Tom Jenkins BBQ

A preface… I have eaten Tom Jenkins since his nephew operated the business from a trailer. I ordered the chopped pork dinner today for lunch and was disappointed to find that the meat was tough and fatty, possible due to a poor cut but most likely due to not smoking the pork long enough to render the fat and ensure a tender finished product. Very disappointing indeed… however, the Cole slaw was amazing with just the right amount of vinegar to counterpoint the mayo. The Mac & Cheese was good with a healthy crust on top. The corn bread muffin had good flavor but was heavy as a rock, perhaps due to not using enough/any eggs in the batter. It’s a sad state of affairs when the sides are better than the main course, which is the BBQ. Gary’s uncle, Tom Jenkins, would be ashamed of the Que that his namesake is slinging these days.

Tom Jenkins is a household name and undoubtedly has the best BBQ ribs, sandwiches, and BBQ chicken in South Florida. You will love their fresh, down-home sides like: baked beans, potato salad, and collard greens. It's a very small restaurant with a rustic, woodsy feel. Seating inside the restaurant is very limited with about 7-8 picnic style tables, so take out is ideal. There may be a slight wait during peak busy times but it's definitely worth it. Best BBQ and sides hands down! 💯

Tables dirty and sticky service at counter was great friendly and very nice ribs were dry like they didn’t have any water in warmer so just drying them up definitely needed the bbq sauce but flavorful greens and potato salad were good

Good friendly place find off road side food little dry needs water in warmer very busy good for business no one wiped tables greens was cook nice

Soo good. I was craving pulled pork but chopped pork worked out just fine. Generous portion and really good. The coleslaw was a little pickle heavy for my tastes but my wife liked it a lot. Beans were excellent, almost spicy but not quite

I just ate here for the first time, got the spare ribs, with the dark chicken, and it was all very good. Thanks you sirs God bless

If you're looking for authentic, mouthwatering barbecue in Fort Lauderdale, Tom Jenkins BBQ is the place to go! From the moment you arrive, you're welcomed by the amazing aroma of smoked meats and the warm hospitality of the incredible team running this local gem. The flavors are outstanding—perfectly seasoned, tender meats with that rich, smoky taste that only true pitmasters can achieve. Whether you're craving ribs, pulled pork, or brisket, every bite is packed with flavor. And let's not forget their homemade sauces—the perfect complement to an already perfect meal! Beyond the food, the atmosphere is unbeatable. It's a place where you can truly feel the heart and soul behind the business. The story of Tom Jenkins BBQ adds another layer of appreciation, making it more than just a restaurant—it’s a Fort Lauderdale institution. With plenty of parking, great prices, and top-notch service, this spot checks all the boxes. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this is a must-visit for any BBQ lover. 🔥 5/5 – Highly recommended! 🔥

The ribs were amazing.The brisket was good. The Mac and cheese was okay, and the collard greens were unique -:(. The sweet potato pie did not have a southern flavor profile. The peach cobbler had a good taste but needed a homemade pie crust instead of a bready crust. The corn bread was overcooked and dry.

PLEASE for the love of all things holy - bring back the soul music! Eating brisket with Adele screaming out of the dining room speaker is NOT the Jenkins' experience. Thanks for the tasty brisket!

Amazing food. Fall off the bone ribs. Order at the counter, and they'll put your order together to eat in the restaurant or take to go

Stopped by Saturday dinner time, old decors, pictures were interesting to see while we were waiting food was ready. They took orders at counter and picked up at there. Dinner plate came with fries, corn muffin and two sides. Choose Cole slaw, baked beans, everything was so delicious, juicy, smoky, a large portions. Took home leftovers. Bbq sauce came with it without asking. It's restaurant but full of people,

Tom Jenkins BBQ is a community staple. Their meats are smoked to perfection which I love. It's a family owned business and they're always very accommodating when I come in. The only downside is they are really popular in the neighborhood so if you don't get there by 5p-6p some days then there's a high likelihood that they could be sold out of whatever it is you'd like to order especially ribs and chicken. My favorite dishes are their brisket and ribs. They're Mac n cheese , fries and corn bread muffins are

Tom Jenkins is a somewhat legendary bbq place in Fort Lauderdale. Because of that, the line is long so be prepared, and maybe have someone in your group grab a seat while the rest order. They have pretty classic bbq menu, with meat options by the pound and a few sides. I wanted to try different things since it was my first time there, so I got the two-meat dinner with brisket and chicken. It's a very good price for the amount and quality of food Everything was very good, fresh, and flavorful. My only thing is that the brisket was a little fatty for my taste-although I know that some people prefer it that way. Overall, it's a great, no-nonsense place with amazing food, and I believe it's family-owned.

