The smell will drag you in there so fast that you won't know what hit you like on the Tom & Jerry cartoons, lol! I work out here in this area and I've passed here several times salivating with my windows pulled up might I add! I came in today, got the quarter chicken combo meal. The smoke flavor is awesome! However it's lacking in other flavors that would come out with a bit more seasoning and salt that's missing which would make it stupendous, like the hickory smoke smell that drags you in. The Mac and cheese is missing some seasonings. The cornbread a bit too much on the sweet side. There should be thrown in the oven like the bacon cornbread at Gigi's in Miami for better execution. The steak fries weren't drained, they were too greasy. The men behind the counter are very courteous and kind. Something is missing in this establishment, as to say someone doesn't have their SOUL into this as I'm sure the food would excel above the usual.
Good barbecue. Side dishes were ho-hum (out-of-the-can beans, dry mac & cheese, under-dressed slaw, and hours-old fries). Still, we might have returned, but for the horrible person working behind the counter. I've never felt such hostility from an employee (that we tipped, too!). And not just us, the customers that followed also suffered his wrath. Funny thing is the sign hanging in the dining room, that humbly thanks the customers and promises to strive for greatness. Clearly, a very old sign.
(1)
Heather N.
This place is the real deal down home soul bbq. The food is amazing. I got the rib tips with backed beans and coleslaw and they always throw in some corn bread too. I love to much it all together and savor all the flavers together. Oh and who can forget the sweet tea yumm :)
(5)
John A.
Walked in and they told me they are out of pork, beef and chicken!!!! All they have are ribs and tips... WTF!!!!
(1)
Aline D.
I no longer go to this place after seeing the kitchen. They really need to clean this place. Their employees don't seem concerned with cleanliness. There are far better bbq places than jack's. Too bad too, because it's around the corner from where I live.
(1)
Wil J.
Flavor is really good. $26.00 for a full slab but they cut off the meaty top part. Hmmm for $26.00 I want the whole thing. Don't get me wrong the flavor is really really good just think it could be a bit cheaper.
(3)
Samantha J.
I happened to drive by, and thought why not since I've never been. The portions are great, but the food wasn't that good. I ordered chicken breast with steak fries and mac and cheese. The fries tasted like old cook oil and the chicken has a propane kind of taste to it. On another note, the staff are super nice- that's why I put an extra star. Not a fan of this place.
(2)
Bob C.
Driving home and the traffic was awful. So I decided I needed a treat. Collards, cornbread, slaw, and ribs. Perfect comfort food. The slaw tasted like it was made minutes before and the collards had rib ends. The ribs were pink clear through. Does that say enough? It was FINE. You got to eat the right stuff and not bitch. The music was Motown and Louis Armstrong today. I walked in at five. You want ribs, you eat early.
(4)
Sam K.
I came back yesterday, the service was much, much better. The staff was friendly. I knew that I needed a second trial to give a true opinion on this place. The brisket is incredible! It hasn't disappointed me yet. I will need to try a pork sandwich once I'm done with this "no-carb" for lent thing.
(4)
Susan J.
I love this place but .... they sold me burnt ribs highly disappointed but I'm sure it will be corrected one bad rack I'm not counting them out yet
(3)
Johnny H.
Yikes! This place was just ordered shut down due to health code violations. Here's the quote from the report: "Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 15-20 fresh droppings on shelf in office which is located Southwest corner of the kitchen. When office door is opened you are in the food preparation area of the kitchen. Repeat violation." "Encrusted material on can opener blade. Repeat violation." I think I'll take my business to a place that doesn't have repeat violations of rodent droppings.
(1)
Chuck D.
Exceeded expectations. Pulled pork sandwich was delicious and baked beans exceptional!! Sweet and smokey with chunks of BBQ . Big portion and great price
(5)
Christine N.
I didn't like it at all the ribs need more cooking didn't like the bbq sauce chicken was a little to cooked my corn bread had white in it idk if that was coconut but I expected it to take it so much better . First time trying something new in a while an didn't not meet my expectations welp onto the next one . Customer service was very good tho !
(2)
Gary B.
Food quality just continues to decline, approaching the low level of customer service that has been a hallmark of this place for several years now. The rub tips get fattier and grosser every time I come in, but today's batch is my last. The steak fries used to be the best anywhere, but now they are just dense and soggy. The dining room has improved some, but it is still dirty. Worst of all though is the poor customer service. It's been bad for a long time, but today they refused to give me a refill on water without using a new styrofoam cup! I hate disposable waste, and if I want a refill that costs them zero, and they want to effectively buy me a new cup with every refill, they are just fools financially in addition to being environmentally insensitive.
(1)
Luis R.
As good as it gets .. The atmosphere is exactly what a BBQ place should have and the food is authentic. Great food at a great price. The BBQ sandwich combos are the right portion for lunch and the meals are just that... A meal.. Get some at jacks
(5)
Eatery C.
Over price bbq. They don't tell customer when sides are charge extra. The meat is not tender enough, I order the ribs and the top part is hard as a rock. Not fall of the bones yet. Bathroom is located on the side the building. Does not meet my standard as a bbq restaurant.
(1)
Nichole H.
We used to get takeout from here often and it was good. However, the past couple times it has been terrible. I picked up pork, Mac and cheese, and baked beans this evening. The 1lb of pork was A LOT of fat, the macaroni wasn't cooked all the way, and the people working were rude. Plus, they were out of corn on the cob and French fries....at a barbecue joint. We won't be returning!
(1)
Kevin D.
It was a steady business for them, and the service was ok (we thought that it was nice that asked "how was our food"), the food was delicious , however if you order the cornbread, be aware that he touches it with his bare hands. I would've given 5stars if it wasn't for that.
(4)
Sammy R.
Stay away!!!!! Gave this place a shot and I regret it. Ordered 3 meals for my family and all 3 of us have been sick for 2 days. Checked to see about food safety and this place has been shut down twice in the last 5 months for various violations, including rodents and not keeping food at proper temps. STAY AWAY!!!!!
(1)
Geno B.
Everything you touch is sticky food is not good enough to feel like your eating in the rough , and a trip to the bathroom is outside around the corner is puzzling to come back with clean hands to eat ribs with your hands with a piece of wood used as a keychain , clean the place !
(1)
Lawrence P.
If you are going to rate this one, you have to do it solely on the food. Having said that, the space was clean and the two individuals behind the counter (the kid at the register and the large built man preparing the food) were both extremely courteous. The bathroom is gas station like in that it's not in the restaurant but off to the side of the building. I ordered the sampler which was a combo of chicken, pulled pork and ribs. As sides, I got the corn on the cob and the baked beans. This was served with a ridiculously big corn bread that weighed like a brick! With a lemonade and a $5 tip, I walked out of there for $19 and change. The chicken and baked beans were my favorites. I liked the ribs as well. Didn't like the pork. At the end of the day, this was NOT the best BBQ I've ever had. That's reserved for Michelbob's in Marco Island. It was good though and perhaps if in the area and if with a group of friends, I may return.
(3)
Arlana J.
Been passing by this place for years and I'm very happy I decided to eat there. It smells good, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the service was friendly. Had the pulled pork which was very tasty along with all the sides. I also liked the background music, will definitely be back for more!! Thank you...
(5)
Gregory S.
Driving by the smokey smell gets your attention. Sadly though once you're inside you see how run down the place is. The food is not worth it. The sides are terrible. I would recommend Red Cow or Tom Jenkins instead of this place
(1)
Manny N.
Friendly place to go the owner Jack works there and overlooks and cooks all the food delicious the beans are amazing
(5)
Dan G.
I have always loved Jacks but lately, what they call pulled pork is more like chopped mush. I will give them one more chance.
(2)
Jovan E.
Let me start with the service it is atrocious. It's almost like they don't want you there at all. The african-American lady behind the counter is beyond rude. I read the reviews before coming to this place and my god I should of listened. My husband and I got two combos the sample and the pull pork. They both came with two sides and drinks. The sampler came with ribs, bbq chicken and pull pork. The ribs taste like a mouth full of smoke literally I am not exaggerating and the chicken had no favor. The corn bread was very dry. I will never come back here ever.
(1)
Scott D.
BBQ Ribs were fatty and under cooked. BBQ chicken was OK. Mac and Cheese and cornbread were bland. 3 Combos cost $45! Not worth the high price. Went through drive through and took a long time and overall environment not too appetizing. Only went there because it is close to house but it's way too expensive for the quality of food offered. Sticking with Tom Jenkins.
(2)
Matt G.
USED to eat here.... Even gave them the benefit of the doubt when they had health inspection problems previously, but seeing them again on Dirty Dining as I lay in bed now for the same rodent violations I am OFFICIALLY never stepping foot in jacks again. I'll drive to Tom Jenkins, Dixie pig or even spend the money on Red Cow!... this place should be ashamed y'all done lost a BBQ foodie
(1)
Natalie S.
"Jacks" must be short for jackpot Best BBQ I've had In a VERY long time!! Had the rib tips, Mac n cheese and collard greens! Beyond delicious. Even the music was wonderful!! Oldies soul! Service was fantastic as well!!
(5)
Nikki M.
Fabulous sauce, but the ribs are not fall off the bone tender. Peach cobbler was too sweet.
(3)
Jeanne M.
Uh......no. Unless you want a side of sugar with your fat and charcoal, this is not the place to come. We were really looking forward to trying this place because of the aroma from the smokers outside. That was the best (and only good) part of the experience. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich - a staple of a good BBQ restaurant and my basis for comparison. The meat was dry and had chunks of hard black crust. The sauce was runny and sweet enough to be a dessert. Or maybe it was too sweet for even that. Between dodging chunks of charcoal and pulling out globs of fat, my stomach turned about halfway through the sandwich. I don't know whether it was the sauce or the meat, but I almost never got rid of the bitter aftertaste that clung to my mouth. Never again.
(1)
Wilbur C.
Was drawn in by the big smokers out front on E. Oakland Park Blvd was greeted by "Jack" May the proprietor. He was very courteous to me. I went with the BBQ pork sandwich combo w/ sides, mac & cheese which was delish, collard greens cooked perfectly to my taste had lots of fatback, baked beans also great in IMO, cornbread was great. Pork sandwich was smothered w/ BBQ sauce "Carolina spicy" also just the way I like it. Place seemed clean to me, did not use the bathrooms. BBQ was above average & the "soul food" sides were all excellent. I must have been here on a good day from all of the one star reviews. I will definitely return.
(4)
Lena L.
For my third review I'm going to have to pass along my first criticisms. First, corn bread and macaroni and cheese are no longer available on the regular menu. What is BBQ without these stapes? Secondly, the coleslaw was flavorless. What happened? As usual however, the brisket melts in your mouth and as long as this remains on your menu and maintains its quality, I'll be a customer!
(4)
Howard M.
If you have ever driven down east Oakland park and seen two large smokers outside, your probably driving by a Resturant called Jacks Bar-B-Q. I decided to stop and give it a try on one Sunday afternoon. I found the staff to be extremely friendly and the Resturant very clean. I didn't see any public restrooms. I order half a chicken with corn and collard greens and a sweet tea and the food was very delicious. One thing i didn't like was I thought the chicken was a little under cooked. I personally prefer my chicken to be more well done than what I had and I don't like when the bone is red, but that's my personal taste and preference. Otherwise, great little Resturant which seems off the beaten path and a hidden gem.
(3)
Melissa R.
As we walked in I could smell the BBQ. The whole place looks sketchy and we can sAy a little dirty because of the smoke and becUse the employees are just there walking around and on there personal phones the food was good could of been a little better. I asked for extra sauce little to know it was extra .53 cents extra when they didn't put any to begin with. The lady was rude about it and said to the co worked "idk what she talkin about , it's dry" really? How rude!! One of the employee apologized. I will be back hopefully she isn't there.
(3)
Marilyn M.
... ate ribs, chicken, pulled pork, mac and cheese, cornbread. Attendants were friendly, food was good, thank goodness for the hand towels ... wings (medium) was the best cleared up my allergies!!!! Yummmmm , will be back on next vacation!
(5)
Someone S.
I used to live in the area and frequented Jacks often. I raved about them. I have since moved away and finally had the chance to go there today. Got a bbq beef sandwich and 2 sides. Nothing like I remember. Little to none bbq sauce, which is why I ended up there today. I missed and craved their sauce. I don't know if the recipe changed or if there wasn't enough to decide. The sides were good - mac and cheese and greens. Good, not exceptional. My iced tea takes like smoke. I'm bummed, this place used to make me soooooooooooooo happy.
(2)
Fred M.
I come here once a week for the food. The food is great especially the rÃbs and the cornbread. The price is not too expensive and they have a big dining area. I would definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Michael J.
The food was decent. However, the menu clearly states that the combo comes with a drink, but was still charged for the drinks. The customer service is just horrible. Very unfriendly... not sure how this place is still in business.
(1)
timmy d.
This is a must visit BBQ joint in Fort Lauderdale, as a true food connoisseur I can honestly say you won't be disappointed. Only negative I have about this is the cornbread everything else I give a thumbs up!! Oh and in case some we're wondering if Tom Jenkins is better, well their BBQ Sauce is but other than that there neck,and neck.
(4)
Moe M.
I went into this place not knowing what to expect an I'm very glad I did. My was very satisfied after this meal, I had beef brisket with greens and mac and cheese, the meat is so tender and flavorful....... I will definitely be back.
