Wow, I feel like I was at the wrong place. Great reviews I was very anxious to try it. Love the atmosphere, but the employees all acted like they were new. There was one guy behind the counter that seemed to be doing everything, everyone else just hangin out. A line at the counter ordering with no organization at all. Not what I was expecting, must have been an off day. Chicken was dry and cut up in small pieces. Very small for $10.00. Beans were good, mac and cheese ok. I was hoping for better.
(2)
Jennifer M.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had! The turkey is so moist and juicy. The baked beans and potato salad are fantastic. The service is fast and super friendly.
(5)
Joe A.
Just stuffed my face with sausage and ribs... this place ia the truth! I'm only sad that it took me so long to figure out this place was here. Good food, friendly service. Greay place!
(5)
Melanie A.
AMAZING FOOD!!!! The staff is awesome also and so humble about their amazing food. BEST BAKED BEANS IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!! I will definitely be making the drive from Seminole to Tampa for this BBQ!!!!!
(5)
Corey C.
Wow! Fast, friendly and sooo delicious. Pork and collard greens were some of the best I've ever had!
(5)
Antwan E.
While visiting Tampa, I got a hankering for BBQ. Thanks yo Yelp, I found this little jewel and instantly fell in love. From the street, this place looks like a home. The owner and a worker were sitting on the porch chatting as I walked up. I go in and sit down...striking up a conversation that made me feel like I was sitting at home talking to my grandfather and uncle. The food was AMAZING!!! Down home cooking that was truly satisfying. I will NEVER go back to Tampa without stopping by this spot...even if I don't eat (which is highly unlikely), just to say "hey, how y'all doin'?!"
(4)
Rachel B.
Aside from the BBQ in TX, this is the best BBQ I've ever had! I work near Ybor City and have gone here for lunch a few times. My fiance and I have even driven from Brandon to grab a bite to eat a couple of times. We get the pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese, and potato salad. This DEFINITELY trumps every other BBQ place in town...YUM!!
(5)
Elizabeth D.
The place is a lot cleaner than one would think given the area and it's location as a shack on the side of the street. There wasn't much to offer, but my pulled pork sandwich was good. The meat was tender and they made it to order really quickly. The baked beans were sweet, and do I detect some cinnamon in there? Yum. On the down side, my fountain diet coke was very watered down and I don't understand why they only offer mac 'n' cheese as a side on Fridays. The cornbread was slightly dry, definitely nothing to come back for. I liked their bbq sauce though some may like more variety other than a homemade sweet sauce and a bottled hot sauce.
(3)
Steve C.
Al's FLGBBQ is great food. I had the combo platter with ribs and pulled pork with the best spicy greens I've ever had and some decent baked beans and also a sweet potato pie that was pretty tasty. My GF had pulled pork with the potato salad that was pretty good and cole slaw that she says was really good (I unfortunately did not get a taste). She had the sour cream pound cake that was pretty tasty, but too much for me since I was so full. Al and his help (I didn't catch his name, but he was a slender fellow) were tremendously friendly and they like to interact with their guests. I enjoyed them almost as much as the food.
(4)
Mark P.
Yeah, it's that good. Really friendly too.
(5)
Jonny I.
Tucked away in Ybor, its basically an elevated mobile home, however its deceivingly more spacious than you would expect on the inside. The pulled pork sandwich and baked beans were great. And like Elizabeth stated below me, it was the first time I had tasted cinnamon in baked beans....but it was a great combo. The pulled pork was about what I expected (3 stars) but the baked bean originality adds the extra star. Portions aren't very large but they are just adequate enough to fill you up for lunch and last you till you get off work or whatever may have you. You can see you meal pulled from a stock pile of pork/bbq/etc and they chop it up in front of you so there is no surprises. Random tidbit, the men's bathroom is located outside and around the establishment. Just a minor inconvenience but nothing to knock on. If I remember correctly, there might have been 1-2 TVs playing ESPN so you can stay up to date on your sports if its killing you.
(4)
Susan M.
I love the feel of Big Al's. You can tell this is a local joint. It's in a house that's been converted to a restaurant. They also have the best collard greens in Tampa, in my opinion. I like them because they are just spicy enough. If you haven't been before go on Friday, that's the only day you can get the mac n cheese and you gotta try it!
(3)
David C.
After reading the reviews and seeing that 90% of the people liked this place I decided to give it a try and am glad i did. This is an excellent barbecue place at a great price. Al and his family are excellent hosts making you feel like you are sitting down as guests in their home. I had the pulled pork and ribs combo which I slathered in their homemade spicy hot sauce.The succulent meat falls right off the bone and is served with some really nice sides like roasted corn mixed with onions and peppers and don't miss the mac'n'cheese. Go on and get some great cooking at Al's! Taste's like you're eatin in grandma's southern kitchen! Kind of feels like it too, as it is in a converted casita left over from the cigar factory days of Ybor. Casual and so yummy.
(4)
Colin R.
I grew up in the Tampa area, but would travel to Georgia frequently, and would always have great bbq up there. I now live in Denver and I think the best bbq is a few states away. So finding this place while in Tampa for Christmas was a great treat! Al and all the staff are very friendly and the food is delicious. They have some of the best bbq sauce I've had and the meat is all very tender and delicious. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area!
(5)
Adam N.
Just went there yesterday for the first time. Al's is tucked on a side road, so I didn't know it existed for a long time, but it's not far from the restaurants on 7th Ave. in Centro Ybor. Been meaning to check it out for a while, and I'm glad I did. Yesterday, I got a 1/4 dark chicken, with baked beans and chicken w/ rice. Al and his staff are super friendly. The chicken was just okay, though. Competent, but not outstanding. When I was there, though, I saw a sign advertising "Fall Of The Bone" (sic) Turkey Leg Thursday, and I was intrigued. So I went back today. I'm glad I did. Bar none, that was the best turkey leg I've had in my life. It's $6.95 for a turkey leg, and $8.95 for a meal. (turkey leg + 2 sides w/ bread AND sweet cornbread) Incredibly tender. He gave me BBQ sauce on the side, but I didn't use it -- the turkey leg is plenty flavorful to begin with. It's a lot of food for the price, too. The turkey leg didn't fit in the styrofoam container he gave me for it, which actually looks pretty comical -- the bottom of the bone sticks out when it's closed. I'm a pretty big guy, (~200 lbs) and half of the meal is still sitting in the fridge. Easily 2 meals for me -- you could stretch it to 3 or 4 if you're a smaller person. Anyway, I'm thinking Al's is going to become a Thursday regular for me. Highly recommended.
