I love barbecue and would describe myself as a barbecue aficionado. Usually when traveling I search for the locale's popular BBQ joint. I've been on a hunt throughout Miami/Ft. Lauderdale for the past several years to find the best BBQ joint and have tried many but few I will second. While Tom Jenkins is one of the best BBQ joints in this part of Florida, it is quite far from being the best BBQ I have ever eaten.
This particular day I didn’t anticipate on going to Tom Jenkins but while enjoying the sun with friends over at Haulover Beach I smelled something wonderful and smoky that prompted us to travel to the nearest BBQ joint that wouldn’t disappoint.
Getting to Tom Jenkins BBQ is pretty easy. They are located on the east side of Federal highway just north of 17th street. As we pulled into the parking lot, I could see the smoke billowing out of the doors as people pushed their way in. Parking can be an issue sometimes. Suprisingly however parking wasn’t a problem and the inside not uncomfortable crowded. After letting several people pass me, we finally settled on the following items: Full slab of ribs with collard Greens and potato salad as sides.
After placing my order and receiving a numbered ticket/receipt I waited for my number to be called. A few minutes later, our rib feast was ready. You get to sit on picnic tables. The restaurant walls have vintage concert posters from the 60's and soft rock playing in the background.
Everything smelled really good and looked awesome when I opened the Styrofoam containers at the table. I went straight for one of the ribs. It was tender with a lot of that rib flavor I was looking for…moist and smoky. Tom Jenkins has a great sweet and spicy barbecue sauce. I am surprised that Tom Jenkins sells their sauce by the bottle because in a pinch this sauce can transform average BBQ into good BBQ. The star attractions of the feast where the collard greens and potato salad. Yes I would go back and have gone back since for these two items. The collard greens are flavorful with just the right hint of flavor and the potato salad reminds you of family summer gatherings.
On a 1 to 10 scale my rating for their food is as follows: Sauce 8, Ribs 8.5, Collard Greens 9, and Potato Salad 9. On the walls of Tom Jenkins are rave reviews from Ocean Drive Magazine, Florida Trend, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, and New Times. Overall, this is a good place for BBQ. Will I return? Of course I will return. But I hope that there is somewhere in Miami with better.Any Suggestions?
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