(4)
E M.
imaybe the worst beef brisket i have had. i read all of the great eviews before i went there yes the smoke is good but the meat was tough and the sauce is horrible. i am used to great texas smoed brisket and this is not even close i left it there and would not even feed it to my dog this is the first review i have ever written. had to do it it was awful and the place and crew is filthy! i almost waked out before i ordered
(1)
Johnny S.
Cool little shack ... Good selection of ribs and pulled pork. With a hint of southern cooking. They have an outside oven with smoke coming out .... The smell is very good haha. Good music and everything was delicious.
(4)
Erin L.
If you're looking for a reasonably priced, no frills, true Southern style BBQ joint; then look no further. My husband and I are big BBQ fans and we love this place. The ribs are smokey yummy deliciousness. The BBQ sauce they are slathered in is super tasty, too. We love the mac n cheese and baked beans. Everything is backyard BBQ good. Save room for the coconut cake!
(4)
Sean K.
Been here several times and the place has great food... Just make sure you get there more than more than an hour before they close. Came in just after 7 when they close at 8 on Sunday night and was told they only had two options for entrees and were out of most of their sides. The lady working at the counter was quite rude; she acted like we were inconveniencing her having come in.
(3)
Bryce B.
I used to eat here once a week it's was amazing every time , id buy a jug of sauce to take home to California! But i can't say i have ever been disrespected or spoken to in a business the way this large man behind the counter did , im not gay and the worker was outrageously homophobic and rude towards me , than he told me nothing was available to order ., i used to love this place but i guess its changed from the time i moved .
(1)
Tom G.
Eh, ho hum...I ordered a brisket which was tender, juicy, flavorful but lacked any BBQ smokiness. I also ordered and paid an extra dollar for collards, which were seriously overcooked perhaps even a day or two earlier. Most of the employees were unhappy. One was respectful, courteous and hard working. I'm guessing some days are better than others?
(2)
Daniel E.
Great BBQ spot! My girlfriend and I love eating at independently owned BBQ restaurants. We tried the pulled pork and pulled brisket plates; they were delicious! Generous portions and the sides are equally as delicious as the meat. The collard greens are AMAZING!!!!
(4)
Deepa M.
I pass by this place quite often and it always smells soooo good. Finally had the opportunity to go yesterday for lunch and let's just say, I won't be going back. First, I find it funny that they encourage you to go on yelp and write a review (sign on the door). The place is so dirty, i don't think they ever go out in the dining area to clean. We ordered 1/2 lb of brisket (meat only) and a brisket sandwich. They had only enough meat to give us the 1/2 lb and supposedly nothing left to make my sandwich so I ended up buying the bun so I could make my own sandwich. I'm okay with food running out but at 1pm and at a BBQ joint? Upon leaving, saw the three workers hanging out outside in the parking lot, which left no one inside to serve any customers. I won't be going back and neither will I be recommending this place to anyone.
(1)
Cubby C.
Starting, to think twice about coming here. 2nd time bad pulled pork. This time granted it is right before they close but it feels like it was the end of what they had for the day and served it cold as hell. The pieces were filled with fatty parts almost every piece I ate was with a white slimy fat piece.
Tuna out of the can, over the sink... but standing next to the smoker. Perhaps we caught them on a bad day. Or, it may have been my extreme disappointment. But my satisfaction with the BBQ pork sandwich was about the same as canned tuna at the sink...only I would have been ahead by about $20 (for three sandwiches). The best thing about the "experience" was the smoke from the smoker outside the building. Most of the meat was tender but there were several hard chunks that I mistook for bone fragments. The bun... no, I am just too disappointed to write the review. I am sure the staff works hard but I would not return to Jack's. Let's just let it go at that.
(1)
Jon P.
It took me forever to finally try this place out and it will be my last. First off, the place is FILTHY! I really got the heebie-jeebies waiting for my meal. Secondly, they nickel and dime you to death- bbq for two should not be $26! Too many other places in town to ever do this again.
(1)
Charles J.
These are the absolute best damn ribs that can be found on Gods green earth. This place is insane. I had spare ribs all BBQ sauce lathered over them it was amazing. Oh and get the peach cobbler... sickkk!
(5)
Jason W.
In town for the day from DC, and happened upon Jack's while driving to my meeting. The decor is what I would expect from a BBQ place with a smoker out front, but the food is much better than the decor. I had a chopped chicken sandwich with a side of mac-n-cheese and a side of collared greens. Although the chicken could have used some more smokiness in the flavoring, the sauce was great, as were both of the sides. I had to wait about 15 minutes for my food because of the line, but it was worth it. Finished off with the peach cobbler, which was excellent. Overall, I left stuffed and five pounds heavier.
(4)
Jason A.
Great food!!! The brisket and ribs were awesome but the ribs tips are to die for!!! That's all I eat now is their rib tips. Great cornbread too.
(5)
Katie M.
We decided to go to this place after the two places we were going to go to were closed. When we walked in to basically an empty restaurant, that should have been our first clue that the food wasn't going to be amazing. Especially since it was dinner time. We all ordered the pulled pork sandwich and I go a combo with two sides. I got the mac and cheese and cornbread with mine. A first bite the BBQ was super sweet and the pork was fatty. My cornbread was really good, but was quite dense and probably not the freshest. It had the best flavor out of the things I ordered though. The mac and cheese was tasty but by the time I ate my sandwich and cornbread I didn't have room for the tiny side. So I took the mac and cheese home to have for a late night snack. When I had the mac and cheese for a snack after I got home later, It had such a smokey, charcoal taste that made it not enjoyable. And who doesn't love mac and cheese?! I didn't know that you could make mac and cheese taste like charcoal. The restaurant was so smokey inside that when I got home I had to change clothes so my outfit could air out from smelling like it been cooked in a smoker. Needless to say I would not recommend this place to friends as it was expensive for below average food and there are better places around to get tasty BBQ.
(2)
T M.
Real low key place with some of the best BBQ around. Don't expect white linen tables. This is foam plates and great cooking.
(5)
Kaiselet S.
I visited Jack's based on a friends recommendation & I have mixed reviews (but still 4 stars worthy). Beef Brisket............. amazing. It was drenched in delicious sauce, which I'm a fan of. If you're not a fan of heavily sauced brisket, you might not love it. Mac & Cheese............ delicious & flavorful. Cornbread............ extremely moist & yummy. Collard Greens............ blah. No flavor at all! I wouldn't order it again. Sweet Potato Pie............ not good. It wasn't the worst, but something isn't right in the flavor. I'll be coming back to Jack's for the beef brisket, mac & cheese, & cornbread... but will be heading over to Tom Jenkins for my collard greens, potato salad, & sweet potato pie.
(4)
Schylone T.
I've been going here since Jack opened up. Friendly staff Consistent Favorites are: Rib tips Beef Brisket Mac & Cheese Collard Greens Peach Cobbler
(5)
Suzie Q.
Amazing food, but their bathroom concerns me... Honestly, if the bathroom did not look like a gas stations bathroom, I would have given this place a 5. The BBQ sauce was so yummy and the service was great. Their bathroom situation really made me think about how clean (or dirty) their kitchen may be. I really was just hoping I wouldn't get sick (which I didn't.) :)
(4)
Michael G.
I can't speak to anything but the ribs, beans, slaw and corn bread, but on taste alone this place is FIVE stars. I smoke my own food from time to time and can tell you that I have never had ribs as moist and tender as these. Full of delicious carolina flavor. Big meaty ribs to where a half rack was all you needed. Loved the beans, slaw and bread too. The only reason this rating is a 4 is on the basis of atmosphere. But please people, we're talking ribs, not filet mignon. BTW I met Jackie Mays, the owner, an ex NFL and U Conn linebacker. Polite, friendly, soft spoken, and looks like he could still drop back in coverage. The man was seriously on the job tending what looked like four massive drum style smokers. Do yourself a favor and check out Bar-B-Q Jacks!
(4)
Kayla G.
Had the sampler with Mac and cheese and steak fries, which was plenty to split with another person and still have a little left over. All the food tasted great. The ribs were a little fatty, but delicious nonetheless. The staff was awesome (honestly probably my favorite part of the visit). They all were really friendly and very helpful. We'll definitely be coming back to this place when we're itching for some good BBQ again.
(5)
Michael M.
Sauce isn't bad, ribs are mostly fat and way over smoked. Need to learn how to wrap the ribs after a few hours of smoking so they don't get that way. Baked beans are way too sweet, and Mac & cheese is watery with curdled cheeses. Employees welcomed me when I walked in and seemed pleasant. However, food leaves much to be desired so I won't be going back. Debated on giving them one star, but the employees pleasant attitude made me bump it up to two stars.
(2)
Mike R.
Just drove up to the drive thru and after 5 min they didn't even acknowledge us...ended up driving away. Guess they don't need our business!
(1)
Janice A.
Nothing was really that good, though nothing was really that bad. It was overpriced for what you get, especially considering the location/facility. We tried the pulled pork sandwiches, which were blah. The mac & cheese was not good. It wasn't gross, or inedible, it was just not good. Very runny, not too flavorful. More like mac & cheesy liquid. The beans were not amazing, though in comparison they were the best part of the meal so maybe that's where they come off as delicious. But none of this was delicious. And the place was creepy. The people were nice, though. So there's that.
(2)
Angelo R.
Questionable quality. This joint was recommended by a locksmith store nearby. I was new to the area and like asking neighborhood businesses where reasonable good places to eat. As you drive by this place, you'll see a smoker right on the parking lot. A week had passed and drove by this place early in the morning and the smoker seemed it was always churning. I decided to finally try it and was a little weary how the place looked so run down. I'm assuming that this joint has been here for a long time by the look of the decor and historic pics. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and came with 2 sides (fries and coleslaw). The meal including the drink were all served on foam cup and plate. I dig it...no frills...just good food. I've been to joints like these in Little Havana and The Keys. To this day, I'm still a little puzzled about the quality. The bill was dirt cheap but you get a lot. The pulled pork was delicious but the fries looked pale but crispy. The slaw was actually the best part of my meal. I think my taste buds were playing with me...lol. Or I just came in the wrong time? (It was around 2:30-3 so just probably caught them after the lunch rush) Next time, i'll order pickup cause I noticed the drive through window cause when I sat in the dining area, my clothes smelled like smoke barbecue and my friends knew exactly where I went for lunch :) For the money, the pulled pork meal was worth it but will have to try it with mac & cheese.
(3)
B J.
The food here is inconsistent. I have been here on several occasions and it is hit or miss. Sometimes the meat is succulent and well prepared. Other times, and sadly more then not, the meat is dried, grisly, fatty pieces of crap that is wayyyy over priced. Generally, this is what I have gotten to when I order their brisket. Plus, I have never eaten inside here because yes the restaurant is very uncleanly and not kept up, a big no no if you ask me in the food and beverage industry. Also, the smoker outside. The one that you think they cook the BBQ on, well, hate to break it to you. They DO NOT cook the bbq on that smoker. How would I know, I once went over to it, lifted the hood and saw fake smoke and wood. No meat, AT ALL. Deceiving the customers is a BS way of cheating your customers in the BBQ game. You know what, was going to rate this place a three, nahhhh, it will get a two now. Should be a one but I won't be that cruel given the fact they have a BBQ sauce that is good because it is nice and sweet and there beans are very good. Everything else is sub par though and very hit or miss at Jacks. Definitely agree with the pieces of burnt charcoal in my meal a couple of times to. Oh and yeah, the customer service at this place is really poor. Keep treating your customers the way you do behind that counter, and eventually they will stop coming back all together. Advice, put mire quality and love back into the BBQ here, clean up the inside, like wipe down tables properly and stock condiments like sugar, sauces correctly, and exemplify much better customer service, and maybe, just maybe you can be one of the better BBQ places around, or else continue your ways and most likely be out of business in like five years because thats where this place is headed. And oh yeah, stop having a ten year old work behind the counter!?!
(2)
Sal G.
So when I look at giving a rating to a place, I very rarely give a one-star since it means I will never return or a five-star as it means there is something I crave or can't live without. Where does Jack's BBQ fit on the scale? Jack's is a solid three-star restaurant. The food is good, nothing spectacular, but it isn't anything bad either. I can go back if there is nothing else or if someone is asking me to go. I will probably never drive out of my why to go to Jack's, though. I have had both the sampler and the pulled pork sandwich at Jack's. The best part of the meal is, in fact, the meat. The first time I tried the sides, I knew that they are just not worth the belly-room. I come, I eat the BBQ chicken and I throw away the sides. I come, I eat the pulled pork sandwich and I throw away the sides. It's not that I don't like sides. In fact, I love the traditional sides for BBQ. I wish the sides were better, I could see myself going up a star.
(3)
Joseph L.
Taste wise, best BBQ in this area that I have had. Makes me think of home. I ordered the pulled pork and will definately be returning soon to try the brisket and the ribs. The sauces were amazing and the hospitality was also good. Five stars on taste alone, real BBQ!
(5)
Jonny I.
I'd have to say my experience here was pretty good. The food all around was a solid 3.5. Came in a group of 4 and so got a variety of different tastes off my friend's plates. The ribs and pulled pork were delicious. Corn on the cob was sweet and buttered. Sweet tea was super sweet. Pretty much the way southern ribs/food are supposed to taste. Only real complaint was that their mac & cheese was bland. We went on a weekday and they were telling us that some meats were sold out so if you want to not be limited, don't show up after 8pm. The staff was super friendly. The lady taking the order joked around a lot as did the cooking staff and helped us make our selections. They even hooked us up with a small bowl of their dessert! Too bad a bum was waiting outside for some change and we gave him the dessert instead, so I can't comment on how that tasted.
(4)
Antrone W.