(5)
Tom S.
I eat here regularly. My favorite bbq in town. Be sure to go on a Friday when they have the mac&cheese on the menu!
(5)
Tim S.
great food and a nice guy, I felt like I stopped over Al's house and he fixed me up with a great BBQ dinner.
(4)
T S.
Turkey leg Thursday's or mac & cheese Friday's are the best! Love Al's! Never had a bad meal there!
(5)
Mark H.
We go every week! Simply the best BBQ in Tampa Bay. Not a fancy place, but Al and Terry are always fantastic and the food is excellent every time. Try every place else first because once you go to Al's you've had the very best. I actually hate to write this review because I don't want to see the place get crowded. Al has truly created a Tampa gem.
(5)
Connie C.
So Al's just opened up in Ybor City and you will definitely need to come in for a bite. They have a nice daily sandwich lunch special for $5.99 (includes a side and a drink), but also have some meals that include two sides. I ordered the combination Chicken and Ribs and I must say, there was more food than I knew what to do with. We'll start with the meat, since that is what's really important....and it was all fall off the bone tender and had a nice smokiness. Their BBQ sauce is also has a nice flavor to it. I got as my sides the Collard Greens (which were spicy which is a plus!) and also the Potato Salad. I also had a piece of their cornbread and slice of their lemon coconut cake and both were moist and delicious!! I would definitely return and can't wait to try something else!
(4)
Diana L.
I'm definitely a fan of this BBQ. If you are in the Ybor area, you must try. The food is good, the portions are large, and the owners are very friendly.
(4)
Jason F.
A great BBQ option has arrived in Ybor. Do not leave without trying the baked beans!
(4)
Alayna A.
Good prices and great food and service. Only a few blocks from the main Ybor strip - definitely worth the blocks trip, walk the extra block. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. Will go back next time we're in the mood for bbq.
(5)
Aaron B.
Food quality was good overall. Small rib joint that could have been a good experience. Looked forward to it all day long. Greeted by Terrence and we ordered Combo platters. He said he'd save us $$ by serving us family style. We ended up getting MUCH less food for $12 more. Specially we got (total) one slab of ribs, half pound of pulled pork, small container of beans, slaw, and rice and 5 drinks for $64. My wife wouldn't let me argue because we were with family. Only advice would be that if you go, know What you are ordering. Despite other reviews, portions are NOT generous. They were out of Beef, Mac & cheese, and Chicken "was still cooking. Regarding their great reputation online, the owner Al encourages/ baits/ asks customers to post favorable comments. On a different day maybe we would've had a better experience. Sorely disappointed. Will not return. Rip off.
(1)
Eden F.
The collard greens and mac and cheese are to die for! Their bbq sauce is so spot-on delicious. The ribs have really good flavor, but not too tender. Overall, great bbq place!
(4)
Zach M.
Fantastic BBQ!! Very friendly staff and comfortable environment. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ron D.
The BEST BBQ ribs and chicken that I have ever had in my life on a very consistent basis !!! My wife and I share an order of ribs which we can't finish. We order a whole chicken and take it home. The baked beans, collard greens, and all other sides are wonderful. Never had room for the home cooked sweet potato (and other) pies. Almost forgot to mention the place is dirt cheap!! ...The one drawback is that Al's is CLOSED Sunday through Tuesday...
(5)
James D.
Great food. I can't stay away from this place. The people who work here are super friendly and treat you right.
(5)
Familia O.
Oh my goodness...Definitely finger licking good! We live an hour away and would not hesitate to drive an hour to eat here. The staff is very pleasant and friendly too!
(5)
Akemi K.
Authentic, delicious, amazing BBQ. The platters are huge and there are many options.
(5)
Clay M.
Best bar-b-que in town. They have ribs, beef, chicken, pulled pork, and sausage. They are all amazing. My favorite is the pulled pork. Their collard greens are spicy and delicious. The greens come with cornbread that is unbeatable. The baked beans are sweet and delicious. Their spicy bar-b-que sauce is fantastic. The only thing that compares to how good the food is, is how friendly and pleasant the staff are. If you appreciate good southern style bar-b-que you'll love Al's.
(5)
Queen G.
Pulled pork and ribs very good ! Spicy collard greens are delicious . I don't know what they out in those baked beans, they remind me of captain crunch but in a good way. Southern hospitality for sure ...gave us free samples to try and really welcoming. Sweet tea
(5)
Gwendolyn M.
The food is phenomenal! The staff is friendly and Al is always there working. You can tell this place is his pride and joy and he loves what he does! Great local business to support. I love coming here!
(5)
Craig A.
YES. Eat Here. Often. Smells awesome when you pull up to this cool little house. And it tastes even better, if that is even possible! Great crew to take care of you. ESPN on 4 flatscreens. Al is right there to make sure you enjoy it.
And Finger licking is what I did.... I love that this place is hidden in Ybor city and there are live chickens running around. It added a primitive effect to what I knew I came here to do... Which was to eat smoked meats, probably use my fingers and look barbaric since I will have sauce everywhere. I ordered a meat trio because I am greedy like that and I have to try everything at once. Ribs, Chicken and Sausage with Collard greens and Mac & Cheese. I enjoyed every moment eating this meal and will be back again when twitching for some BBQ. Being that my family is from Georgia and I was raised on this stuff, I have to say their collard greens were on point. They had just enough spice that worked with the additional pepper sauce I like to put on my greens. This places is laid back with just the heavenly smell of smoke and sounds of the meat cleaver. I would recommend coming here when in the area and in need of a tender, juicy and flavorful meal!
(5)
Caity A.
How has no one told me about Al's?!? Hands-down top BBQ restaurant in Tampa (move aside, 4R!) We are more than wowed by both the Q and sides here. I got the pulled pork with slaw and beans. The pork is just phenomenal, and they do a great job of picking out the fatty pieces so you're just left with good quality meat. The slaw is delicious and creamy. The baked beans... Lordy, those baked beans!!! I've never tasted beans quite like these (we're thinking there's cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice or maple syrup in there), but they kick butt big time. My husband is nuts and got the 3 meat plate (pork, beef, ribs) with Mac and cheese and slaw. He ate it all, which was probably about 3 pounds of food so that should be your answer of whether or not it was good ;) If you want Heaven served up on a styrofoam plate, this is the place you need to be! Be warned- you'll have to roll yourself out of here because there's no other option than to eat yourself into a food coma!