First time here recommended by co-worker. Small place with some inside seating. I order the ribs with 2 sides to choose. Ribs came off the bone so tender along with their sauce was so good with a touch of kick for those who want little spicy. Will be back to try their brisket that I saw one of the cooks chopping up.

Best BBQ in Fort Lauderdale! It's so nice when you get an airport return when TJ is open because it's on my way home! All ribs are great. Sauce is fantastic. Simple menu. Corn bread rolls could be bigger ;)

If I'm back in Lauderdale, this is a definite stop. It's a small typical BBQ joint. Great food, great sides. I like the two meat platter and two sides. The collard greens are perfectly cooked. Some places make the collard greens really salty or super spicy, but not this place. They are perfectly prepared. You can't go wrong with anything you get here.

I have been eating at Tom Jenkins for decades and it is still the best food. I first was introduced to this restaurant when I was a teenager that was over fifty years ago!

We were heading to another restaurant for lunch and for me to review it; but when we got there, it was closed. We were hungry. And I remembered that Tom Jenkins was nearby. Parking is tricky; it's on the south side of the restaurant and goes from the side into a back area. There are plenty of spots. This place often has lines out the door. But at lunchtime on a Wednesday, it was not a very long wait (about 10 minutes). However, there is a heavy business of take-out orders. The dining area is clean and neat and seats about 30. The clientele seemed to be mostly men having a hearty lunch. Service was quick, not particularly friendly, just businesslike. We got the slab of ribs with two sides--cole slaw and greens. The ribs were done just right, and they were meaty. The sauce, on the side, was good. The cole slaw was a bit sweet but tasty. The greens were just right. Not too salty. We got more food than we anticipated (about 12 ribs) and had enough leftovers for dinner. My absolute favorite was the corn muffin. Definitely made fresh, but it tasted like they made their own cornmeal. :-) I got an extra one for dessert. Our meal was $30.99 but there was a surcharge to use a credit card. With tax we spent a little under $35 but got lunch and dinner.

The place has only been there for 30 years but it feels like it could be 50! However long, I don't think much has changed. Yeah, it's "crusty" inside and won't qualify for any cleanliness awards it's still clean, just not deep. It's hard to clean walls if the wall hanging have never been off the wall. The food is well-made and of excellent quality but the flavors are a little on the sweet side for me. I think their meat scale must be broke. I ordered a half rack of ribs and a half pound of chopped pork and there's just no way that was only a half pound! I think the sides probably got a little smaller and now it's ketchup packets but the bbq sauce is plentiful but on the thin side. The service is like you would expect at a small town southern joint - Slow, steady and a bit non-committal but polite. This is a place to eat or get takeout, not take a date unless it's a special kind of person!

The quality of food has gone down drastically over the past few months The staff is unprofessional especially the guy on the grill. But what it used to be something changed

Coming in it was pretty crowded, so there was definitely a wait for food. We Really enjoyed the ribs more than the brisket. The barbecue sauce is really good. Surprisingly the corn bread was good as well!

Great Bbq, great service and reasonable prices. Came here for lunch today and had a great experience. The moment you pull into the parking lot the smells hit you and you know you're about to eat something great. I had the two meat combo dinner with Baby Back Ribs, Brisket, Mac and Cheese, and potato salad. The baby back ribs were definitely the star of the show here. They were sweet, smokey, and tender. The brisket was decent as well. Coming from Houston, I have pretty high standards on bbq and this place hit the spot.

Great experience at tom Jenkins. Staff were friendly and attentive. Restaurant was small but had a warm and rustic atmosphere. The food was good. When i went there was unfortunately no brisket so i got the sausage and baby back ribs with mac and cheese and coleslaw. Coleslaw did not hit as hard as I wanted it to but everything else was good. Their bbq dipping sauce and corn muffin were also good. My drink was the sweet tea. Solid sweet tea.