Jack's is a great alternative to the Almighty Tom Jenkins in Fort Lauderdale...plus it is open on Sundays while Tom Jenkins is closed...I always go for the Sampler which for me includes a quarter chicken, chopped pork, and beef ribs along with backed beans and collard greens...family-owned and operated...Not spectacular but doable when Tom Jenkins is not an option...
(3)
Richard G.
yum, always getting a bbq beef beef sandwich on Sundays. Great apple cobbler, gotta try it. Had the beans, mac/cheese. Really good... I think this place is great. Staff is friendly ahd helpful...
(5)
Cheyanna A.
If I could give this place a zero, I would in a heartbeat. I am surprised at the ratings given. I'm a Southerner who loves BBQ, and this place was just disappointing. My boyfriend and I live in the area, and we kept driving by smelling the smokers. We finally stopped in. Waste.Of.Money. When we first stepped in, I thought "This reminds me of the BBQ joints back in North Carolina". I ordered the pork sandwich, my boyfriend the brisket. We were so excited to be eating good BBQ because we heard such good things about this place. We sat down after placing our order. I instantly noticed the tables hadn't been cleaned. The little "vase" of fake flowers had grime from years ago. There was a child working behind the counter, probably around the age of 10. We waited for a bit, noticing that our food was just sitting there, yet our number wasn't called. When it was finally called, we got our drinks and sat down. I tried adding sugar to my iced tea, and it had apparently gotten wet and was in one solid clump. After trying several different packets, I finally gave up. Then I started to eat the abomination that was my sandwich. Instead of the meat being pulled or shredded, it looked like they had put it in a blender. It barely tasted smoked, and they dumped a ridiculous amount of BBQ sauce on top that tasted like dirt. My boyfriends "brisket" had apparently suffered the same fate. I've worked in a lot of restaurants and was surprised by this one since there were awards covering the walls. The pricing was ridiculous for what you get. There is a serious laps in management and hygiene here. I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy. I hope for their sake that they correct these issue and stop ruining BBQ.
(1)
Danielle G.
Haven't been here in a while, definitely gone down hill. Out of 6 ribs one was tender and delicious the rest were tough and I gnawed around the little bit of meat I could get off the charred and tough meat. They charge an extra $1 for Mac n cheese which is fine if they give me a full portion but I got the burned crust which I had to eat around. Baked beans were delicious as was corn bread. I hope they take stock of all these recent reviews and up their game as I took one look at my ribs and knew they would be tough so I know he had to know when he served them.
(2)
Anthony O.
I have to completely agree with Chayanne A's review see below. Got in the joint and I saw the same child working behind the corner, I drove all the way from coral Springs (30 minute drive) because we had a business client coming in from New York and wanted to show her some Southern hospitality and I didn't feel like firing up the grill. I only ordered from here because our favorite barbecue joint in town (Tom Jenkins) is closed on Sundays. Unless you tell them otherwise they will drench your meats in their sauce and then swear you're going to love it. So if you're ordering over the phone, please be aware that you must tell them that you do you want either the sauce on the side or no sauce at all. Might as well avoid them all together and go to Tom Jenkins. I give them a 0 out of 5 stars!
(1)
Josh V.
Over price and the worst BBQ ever but with Friendly people
(1)
Kristin C.
The sight of the smoker kept calling me like a dangerous siren every time we'd pass their smoker...which seemed to be way too often. Every time we'd drive by I'd think, we need to go there sometime or wonder if my husband had already been there. Come one Sunday afternoon we were STARVING, and Jack's was calling our name. When we drove up the trusty smoker was running. But I was a little concerned as I looked at the very dilapidated building. But then I thought to myself, isn't it sometimes the humble places that surprise us in Broward? So I bravely went forward in search of tasty brisket. We walk in to find there is a line formed...good (or bad?) sign at 3 in the afternoon. However, we are a little affronted as we try to get our food, and the servers are brusque and clearly DON'T want to be there. But then I think of the famous Ed Debevic's and think maybe it can still be good -- yelp.com/biz/ed-debevics… . (Okay, so maybe I step low to find melt in your mouth brisket). AND...then after wandering in search of a restroom (go before you come please), I finally put a bite in my salivating mouth. And...mmm...it was worth it. The brisket was tasty and finally not like leather. The ribs were even better and tasty. And although the meat didn't need it much, the sauce was perfect and intense. All was okay until aluminum foil was found in the brisket, but at that point, it was just moved out of the way and was business as usual. I had to try the collard greens. They were a little chewy, but they seemed authentic, and they had a faint sweet taste to them. The cornbread was tasty as a complement to a bite of meat and sauce. Overall, would I come back--I'm not sure. The service and environment made me a little uncomfortable. If only they had that part covered... :(
(3)
Brian G.
The bbq chicken, sauce, Cole slaw and baked beans were delicious. I would stop here again, for the Chicken, my next time in the neighborhood. my only complaint, was the ventilation. The smoke was a little too strong. They know How to cook bbq in Broward.
(4)
Brian R.
I have to say, with the increase in good barbecue joints, this one, while very jointy, keeps dropping in my estimation. The meat appears to be cheaper grade and much fattier than their competitors. The sides were ok. The mac and cheese was pretty bad but the greens were all right. There are better places. See them out.
(2)
Bruce J.
Sweet tea was way too sweet...oh well. Got the rib and chicken combo for a variety...ribs were excellent, good bark, not overcooked and falling off the bone, some of the best I have had. Chicken was good, but dry, good flavor, had to soak up some BBQ sauce with each bite. Good thing, Sauce was good! Texas fries, fresh and crisp and really good. The beans....mmm, mediocre in my book, but hard to find good ones. Overall, people were very sweet, food was good, overall would come back....so ratings on this place are pretty close, pretty good place for BBQ. Next time probably just get some ribs, they were REALLY good...
(3)
Turbo Smurf X.
In a word, this is a joint. There is nothing fancy or frou frou about this place. Several others have commented about the smoker in the parking lot. I think this is a show piece. Smoke signal. Get it. Inside is a full smoker where the food gets cooked. On to the food. The ribs are meaty and really smoked not grilled or baked. I had the brisket recently.i was expecting sliced meet and this was more like rosa vieja. Shredded and stringy. I couldn't really get the beef taste I was jonesing for. But the meat had some almost Carmelized pieces that were little shreds of nirvana. Well sauced to. This place makes awesome cornbread. The slaw is sweet. Prices are decent not too high. And yes there really is a guy named jack. My big pick is that service can be slow if they are under staffed which seems to happen often.
(3)
Selena B.
I'd give this place 4 1/2 stars if I could. I like that it seems family owned and they take pride in doing a good job and offering a good service and product to consumers. i.e. They offer a free refill on sodas but a 3rd fill/soda will cost just $1 - it's a fair process where it seems they're just trying to cover their cost while providing good stuff. I had the beef brisket with sauce on the side, corn on the cob and coleslaw meal. Everything was good, corn on the cob was a little small and the complimentary cornbread was heavy and definitely home-made. They asked me twice if everything was okay and good, they genuinely wanted to make sure I had a good meal. The service was five+ stars. The place is very clean. The bathroom was outside and not very convenient to the restaurant. They did put an individually wrapped wet nap on my tray with my meal which was a nice touch for bbq. There was a great aroma of smoked food when walking into the restaurant. Solid place and good food.
(4)
Jeremy B.
3.5 stars. In my opinion, the BBQ here is better than at Tom Jenkins. I love the smoky flavor - you can smell the smokers from outside the building and of course the smell permeates inside. Chopped pork sandwich and baked beans were tasty - and I'm not even a big baked beans guy. Sandwich & 2 sides was $7.50. I really like their sauce. This is pretty legit BBQ for South Florida...still not the real deal that I've been searching for, but until I find it, this might be my new, go-to spot for some Q around East Broward.
(4)
Autumn P.
What time is good for you? I was craving BBQ and found this to be the only seemingly acceptable and authentic joint in town. I've never been but thought it was worth a shot. I've still never been. The website says their are open until 10pm on Saturdays so I got in my car and drove over at about 9. I arrived at quarter after only to find the doors had long been closed. Not a person in sight.The sign on the door listed 9:30 as closing time. So, essentially, I couldn't tell you what time this restaurant is open until and I probably won't be making a second trip to find out. Poor form. It cost them a new customer.
(1)
J B.
I thoroughly enjoyed this place, the BBQ is tender and moist, their sauce is tangy and delicious! Like most BBQ places, I wish the portions were a little bigger, but when you're talking quality meats, you're not talking about fast food.
(5)
Mehgan K.
My husband and I are new to the area and were driving around last night to find a local spot to check out. It was either Jack's BBQ or Primanti Bros, so we decided on BBQ. I'm not sure if it was because we got there toward the end of the night, but a lot of the food looked dried out. The Mac N Cheese had a weird crust on top, for example. Their pulled pork is damn tasty, great smoky flavor, but I didnt like the dry, crumbly texture. To me, pulled pork should be long, shredded juicy pieces of salty, smoked pork, but that could just be personal preference. I also didn't like the coleslaw, it was really bland. I prefer the coleslaw at Shorty's in Davie, it's sweet and slightly peppery. The chicken was amazing, it (along with the Jack's BBQ sauce) really saved my opinion of this place. The skin had a nice crunch, and the meat was nice and juicy. I would give this place a solid 3.5. It would have scored higher if they'd have made a bit more effort in maintaining the food's eye appeal and fixing their bland coleslaw. I also wasn't really comfortable with the sign posted on the front door warning customers about their right to forcing people to leave the premises by police escort (yeah, as a woman, I won't ever be coming here alone). But, I will be back again to try other dishes, possibly earlier in the day, to give it another shot.
(3)
James P.
I went in there thinking it's already cooked an I can get a quick lunch because I was working on my rout and was in a hurry. I stood the first person at the counter while I watch the man work behind the counter. I felt invisible. It took ten minutes and a couple of gust to show up behind me before I got my order taken. I ordered a brisket. With baked beans it cost $12 if I wanted Mack and cheese it was an extra charge. When I finally received my food 20 minutes later. (It was not busy and no one was I front of me) the food sucked. I received a dry small portion brisket drowned in BBQ Sauce. The baked beans were like Generic store brand Straight from the can. Bland horrible tasting. I truly feel like because I am white an gay (most Obvious because of my short shorts i was Wearing for my swimming pool work)I was Discriminated against and that's why took so long to get service. 30 minutes total. Horrible food horrible service.
(1)
Bob S.
Wanted Ribs. Went there for Dinner. Arrived at 6:15 - DINNERTIME!!! Drove 27 miles each way to get there. Total waste of gas. Smoker smoking away in the parking lot. If the wood in the parking lot was going into the smoker, it looked old and dirty. Does dirty wood affect the flavor of the smoke? Was it just there for "show"?? They had no brisket although it was on the menu. Were out of straws for the sodas. Not particularly clean - I guess perhaps that's what makes it a "joint" It's really an enclosed takeout stand with a few tables if one wants to "eat in". Ribs "felt" as if they had come out of the smoker in the AM, sat on the counter all day, and were heated to be served. They were dry, smoke taste was "off" and they left the membrane on the underside. Pulled pork was rather tasteless and dry. We've made better, jucier pulled pork in a cast-iron covered pot in the oven. 1/2 chicken was "OK". There were three of us. Bill came to $50+. A very disappointing meal which we felt was overpriced. We're still looking for decent ribs in the Palm Beach/Broward area. We did not find them at Jack's. Our recommendation is to stay away.
(1)
Darryl S.
How many times have we driven by Jack's BBQ Smokehouse taking in the wood-smoked air that permeates a good block radius around this joint...?! Only too many! So, today, we gave it a try.... Jack's (from the outside) looks like any number of fast food places (McDonald's, Wendy's, Arby's, etc.) on this main drag in Oakland Park; in fact, it looks like it might've been one of these chain restaurants in a former incarnation -- and it does, indeed, have a drive-thru for those on-the-go. Surrounding the perimeter of Jack's are logs of split wood -- no doubt the wood that goes into their namesake. Surprisingly, at 1p, we were the only two inside (besides the staff, of course). It definitely is not the cleanest looking of digs: counter order/pick-up area is on the dark and scary side; eating area is decent but has certainly been around-the-block. (The Jackson's "Enjoy Yourself," appropriately, welcomed our arrival. It's pretty rare to hear that great 70's toe-tapper, you know.) Anyway, I digress.... Rather than Jack's "special," I went with their pulled-pork sandwich, with two sides (corn-on-the-cob and steak fries). Now, before I start, let me say that I'm not a big barbecue fan -- never could even put my mouth to it as a young'un -- but I've learned to enjoy (and even love) some really great ribs I've taste-tested while living in Georgia and traveling throughout the south. That said: The sandwich was a mildly dry, split Kaiser roll with a dollop of so-called "pulled pork." (I'm originally from Hawaii, and mainland-style pulled pork is similar (in texture, if not in flavor) to kalua pig; and, too, last week I had some mighty fine-tasting pulled pork from Whole Foods Market take-out.) Jack's "pulled pork" is more like chopped meat: definitely not the tender strings of meaty pork; just chopped (and I'm taking their word for it) pork, gristle and all (for all I know, there could've been snouts and eyeballs in there!), doused with some kind of watery concoction that was being passed as barbecue sauce. Egads! I couldn't finish my sandwich. On the plus-side: The half-serving of corn cob was by far and away the juiciest cob I've ever had! It seems that each and every kernel was injected with corn juice! The steak fries appeared to have sat for a while under the warmer; however, they were nicely crunchy on the outside and moist and fluffy on the inside. (My buddy ordered the ribs special, and (visually) they looked nice and meaty. He says they were "... not the best [he's] had, but not the worse." He says his collard greens were some of the best he's ever eaten -- I hate collard greens, but these I could eat.) Like Mexican and Thai restaurants in this neck-of-the-woods, there's simply too many barbecue joints to choose from that have to be WAY better...! I'll continue my search....