(5)
Mark P.
It's been 6 years since I've been going to Al's and I'm still their biggest fan. It's been great to watch them grow over the years to a point where they have a cult-like following and fill up every seat in the house some days/nights. I've tried many other BBQ restos in the area and also when I travel but Al's is still the undisputed champ. The food is consistently great as is the service. I often find myself staying there for hours just to shoot the breeze with Al and the staff in between chowing down. I usually go there on Fridays when it's really busy but now they have me hooked on their smoked wings that they serve only on Wednesdays. If they ever operate 7 days a week, I might as well just move in.
(5)
Jaimie T.
After revisiting Al's a few times, it would be an injustice to not change my rating to five stars. The food is phenomenal every single time. The sausage is the best meat in my opinion, but to be fair I don't like sauces so it may be because it's the juiciest. Just a disclaimer! The yellow rice and chicken will forever be my favorite. The staff is always so polite and courteous. Even the parking lot man! I'm convinced we just had a misunderstanding or caught him on a bad day. I didn't think it was possible, but Al's has quickly turned me into a barbeque lover!
(5)
Grace C.
The smoked turkey leg on Thursday is incredibly delicious !! Perfectly seasoned and fall right off the bone tender! Great ribs with wonderful BBQ sauce. A must try place!
(5)
Bob R.
I'm torn, the meat is (usually) good, the sides are (usually) good, but inconsistent. Also, you can have as much BBQ sauce of any kind of you dine in, but if you want an extra to-go they charge you for it. No other BBQ place I can think of does that. You have a guy that knows his BBQ, but needs help to run a business. It's just annoying.
(3)
David S.
Amazing BBQ! The best I have had in Florida by far. Small place in Ybor Area of Tampa, may make you think twice.... But just follow your nose in.... And enjoy! The staff is very friendly, the food is amazing. We had the full slab, 1/2 chicken, chicken rice and baked beans. Just can't say enough about this place. I will be back again and again and again.
(5)
Ken D.
This is the place for BBQ! There is no other! I have been to them all! I declare this the best BBQ in the United States of America! Even a half slab of ribs can not be finished by one man. I fed three other people at work on these. The portions are amazing, the price is right and the people that run the place are as sweet as that sauce they use so liberally. The collard greens are spicy and a perfect compliment to the ribs. The baked beans are loaded with brown sugar just like your old bitter uncle used to make at cookouts as a kid. The burnt ends are not allowed to be talked about online for fear of drowning in our own saliva! You can even buy BBQ by the pound here. No joke. This is a place for serious lovers of the Q. And forget about the Mac and cheese, it will be the best you've ever had. I would eat here everyday if I could but I can't cause I'm older and know better. It is a place of indulgence and a beautiful one at that. I'm in shock this is two blocks from where I work and I never knew until someone brought some to work and I smelled it. It's glorious. I highly recommend Al's if you are a fan of BBQ. I mean it when I say it's the best. You're welcome!
(5)
Jiimy P.
Coming to Tampa to a conference! Decided to eat with a group. Their yellow is delicious, Mac and cheese, dark chicken, sausage sandwich are good!!!!
(5)
Dave O.
After reading the amazingly positive reviews I had no doubt I would be experiencing Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que in the very near future and today the opportunity presented itself. If you know anything about me it's that I love good BBQ and can be somewhat direct and maybe a little harsh when it's come to reviewing these places, in my opinion Southern Style BBQ cooked on a real pit using wood is authentic and how cooking meat was meant to be from the beginning of time or at least since man discovered fire. There have been occasions when I've enjoyed smoked meats on mechanical devices that were developed either to speed up the process or feed the masses but the old school wood fired method that requires hours of patients is in a different league. This place proves when you're passionate about something and willing to put in the work to make it successful the end results will be rewarding. What started in a garage feeding family members expanded into throwing a few extra pieces on the grill to feed a few neighbors it was apparent Al had the knowledge and talent to become what will be know forever going forward as a "Grill Master" this is not a self proclaimed tittle it's a fact. Once you experience this food that's a combination of southern style and soul food cooking you will know this is the real deal. After lunch I had the pleasure of meeting Jackie one of the family members here, it was apparent that her passion for serving only the best homemade dishes possible along with exceptional customer service is her number one priority and as impressive as this restaurant's accolades are it's all about customer service and the food. One look around validates the humble beginnings, one taste of anything here solidifies their place as one of the best BBQ joints if not the best in Florida. Demand has dictated a relocation is in the future as much as they love this location near 7th street in the historic district of Ybor City, so pay attention when you plan your visit. Now on to the food..... -Pork Ribs- Fall off the bone tender, seasoned perfectly, smoked until a smoke ring and thin bark forms on the outside sealing in the all the juices. The flavor of the wood is intertwined with the seasoning to create a distinctive fragrance you get as soon as you get out of your vehicle in the parking lot so roll up your windows if you're in the path of the smoke. These are the real deal. -Smoked Chicken- Wow! Tender, juicy full of flavor all the way to the bone yet not dried out, it's really something magical. Warning this is smoked chicken not grilled perfect to pull apart and dip in your choice of sauces yes they don't bathe anything in sauce here you choose your sauce and how much of it you want, for me it doesn't need any sauce but I did dip a few bites of the chicken. -Smoked Pork Sausage- This maybe the most unique offering here and what sets them apart from every other BBQ shack in Florida, this special blend of meat and spice is going to be a hit with any pure sausage enthusiast smoked then chopped on the butcher block and piled high yes pour on the "hot BBQ sauce" on this one this is a real winner. -Smoked Turkey- I love turkey and this turkey was moist, smokey and tender and oh for an added twist it came chopped like you would for a sandwich, different but delish. -Collard Greens- Hand washed, chopped daily and cooked until tender. These aren't your average collard greens they are seasoned spicy and you will get a warning if you order them but not an apology so be ware of this, so simple so delicious and of course there's a bottle of pickled peppers in vinegars not the table to splash on top - oh and don't forget the cornbread it's old school and home made as well served up with any order of collards. -Blackeyed Peas- Seasoned mildly and cooked until they melt, Jackie assured me they were cooked from dried peas not frozen or canned there is a differences you know I could of eaten a bowl of these. -Potato Salad- Mustard based sweet and tangy this is served like everything else here no pre-measured portion controls are in place here it's like fixing your plate at home when youve cooked your favorite dish. -BBQ Sauces- Hot or Mild and these too are finger licking good. There's really nothing more to say, if you're looking for good BBQ, you've found it...