Tom Jenkins is a Fort Lauderdale staple! Their bbq sauce is amazing! Portions are big and their sides are amazing! My favorite is the corn bread !

Best bbq places near my job . Highly recommended. Brisket and turkey was so tasty . Place is always clean and inviting as well.

Great bbq, the Chopped Pork and the Baked Beans were so good. The Mac and Cheese not so much. Love the authentic feel of the place. Service was fast, parking was easy. They close at 7 pm, so go early if you are picking up dinner. Couldn't place an order over the phone, the number listed in Yelp is not working.

Got takeout from me calling in ahead of time today. It worked out well. Seems like they are learning from the reviews that people give. Food was on point as usual.

Some of the best BBQ I've had in this area. It was a fun throw back with lots of old pictures of Ft. Lauderdale inside. Only reason I couldn't give 5 stars today was the coleslaw seemed to be old. It was a little discolored and soggy, not bright and crisp. That being said, I would go back for the BBQ.

Tom Jenkins is a little piece of Authentic Ol School Southern BBQ Heaven. The Brisket, Ribs & Baked Beans are AWESOME !!! Staff is Sweet, Sassy & Fun... Definitely go check it out.

First off. Awesome!! Atmosphere is busy. Old style feel. Truly great food being prepared here. The brisket was so tender. The bbq sauce had a nice little heat. Mac and cheese reminded me of just like home. Love the collard greens also. Overall 5 stars. Friendly employees. Thank you.

LOVE Tom Jenkins. My husband and I drove down from Cocoa on a whim just to have it and then drove back.

I've always passed by this place but never actually stopped by until last week. Since then, I've been twice and both times have been remarkable. We've tried out the brisket, baby back ribs, spare ribs, pulled pork, chicken, beans, mac & cheese, cornbread, and the lemonade. Out of everything we've tried, we've loved most of it. The only thing that could use some work is the brisket, not sure if it was just an off day but I'll give it another chance. My favorite items have been the baby back ribs, spare ribs, chicken, mac & cheese, beans, and pulled pork (in that order). Also worth mentioning, it's probably the best bbq sauce that I've tried in quite some time. Highly recommend it! Anyways, definitely will be back soon to continue trying out the menu and giving that brisket another chance. Come check it out today!

Today I visited for the millionth time this restaurant. It never disappoints, the ribs were perfect, the corn on the cob was great, the corn bread... is to die for... the baked beans are delicious . Go visit!!! They are closed Sundays and Mondays... plan! You won't be disappointed.

Grabbed take out for a quick dinner and was absolutely delighted with the food! Whether you eat in or out the quality is always great, total comfort food. We had a half chicken combo and chopped pork (yummy) with an extra side of collards, a must have! The sides are great and will satisfy everyone in your family and don't forget the cornbread. If you happen to have any room for dessert, it's a true treat. Service was quick and the dining room is always clean. Picnic tables and wall counters are available for eat in and you may make a new friend!

Small place that is pretty old but the food is delicious and the sauce is amazing. Make sure you buy a bottle to take home. The only downside was the people behind the counter were not very personable.

The ribs were decent. The side, which were fantastic for years, are now lacking. No live there. The sauce is still great though. But, the service is atrocious. The first you should do is ask if they're out of anything. I'm usually given incorrect information and end up having to choose one or two other items instead because they are really out or there's a 45 minute wait for the next batch. Then there's the counter person who glares at you like she has a terrible headache or you're bothering her somehow. There's no professionalism, "thank you", no appreciation. Like I said, if you come to just get the food, just be glad if they have what you want. DOUBLE CHECK YOUR RECEIPT BECAUSE THEY SOMETIMES CHARGE YOU MORE THAN THE MENU SAYS. I assume they're outdated. Oh yeah, they have a big TIP JAR! NOPE.