(2)
Debra B.
So sad! Not offering half of what was on the menu! No Mac and cheese or peach cobbler,etc... I was told they only offer that on the catering menu. They do not offer sliced brisket only chopped! The people before me got chicken and fries. She complained the fries were cold and the chicken was dry. I grew up in Texas, I walked out. So sad........
(1)
Tony M.
This is an average BBQ restaurant, decent food if you really want BBQ and are in the area. Walking into this establishment, a billow of smoke from the pits hits you and pulls you in deeper. Your mouth is probably watering by this point, but your taste buds probably won't be fully satisfied. I've tried lots of BBQ, and have come to enjoy N.Carolina style as my favorite type. I would say this style most represents the Memphis region. I order a pulled pork sandwich, collard greens and coleslaw. Sandwich came out sopping wet with barbecue sauce where the bun started falling apart. It was good, but too much. I'm a believer of having most of the flavor in the smokiness of the meat and not in the sauce. The sauce should just be there for a little extra umph. The coleslaw was drowning in its dressing but it was ok. The collard greens had good flavor and pieces of pork in it. They know how to cook these right, however the greens were too greasy. As you ate them, you could taste the grease from the meat latching onto every green leaf. This place has potential to become a great South Florida BBQ restaurant. However, it's just not quite there yet...
(3)
simon d.
Small portion sizes. Dont let the smell fool you.
(1)
Peter P.
First of all, you can smell the smoker working overtime right from the street. I had the beef brisket and it was phenomenal! It's hard to find properly cooked BBQ Brisket, but Jack's has it nailed. The steak fries were great as well. We also got a side of Mac-n-cheese, and while it doesn't look pretty, it was awesome. I'll definitely be coming back to Jack's!
(4)
Phil L.
A nice spot if your looking for a Good Ole Boy Smokehouse. The food is better than average the sweet tea is very tasty! We went there with a party of five on a rainy day and it really hit the spot. It was one of our friends birthdays so we brought our own balloons, we always make a scene :) Over all good eats the ribs were better than I expected, the chicken was a little dry, the mac and cheese I have to agree with Corina B. - They were runny. The fries were good eats and the pork was good. I will defiantly go back again and chow down.
(3)
Jack B.
This place is awesome, I'm a BBQ lover and have been going here for years. While the decor could use some work, i'm going to judge this place solely on its food (which is awesome). One of my favorite things about this place is their sauce. It's a great balance between sweet & spicy. Goes great with their plentiful portions of MEAT. My favorite dish there has always been the rib tip dinner, which I sadly heard was discontinued, if so BRING IT BACK JACK!!! For sides I generally go with their beans and mac & cheese, both great and in some countries could be considered a meal on its own. If by some miracle you manage to finish your plate, or you want something to take home, order yourself the cobbler for dessert. While your waistline may regret it, your taste buds definitely won't.
(5)
Jenny G.
I love this place. I live near by and everytime I drove by the smell of BBQ would just drive me crazy! So I decided to for the 1st time bout 4yrs ago and fell in love with. Their ribs are awesome, their beans omg I love them and hubby says their collard greens are off the chain. So we've been going there ever since, a lil expensive but worth it! However thepast few times I've gone like in the last 3 months, it has not met my expectations. I must say that things are not the same, well at least the ribs. Before they would literally fall of the bone and were soft and juicy, lately they are hard n a lil dry... They have dissapointed me, I don't knw what they have changed if it's the meat, management, cooks I don't know but they must go back to the old ways!!! I don't go as often anymore, would still recommend but will not give 5 stars till the quality is back to what it used to be!
(4)
Osvaldo P.
I thought it was about time I updated my 'WTF r u serious' file.... I've been in the fort lauderdale/pompano beach area for about a year now, and I have always been enticed to stop at this place if I happen to get off the Oakland ave exit to go home. I'm not sure what's cooking on the outside that smells so damn delicious, but whatever it is, it's not the crap they sell you when you walk into the place! And believe me, I've been grilling and cooking for years, and it would never cross my mind to try and sell something this awful. Thank god I walked into the place and mentally prepared myself that I was going to 'test' the place first...and how do you test a BBQ place? easy, THE BRISKETT!! I'm not sure if the briskett at this place was perfectly cooked because I couldn't get past all the fat to tell if they had served me any meat. Secondly, the briskett was completely BLAND!! yes, that's right, no hint of salt, pepper or any spice rub. It's almost as though they just grab a slab of fatty briskett and throw in the smoker for 5 hrs and then dress it up with sauce to disguise the fact that it's crap! To top it off, $10 for 1/2lb of briskett is extremely expensive for crappy BBQ. I'm not sure how this place got #1 BBQ spot in fort lauderdale, but I am sure that the judging was done by primates at some south florida zoo! I love a dive joint as much as the next guy, but Jack's is the perfect example of BBQ gone wrong! I'm still perplexed at how they got this so wrong, and how they've managed to get away with it for so long.
(1)
W F.
Had Jacks for the first time last night and was thoroughly impressed. We went later in the night so things were sitting for a bit but even so it was awesome. Definately recomended if you're a fan of smokey BBQ.
(4)
Monika K.
go to tom jenkins. this place kinda had me sketched out, hot as balls in there, and just looked unsanitary . ribs and collard greens and mac and cheese, just wasnt feelin it. let my gf take my leftovers home. no thanks i'll pass.
(2)
Charmie P.
It was ok, good food but I like Tom Jenkins so much better, they have a much better BBQ flavor, more tender meat and better tasting sides.
(3)
Inthiaz S.
Soo I went here for lunch today, haven't been in awhile. The food is still goood ..make you wanna slap yo momma good!! But the corn bread is too dry and the SAUCE ohhhhh man!!!! If I could just get the sauce to drink I'll be like a pig in mud happy!!! The food is damn good and sauce is off da linkage...
(4)
Evan W.
This place out does the Jenk...and I don't say that lightly. Althought they don't have back backs, just spareribs...collar greens are off the chain...so is the mac and cheese. I need to try more variety but I always seem to order my favs. Dessert is great too!
(5)
Corina B.
How the heck did this BBQ joint get rated #1 in Fort Lauderdale?? No offense, but I don't think Floridians know what real BBQ taste like if they voted this spot #1. First off, the ribs don't even taste like pork or beef ribs. The meat could actually be horse meat or some other foreign animal The mac & cheese are runny and the collard greens are the worst I've tasted. The place is also rundown and filthy! Save your money and head over to Tom Jenkins...trust me!
(1)
Howie R.
Inconsistent, sometimes great. Tonight ribs undercooked and brisket 1/3 fat.
(2)
Bill B.
I absolutely love this place. Everytime I am in Ft. Lauderdale I make a few stops here. From the minute you drive by you can smell the smokers full blast in the parking lot. You go in and it has an authentic feel to it (even if it is in an old taco bell haha). Love the sauce, the meat has an incredible smokey taste to it and the seasoned fries are awesome. I will miss this place when my days of going to FL are over!
(5)
Rafael T.
This place is the real deal, I've always been treated well and the food is homemade classic southern BBQ. What else can you ask for?
(5)
Darlene V.
We live in west palm beach and drive to lauderdale for BBQ, We have eaten at Jack!s a few times but today Oct 5th 2013 for my birthday have decided to try another BBQ restaurant based on reviews Tom Jenkins BBQ. What a disappointment. The ribs were tough and so was the brisket. Beans were alright but no meat was seen in there for flavor and the same for the collard. The collards were bitter .Mac and cheese was only alright as well. My boyfriend said maybe they made some meat in a hurry because they were selling out of ribs and brisket when we got there around 8pm. But who wants to go to a place when you cannot count on the quality of the dinner based on them having to rush the product out. We bought and extra brisket and rib dinner for home and they were left uneaten and tossed. Jack's we both agree was far superior in everything we tried. Jack's even has awesome seasoned steak fries. Some reviewers said jack's sauce was too sweet then ask for the sauce on the side and use less of it on the meat. The meat stands alone in ample flavor and tenderness. Hands down great. People tend to go along with the hype like we did in trying Tom Jenkins but we're still a fan of Jack's.
(5)
Jeff M.
I have traveled the country for years. One of my favorite things to do other than checking out a sporting event in a city, is to check out the local cuisine for what the city is most well known for. I've had bbq in Dallas, Kansas City, North Carolina and elsewhere, and I would rate Jacks as one of the best! You don't get much in the way of atmosphere, but wow, the food more than makes up for it. I found this place a few years ago while driving down Oakland Park with my daughter. Had the windows down (winter time) when all of a sudden it hit me....the wonderful aroma of the cooker outside of the restaurant. I quickly made a right hand turn into the parking lot, and ordered myself up a platter of ribs, baked beans and cole slaw. I could have made a meal of just the baked beans. This place has barbecue down to a T. I generally go for rib tips which are so delicious I wonder how they do it. All the people that work at Jacks are real nice. You can tell they take pride in their work and food. Highly recommend this place without any hesitation!
(5)
D D.
It sucked. What a let down. I was so excited about this place but the food was expensive and not good. We got ribs, everyone loves ribs, but these tasted like hot dogs. $21 dog dogs. I've never had bad ribs in my life, but in this place they were so blah. Their recipe just sucks. The meat sucked (bright pink?? like a hot dog) and the sauce sucked. I agree with the other review, it could be horse meat. Cornbread sucked, the cole slaw was good, steak fries were ok. ps - theres Never a line here, so that tells you that theres not a lot of customers who come back. If the food were good it would be packed with a line out the door.
(2)
Alan G.
I tried Jack's two years ago and wasn't impressed. I gave it another try last week and was very pleased. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was very good and the sauce was great. It is a small establishment (in an old 80's Taco Bell) with old furnishing, but that isn't what you go there for anyway. Give it a try!
(4)
M T.
I wish I could say better about Jacks! Two years ago I had them provide food for my daughter's birthday party and two years later, things have changed tremendously for the worst unfortunately. They no longer have the "homemade" lemonade (they've swtiched to fountain soda), the beans are way more suggary and less seasoned, and the chicken sandwich now includes dark meat (they charge extra for white meat). I think they've stopped offering mac and cheese. I can imagine that economic times prompted these changes but I wish they wouldve done something else to weather the economic times (shorter hours, or fewer options or charging more for extras). Having said all of that, if you want a chopped pork platter with fries and a great bbq taste, stop by. The white meat chicken sandwich is also really good if you're in the mood for a smoky well seasoned chicken sandwich. I stop here occasionally but long for the good ol days.
(3)
Diana T.
I LOVE this place. the ribs are juicy and just come right off the bone. the only con is sometimes we get the really charred pieces :( which aren't so tasty (dry). my favorite sides are the mac and cheese and the collard greens.. love love love. i am gonna go there once a month. the sweet tea is pretty good too. really sweet, the way i like it. Better to eat it there. it gets cold when you get take out.
(5)
Sherie J.
BBQ on the East Coast. Smoked ribs, good chicken. The mac & cheese isn't worth trying, it's too runny and doesn't taste like cheese. The collard greens are really good as in the cornbread. This place is an old Taco Bell that they converted into a local joint which nice to see since there are alot of vacant buildings around. I know they also have another location in Margate if you don't want to drive into Oakland Park...which ironically feels like East Oakland, CA. The Q is good here though. Smoker in the parking lot says that these guys are down and dirty with their meat. They make their bbq sauce from scratch and sell it for $40/gallon!!!! It's good...but $40 a gallon is steep. This place is authentic and worthwhile.
(4)
Phil N.
Stopped at Jacks for lunch the other day with a few friends of mine from out of town. They asked me if there were any real-southern style Barbeque spots in town, not the normal touristy places. I knew of Jack's which was off the regular tourist beat. I had been to this place several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. As we approached the restaurant, we got a whiff of the burning wood that they use in their smokers. It triggered our gastronomic senses and made us so hungry, we couldn't wait to get there and dive into a huge plate of their ribs. They have an outdoor smoker and a huge pile of wood that really give the place a real down home feeling. The restaurant is not all fancy and fixed up for show. Instead, the focus is on the food, smells and quality of each meal. The ribs are always amazing! The Mac and cheese, collards, baked beans and cornbread are my favorite sides. For desert, after being unable to make up our mnd between the Peach Cobler and Sweet Potato Pie, we ordered both of them! A scrumptious ending to a wonderful meal! The service was quick, the restaurant staff were very pleasant, the food was just heavenly! This spot was just what my friends were looking for! What a great experience!
(5)
Jai K.
5 star no doubt for Ribs! the best ribs in town, stake fries are really tasty as well, great place for take out, ran into Randy Moss standing in line last month when i was there....Overall, if you want some real good ol ribs, this is the place to be!
(5)
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Address :500 E Oakland Park Blvd
Oakland Park, FL, 33334
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
S S.
The smell will drag you in there so fast that you won't know what hit you like on the Tom & Jerry cartoons, lol! I work out here in this area and I've passed here several times salivating with my windows pulled up might I add! I came in today, got the quarter chicken combo meal. The smoke flavor is awesome! However it's lacking in other flavors that would come out with a bit more seasoning and salt that's missing which would make it stupendous, like the hickory smoke smell that drags you in. The Mac and cheese is missing some seasonings. The cornbread a bit too much on the sweet side. There should be thrown in the oven like the bacon cornbread at Gigi's in Miami for better execution. The steak fries weren't drained, they were too greasy. The men behind the counter are very courteous and kind. Something is missing in this establishment, as to say someone doesn't have their SOUL into this as I'm sure the food would excel above the usual.