(5)
Steve C.
The BBQ is top notch. Nothing rivals it in Ybor for sure. Al has grown this from a start up to a full blown restaurant. I used to be one of the few diners in there when I went, today there was a line, so long a wait that I actually left and went to El Puerto. The side dish of chicken and yellow rice is a must when you are here. It's a meal unto itself. His homemade sauces are full of flavor.
(5)
James P.
Al's is awesome. Ribs, outstanding. Love the char on them. Pulled pork was easily some of the best I've ever had. Beans had a lot of molasses in them, making them sweet - but still great. Awesome potato salad. Great corn bread. Wife loved the collared greens; not really my thing, but she wouldn't stop talking about them. This is a guy you want to have as a neighbor, when he does cookouts. But since you're not Al's neighbor, go to his BBQ place and eat up there. Although seating/ordering/paying can get a little chaotic - especially during lunch - everyone is friendly and helpful. This is, hands down, some of the best barbeque I've had, from anywhere in the country. Go here!
(5)
Charlie G.
Had lunch here today, while working nearby! Just a simple pulled pork sandwich and some potato salad... and I left HAPPY! Service was awesome... really friendly staff, and it smells like carnivore heaven in there! The pulled pork was good, lots of flavor and very tender. The potato salad? OMG! Some of the best I have had... creamy and tart, and sweet.... just yummy! I will be going back.. when I am not time constrained... because I want to eat at least one whole rack of their ribs all by myself! And try some of the other assorted goodies on that menu! Wonderful stuff! But you don't want to go there... trust me. If you don't go... there will be more for me! :) highly recommended!
(5)
Matt D.
We wandered across the tracks in search of Al's BBQ and couldn't have been happier. First of all, the smell of hickory smoke wafting out of the parking lot is a good sign, as are the many roosters wandering around the building. It really gives it an authentic, southern charm, which continued when we walked through the door. The service was attentive, friendly, and genuine with a relaxed, homey vibe. We ordered the three-meat sampler to get a taste of as much as possible. All the meats were great, but for me, the ribs and sausage outshined the pork just a little bit. These ribs were packed with smoky flavor and the skin on the sausage was so perfect it looks like cracked glass when cut into. Both of us loved the traditional bbq sauce and found that it had a bit more flavor than the "hot" variety. I nearly deducted a star for only having mac and cheese on Fridays (in a bbq joint, really?), but the potato salad was much better than I expected. It had a sweet mustardy taste that was quite addictive. I like the rotating cake idea, and our dessert of chocolate peanut butter cake from "Bear the Baker" was solid. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area, and the prices are reasonable as well.
(5)
Antony D.
The real deal. Outstanding! A little chaotic on Friday, but that's part of the charm.
(5)
Zao Z.
Food is amazing. It is one of the best BBQ places in Tampa. The ribs are delicious. The sides are amazing as well. The place is located in a old row house in Ybor. Certainly has character. The place itself is clean. The parking lot is unpaved. Be careful if you have a sports car. Service was attentive and friendly. You feel like you are meeting friends at a cookout almost.
(5)
Chris W.
It's simple, chicken is awesome, pulled pork is awesome, greens are spicy and different than any you've probably tried, Friday is mac and cheese day, made by his aunt. Sauce is outstanding. Very nice people on top of all of this. Very few great bbq places in Florida, this is one.
(5)
Nathan M.
The best barbecue in Tampa. Hands down. I was introduced by a friend 5hat has been going there for 29 years and I was a little skeptical of his praise but the food (and Al himself) won me over. I've had everything but the sausage. Everything is great but my favorite is the chicken. White or dark doesn't matter.
(5)
Ramy A.
Great place in Ybor Florida....it's not easy finding an original place like this ...I really enjoyed sampling the platter with three meats They have okra as a side that's really good...rice is amazing as well Outside you will find roosters running around and it feels like your eating on a farm The staff is really friendly and kind...people that are genuine.,.wish you all the best :)
(5)
Michael B.
Awesome bbq! Great prices, would definitely come back! The pulled pork was so good, not to forget the red velvet cake!! See you soon!!
(5)
Joanne K.
We came to Tampa for an RV show so we had plenty of time to check out the obscure but delectable eateries in the area and BOY we were not disappointed in finding All's through Yelp!! It is a low profile place in Ybor City (within 5 miles of our hotel in Tampa). Our handy dandy GPS brought us to a small unassuming house skirted by a wide porch with a large smoker- smoking in the parking lot next door...We arrived! The smells assaulted our olfactory senses and all but forced us to drool uncontrollably as we entered the establishment and were told to have a seat anywhere. It was Friday about 5:30 so the place was not busy. The menu included different smoked meats -ribs, pork, chicken and sausage- and a variety of southern sides. The hubs and I both chose ribs and 2 sides each - collared greens (with a kick of spice:), coleslaw, baked beans and Mac and cheese (only served on Fridays). We were not disappointed with anything we ordered as we licked each bone dry and used every ounce of energy (channeling our parents social graces lessons) and refrained from sucking the BBQ bottle dry and licking our plates clean. The owner and workers were as nice as anyone could be by chatting us up after dinner evidently enjoying everyone's company while it was slow enough to do so. Clean establishment including the bathrooms! This will be a repeat stop for us if we are back in the area (within a driving distance of less than 150 miles). Worth it if you like BBQ! Enjoy folks (!) and don't miss this culinary experience in Southern satisfaction.
(5)
Anthony B.
Excellent BBQ, the best pulled pork I've ever had. Portions were a little on the small side, but I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Bryan B.
One of the best BBQ places in the U.S. I ate here once a week for 3 years straight with my co-workers when living in Tampa. Al and his daughter are great people and very friendly. If you go enough he'll start to remember your order. My go to order was always the Dale Special dinner, which is a mixture of pulled pork and chopped up sausage. On the side, I would go with baked beans and potato salad. The beans have brown sugar in them and are some of the best beans I've ever had. You can't go wrong with other items on the menu, the ribs are HUGE and absolutely delicious. Also, if you go on Friday's you can get mac n cheese as a side. All the sides are homemade including the BBQ sauces and if you like spicy things, the hot bbq sauce is a must try! Now in Seattle, I miss Al's more than ever, but will definitely be returning when I'm back in Tampa.
