’ll also be bustling with BBQ enthusiasts, but the staff is friendly, the food is excellent, and the patriotic decor is even better.
If you can’t find a seat inside, try the takeout option, which has very notable pulled pork sandwiches.
Smitty’s Wings Sistrunk
$ | (954) 900-4425 | WEBSITE
To score a table at Smitty’s Wings Sistrunk—the neighborhood barbecue joint with the best garlic parm wings you’ll ever taste—you’ll need to arrive early, and then hope the lively Friday night crowd doesn’t overwhelm the place. (We once saw a group wait nearly forty minutes for outdoor seating, though they were happily sipping Hennessy drinks the whole time.) Head to the indoor area to enjoy the excellent fried okra or mozzarella sticks.
It can get quite loud, so if you can’t hear your conversation, retreat to the parking lot, a welcoming space where the donuts for dessert are not an afterthought, and taste like heaven in the very best way possible.
Li’l Red’s Bar-B-Que
$ | (954) 463-7883 | WEBSITE
Li’l Red’s Bar-B-Que in Fort Lauderdale appeals to southern comfort food and barbecue enthusiasts, and luckily for all of us, it’s a quiet and cozy dinner spot where you can actually hear yourself think. When you’ve got a craving for down home cooking, it just makes sense to order the brisket sandwich on peppercorn bread or the BBQ shrimp skewers.
The mashed potatoes and gravy are less than a half mile from perfection, and even at its most satisfying, you can find space in their front or rear parking to leave full and happy. For something a bit more substantial, try the 2 2 2 breakfast or the jambalaya, which has friendly and attentive servers every night.
LongHorn Steakhouse
$$ | (954) 267-0702 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for consistently excellent steaks in Fort Lauderdale, you won’t need a reservation at LongHorn Steakhouse, because this family-friendly spot always has tables ready. For a pre-dinner drink, grab a seat at their spacious bar area. Not only does it offer some of the most comfortable bar seating around, but you can order one of their reliable cocktails, and it’s also right in the main dining room, so you can watch the friendly staff efficiently handling the busy dinner rush.
Not that you’d need to. But you could. If you’re not in a steak mood, check out their vegetarian options, where you can get a perfectly cooked asparagus side dish that pairs beautifully with their signature baked potatoes.
All Spice Jamaican Restaurant
$ | (954) 530-1925 | WEBSITE
From the family behind All Spice Jamaican Restaurant, the cozy spot saves some counter seats for walk-ins. But that’s only sort of helpful on a Saturday afternoon, when every Fort Lauderdale foodie has decided that they deserve to eat some seriously flavorful Jamaican plates. Don’t stress. The friendly woman at the counter, often owner Colette herself, is ready with samples before you order. Try some pre-meal chicken soup or a taste of the jerk salmon.
If the hot case looks too packed with regulars grabbing their brown chicken and curry, head to the family-owned dining area, where the warm atmosphere and personal touch make you feel right at home.
Tom Jenkins BBQ
$ | (954) 522-5046 | WEBSITE
Tom Jenkins BBQ and its legendary brisket are directly across from the bustling Fort Lauderdale traffic, and in our wildest dreams, if we aren’t able to get a seat inside, we just opt for takeout. In reality, your best bet is the picnic tables out front, which can get a little crowded, but where you can enjoy a plate of pork spare ribs with that spicy barbecue sauce, if need be.
Or grab some turkey and hush puppies at the counter—it’s technically a small seating area, but it’s easy to get your food quickly, and it serves phenomenal sides like coleslaw and mac and cheese in case you get too hungry to wait for a table.
