FL's Best BBQ Joint Named In Southern Living's New Survey

TAMPA, FL — Florida's best barbecue joint is smoking hot with traditional flavors, according to a new ranking.

The readers of Southern Living once again voted Big John's Alabama BBQ in Tampa as Florida's 2026 Best Barbecue Joint, the magazine announced in March.

Southern Living hosted a survey that included at least 17,000 readers making their selections from July 9-Sept. 9 last year.

Third-party agency Proof Insights conducted the online ranking, according to the magazine.

"Barbecue inspires a special kind of loyalty in the South. When we asked 'Southern Living' readers to name the best barbecue joint in their state, they showed up with strong opinions and even stronger favorites. Readers chose plenty of old standbys, but a few impressive upstarts are also on the hot list," the magazine wrote.

Dishing out award-winning cuisine, Big John's was named among 16 of the South's best barbecue eateries.

The North 40th Street restaurant boasts a menu that features chicken, center-cut ribs, sweet potato pie, lemon cake, chopped meat, coleslaw, sausage and macaroni and cheese.

See what Southern Living says about Big John's Alabama BBQ:

"For the third year in a row, Big John’s came out on top in The Sunshine State. The Alabama part of the name is a nod to the founder’s roots, for the late Rev. John A. Stephens came from Eufaula, Alabama, to East Tampa, where he opened up this establishment in 1968. More than half a century later, it’s still run by the Stephens family and features the same chicken, sausage and ribs cooked hot and fast on an Alabama-style open pit with a giant brick chimney."

Big John's Alabama BBQ: 5707 N. 40th St., Tampa,(813) 623-3600