(5)
Treona H.
Wow! This place is Mmmm Mmmm Good! My boyfriend and I each got the half rack ribs dinner and it exceeded our expectations. This place gives you so much meat that you will have plenty to take home. The collard greens were good and spicy, the yellow rice was PHENOMENAL! The only reason that I am giving this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because the mac and cheese was just OK. I cannot wait to go back! Quality food in Tampa is hard to find so I am ecstatic that we stumbled upon this gem :)
(4)
Max S.
Al's pulled pork is really fresh and he puts the sauce on the side. His baked beans with the touch of cinnamon rocks but his chicken and yellow is why you'll come back.
(3)
ANDREA H.
Checked the reviews and hit this spot for lunch while in Tampa! Off the path, turned a few corners and pulled into a smoking parking lot!! The sides were to die for and the menu was hilarious! Love Love and it is a MUST try! Will have to visit Al again when in Tampa!
(5)
Jenny L.
Awesome BBQ! The chopped beef and yellow rice was so yummy. Service was a bit slow that day, but otherwise Al's has some of the best BBQ in Tampa. The cute chickens hanging out around the premise was also a plus :-p
(4)
Jake B.
I'm only occasionally a BBQ fan, but this place was incredible. Located on the back side of the Ybor strip just across the railroad tracks, the neighborhood it's located in is a mix of commercial and residential with a great old-school feel -- including especially the very vocal chickens. We sat on the side porch where we got the full effect of the entertaining chickens in the back yard and the on-site smoker in the side parking lot. All on a nicely sunny and warm winter day. For a second as we first walked up to the place I worried it would be the kind of neighborhood place where an obvious tourist sticks out like a sore thumb, but the staff was welcoming and super friendly and helpful with the menu. I had the turkey breast with okra-and-tomato and yellow-rice-with-chicken sides; my dinner companion had the 1/4 white meat chicken with spicy collards and baked beans as sides. The meats were nicely smokey and moist, and coupled with the not-too-sweet-not-too-vinegary homemade BBQ sauce made some of the best BBQ I've ever had. Of the sides (all good), most memorable were the spicy collards -- smoky with a surprisingly potent afterburn -- and the yellow rice with chicken, which had an amazing light smoky flavor that I really enjoyed. Awesome place all around, I'll remember this place and its exuberant chickens and be back.
(5)
Chad W.
I had the Ryan's special. One of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've had. Moist, not over done, and with pieces of smokey ends mixed in. The sides were also top notch. Black eyes peas and yellow rice with chicken.
(5)
Cyrus J.
Damn good bbq, very highly recommended. Food is hellafied good, fast friendly service, and extremely welcoming staff.
(5)
Andrew M.
This is real BBQ. Owner was great, ribs were perfect and plenty of meat. Simple and fast service. The chicken and yellow rice side is a must. Good people, good BBQ.
(5)
Kelly A.
Love this place!! Best BBQ that I've ever had in my lif!
(5)
J Matt S.
It's not everyday that you can try a new place and can say "This is the best ______ I've ever tasted" Al has, by far, the best smoked sausage I've ever had (better than any grilled sausage I've had too). So good that that alone will keep me coming back. We also tried the baked beans, which were pretty good but a little heavy on the cinnamon for my taste. The yellow rice w/chicken was excellent. The ribs too, were outstanding with plenty of smoky flavor. We ate our food to-go and the sauce they gave us wasn't sweet enough for my liking and I'm not sure if they have a sweeter one or not. I wanted to try the macncheese but unfortunately it is only served of Fridays. Check their website for the days they are open before you go as they are not open every day. I met Al while ordering our food and he was very welcoming and helpful. I can't wait to try some of the other things on the menu the next time we are here. This will be a must-stop for us whenever we are staying in Tampa.
(5)
Matt M.
Was here yesterday my first time brought some friends from chicago. Very friendly atmosphere and the bbq was excellent. I had pulled pork and ribs all I can say is they were smoked to perfection. I would recommend this spot to anyone.
(5)
Matt B.
Stopped by for lunch....best decision we have made in a while, this place rocks! Ribs, chicken, and sausage were delicious. We asked for the Mac N Cheese that is normally only served on Friday, and they happily made it for us. Bake beans with some sort of cinnamon are great, and we loved the spicy BBQ....but beware, probably only want to use a little bit, this stuff will light your mouth up!!!! Thanks Al's for a great unexpected meal.
(5)
Kirsten D.
Truly excellent bbq. Ribs are probably the best in Tampa bay. The mac and cheese is only on Fridays but is excellent and well worth the wait. What really sets them apart is the bbq sauce. It has a nice kick and is very savory. There other sides are very good with the baked beans coming in right behind the Mac and cheese. They have a decent selection of beer but are in the heart of ybor city which is anything but dry. I never leave enough room for dessert but maybe one day. Also the service is really good. People are nice and respectful. Just a great place for a great meal.
(5)
Ryan H.
Had driven by a handful of times but never stopped in until my wife and I read about them in Creative Loafing's 2014 Best of the Bay issue. They are more than deserving of the award; definitely the best bar b q we've had in Tampa. Service is fast and friendly, the environment is as casual and relaxed, and the food was spectacular. It happened to be raining pretty hard when we came in but that didn't stop the staff from regularly tending to the jumbo-sized smoker out by the parking lot (letting the smell float out there and reel people in). We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Terry C.
Al's us unbelievably delicious - best Bar B Que around! Service is fast, staff is friendly. This is a great place to eat - highly recommended!
(5)
John Paul B.
Excellent barbecue, true southern style sides, and great service. A must if you are in the area!
(5)
Shawn L.
I will start out by saying I'm from Georgia and I grew up with bbq places having saw dust on the floors. I love bbq and I am a avid bbqer. I say all this to say this is really really really good bbq. The ribs, pulled pork and the chicken are amazing. The sides are just as good. The spivey collard greens are off the hook. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Magnus D.
