Jimbo's Pit BBQ-Tampa, FL

I had a few weeks of work scheduled in the Tampa area this spring, so naturally I took the opportunity to see what the Bay Area had to offer for barbecue. Jimbo's Pit Bar B-Q was the only Tampa establishment I had previously visited, though that was close to ten years ago, so I made it my first stop.

Jimbo's has been in the same location for 33 years, a metal roofed red barn looking structure among the big city buildings that line Kennedy Boulevard.

Inside are wood covered floors and walls surrounding a good sized dining room and the kitchen at the rear. During the weekday lunch rush on this day, there wasn't an empty table to be had, so I placed a to go order, though the friendly man behind the counter told me a table would be open soon.

 

I opted for a pulled pork sandwich with potato salad and barbecue beans. It also came with a small cup of cole slaw with an unusual mustard sauce, and a couple of their hushpuppies which were excellent- so hot the steam rolled out as I bit into them.

The pork was piled high on a plain bun and smothered in sauce. The sauce was actually quite good, with a strong pepper and vinegar kick. It was one of the best sauces I've tasted in a while, but the drawback of presauced meat is that can hide the smoke flavors, which it did in this case. I enjoyed the sandwich but not as much as I might have with more smoke and a little less sauce.

Just like the hushpuppies, the other sides were tasty and well prepared. I especially liked the creamy potato salad with big chunks of smooth textured red skinned potatoes. And my jumbo styrofoam cup of sweet tea had just a bit more sugar in it than average, which is how I like it.

Things were off to a good start on my Tampa trip with a solid meal at Jimbo's, just the way I remembered it. Still I hoped I would find something better, and began making plans for my next stop...

FOOD RATING: 3 OF 5

OVERALL RATING: 4 OF 5