I love this restaurant the food the service is always good whenever I order the waiter always suggest a menu items very clean very nice staff and food is delicious

It's been a while since I last visited. The sides were delicious--creamy macaroni and cheese packed in the little cup, definitely need to upsize that portion and savory collard greens get no complaint. The corn muffin is sweet and still quite dense. I wanted catfish, but being none, I settled for half rack of pork spare ribs. They were okay, but about one quarter of them were the extremely charred ends that were not edible. The sauce lights up the taste of the meat. Next time, I'd get the baby back ribs. The lemonade was refreshing. Should have asked for a free refill awaiting my order.

Hadn't been for a few months but wanted some good BBQ. Ordered a full rack of ribs , fries and beans. A few of the ribs tasted dried up and old and not really edible, a few were actually pretty good but it seemed like my rack of ribs came from two different places. For the giant price of $30.99 we got about 6 edible ribs? The fries were cold and limp so we returned them for new ones that they replaced with no question. I didn't want to make a scene but $30.99 for 6 edible ribs? They really need to have better quality control but after thinking about this meal my wife and I felt they intentionally used up an old half rack and supplemented with a fresh half rack? We have sent many folks here for bbq but that will now stop. We won't go back for a while at least because there's several other places with fresh made bbq that we can go to. My beans were fresh and really great but not great enough to make up for old dried up ribs. Jenkins used to really be the go to place for BBQ in Ft. Lauderdale and I believe they are taking their customers for granted when you sneak in old ribs with new at these super high prices.. I feel badly about this super honest review because my family's eaten here for many many years without this kind of issue.

Had lunch here recently with friends. I had ribs, baked beans, collard greens, and iced tea. My friends had brisket and a chicken salad, and Mac and cheese. We all agreed the food was good but the service was not friendly. It wasn't what I expected or the business model I would prefer. You order at the counter and pick up the food there when it's ready. It's all packed up to go and if you eat there you use plastic silverware. I would prefer to sit down and be served on real plates and silverware at this price point. If you want take out or delivery maybe you won't mind.

I went in to get some food, I'm used to a different style of barbecue, so I like how they have a very open policy about emailing them. If you have a concern . I think of more restaurants, especially small restaurants adapted this policy it would prevent a lot of restaurants from getting bad reviews. Everybody that works at the restaurant was very nice and hard-working, and the Restaurant seem to have a good flow of lunch eaters. Nice location in downtown Fort Lauderdale right across from Whole Foods near 17th St., Causeway very safe area. I recommend you go, check them out and try their food. See if it's your style of barbecue. I'm used to Sonny rib city or even Houston's baby back ribs style myself. This one is more authentic with the actual smoker.

Tom Jenkins' BBQ has been in business for over 30 years. The food is still amazing after all this time and quite delicious. It takes me a while to travel the distance to the restaurant; But, it's worth the travel expense and quite refreshing to be surrounded by that old country & southern hospitality plus great food. I actually drive past several restaurants just to dine at Tom Jenkins where the freshness and quality of the food is only getting better with time. Constance Richardson

I am so tired of driving to Tom Jenkins, only to find out they closed earlier than stated hours. This is 3rd and last time. I'm know they are proud people that think a lot of their food. But not good customer service.

Best bbq in Broward, and I've been going for thirty years. Really good collards, ribs, chicken, brisket and pulled pork.

The best barbecue in all Broward ! go there! Every time they are consistently delicious! Their baked beans are great!

Great experience and takeout packed perfectly. Been there several times and so good .

I was looking forward to coming here after many yrs. Unfortunately my daughter and I had a very bad experience and I threw out about 30 worth of food. The corn bread was hard and heavy like dried out hockey pucks. I mainly came for the meat but it was all so overcooked and dry no amount of sauce( I did like the sauce) was going to be able to save it. I have a little girl who just adores Mac and cheese and asked for it. She took 2 bites and even she wouldn't eat it. The sauce had curdled and the Mac and cheese was dry. I ordered the ribs, brisket and the chicken all were tough. I was looking forward to the greens but they lacked seasoning. The only thing I enjoyed was the coleslaw and the lemonade#dissappionted

Man I just came from the counter getting some chopped pork for lunch and was told some people still haven't heard of Tom Jenkins! That's gotta be fake news y'all. I've been coming to Tom Jenkins for 10 plus years now since I started working and I have met many people who don't know. Their BBQ is number 1 in this area. They sides be hitting every time you come through. People leave an hour early for lunch to get on this BBQ. If you're visiting, new in town, or just looking for the "real" BBQ spot, you gotta come to Tom Jenkins. Everything else is just imitation!