Boy, I really wish this was as good as the reviews say, but it's just not. I loved the location, building, and inside cleanliness. I also thought the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and the real deal. You get a good feeling when you climb the front steps and see the smoker puffing away in the parking lot. You swing the door open, step in and think you've found a hidden gem. But the ribs aren't high quality slabs, the mac & cheese is pretty light on the cheese, the baked beans are overly sugared, and the bbq sauce is bland and runny. The ribs did smell of smoke, even though they were too dry. The pulled pork, while moist, was bland and I got no hint of smoke in even one bite. Good Q remains elusive. They really need to get some good beers and at least a house wine so the women are happy--and some limes for the Corona (is there anything worse than a Corona beer without a lime?) A terrific bbq sauce would really help, and maybe they should just buy one off the shelf since there are so many good ones out there.
(3)
Alex H.
Was in Tampa on vacation. This place is AMAZING!!!!down home southern cooking, felt like a family cookout with a gourmet chef. The best grilled chicken I've ever had. Ribs were on point, beans out of this world, rice and chicken...Damn...The greens...oh the greens...they put they foot in it! Like any cookout, get there early or the best stuff is gone.
(5)
Jenny S.
I was walking down the main drag in Ybor and looked over about a block to see beautiful smoke coming from what was a huge smoker in the parking lot. I had to check it out! When I got closer, there were even roosters running about! I ordered a combo plate of two meats and two sides. I got the pork ribs and sausage with cole slaw and mac & cheese (Fridays only). Let there be no mistake, the meat is the star of this restaurant! ! Smokey moist goodness. Melt in your mouth heaven! Although the BBQ sauce was good, the meat could stand alone! I couldn't stop eating it! And the portions are Huge!! Mac & cheese and coleslaw were good. What you would expect..and freshly made. But again, the meat is the star here! Fantastic! My plate cost about 13 bucks. And could have easily fed two!
(5)
Theresa R.
Fabulous barbecue. .all meats are moist with not too heavy a smoked flavor..sides are all great however collards are quite spicy so beware..Service and employees were very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go again..
(5)
Josi J.
Thanks to yelp reviews, I managed to find a yummy bbq spot. I had the Carolyn combo with beef and chicken, both delicious!! Also, had baked beans (yummm) & collard greens (spicy and diff, not for me)...but you can't forget the cornbread!! Overall great meal!
(5)
Stephanie W.
This hole in the wall is a little taste of home. The name says it all and I would highly recommend it! Yummy
(5)
Will S.
The bulk of these stars comes from the macaroni and cheese. It is ONLY available on Fridays; and it is riot worthy. There is only a limited quantity of the golden stuff so make sure you get there in time for the best part of your meal. The meat was exceptional, particularly the brisket and the ribs...outstanding. The rest was of the meats were ok, definitely not worth writing home about like the brisket or the ribs. The sides were alright as well. Compared to the mac 'n' cheese they were lacking. The staff was exceptional. Very knowledgeable about the menu, and willing to work with us on getting us a full and proper meal. Great night; lots of fun; full belly! The neighborhood is shady because it's in Ybor City, but it's worth the drive.
(4)
Chris R.
Went to Al's on a weekend trip to Busch Gardens. Hands down the best barbecue food i've had.
(5)
Jake M.
Service was quick but frankly, the food was not up to par. No Mac & cheese or cornbread on a Saturday night at 7? Also, the Budweiser was warm & our food was prepped in a microwave. Baked beans tasted as though they were from a can of Bush's. Server lost our bill so we had to remind them of what we had.
(1)
Kaitlin J.
This is the best barbeque I have had since moving down south, and Al never disappoints. Set in an obscure house off of downtown Ybor, Al's is no nonsense down home comfort food. If you head during lunch time, be prepared to wait a bit, sometimes they can be understaffed, and with small kitchen space. But be patient! It's worth it, and they will take care of you. The pulled pork with sausage (dale special) is something to write home about. All smoked on premise, you'll come out with a full stomach, and the sweet sweet smell of smoked meat lingering on your clothes, a fond reminder of the delicious meal you just had. And don't forget the homemade banana pudding on Fridays only! Get it early, it goes fast! I hope Al sticks around for a very long time.
(5)
Yanelly F.
Can't say enough good things about this place. The food was great service was great the prices were great and best of all it was so clean. Absolutely going there again and telling all my rib loving friends.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Wow, best BBQ I have ever had!! When it comes to great food and service Al's Finger licking good wins the Blue Ribbon!
(5)
Becca G.
Food was great! I work down the street and park right infront and for weeks i been smelling the food saying i have to stop in. Now that i finally have ill be coming here all the time. Best bbq iv had in a long time! People were friendly
(5)
Raymond H.
Ate there for lunch the ribs were excellent had a half rack. The smoke taste and char on the ribs were great. They didn't need any sauce they were so good.
(5)
Lindsey S.
Visited all the way from Kansas in search of some real BBQ. No disappointment was to be had. The beans were amazing and rivaled the wonderful pulled pork sandwich. It's been 3 months and I am craving some Al's yet again.
(5)
Amanda M.
We stopped by here for lunch one day a couple of months ago. We really enjoyed it. The ribs and sausage were great. The macaroni and cheese was cheesy and delicious. There wasn't very many people in there but we don't understand why. This place was great! Support your local businesses people. Get out there and try this place if you like BBQ. I don't believe you will be disappointed.
(5)
Randi H.
BEST BAR B QUE EVER!!! Stick with the ribs, all the sides are good including the greens, mac n cheese, tater salad. The sweet potate pie is also good. Oh, don't forget iced tea!
(5)
Tyler H.
Absolutely delicious! Everything was wonderful, but the baked beans were a special kind of wonderful! The customer service was the best! Very, very, friendly!
(5)
Joshua C.
Excellent choice for lunch. Great prices backed up by awesome BBQ. Highly recommend the ribs and the collar greens. The collar greens are pretty unique, they have great flavor and an unusual "kick"
(5)
Carmen F.
So I can officially name this the best BBQ in Tampa. The ribs are better than the last time(if that's possible) and everyone remembered me I love a family restaurant almost as much as I love bear cakes which are served here by the amazing Dwayne o'bear. I cannot find any fault with this amazing joint and I highly recommend you all stop on by!
(5)
Jessica M.
