Smoke BBQ – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Smoke BBQ may be the new kid on the block in Fort Lauderdale, but they’re already making quite a name for themselves in South Florida. Located between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, the eatery is easy to find. And since it is located only blocks from our condo we couldn’t wait to check it out…and check it out we did!

Let me just say…if you find yourself in the North Beach area of Fort Lauderdale and you’re hungry for BBQ…just follow your nose. You will NOT be disappointed!

We arrived in the early evening on a Saturday and the cozy place was already filling up with hungry diners. The vibe inside was friendly and communal, with diners not afraid to sit down with strangers at the brown paper covered picnic tables. The decor is perfect for the type of foods served…from the Edison light bulbs to the exposed brick walls. Really cool. And the smells inside? Intoxicating!!!

The menu is written on a huge blackboard, and we soon found out why. When the pit masters run out of something they can simply erase it from the board. And trust me…they DO run out of items, judging by the steady stream of hungry customers who continually filed through the door.

Whether you decide to buy a PLATE, a SANDWICH, or BY THE 1/2 POUND…their meats are AMAZING! And they have already made their mark as a premier BBQ joint in the area, based on the glowing reviews on the walls.

We decided on a plate to share, and we chose the pulled pork with sides of baked beans and Cole slaw. And a sweet, warm chunk of cornbread is always added to each plate…an extra yummy addition.

We loved the “no frills” way of serving the food, and we weren’t disappointed in the flavors of the side dishes, although I do think MY baked beans might win in a head to head contest. But the pork? Absolutely incredible. Moist, tender, and brimming with smoky goodness in every bite.  And if you’re into sauce…SMOKE also makes their own…from scratch! (In fact, everything in the joint is homemade…including the hand-lettered sign!)

We chose the SMOKE BBQ Traditional Red Sauce…and it was a sweet and tangy delight. I think you could pour it on a flip-flop and serve it to guests…it was THAT good!

So if you find yourself near the beach and you’ve got a hankering for some real-deal BBQ, just head over to SMOKE BBQ on NE 32nd Street in Fort Lauderdale. You won’t need an exact address.

Your nose knows.