Great good . Friendly service and people .Feels like you in your beloved grandparents place. . They have their history and awards on the walls . Its more of a take out place .

Now this is some amazing barbecue! Walking into this place it looks pretty tiny, rundown, and a bit chaotic with the long line. But, you're going to get some great tasting ribs! We ordered the baby back ribs along with the chicken breast and their coleslaw. The coleslaw was a bit too sweet, perhaps too much sugar, and the chicken breast was nothing to write home about, but the baby back ribs were pure five star! These ribs had an excellent bark on them with a nice smoked flavor and they fell right off the bone. Their homemade barbecue sauce is also very neat tasting and absolutely delicious, no wonder people were buying it by the bottle. One recommendation by the woman who served us at the counter, get here early, as things sell out towards closing time which is around 7 PM on a Saturday evening.

The service is amazing. Lisa helped us with our order and she is the star of the place. The BBQ sauce is unique and tasty, as was my turkey sandwich and delicious baked beans. The establishment is spotless, including the rest room. The restaurant has an authentic BBQ restaurant feel. I'll definitely be back.

Had the chopped pork. Half of it was too fatty to eat. Mac and cheese, coleslaw, and baked beans were good. Lady the took order was pretty rude. Constantly were swatting flys off while eating. Restaurant could use a deep cleaning but pretty typical for a bbq joint. Food was good but not good enough to go back. Surprised this was a staple for so many years to be honest.

All around good BBQ. Not the best I've had but certainly on my list of places to return to.

Very friendly staff and quick take-out service! I ordered the half turkey, half brisket dish with collared greens and coleslaw. Both the turkey and the brisket were great, but the BBQ sauce is too sweet for me. However, I know that's just personal preference on my part. I have to say that the corn muffin was outstanding! So moist and delicious--I actually ate my husband's, as well. I definitely want to try the ribs on my next visit because they looked amazing! FYI- They are only open for takeout or pickup right now.

The smell of barbecue was amazing. Thei service was quick but not efficient. I ordered 2 dinners. I ordered a half of chicken dinner with greens, macaroni and cheese. The chicken was tender and flavorful but it had taste of something that I couldn't put my finger on what it was. It was not to my likiThe Mac was great (delicious) and collards were good ( I don't like sweet greens). The other dinner was a full slab of ribs but I received a full rack of baby backs. I am. It a fan of back. I will eat them but it's not my preference. The sides were coleslaw and baked beans. The baked beans were amazing but one the diabetes sugar level. However, seasoned very. The coleslaw to me wasn't fresh. It was seemed soft. It didn't have a hardy crunch, very vinegary and not sweet. Now the baby back ribs I didn't order. I addressed the error and missing coleslaw immediately at the counter. The lady at the register was nonchalant. The man came back and he let me the coleslaw when I told him it was the wrong order. He looked at me and walked away, They had good flavor, but unfortunately, they were dry as hell and a little overcooked not burnt, but almost there. If I wasn't with friends and family, I would have insisted on a replacement however since they were not giving great customer service that day, I just let it be a stated. I would take the baby back ribs. Unfortunately, most of the food was cold. The only thing that was warm was the macaroni cheese. The corporate muffins were cold and hard. This place definitely has potential on no good barbecue when I smell and see it. I think it was just a one off. I would definitely try again. However. I'm not taking something in order. The next time should be hot. This means they are over prepping or understand how to manage the warmers ,and yes, I have worked in full service.

As soon as you walk in the lady taking orders was an absolute doll. She was so welcoming to my family and I. I will be back just for her. And obviously the food is outstanding!!! Can't go wrong with the Mac baby! I just wish they still had catfish but that's okay because all their food is soo good. The ambience is homey. It's just feels like home in here. Thank you Tom Jenkins, your staff for your hard work and amazing personalities.

I feel I am a connisour of bbq and this one of my favorite places to eat. Quick service, delicious food, friendly staff. this place has quickly become my go to place! definitely check them out.