A real surprise! We were staying in Ybor and craving BBQ, went to yelp in search of good food and wow did this place not disappoint!! Fast, friendly and fantastic food at an affordable price! We had the smoked sausage, pulled pork, ribs, greens and baked beans. Everything was fantastic and the beans were delightful, with a touch of honey and cinnamon! Take a chance on Al's it's the best BBQ around!
(5)
Kelleigh M.
I stopped in today to get a little BBQ-I thought it was ok, nothing phenomenal. The pulled pork sandwich was moist, but nothing spectacular. A few things I noticed: The BBQ sauce is bottled The baked beans didn't seem home made The Mac n cheese was not homemade-I was expecting baked, fresh Mac n cheese. This reminded me of velveta -sort of soupy The bread wasn't toasted Maybe I had my expectations too high, but I don't see myself driving across town just for Al's
(3)
Scott P.
Simple but delicious barbecue at a great price, in a comfortable atmosphere with a quick and friendly staff. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Carl B.
Amazing! We ordered ribs, pulled pork, black eyed peas, baked beans, cole slaw and hummingbird cake. Best bbq we have ever had. Our waiter was just as amazing as the food was. If you are in ybor, make sure to stop here!
(5)
Ana Victoria M.
The service was amazing. You must try Sparky's pulled pork sandwich. It's amazing!
(5)
Cory N.
Great BBQ. Southern owner, likewise with the staff. I had the pulled pork sammich, spicy collard greens and potato salad. It was all excellent. I like that he preps the meat right there. Nothing like hearing the "BANG BANG" as he chops the meat to throw on the sandwich.
(5)
Jen G.
Umm umm good. The staff is friendly and attentive and the good was great. Had the chopped beef and dark meat chicken combo with Mac and cheese, collard greens and baked beans. I really appreciate that the sides do not have meat in them. Very cool. Tasty overall. Left me rubbing my belly and ready for a nap. :)
(5)
Malinda L.
We stopped here because we had tickets for the Ybor Aficionado days and this was one of the stops. I had no idea this place was there but wow, great bbq. We tried the pulled pork and tried a few of the bbq sauces. Really, really awesome. I can't wait to go back and try more. The owner is very nice and friendly to everyone who comes in as well, you can tell that they really want to make you happy with their food.
(5)
Angie L.
Fantastic bbq!!! Service is quick and friendly. Yellow rice and chicken is a side not to miss. Ribs are huge! Go when it's slow and chat up Al! He won't give up the secret to his great baked beans or bbq sauce though!
(5)
Denis K.
I don't get it when there are glowing recommendations in reviews of this place, but the reviewer ends up giving only 3 stars! What's up with that??!! This place is five star quality, hands down -- no ifs, ands or buts. It deserves an excellent rating and all stars possible. Why? Simple: (1) Truly outstanding quality of food; (2) Cleanliness of establishment, including bathrooms; (3) Reasonableness of cost; (4) Prompt and attentive service; (5) Outstanding friendliness of owner and staff. What else is needed to be known? Not having set foot in this place beforehand and being complete strangers to the area, we did what we always do -- check in on Yelp and figure out the best places to eat nearby. This was one of the top in our area in Tampa. Ribs just sounded great. Plus, it was Friday when we went -- and the Yelp reviews talked about the promise of Friday-only Mac and Cheese which just sounded perfect at the time. When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by people we had never met -- Big Al and his super staff. They were ready to help us with all questions we had. We felt instantly valued as customers and ... well ... at home. We made our choices and were treated to exceptional fare, reasonable prices, friendly and prompt service. Just what the doctor ordered! I had 1/2 rack of pork ribs, the famous Mac and Cheese, baked beans, corn bread and sweet tea. Oh my!!! Just fabulous. Each and every bite. My wife had 1/4 rack, collard greens, creamy cole slaw, corn bread and diet soda. We both had to take food back to the motel, there was so much of it (and there was no way we were going to leave it on the plate!). The ribs, in my estimation, were definitely 1/4 pound each! Done perfectly and with terrific sauce (a bit of heat, a bit of mustard, a bit of smokey sweetness). The Mac and Cheese was heavenly -- creamy and fresh, cheesy but in a smooooooth way, a bit of sour cream somehow in the mix. The beans were also a winner with just a hint of cinnamon if you can believe that. Wonderful. And real southern sweet tea -- sweet, smooth, fresh. My fav. We had a great time, we had outstanding food at more than reasonable pricing, we had friendly and fun company with new people who love what they do in preparing and serving their wonderful food with obvious love and care. We will never miss this place when in Tampa again. If all that doesn't warrant a full five stars and an excellent rating, what does?
(5)
John A.
Tried on the recommendation of a great friend and was so surprised to see Al of First Choice Bbq fame at the helm. Great environment and hands down the best ribs that I've put in my mouth. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.
(5)
Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because Big Al is the man! --- --- --- I cannot believe that for a year and a half, I lived a mere two blocks from Big Al's and didn't know it! I'm in complete shock. I thought I would have at least smelled the fumes, but I guess Acropolis and Naviera have a monopoly on the scents of Ybor. These are some of the best ribs in town. The pulled pork is also top notch. Al and his "assistant" are always very friendly. Mac-n-Cheese is only served on Fridays, so that is the best day to go. I am still in utter dismay that it wasn't until recently that I discovered the greatness of Al's.
(4)
Jacob K.
Awesome home cooking! Best BBQ in the area by far. This small restaurant packs a big punch. The meat is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. I would recommend this place to anyone, and I can't wait to go back next Friday! The Mac and cheese (Friday only) is amazing!
(5)
Crystal S.
Phenomenal! True, southern bbq! Delicious! Their staff is super nice worth great service too! LOVE this place!
(5)
Amanda H.
The best BBQ in town and Al is a treat!
(5)
P G.
Good BBQ. I particularly liked the beans and collards. Best I have had. The sweet tea was perfect. If you enjoy BBQ, you will like this place. It is unpretentious, down home cooking.
(4)
Yolanda S.
Flew home 2 days ago and had a taste fir barbecue which is strange because I'm so picky about cue. After checking Yelp for a barbecue joint with high ratings and open past 8 on a Fri I was led here. Al took my to-go order by phone and agreed to wail until we drove from St Pete (thanks Al). Ribs were good. Tender except for a few tough pieces on outer edge of couple ribs. Not heavily smoky (just right for me) and good sauce. Yum! Collards were awful. Not tender and way too bitter. I detected Old Bay Seasoning in them but that did nothing but add heat. Mac n cheese was ok. Hubby said the Potato Salad was good. Was left disappointed by dessert. What was supposed to be a Strawberry Hummingbird Cake tasted like a lackluster Carrot Cake minus the carrots. There was no bananas in the cake n definitely no strawberries although i kept biting into some kind of dried fruit (maybe) that i couldn't make out. I think there was a mix-up somewhere in the kitchen. All in all we will definitely return for more 'cue since it is the main attraction. The meat is worth a drive across the bridge.