(3)Michael D.
I normally hate giving negative feedback to a local establishment but I think I need to this time. For almost a year I drove by jacks BBQ watching the smokers running all night but never stopped to give it a chance. Today, I decided was the day. We ordered a whole chicken, BBQ pulled pork meal with collards and Mac n cheese. The chicken, smelled delicious, much to my disappointment, it was dry, and extremely tasteless. Sadly, Publix BBQ chicken from the deli blows jacks out of the water. My fiancé felt the pulled pork was equally disappointing. It was extremely fatty, tasteless and fell short of all our expectations along with the cornbread, Mac n cheese and collards. I will end this review on a positive note, the two gentlemen behind the counter where extremely friendly, if only the food matched.
(1)Craig K.
Good barbecue. Side dishes were ho-hum (out-of-the-can beans, dry mac & cheese, under-dressed slaw, and hours-old fries). Still, we might have returned, but for the horrible person working behind the counter. I've never felt such hostility from an employee (that we tipped, too!). And not just us, the customers that followed also suffered his wrath. Funny thing is the sign hanging in the dining room, that humbly thanks the customers and promises to strive for greatness. Clearly, a very old sign.
(1)Heather N.
This place is the real deal down home soul bbq. The food is amazing. I got the rib tips with backed beans and coleslaw and they always throw in some corn bread too. I love to much it all together and savor all the flavers together. Oh and who can forget the sweet tea yumm :)
(5)John A.
Walked in and they told me they are out of pork, beef and chicken!!!! All they have are ribs and tips... WTF!!!!
(1)Aline D.
I no longer go to this place after seeing the kitchen. They really need to clean this place. Their employees don't seem concerned with cleanliness. There are far better bbq places than jack's. Too bad too, because it's around the corner from where I live.
(1)Wil J.
Flavor is really good. $26.00 for a full slab but they cut off the meaty top part. Hmmm for $26.00 I want the whole thing. Don't get me wrong the flavor is really really good just think it could be a bit cheaper.
(3)Samantha J.
I happened to drive by, and thought why not since I've never been. The portions are great, but the food wasn't that good. I ordered chicken breast with steak fries and mac and cheese. The fries tasted like old cook oil and the chicken has a propane kind of taste to it. On another note, the staff are super nice- that's why I put an extra star. Not a fan of this place.
(2)Bob C.
Driving home and the traffic was awful. So I decided I needed a treat. Collards, cornbread, slaw, and ribs. Perfect comfort food. The slaw tasted like it was made minutes before and the collards had rib ends. The ribs were pink clear through. Does that say enough? It was FINE. You got to eat the right stuff and not bitch. The music was Motown and Louis Armstrong today. I walked in at five. You want ribs, you eat early.
(4)Sam K.
I came back yesterday, the service was much, much better. The staff was friendly. I knew that I needed a second trial to give a true opinion on this place. The brisket is incredible! It hasn't disappointed me yet. I will need to try a pork sandwich once I'm done with this "no-carb" for lent thing.
(4)Susan J.
I love this place but .... they sold me burnt ribs highly disappointed but I'm sure it will be corrected one bad rack I'm not counting them out yet
(3)Johnny H.
Yikes! This place was just ordered shut down due to health code violations. Here's the quote from the report: "Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 15-20 fresh droppings on shelf in office which is located Southwest corner of the kitchen. When office door is opened you are in the food preparation area of the kitchen. Repeat violation." "Encrusted material on can opener blade. Repeat violation." I think I'll take my business to a place that doesn't have repeat violations of rodent droppings.
(1)Chuck D.
Exceeded expectations. Pulled pork sandwich was delicious and baked beans exceptional!! Sweet and smokey with chunks of BBQ . Big portion and great price
(5)Christine N.
I didn't like it at all the ribs need more cooking didn't like the bbq sauce chicken was a little to cooked my corn bread had white in it idk if that was coconut but I expected it to take it so much better . First time trying something new in a while an didn't not meet my expectations welp onto the next one . Customer service was very good tho !
(2)Gary B.
Food quality just continues to decline, approaching the low level of customer service that has been a hallmark of this place for several years now. The rub tips get fattier and grosser every time I come in, but today's batch is my last. The steak fries used to be the best anywhere, but now they are just dense and soggy. The dining room has improved some, but it is still dirty. Worst of all though is the poor customer service. It's been bad for a long time, but today they refused to give me a refill on water without using a new styrofoam cup! I hate disposable waste, and if I want a refill that costs them zero, and they want to effectively buy me a new cup with every refill, they are just fools financially in addition to being environmentally insensitive.
(1)Luis R.
As good as it gets .. The atmosphere is exactly what a BBQ place should have and the food is authentic. Great food at a great price. The BBQ sandwich combos are the right portion for lunch and the meals are just that... A meal.. Get some at jacks
(5)Eatery C.
Over price bbq. They don't tell customer when sides are charge extra. The meat is not tender enough, I order the ribs and the top part is hard as a rock. Not fall of the bones yet. Bathroom is located on the side the building. Does not meet my standard as a bbq restaurant.
(1)Nichole H.
We used to get takeout from here often and it was good. However, the past couple times it has been terrible. I picked up pork, Mac and cheese, and baked beans this evening. The 1lb of pork was A LOT of fat, the macaroni wasn't cooked all the way, and the people working were rude. Plus, they were out of corn on the cob and French fries....at a barbecue joint. We won't be returning!
(1)Kevin D.
It was a steady business for them, and the service was ok (we thought that it was nice that asked "how was our food"), the food was delicious , however if you order the cornbread, be aware that he touches it with his bare hands. I would've given 5stars if it wasn't for that.
(4)Sammy R.
Stay away!!!!! Gave this place a shot and I regret it. Ordered 3 meals for my family and all 3 of us have been sick for 2 days. Checked to see about food safety and this place has been shut down twice in the last 5 months for various violations, including rodents and not keeping food at proper temps. STAY AWAY!!!!!
(1)Geno B.
Everything you touch is sticky food is not good enough to feel like your eating in the rough , and a trip to the bathroom is outside around the corner is puzzling to come back with clean hands to eat ribs with your hands with a piece of wood used as a keychain , clean the place !
(1)Lawrence P.
If you are going to rate this one, you have to do it solely on the food. Having said that, the space was clean and the two individuals behind the counter (the kid at the register and the large built man preparing the food) were both extremely courteous. The bathroom is gas station like in that it's not in the restaurant but off to the side of the building. I ordered the sampler which was a combo of chicken, pulled pork and ribs. As sides, I got the corn on the cob and the baked beans. This was served with a ridiculously big corn bread that weighed like a brick! With a lemonade and a $5 tip, I walked out of there for $19 and change. The chicken and baked beans were my favorites. I liked the ribs as well. Didn't like the pork. At the end of the day, this was NOT the best BBQ I've ever had. That's reserved for Michelbob's in Marco Island. It was good though and perhaps if in the area and if with a group of friends, I may return.
(3)Arlana J.
Been passing by this place for years and I'm very happy I decided to eat there. It smells good, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the service was friendly. Had the pulled pork which was very tasty along with all the sides. I also liked the background music, will definitely be back for more!! Thank you...
(5)Gregory S.
Driving by the smokey smell gets your attention. Sadly though once you're inside you see how run down the place is. The food is not worth it. The sides are terrible. I would recommend Red Cow or Tom Jenkins instead of this place
(1)Manny N.
Friendly place to go the owner Jack works there and overlooks and cooks all the food delicious the beans are amazing
(5)Dan G.
I have always loved Jacks but lately, what they call pulled pork is more like chopped mush. I will give them one more chance.
(2)Jovan E.
Let me start with the service it is atrocious. It's almost like they don't want you there at all. The african-American lady behind the counter is beyond rude. I read the reviews before coming to this place and my god I should of listened. My husband and I got two combos the sample and the pull pork. They both came with two sides and drinks. The sampler came with ribs, bbq chicken and pull pork. The ribs taste like a mouth full of smoke literally I am not exaggerating and the chicken had no favor. The corn bread was very dry. I will never come back here ever.
(1)Scott D.
BBQ Ribs were fatty and under cooked. BBQ chicken was OK. Mac and Cheese and cornbread were bland. 3 Combos cost $45! Not worth the high price. Went through drive through and took a long time and overall environment not too appetizing. Only went there because it is close to house but it's way too expensive for the quality of food offered. Sticking with Tom Jenkins.
(2)Matt G.
USED to eat here.... Even gave them the benefit of the doubt when they had health inspection problems previously, but seeing them again on Dirty Dining as I lay in bed now for the same rodent violations I am OFFICIALLY never stepping foot in jacks again. I'll drive to Tom Jenkins, Dixie pig or even spend the money on Red Cow!... this place should be ashamed y'all done lost a BBQ foodie
(1)Natalie S.
"Jacks" must be short for jackpot Best BBQ I've had In a VERY long time!! Had the rib tips, Mac n cheese and collard greens! Beyond delicious. Even the music was wonderful!! Oldies soul! Service was fantastic as well!!
(5)Nikki M.
Fabulous sauce, but the ribs are not fall off the bone tender. Peach cobbler was too sweet.
(3)Jeanne M.
Uh......no. Unless you want a side of sugar with your fat and charcoal, this is not the place to come. We were really looking forward to trying this place because of the aroma from the smokers outside. That was the best (and only good) part of the experience. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich - a staple of a good BBQ restaurant and my basis for comparison. The meat was dry and had chunks of hard black crust. The sauce was runny and sweet enough to be a dessert. Or maybe it was too sweet for even that. Between dodging chunks of charcoal and pulling out globs of fat, my stomach turned about halfway through the sandwich. I don't know whether it was the sauce or the meat, but I almost never got rid of the bitter aftertaste that clung to my mouth. Never again.
(1)Wilbur C.
Was drawn in by the big smokers out front on E. Oakland Park Blvd was greeted by "Jack" May the proprietor. He was very courteous to me. I went with the BBQ pork sandwich combo w/ sides, mac & cheese which was delish, collard greens cooked perfectly to my taste had lots of fatback, baked beans also great in IMO, cornbread was great. Pork sandwich was smothered w/ BBQ sauce "Carolina spicy" also just the way I like it. Place seemed clean to me, did not use the bathrooms. BBQ was above average & the "soul food" sides were all excellent. I must have been here on a good day from all of the one star reviews. I will definitely return.
(4)Lena L.
For my third review I'm going to have to pass along my first criticisms. First, corn bread and macaroni and cheese are no longer available on the regular menu. What is BBQ without these stapes? Secondly, the coleslaw was flavorless. What happened? As usual however, the brisket melts in your mouth and as long as this remains on your menu and maintains its quality, I'll be a customer!
(4)Howard M.
If you have ever driven down east Oakland park and seen two large smokers outside, your probably driving by a Resturant called Jacks Bar-B-Q. I decided to stop and give it a try on one Sunday afternoon. I found the staff to be extremely friendly and the Resturant very clean. I didn't see any public restrooms. I order half a chicken with corn and collard greens and a sweet tea and the food was very delicious. One thing i didn't like was I thought the chicken was a little under cooked. I personally prefer my chicken to be more well done than what I had and I don't like when the bone is red, but that's my personal taste and preference. Otherwise, great little Resturant which seems off the beaten path and a hidden gem.
(3)Melissa R.
As we walked in I could smell the BBQ. The whole place looks sketchy and we can sAy a little dirty because of the smoke and becUse the employees are just there walking around and on there personal phones the food was good could of been a little better. I asked for extra sauce little to know it was extra .53 cents extra when they didn't put any to begin with. The lady was rude about it and said to the co worked "idk what she talkin about , it's dry" really? How rude!! One of the employee apologized. I will be back hopefully she isn't there.
(3)Marilyn M.
... ate ribs, chicken, pulled pork, mac and cheese, cornbread. Attendants were friendly, food was good, thank goodness for the hand towels ... wings (medium) was the best cleared up my allergies!!!! Yummmmm , will be back on next vacation!
(5)Someone S.
I used to live in the area and frequented Jacks often. I raved about them. I have since moved away and finally had the chance to go there today. Got a bbq beef sandwich and 2 sides. Nothing like I remember. Little to none bbq sauce, which is why I ended up there today. I missed and craved their sauce. I don't know if the recipe changed or if there wasn't enough to decide. The sides were good - mac and cheese and greens. Good, not exceptional. My iced tea takes like smoke. I'm bummed, this place used to make me soooooooooooooo happy.
(2)Fred M.
I come here once a week for the food. The food is great especially the rÃbs and the cornbread. The price is not too expensive and they have a big dining area. I would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Michael J.
The food was decent. However, the menu clearly states that the combo comes with a drink, but was still charged for the drinks. The customer service is just horrible. Very unfriendly... not sure how this place is still in business.
(1)timmy d.
This is a must visit BBQ joint in Fort Lauderdale, as a true food connoisseur I can honestly say you won't be disappointed. Only negative I have about this is the cornbread everything else I give a thumbs up!! Oh and in case some we're wondering if Tom Jenkins is better, well their BBQ Sauce is but other than that there neck,and neck.
(4)Moe M.
I went into this place not knowing what to expect an I'm very glad I did. My was very satisfied after this meal, I had beef brisket with greens and mac and cheese, the meat is so tender and flavorful....... I will definitely be back.
