Prepare your taste buds, Tampa Bay, because Big John’s Alabama BBQ has been crowned the king of barbeque in Florida by none other than Southern Living Magazine. This iconic BBQ joint, nestled at 5707 N. 40th Street, has stood as a pillar of Tampa’s culinary scene since 1968, serving up mouthwatering chicken, sausage, and ribs cooked to perfection on an authentic Alabama-style open pit.
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Founded in 1968, Big John’s Alabama BBQ has been a beloved fixture in Tampa, renowned for its delectable chicken, sausage, and ribs cooked over an Alabama-style open pit with a towering brick chimney.
"Each year we ask Southern Living’s readers to name the best barbecue restaurant in each Southern state. This time around, they seem to be in something of a traditional mood." Contributing Editor @mossr https://t.co/1wpSt2CQFY
— Southern Living (@Southern_Living) March 7, 2024
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Originally established by the late Rev. John A. Stephens, who migrated from Eufala, Alabama, to East Tampa, the restaurant has remained a family affair, now managed by Stephens’ grandchildren. In 2010, Big John’s Alabama BBQ found a new home in a modern building, continuing its legacy of serving up mouthwatering BBQ to loyal patrons.
Southern Living Magazine’s survey, conducted by a third-party, garnered input from over 20,000 participants between July 12 and August 23, 2023, solidifying Big John’s Alabama BBQ’s status as Florida’s top BBQ destination.
