Florida BBQ Spot Ranks Among Nation’s Top 10 in Southern Living
In Florida, we love all different types of food. Everywhere you go you’re bound to find a local seafood shack or burger joint that will knock your socks off. Key Lime pie and oranges might be what Florida is known for, but today, it’s BBQ. Have you ever wondered what the best BBQ in Florida is? Southern Living recently dropped their top 50 BBQ restaurants in the country and one Florida BBQ restaurant landed the No.8 spot. Any guesses as to what it was?
Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach ranks the 8th best BBQ restaurant in the country and the only one to rank on the list in Florida according to Southern Living. Does that make it the best BBQ in Florida? What makes Tropical Smokehouse rank among the best in the country? We got you covered.
Lead Chef and co-owner Rick Mace didn’t just want to take inspiration from the great BBQ of Texas or the southern region. Mace wanted to create something that represented Florida on its own. “Florida doesn’t have the same sway as Memphis, St. Louis, or North or South Carolina, but it does have an identity,” he says. “We were lacking a well-defined style, and that has become my focus.”
Tropical Smokehouse has that juicy pulled pork, lathered sliced brisket and meaty sausage links you’d expect from any BBQ barn. One bite in and you’ll know the difference between everyone else and Tropical Smokehouse. Unlike other BBQ joints, the brisket is lathered in coffee infused barbecue sauce and the pulled pork hints at a symphony (any Office fans?) of orange, lime and garlic marinade. That’s not the only difference, but the sausage is made from Florida’s own swamp puppies: alligator meat. Tropical Warehouse also has some more traditional menu options, side dishes like mac n’ cheese, collard greens, sweet plantains, crinkle fries and much more.
Most BBQ establishments don’t consider seafood an integral part of the dish, but at Tropical Smokehouse it’s essential. Mace leaned fully into the Florida style by adding in a variety of different fish to choose from like spicy wahoo dip to mahi. Depending on the season, you could be eating fresh caught swordfish or lobster.
How Does Ordering Work?
Well, like their food, they like to keep it real. Customers can expect to order from the counter when they walk in with both indoor and outdoor seating options. You can also order from the table with a QR code menu! It is a first come first serve seating basis so make sure you get there early to secure a table.
If you’re looking for BBQ that doesn’t just check the standard boxes, give Tropical Smokehouse a look! Florida BBQ is on the rise making a name for itself in its own true way.