(4)E M.
imaybe the worst beef brisket i have had. i read all of the great eviews before i went there yes the smoke is good but the meat was tough and the sauce is horrible. i am used to great texas smoed brisket and this is not even close i left it there and would not even feed it to my dog this is the first review i have ever written. had to do it it was awful and the place and crew is filthy! i almost waked out before i ordered
(1)Johnny S.
Cool little shack ... Good selection of ribs and pulled pork. With a hint of southern cooking. They have an outside oven with smoke coming out .... The smell is very good haha. Good music and everything was delicious.
(4)Erin L.
If you're looking for a reasonably priced, no frills, true Southern style BBQ joint; then look no further. My husband and I are big BBQ fans and we love this place. The ribs are smokey yummy deliciousness. The BBQ sauce they are slathered in is super tasty, too. We love the mac n cheese and baked beans. Everything is backyard BBQ good. Save room for the coconut cake!
(4)Sean K.
Been here several times and the place has great food... Just make sure you get there more than more than an hour before they close. Came in just after 7 when they close at 8 on Sunday night and was told they only had two options for entrees and were out of most of their sides. The lady working at the counter was quite rude; she acted like we were inconveniencing her having come in.
(3)Bryce B.
I used to eat here once a week it's was amazing every time , id buy a jug of sauce to take home to California! But i can't say i have ever been disrespected or spoken to in a business the way this large man behind the counter did , im not gay and the worker was outrageously homophobic and rude towards me , than he told me nothing was available to order ., i used to love this place but i guess its changed from the time i moved .
(1)Tom G.
Eh, ho hum...I ordered a brisket which was tender, juicy, flavorful but lacked any BBQ smokiness. I also ordered and paid an extra dollar for collards, which were seriously overcooked perhaps even a day or two earlier. Most of the employees were unhappy. One was respectful, courteous and hard working. I'm guessing some days are better than others?
(2)Daniel E.
Great BBQ spot! My girlfriend and I love eating at independently owned BBQ restaurants. We tried the pulled pork and pulled brisket plates; they were delicious! Generous portions and the sides are equally as delicious as the meat. The collard greens are AMAZING!!!!
(4)Deepa M.
I pass by this place quite often and it always smells soooo good. Finally had the opportunity to go yesterday for lunch and let's just say, I won't be going back. First, I find it funny that they encourage you to go on yelp and write a review (sign on the door). The place is so dirty, i don't think they ever go out in the dining area to clean. We ordered 1/2 lb of brisket (meat only) and a brisket sandwich. They had only enough meat to give us the 1/2 lb and supposedly nothing left to make my sandwich so I ended up buying the bun so I could make my own sandwich. I'm okay with food running out but at 1pm and at a BBQ joint? Upon leaving, saw the three workers hanging out outside in the parking lot, which left no one inside to serve any customers. I won't be going back and neither will I be recommending this place to anyone.
(1)Cubby C.
Starting, to think twice about coming here. 2nd time bad pulled pork. This time granted it is right before they close but it feels like it was the end of what they had for the day and served it cold as hell. The pieces were filled with fatty parts almost every piece I ate was with a white slimy fat piece.
(2)Nikki F.
My fiancé and I just ordered take -out for the first time ever eating here. The food is horrible. The mac and cheese taste like nothing, no flavor or taste. The collard greens needs more seasoning the corn bread was hard as a rock and the ribs were just ok. They charge extra $1.00 for each side on a combo when it's mac and cheese and collard greens and I just don't understand why when it's horrible. We will not be back again and I will not recommend this place to anyone. $40.00 gone down the drain and wasted. Don't waste your time and money.
(1)Gary M.
Tuna out of the can, over the sink... but standing next to the smoker. Perhaps we caught them on a bad day. Or, it may have been my extreme disappointment. But my satisfaction with the BBQ pork sandwich was about the same as canned tuna at the sink...only I would have been ahead by about $20 (for three sandwiches). The best thing about the "experience" was the smoke from the smoker outside the building. Most of the meat was tender but there were several hard chunks that I mistook for bone fragments. The bun... no, I am just too disappointed to write the review. I am sure the staff works hard but I would not return to Jack's. Let's just let it go at that.
(1)Jon P.
It took me forever to finally try this place out and it will be my last. First off, the place is FILTHY! I really got the heebie-jeebies waiting for my meal. Secondly, they nickel and dime you to death- bbq for two should not be $26! Too many other places in town to ever do this again.
(1)Charles J.
These are the absolute best damn ribs that can be found on Gods green earth. This place is insane. I had spare ribs all BBQ sauce lathered over them it was amazing. Oh and get the peach cobbler... sickkk!
(5)Jason W.
In town for the day from DC, and happened upon Jack's while driving to my meeting. The decor is what I would expect from a BBQ place with a smoker out front, but the food is much better than the decor. I had a chopped chicken sandwich with a side of mac-n-cheese and a side of collared greens. Although the chicken could have used some more smokiness in the flavoring, the sauce was great, as were both of the sides. I had to wait about 15 minutes for my food because of the line, but it was worth it. Finished off with the peach cobbler, which was excellent. Overall, I left stuffed and five pounds heavier.
(4)Jason A.
Great food!!! The brisket and ribs were awesome but the ribs tips are to die for!!! That's all I eat now is their rib tips. Great cornbread too.
(5)Katie M.
We decided to go to this place after the two places we were going to go to were closed. When we walked in to basically an empty restaurant, that should have been our first clue that the food wasn't going to be amazing. Especially since it was dinner time. We all ordered the pulled pork sandwich and I go a combo with two sides. I got the mac and cheese and cornbread with mine. A first bite the BBQ was super sweet and the pork was fatty. My cornbread was really good, but was quite dense and probably not the freshest. It had the best flavor out of the things I ordered though. The mac and cheese was tasty but by the time I ate my sandwich and cornbread I didn't have room for the tiny side. So I took the mac and cheese home to have for a late night snack. When I had the mac and cheese for a snack after I got home later, It had such a smokey, charcoal taste that made it not enjoyable. And who doesn't love mac and cheese?! I didn't know that you could make mac and cheese taste like charcoal. The restaurant was so smokey inside that when I got home I had to change clothes so my outfit could air out from smelling like it been cooked in a smoker. Needless to say I would not recommend this place to friends as it was expensive for below average food and there are better places around to get tasty BBQ.
(2)T M.
Real low key place with some of the best BBQ around. Don't expect white linen tables. This is foam plates and great cooking.
(5)Kaiselet S.
I visited Jack's based on a friends recommendation & I have mixed reviews (but still 4 stars worthy). Beef Brisket............. amazing. It was drenched in delicious sauce, which I'm a fan of. If you're not a fan of heavily sauced brisket, you might not love it. Mac & Cheese............ delicious & flavorful. Cornbread............ extremely moist & yummy. Collard Greens............ blah. No flavor at all! I wouldn't order it again. Sweet Potato Pie............ not good. It wasn't the worst, but something isn't right in the flavor. I'll be coming back to Jack's for the beef brisket, mac & cheese, & cornbread... but will be heading over to Tom Jenkins for my collard greens, potato salad, & sweet potato pie.
(4)Schylone T.
I've been going here since Jack opened up. Friendly staff Consistent Favorites are: Rib tips Beef Brisket Mac & Cheese Collard Greens Peach Cobbler
(5)Suzie Q.
Amazing food, but their bathroom concerns me... Honestly, if the bathroom did not look like a gas stations bathroom, I would have given this place a 5. The BBQ sauce was so yummy and the service was great. Their bathroom situation really made me think about how clean (or dirty) their kitchen may be. I really was just hoping I wouldn't get sick (which I didn't.) :)
(4)Michael G.
I can't speak to anything but the ribs, beans, slaw and corn bread, but on taste alone this place is FIVE stars. I smoke my own food from time to time and can tell you that I have never had ribs as moist and tender as these. Full of delicious carolina flavor. Big meaty ribs to where a half rack was all you needed. Loved the beans, slaw and bread too. The only reason this rating is a 4 is on the basis of atmosphere. But please people, we're talking ribs, not filet mignon. BTW I met Jackie Mays, the owner, an ex NFL and U Conn linebacker. Polite, friendly, soft spoken, and looks like he could still drop back in coverage. The man was seriously on the job tending what looked like four massive drum style smokers. Do yourself a favor and check out Bar-B-Q Jacks!
(4)Kayla G.
Had the sampler with Mac and cheese and steak fries, which was plenty to split with another person and still have a little left over. All the food tasted great. The ribs were a little fatty, but delicious nonetheless. The staff was awesome (honestly probably my favorite part of the visit). They all were really friendly and very helpful. We'll definitely be coming back to this place when we're itching for some good BBQ again.
(5)Michael M.
Sauce isn't bad, ribs are mostly fat and way over smoked. Need to learn how to wrap the ribs after a few hours of smoking so they don't get that way. Baked beans are way too sweet, and Mac & cheese is watery with curdled cheeses. Employees welcomed me when I walked in and seemed pleasant. However, food leaves much to be desired so I won't be going back. Debated on giving them one star, but the employees pleasant attitude made me bump it up to two stars.
(2)Mike R.
Just drove up to the drive thru and after 5 min they didn't even acknowledge us...ended up driving away. Guess they don't need our business!
(1)Janice A.
Nothing was really that good, though nothing was really that bad. It was overpriced for what you get, especially considering the location/facility. We tried the pulled pork sandwiches, which were blah. The mac & cheese was not good. It wasn't gross, or inedible, it was just not good. Very runny, not too flavorful. More like mac & cheesy liquid. The beans were not amazing, though in comparison they were the best part of the meal so maybe that's where they come off as delicious. But none of this was delicious. And the place was creepy. The people were nice, though. So there's that.
(2)Angelo R.
Questionable quality. This joint was recommended by a locksmith store nearby. I was new to the area and like asking neighborhood businesses where reasonable good places to eat. As you drive by this place, you'll see a smoker right on the parking lot. A week had passed and drove by this place early in the morning and the smoker seemed it was always churning. I decided to finally try it and was a little weary how the place looked so run down. I'm assuming that this joint has been here for a long time by the look of the decor and historic pics. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and came with 2 sides (fries and coleslaw). The meal including the drink were all served on foam cup and plate. I dig it...no frills...just good food. I've been to joints like these in Little Havana and The Keys. To this day, I'm still a little puzzled about the quality. The bill was dirt cheap but you get a lot. The pulled pork was delicious but the fries looked pale but crispy. The slaw was actually the best part of my meal. I think my taste buds were playing with me...lol. Or I just came in the wrong time? (It was around 2:30-3 so just probably caught them after the lunch rush) Next time, i'll order pickup cause I noticed the drive through window cause when I sat in the dining area, my clothes smelled like smoke barbecue and my friends knew exactly where I went for lunch :) For the money, the pulled pork meal was worth it but will have to try it with mac & cheese.
(3)B J.
The food here is inconsistent. I have been here on several occasions and it is hit or miss. Sometimes the meat is succulent and well prepared. Other times, and sadly more then not, the meat is dried, grisly, fatty pieces of crap that is wayyyy over priced. Generally, this is what I have gotten to when I order their brisket. Plus, I have never eaten inside here because yes the restaurant is very uncleanly and not kept up, a big no no if you ask me in the food and beverage industry. Also, the smoker outside. The one that you think they cook the BBQ on, well, hate to break it to you. They DO NOT cook the bbq on that smoker. How would I know, I once went over to it, lifted the hood and saw fake smoke and wood. No meat, AT ALL. Deceiving the customers is a BS way of cheating your customers in the BBQ game. You know what, was going to rate this place a three, nahhhh, it will get a two now. Should be a one but I won't be that cruel given the fact they have a BBQ sauce that is good because it is nice and sweet and there beans are very good. Everything else is sub par though and very hit or miss at Jacks. Definitely agree with the pieces of burnt charcoal in my meal a couple of times to. Oh and yeah, the customer service at this place is really poor. Keep treating your customers the way you do behind that counter, and eventually they will stop coming back all together. Advice, put mire quality and love back into the BBQ here, clean up the inside, like wipe down tables properly and stock condiments like sugar, sauces correctly, and exemplify much better customer service, and maybe, just maybe you can be one of the better BBQ places around, or else continue your ways and most likely be out of business in like five years because thats where this place is headed. And oh yeah, stop having a ten year old work behind the counter!?!
(2)Sal G.
So when I look at giving a rating to a place, I very rarely give a one-star since it means I will never return or a five-star as it means there is something I crave or can't live without. Where does Jack's BBQ fit on the scale? Jack's is a solid three-star restaurant. The food is good, nothing spectacular, but it isn't anything bad either. I can go back if there is nothing else or if someone is asking me to go. I will probably never drive out of my why to go to Jack's, though. I have had both the sampler and the pulled pork sandwich at Jack's. The best part of the meal is, in fact, the meat. The first time I tried the sides, I knew that they are just not worth the belly-room. I come, I eat the BBQ chicken and I throw away the sides. I come, I eat the pulled pork sandwich and I throw away the sides. It's not that I don't like sides. In fact, I love the traditional sides for BBQ. I wish the sides were better, I could see myself going up a star.
(3)Joseph L.
Taste wise, best BBQ in this area that I have had. Makes me think of home. I ordered the pulled pork and will definately be returning soon to try the brisket and the ribs. The sauces were amazing and the hospitality was also good. Five stars on taste alone, real BBQ!
(5)Jonny I.
