Kojaks House of Ribs-Tampa,FL

Returning once again to Tampa, I had a chance to visit one more bbq joint. After a little searching, I settled on Kojaks, a well-known establishment in South Tampa. I pulled off the road onto their unpaved parking lot, and the towering live oaks offered a refreshing source of shade on this hot summer day. It was nice enough that I decided to have lunch at one of the tables on the outside front porch. Other dining areas are inside this old house but it seemed like they might have been a little crowded.

Judging by the name, my order was already decided. Along with my plate of ribs I got potato salad and green beans. Straight to the verdict: these were not even the best ribs I had in my short time in town. Though they were tender enough and had a decent rub, smoke flavor was minimal and hidden by the unmistakeable aftertaste of yesterday's leftovers. The place was packed and rib plates were flying out of the kitchen, but evidently I was just too early in the day to get fresh meat. The sides were done well, the beans with nice bits of smoked meat and potato salad continuing with the red-skinned style offered at all my other stops in the area. Too bad the ribs didn't measure up, because this is a nice country oasis in the big city that I really wanted to like. Not this time...

FOOD RATING: 2.5 OF 5
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 OF 5

Holy Hog Barbecue- Tampa, FL

Continuing my quest to find the best barbeque in Tampa, I noticed a framed advertisement for Holy Hog while having lunch at one of it's owner's other restaurants, Pipo's, a decent little cuban cafe in itself. The paper flyer proclaimed Holy Hog to have the best barbecue in the Bay area, voted on by some group or another, and that was enough for me to try it out. I pulled in on a weekday shortly after noon, walked inside and was greeted by a large, handwritten menu board stretching all the way across the cafeteria style line where you order.

Whole chickens and racks of ribs sat under the glow of heat lamps, and an array of classic sides followed them in line. I chose a two meat platter of pulled pork and sliced brisket, with "cowboy baked beans" and jalepeno mac and cheese as my sides. Both meats were pulled from foil pouches and placed on the red and white checked paper lining a plastic basket.

The brisket and pork both had a good crust from an expertly applied rub. While both had good amounts of smokiness, the pork was cold and the brisket was on the dry side. I would attribute both to them being sliced/pulled ahead of time and kept warm (or not) in the line for too long. A little of their hot and spicy sauce brought them back to life and allowed me to finish both. The sides were nicely done- not homemade, but smoky chunks of meat flavored the beans, and fresh chopped jalepenos gave the otherwise standard mac and cheese a tasty kick. Two pieces of fresh toasted garlic bread and plenty of cold sweet tea to wash it all down completed the meal.

This was definitely the most flavorful experience in my Tampa area search, but unfortunately the cooking issues meant it didn't rise above the others I had tried so far. They definitely know how to make good barbecue. Just a little extra effort in keeping it fresh would put them over the top in my book.

FOOD RATING: 3.5 OF 5

OVERALL RATING: 3.5 OF 5

Ribit's BBQ-Tampa, FL

Searching for additional barbecue options in the Tampa area, I noticed a lot of buzz about Ribit's, both good and bad. The small joint in the hip Hyde park neighborhood has only been open since 2009, but being housed in an old gas station lends it an aura of authenticity from the start. I knew I would have to try for myself though to see whether the barbecue was truly the attraction or if this place was just a trendy hangout.

I stepped into the service bay and ordered a rib sandwich with sides of potato salad and banana pudding. Nothing tops off a good barbecue meal like a cup of homemade banana pudding, but usually it's only available as an add-on, so I was thrilled that they offer it as a side here.

The rib sandwich consisted of four meaty ribs piled on top of two slices of plain white bread. Full flavored, smoky moist pork nearly burst from the skin as I took a bite. They were perfectly tender, hot and fresh.

Sauce wasn't needed for these ribs, but with a presentation as unique as this I at least had to try it out. Four sauces were loaded in plastic water coolers, where a push of a button dispensed it's contents onto your plate. I sampled both the sweet and the N.C. vinegar. While both were an adequate representation of their style, frankly neither contributed enough to be worth adding to the flavor equation.

The sides held their own; big chunks of red skinned potatoes in a mayonnaise/mustard dressing made for good potato salad, and the banana pudding was top notch as well, it's thick consistency containing equal amounts smooth bananas and crunchy vanilla wafers.

In the end, Ribits came through with quality 'que in an interesting location. In answer to one of the misinformed commenters on another review site who complained they couldn't get the smoky smell off their fingers after eating here: that's not a problem, that's the way it's supposed to be.

FOOD RATING: 4 OF 5

OVERALL RATING: 4 OF 5

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

Jimmy Z's Barbecue Bistro-New Tampa,FL

From the first time I noticed it, "Barbecue Bistro" seemed like an oxymoron to me. I imagined suit-clad patrons daintily nibbling small portions of heavily garnished meat, and washing it down with sweet tea from a wine glass. Eventually though, my curiosity got the better of me, and having exhausted most other lunch options in the immediate area, I gave it a try.

The interior was bright, spacious and clean, though paper pictures and fluorescent lights may not be exactly what you'd expect to find in a bistro:

Service seemed a little slow for as empty as they were. I ordered the rib plate with potato salad and barbecue beans, while others in my party tried sandwiches, fries and red cabbage slaw.

 While the portions were good size, the food quality was hit and miss. My four ribs were a little tough and very bland. Their sauce didn't impress me either. There was plenty of meat on the ribs, but in the end I didn't even finish them. The pork sandwich was a little better but still short on flavor. I did enjoy the potato salad and unusual, but surprisingly good cole slaw. 

All in all it was a mild disappointment. If I had to describe this place in one word, it would be: halfhearted.

FOOD RATING: 2.5 OF 5

OVERALL RATING: 2 OF 5