I'd have to say my experience here was pretty good. The food all around was a solid 3.5. Came in a group of 4 and so got a variety of different tastes off my friend's plates. The ribs and pulled pork were delicious. Corn on the cob was sweet and buttered. Sweet tea was super sweet. Pretty much the way southern ribs/food are supposed to taste. Only real complaint was that their mac & cheese was bland. We went on a weekday and they were telling us that some meats were sold out so if you want to not be limited, don't show up after 8pm. The staff was super friendly. The lady taking the order joked around a lot as did the cooking staff and helped us make our selections. They even hooked us up with a small bowl of their dessert! Too bad a bum was waiting outside for some change and we gave him the dessert instead, so I can't comment on how that tasted.
(4)Antrone W.
Jack's is a great alternative to the Almighty Tom Jenkins in Fort Lauderdale...plus it is open on Sundays while Tom Jenkins is closed...I always go for the Sampler which for me includes a quarter chicken, chopped pork, and beef ribs along with backed beans and collard greens...family-owned and operated...Not spectacular but doable when Tom Jenkins is not an option...
(3)Richard G.
yum, always getting a bbq beef beef sandwich on Sundays. Great apple cobbler, gotta try it. Had the beans, mac/cheese. Really good... I think this place is great. Staff is friendly ahd helpful...
(5)Cheyanna A.
If I could give this place a zero, I would in a heartbeat. I am surprised at the ratings given. I'm a Southerner who loves BBQ, and this place was just disappointing. My boyfriend and I live in the area, and we kept driving by smelling the smokers. We finally stopped in. Waste.Of.Money. When we first stepped in, I thought "This reminds me of the BBQ joints back in North Carolina". I ordered the pork sandwich, my boyfriend the brisket. We were so excited to be eating good BBQ because we heard such good things about this place. We sat down after placing our order. I instantly noticed the tables hadn't been cleaned. The little "vase" of fake flowers had grime from years ago. There was a child working behind the counter, probably around the age of 10. We waited for a bit, noticing that our food was just sitting there, yet our number wasn't called. When it was finally called, we got our drinks and sat down. I tried adding sugar to my iced tea, and it had apparently gotten wet and was in one solid clump. After trying several different packets, I finally gave up. Then I started to eat the abomination that was my sandwich. Instead of the meat being pulled or shredded, it looked like they had put it in a blender. It barely tasted smoked, and they dumped a ridiculous amount of BBQ sauce on top that tasted like dirt. My boyfriends "brisket" had apparently suffered the same fate. I've worked in a lot of restaurants and was surprised by this one since there were awards covering the walls. The pricing was ridiculous for what you get. There is a serious laps in management and hygiene here. I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy. I hope for their sake that they correct these issue and stop ruining BBQ.
(1)Danielle G.
Haven't been here in a while, definitely gone down hill. Out of 6 ribs one was tender and delicious the rest were tough and I gnawed around the little bit of meat I could get off the charred and tough meat. They charge an extra $1 for Mac n cheese which is fine if they give me a full portion but I got the burned crust which I had to eat around. Baked beans were delicious as was corn bread. I hope they take stock of all these recent reviews and up their game as I took one look at my ribs and knew they would be tough so I know he had to know when he served them.
(2)Anthony O.
I have to completely agree with Chayanne A's review see below. Got in the joint and I saw the same child working behind the corner, I drove all the way from coral Springs (30 minute drive) because we had a business client coming in from New York and wanted to show her some Southern hospitality and I didn't feel like firing up the grill. I only ordered from here because our favorite barbecue joint in town (Tom Jenkins) is closed on Sundays. Unless you tell them otherwise they will drench your meats in their sauce and then swear you're going to love it. So if you're ordering over the phone, please be aware that you must tell them that you do you want either the sauce on the side or no sauce at all. Might as well avoid them all together and go to Tom Jenkins. I give them a 0 out of 5 stars!
(1)Josh V.
Over price and the worst BBQ ever but with Friendly people
(1)Kristin C.
The sight of the smoker kept calling me like a dangerous siren every time we'd pass their smoker...which seemed to be way too often. Every time we'd drive by I'd think, we need to go there sometime or wonder if my husband had already been there. Come one Sunday afternoon we were STARVING, and Jack's was calling our name. When we drove up the trusty smoker was running. But I was a little concerned as I looked at the very dilapidated building. But then I thought to myself, isn't it sometimes the humble places that surprise us in Broward? So I bravely went forward in search of tasty brisket. We walk in to find there is a line formed...good (or bad?) sign at 3 in the afternoon. However, we are a little affronted as we try to get our food, and the servers are brusque and clearly DON'T want to be there. But then I think of the famous Ed Debevic's and think maybe it can still be good -- yelp.com/biz/ed-debevics… . (Okay, so maybe I step low to find melt in your mouth brisket). AND...then after wandering in search of a restroom (go before you come please), I finally put a bite in my salivating mouth. And...mmm...it was worth it. The brisket was tasty and finally not like leather. The ribs were even better and tasty. And although the meat didn't need it much, the sauce was perfect and intense. All was okay until aluminum foil was found in the brisket, but at that point, it was just moved out of the way and was business as usual. I had to try the collard greens. They were a little chewy, but they seemed authentic, and they had a faint sweet taste to them. The cornbread was tasty as a complement to a bite of meat and sauce. Overall, would I come back--I'm not sure. The service and environment made me a little uncomfortable. If only they had that part covered... :(
(3)Brian G.
The bbq chicken, sauce, Cole slaw and baked beans were delicious. I would stop here again, for the Chicken, my next time in the neighborhood. my only complaint, was the ventilation. The smoke was a little too strong. They know How to cook bbq in Broward.
(4)Brian R.
I have to say, with the increase in good barbecue joints, this one, while very jointy, keeps dropping in my estimation. The meat appears to be cheaper grade and much fattier than their competitors. The sides were ok. The mac and cheese was pretty bad but the greens were all right. There are better places. See them out.
(2)Bruce J.
Sweet tea was way too sweet...oh well. Got the rib and chicken combo for a variety...ribs were excellent, good bark, not overcooked and falling off the bone, some of the best I have had. Chicken was good, but dry, good flavor, had to soak up some BBQ sauce with each bite. Good thing, Sauce was good! Texas fries, fresh and crisp and really good. The beans....mmm, mediocre in my book, but hard to find good ones. Overall, people were very sweet, food was good, overall would come back....so ratings on this place are pretty close, pretty good place for BBQ. Next time probably just get some ribs, they were REALLY good...
(3)Turbo Smurf X.
In a word, this is a joint. There is nothing fancy or frou frou about this place. Several others have commented about the smoker in the parking lot. I think this is a show piece. Smoke signal. Get it. Inside is a full smoker where the food gets cooked. On to the food. The ribs are meaty and really smoked not grilled or baked. I had the brisket recently.i was expecting sliced meet and this was more like rosa vieja. Shredded and stringy. I couldn't really get the beef taste I was jonesing for. But the meat had some almost Carmelized pieces that were little shreds of nirvana. Well sauced to. This place makes awesome cornbread. The slaw is sweet. Prices are decent not too high. And yes there really is a guy named jack. My big pick is that service can be slow if they are under staffed which seems to happen often.
(3)Selena B.
I'd give this place 4 1/2 stars if I could. I like that it seems family owned and they take pride in doing a good job and offering a good service and product to consumers. i.e. They offer a free refill on sodas but a 3rd fill/soda will cost just $1 - it's a fair process where it seems they're just trying to cover their cost while providing good stuff. I had the beef brisket with sauce on the side, corn on the cob and coleslaw meal. Everything was good, corn on the cob was a little small and the complimentary cornbread was heavy and definitely home-made. They asked me twice if everything was okay and good, they genuinely wanted to make sure I had a good meal. The service was five+ stars. The place is very clean. The bathroom was outside and not very convenient to the restaurant. They did put an individually wrapped wet nap on my tray with my meal which was a nice touch for bbq. There was a great aroma of smoked food when walking into the restaurant. Solid place and good food.
(4)Jeremy B.
3.5 stars. In my opinion, the BBQ here is better than at Tom Jenkins. I love the smoky flavor - you can smell the smokers from outside the building and of course the smell permeates inside. Chopped pork sandwich and baked beans were tasty - and I'm not even a big baked beans guy. Sandwich & 2 sides was $7.50. I really like their sauce. This is pretty legit BBQ for South Florida...still not the real deal that I've been searching for, but until I find it, this might be my new, go-to spot for some Q around East Broward.
(4)Autumn P.
What time is good for you? I was craving BBQ and found this to be the only seemingly acceptable and authentic joint in town. I've never been but thought it was worth a shot. I've still never been. The website says their are open until 10pm on Saturdays so I got in my car and drove over at about 9. I arrived at quarter after only to find the doors had long been closed. Not a person in sight.The sign on the door listed 9:30 as closing time. So, essentially, I couldn't tell you what time this restaurant is open until and I probably won't be making a second trip to find out. Poor form. It cost them a new customer.
(1)J B.
I thoroughly enjoyed this place, the BBQ is tender and moist, their sauce is tangy and delicious! Like most BBQ places, I wish the portions were a little bigger, but when you're talking quality meats, you're not talking about fast food.
(5)Mehgan K.
My husband and I are new to the area and were driving around last night to find a local spot to check out. It was either Jack's BBQ or Primanti Bros, so we decided on BBQ. I'm not sure if it was because we got there toward the end of the night, but a lot of the food looked dried out. The Mac N Cheese had a weird crust on top, for example. Their pulled pork is damn tasty, great smoky flavor, but I didnt like the dry, crumbly texture. To me, pulled pork should be long, shredded juicy pieces of salty, smoked pork, but that could just be personal preference. I also didn't like the coleslaw, it was really bland. I prefer the coleslaw at Shorty's in Davie, it's sweet and slightly peppery. The chicken was amazing, it (along with the Jack's BBQ sauce) really saved my opinion of this place. The skin had a nice crunch, and the meat was nice and juicy. I would give this place a solid 3.5. It would have scored higher if they'd have made a bit more effort in maintaining the food's eye appeal and fixing their bland coleslaw. I also wasn't really comfortable with the sign posted on the front door warning customers about their right to forcing people to leave the premises by police escort (yeah, as a woman, I won't ever be coming here alone). But, I will be back again to try other dishes, possibly earlier in the day, to give it another shot.
(3)James P.
I went in there thinking it's already cooked an I can get a quick lunch because I was working on my rout and was in a hurry. I stood the first person at the counter while I watch the man work behind the counter. I felt invisible. It took ten minutes and a couple of gust to show up behind me before I got my order taken. I ordered a brisket. With baked beans it cost $12 if I wanted Mack and cheese it was an extra charge. When I finally received my food 20 minutes later. (It was not busy and no one was I front of me) the food sucked. I received a dry small portion brisket drowned in BBQ Sauce. The baked beans were like Generic store brand Straight from the can. Bland horrible tasting. I truly feel like because I am white an gay (most Obvious because of my short shorts i was Wearing for my swimming pool work)I was Discriminated against and that's why took so long to get service. 30 minutes total. Horrible food horrible service.
(1)Bob S.
Wanted Ribs. Went there for Dinner. Arrived at 6:15 - DINNERTIME!!! Drove 27 miles each way to get there. Total waste of gas. Smoker smoking away in the parking lot. If the wood in the parking lot was going into the smoker, it looked old and dirty. Does dirty wood affect the flavor of the smoke? Was it just there for "show"?? They had no brisket although it was on the menu. Were out of straws for the sodas. Not particularly clean - I guess perhaps that's what makes it a "joint" It's really an enclosed takeout stand with a few tables if one wants to "eat in". Ribs "felt" as if they had come out of the smoker in the AM, sat on the counter all day, and were heated to be served. They were dry, smoke taste was "off" and they left the membrane on the underside. Pulled pork was rather tasteless and dry. We've made better, jucier pulled pork in a cast-iron covered pot in the oven. 1/2 chicken was "OK". There were three of us. Bill came to $50+. A very disappointing meal which we felt was overpriced. We're still looking for decent ribs in the Palm Beach/Broward area. We did not find them at Jack's. Our recommendation is to stay away.
(1)Darryl S.
How many times have we driven by Jack's BBQ Smokehouse taking in the wood-smoked air that permeates a good block radius around this joint...?! Only too many! So, today, we gave it a try.... Jack's (from the outside) looks like any number of fast food places (McDonald's, Wendy's, Arby's, etc.) on this main drag in Oakland Park; in fact, it looks like it might've been one of these chain restaurants in a former incarnation -- and it does, indeed, have a drive-thru for those on-the-go. Surrounding the perimeter of Jack's are logs of split wood -- no doubt the wood that goes into their namesake. Surprisingly, at 1p, we were the only two inside (besides the staff, of course). It definitely is not the cleanest looking of digs: counter order/pick-up area is on the dark and scary side; eating area is decent but has certainly been around-the-block. (The Jackson's "Enjoy Yourself," appropriately, welcomed our arrival. It's pretty rare to hear that great 70's toe-tapper, you know.) Anyway, I digress.... Rather than Jack's "special," I went with their pulled-pork sandwich, with two sides (corn-on-the-cob and steak fries). Now, before I start, let me say that I'm not a big barbecue fan -- never could even put my mouth to it as a young'un -- but I've learned to enjoy (and even love) some really great ribs I've taste-tested while living in Georgia and traveling throughout the south. That said: The sandwich was a mildly dry, split Kaiser roll with a dollop of so-called "pulled pork." (I'm originally from Hawaii, and mainland-style pulled pork is similar (in texture, if not in flavor) to kalua pig; and, too, last week I had some mighty fine-tasting pulled pork from Whole Foods Market take-out.) Jack's "pulled pork" is more like chopped meat: definitely not the tender strings of meaty pork; just chopped (and I'm taking their word for it) pork, gristle and all (for all I know, there could've been snouts and eyeballs in there!), doused with some kind of watery concoction that was being passed as barbecue sauce. Egads! I couldn't finish my sandwich. On the plus-side: The half-serving of corn cob was by far and away the juiciest cob I've ever had! It seems that each and every kernel was injected with corn juice! The steak fries appeared to have sat for a while under the warmer; however, they were nicely crunchy on the outside and moist and fluffy on the inside. (My buddy ordered the ribs special, and (visually) they looked nice and meaty. He says they were "... not the best [he's] had, but not the worse." He says his collard greens were some of the best he's ever eaten -- I hate collard greens, but these I could eat.) Like Mexican and Thai restaurants in this neck-of-the-woods, there's simply too many barbecue joints to choose from that have to be WAY better...! I'll continue my search....
(2)Debra B.
So sad! Not offering half of what was on the menu! No Mac and cheese or peach cobbler,etc... I was told they only offer that on the catering menu. They do not offer sliced brisket only chopped! The people before me got chicken and fries. She complained the fries were cold and the chicken was dry. I grew up in Texas, I walked out. So sad........
(1)Tony M.
This is an average BBQ restaurant, decent food if you really want BBQ and are in the area. Walking into this establishment, a billow of smoke from the pits hits you and pulls you in deeper. Your mouth is probably watering by this point, but your taste buds probably won't be fully satisfied. I've tried lots of BBQ, and have come to enjoy N.Carolina style as my favorite type. I would say this style most represents the Memphis region. I order a pulled pork sandwich, collard greens and coleslaw. Sandwich came out sopping wet with barbecue sauce where the bun started falling apart. It was good, but too much. I'm a believer of having most of the flavor in the smokiness of the meat and not in the sauce. The sauce should just be there for a little extra umph. The coleslaw was drowning in its dressing but it was ok. The collard greens had good flavor and pieces of pork in it. They know how to cook these right, however the greens were too greasy. As you ate them, you could taste the grease from the meat latching onto every green leaf. This place has potential to become a great South Florida BBQ restaurant. However, it's just not quite there yet...
(3)simon d.
Small portion sizes. Dont let the smell fool you.
(1)Peter P.
First of all, you can smell the smoker working overtime right from the street. I had the beef brisket and it was phenomenal! It's hard to find properly cooked BBQ Brisket, but Jack's has it nailed. The steak fries were great as well. We also got a side of Mac-n-cheese, and while it doesn't look pretty, it was awesome. I'll definitely be coming back to Jack's!
(4)Phil L.
A nice spot if your looking for a Good Ole Boy Smokehouse. The food is better than average the sweet tea is very tasty! We went there with a party of five on a rainy day and it really hit the spot. It was one of our friends birthdays so we brought our own balloons, we always make a scene :) Over all good eats the ribs were better than I expected, the chicken was a little dry, the mac and cheese I have to agree with Corina B. - They were runny. The fries were good eats and the pork was good. I will defiantly go back again and chow down.
(3)Jack B.
This place is awesome, I'm a BBQ lover and have been going here for years. While the decor could use some work, i'm going to judge this place solely on its food (which is awesome). One of my favorite things about this place is their sauce. It's a great balance between sweet & spicy. Goes great with their plentiful portions of MEAT. My favorite dish there has always been the rib tip dinner, which I sadly heard was discontinued, if so BRING IT BACK JACK!!! For sides I generally go with their beans and mac & cheese, both great and in some countries could be considered a meal on its own. If by some miracle you manage to finish your plate, or you want something to take home, order yourself the cobbler for dessert. While your waistline may regret it, your taste buds definitely won't.
(5)Jenny G.
I love this place. I live near by and everytime I drove by the smell of BBQ would just drive me crazy! So I decided to for the 1st time bout 4yrs ago and fell in love with. Their ribs are awesome, their beans omg I love them and hubby says their collard greens are off the chain. So we've been going there ever since, a lil expensive but worth it! However thepast few times I've gone like in the last 3 months, it has not met my expectations. I must say that things are not the same, well at least the ribs. Before they would literally fall of the bone and were soft and juicy, lately they are hard n a lil dry... They have dissapointed me, I don't knw what they have changed if it's the meat, management, cooks I don't know but they must go back to the old ways!!! I don't go as often anymore, would still recommend but will not give 5 stars till the quality is back to what it used to be!
(4)Osvaldo P.
I thought it was about time I updated my 'WTF r u serious' file.... I've been in the fort lauderdale/pompano beach area for about a year now, and I have always been enticed to stop at this place if I happen to get off the Oakland ave exit to go home. I'm not sure what's cooking on the outside that smells so damn delicious, but whatever it is, it's not the crap they sell you when you walk into the place! And believe me, I've been grilling and cooking for years, and it would never cross my mind to try and sell something this awful. Thank god I walked into the place and mentally prepared myself that I was going to 'test' the place first...and how do you test a BBQ place? easy, THE BRISKETT!! I'm not sure if the briskett at this place was perfectly cooked because I couldn't get past all the fat to tell if they had served me any meat. Secondly, the briskett was completely BLAND!! yes, that's right, no hint of salt, pepper or any spice rub. It's almost as though they just grab a slab of fatty briskett and throw in the smoker for 5 hrs and then dress it up with sauce to disguise the fact that it's crap! To top it off, $10 for 1/2lb of briskett is extremely expensive for crappy BBQ. I'm not sure how this place got #1 BBQ spot in fort lauderdale, but I am sure that the judging was done by primates at some south florida zoo! I love a dive joint as much as the next guy, but Jack's is the perfect example of BBQ gone wrong! I'm still perplexed at how they got this so wrong, and how they've managed to get away with it for so long.
(1)W F.
Had Jacks for the first time last night and was thoroughly impressed. We went later in the night so things were sitting for a bit but even so it was awesome. Definately recomended if you're a fan of smokey BBQ.
(4)Monika K.
go to tom jenkins. this place kinda had me sketched out, hot as balls in there, and just looked unsanitary . ribs and collard greens and mac and cheese, just wasnt feelin it. let my gf take my leftovers home. no thanks i'll pass.
(2)Charmie P.
It was ok, good food but I like Tom Jenkins so much better, they have a much better BBQ flavor, more tender meat and better tasting sides.
(3)Inthiaz S.
Soo I went here for lunch today, haven't been in awhile. The food is still goood ..make you wanna slap yo momma good!! But the corn bread is too dry and the SAUCE ohhhhh man!!!! If I could just get the sauce to drink I'll be like a pig in mud happy!!! The food is damn good and sauce is off da linkage...
(4)Evan W.
This place out does the Jenk...and I don't say that lightly. Althought they don't have back backs, just spareribs...collar greens are off the chain...so is the mac and cheese. I need to try more variety but I always seem to order my favs. Dessert is great too!
(5)Corina B.
How the heck did this BBQ joint get rated #1 in Fort Lauderdale?? No offense, but I don't think Floridians know what real BBQ taste like if they voted this spot #1. First off, the ribs don't even taste like pork or beef ribs. The meat could actually be horse meat or some other foreign animal The mac & cheese are runny and the collard greens are the worst I've tasted. The place is also rundown and filthy! Save your money and head over to Tom Jenkins...trust me!
(1)Howie R.
Inconsistent, sometimes great. Tonight ribs undercooked and brisket 1/3 fat.
(2)Bill B.
I absolutely love this place. Everytime I am in Ft. Lauderdale I make a few stops here. From the minute you drive by you can smell the smokers full blast in the parking lot. You go in and it has an authentic feel to it (even if it is in an old taco bell haha). Love the sauce, the meat has an incredible smokey taste to it and the seasoned fries are awesome. I will miss this place when my days of going to FL are over!
(5)Rafael T.
This place is the real deal, I've always been treated well and the food is homemade classic southern BBQ. What else can you ask for?
(5)Darlene V.
We live in west palm beach and drive to lauderdale for BBQ, We have eaten at Jack!s a few times but today Oct 5th 2013 for my birthday have decided to try another BBQ restaurant based on reviews Tom Jenkins BBQ. What a disappointment. The ribs were tough and so was the brisket. Beans were alright but no meat was seen in there for flavor and the same for the collard. The collards were bitter .Mac and cheese was only alright as well. My boyfriend said maybe they made some meat in a hurry because they were selling out of ribs and brisket when we got there around 8pm. But who wants to go to a place when you cannot count on the quality of the dinner based on them having to rush the product out. We bought and extra brisket and rib dinner for home and they were left uneaten and tossed. Jack's we both agree was far superior in everything we tried. Jack's even has awesome seasoned steak fries. Some reviewers said jack's sauce was too sweet then ask for the sauce on the side and use less of it on the meat. The meat stands alone in ample flavor and tenderness. Hands down great. People tend to go along with the hype like we did in trying Tom Jenkins but we're still a fan of Jack's.
(5)Jeff M.
I have traveled the country for years. One of my favorite things to do other than checking out a sporting event in a city, is to check out the local cuisine for what the city is most well known for. I've had bbq in Dallas, Kansas City, North Carolina and elsewhere, and I would rate Jacks as one of the best! You don't get much in the way of atmosphere, but wow, the food more than makes up for it. I found this place a few years ago while driving down Oakland Park with my daughter. Had the windows down (winter time) when all of a sudden it hit me....the wonderful aroma of the cooker outside of the restaurant. I quickly made a right hand turn into the parking lot, and ordered myself up a platter of ribs, baked beans and cole slaw. I could have made a meal of just the baked beans. This place has barbecue down to a T. I generally go for rib tips which are so delicious I wonder how they do it. All the people that work at Jacks are real nice. You can tell they take pride in their work and food. Highly recommend this place without any hesitation!
(5)D D.
It sucked. What a let down. I was so excited about this place but the food was expensive and not good. We got ribs, everyone loves ribs, but these tasted like hot dogs. $21 dog dogs. I've never had bad ribs in my life, but in this place they were so blah. Their recipe just sucks. The meat sucked (bright pink?? like a hot dog) and the sauce sucked. I agree with the other review, it could be horse meat. Cornbread sucked, the cole slaw was good, steak fries were ok. ps - theres Never a line here, so that tells you that theres not a lot of customers who come back. If the food were good it would be packed with a line out the door.
(2)Alan G.
I tried Jack's two years ago and wasn't impressed. I gave it another try last week and was very pleased. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was very good and the sauce was great. It is a small establishment (in an old 80's Taco Bell) with old furnishing, but that isn't what you go there for anyway. Give it a try!
(4)M T.
I wish I could say better about Jacks! Two years ago I had them provide food for my daughter's birthday party and two years later, things have changed tremendously for the worst unfortunately. They no longer have the "homemade" lemonade (they've swtiched to fountain soda), the beans are way more suggary and less seasoned, and the chicken sandwich now includes dark meat (they charge extra for white meat). I think they've stopped offering mac and cheese. I can imagine that economic times prompted these changes but I wish they wouldve done something else to weather the economic times (shorter hours, or fewer options or charging more for extras). Having said all of that, if you want a chopped pork platter with fries and a great bbq taste, stop by. The white meat chicken sandwich is also really good if you're in the mood for a smoky well seasoned chicken sandwich. I stop here occasionally but long for the good ol days.
(3)Diana T.
I LOVE this place. the ribs are juicy and just come right off the bone. the only con is sometimes we get the really charred pieces :( which aren't so tasty (dry). my favorite sides are the mac and cheese and the collard greens.. love love love. i am gonna go there once a month. the sweet tea is pretty good too. really sweet, the way i like it. Better to eat it there. it gets cold when you get take out.
(5)Sherie J.
BBQ on the East Coast. Smoked ribs, good chicken. The mac & cheese isn't worth trying, it's too runny and doesn't taste like cheese. The collard greens are really good as in the cornbread. This place is an old Taco Bell that they converted into a local joint which nice to see since there are alot of vacant buildings around. I know they also have another location in Margate if you don't want to drive into Oakland Park...which ironically feels like East Oakland, CA. The Q is good here though. Smoker in the parking lot says that these guys are down and dirty with their meat. They make their bbq sauce from scratch and sell it for $40/gallon!!!! It's good...but $40 a gallon is steep. This place is authentic and worthwhile.
(4)Phil N.
Stopped at Jacks for lunch the other day with a few friends of mine from out of town. They asked me if there were any real-southern style Barbeque spots in town, not the normal touristy places. I knew of Jack's which was off the regular tourist beat. I had been to this place several times in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. As we approached the restaurant, we got a whiff of the burning wood that they use in their smokers. It triggered our gastronomic senses and made us so hungry, we couldn't wait to get there and dive into a huge plate of their ribs. They have an outdoor smoker and a huge pile of wood that really give the place a real down home feeling. The restaurant is not all fancy and fixed up for show. Instead, the focus is on the food, smells and quality of each meal. The ribs are always amazing! The Mac and cheese, collards, baked beans and cornbread are my favorite sides. For desert, after being unable to make up our mnd between the Peach Cobler and Sweet Potato Pie, we ordered both of them! A scrumptious ending to a wonderful meal! The service was quick, the restaurant staff were very pleasant, the food was just heavenly! This spot was just what my friends were looking for! What a great experience!
(5)Jai K.
5 star no doubt for Ribs! the best ribs in town, stake fries are really tasty as well, great place for take out, ran into Randy Moss standing in line last month when i was there....Overall, if you want some real good ol ribs, this is the place to be!
(5)