(4)
Mac S.
This place has very authentic atmosphere and the ribs are so tender the meat falls off the bone! Definitely should go here of all the places to eat in Ybor!
And Finger licking is what I did.... I love that this place is hidden in Ybor city and there are live chickens running around. It added a primitive effect to what I knew I came here to do... Which was to eat smoked meats, probably use my fingers and look barbaric since I will have sauce everywhere. I ordered a meat trio because I am greedy like that and I have to try everything at once. Ribs, Chicken and Sausage with Collard greens and Mac & Cheese. I enjoyed every moment eating this meal and will be back again when twitching for some BBQ. Being that my family is from Georgia and I was raised on this stuff, I have to say their collard greens were on point. They had just enough spice that worked with the additional pepper sauce I like to put on my greens. This places is laid back with just the heavenly smell of smoke and sounds of the meat cleaver. I would recommend coming here when in the area and in need of a tender, juicy and flavorful meal!
(5)
Caity A.
How has no one told me about Al's?!? Hands-down top BBQ restaurant in Tampa (move aside, 4R!) We are more than wowed by both the Q and sides here. I got the pulled pork with slaw and beans. The pork is just phenomenal, and they do a great job of picking out the fatty pieces so you're just left with good quality meat. The slaw is delicious and creamy. The baked beans... Lordy, those baked beans!!! I've never tasted beans quite like these (we're thinking there's cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice or maple syrup in there), but they kick butt big time. My husband is nuts and got the 3 meat plate (pork, beef, ribs) with Mac and cheese and slaw. He ate it all, which was probably about 3 pounds of food so that should be your answer of whether or not it was good ;) If you want Heaven served up on a styrofoam plate, this is the place you need to be! Be warned- you'll have to roll yourself out of here because there's no other option than to eat yourself into a food coma!
(5)
Mark P.
It's been 6 years since I've been going to Al's and I'm still their biggest fan. It's been great to watch them grow over the years to a point where they have a cult-like following and fill up every seat in the house some days/nights. I've tried many other BBQ restos in the area and also when I travel but Al's is still the undisputed champ. The food is consistently great as is the service. I often find myself staying there for hours just to shoot the breeze with Al and the staff in between chowing down. I usually go there on Fridays when it's really busy but now they have me hooked on their smoked wings that they serve only on Wednesdays. If they ever operate 7 days a week, I might as well just move in.
(5)
Jaimie T.
After revisiting Al's a few times, it would be an injustice to not change my rating to five stars. The food is phenomenal every single time. The sausage is the best meat in my opinion, but to be fair I don't like sauces so it may be because it's the juiciest. Just a disclaimer! The yellow rice and chicken will forever be my favorite. The staff is always so polite and courteous. Even the parking lot man! I'm convinced we just had a misunderstanding or caught him on a bad day. I didn't think it was possible, but Al's has quickly turned me into a barbeque lover!
(5)
Grace C.
The smoked turkey leg on Thursday is incredibly delicious !! Perfectly seasoned and fall right off the bone tender! Great ribs with wonderful BBQ sauce. A must try place!
(5)
Ken D.
This is the place for BBQ! There is no other! I have been to them all! I declare this the best BBQ in the United States of America! Even a half slab of ribs can not be finished by one man. I fed three other people at work on these. The portions are amazing, the price is right and the people that run the place are as sweet as that sauce they use so liberally. The collard greens are spicy and a perfect compliment to the ribs. The baked beans are loaded with brown sugar just like your old bitter uncle used to make at cookouts as a kid. The burnt ends are not allowed to be talked about online for fear of drowning in our own saliva! You can even buy BBQ by the pound here. No joke. This is a place for serious lovers of the Q. And forget about the Mac and cheese, it will be the best you've ever had. I would eat here everyday if I could but I can't cause I'm older and know better. It is a place of indulgence and a beautiful one at that. I'm in shock this is two blocks from where I work and I never knew until someone brought some to work and I smelled it. It's glorious. I highly recommend Al's if you are a fan of BBQ. I mean it when I say it's the best. You're welcome!
(5)
Jiimy P.
Coming to Tampa to a conference! Decided to eat with a group. Their yellow is delicious, Mac and cheese, dark chicken, sausage sandwich are good!!!!
(5)
Dave O.
After reading the amazingly positive reviews I had no doubt I would be experiencing Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que in the very near future and today the opportunity presented itself. If you know anything about me it's that I love good BBQ and can be somewhat direct and maybe a little harsh when it's come to reviewing these places, in my opinion Southern Style BBQ cooked on a real pit using wood is authentic and how cooking meat was meant to be from the beginning of time or at least since man discovered fire. There have been occasions when I've enjoyed smoked meats on mechanical devices that were developed either to speed up the process or feed the masses but the old school wood fired method that requires hours of patients is in a different league. This place proves when you're passionate about something and willing to put in the work to make it successful the end results will be rewarding. What started in a garage feeding family members expanded into throwing a few extra pieces on the grill to feed a few neighbors it was apparent Al had the knowledge and talent to become what will be know forever going forward as a "Grill Master" this is not a self proclaimed tittle it's a fact. Once you experience this food that's a combination of southern style and soul food cooking you will know this is the real deal. After lunch I had the pleasure of meeting Jackie one of the family members here, it was apparent that her passion for serving only the best homemade dishes possible along with exceptional customer service is her number one priority and as impressive as this restaurant's accolades are it's all about customer service and the food. One look around validates the humble beginnings, one taste of anything here solidifies their place as one of the best BBQ joints if not the best in Florida. Demand has dictated a relocation is in the future as much as they love this location near 7th street in the historic district of Ybor City, so pay attention when you plan your visit. Now on to the food..... -Pork Ribs- Fall off the bone tender, seasoned perfectly, smoked until a smoke ring and thin bark forms on the outside sealing in the all the juices. The flavor of the wood is intertwined with the seasoning to create a distinctive fragrance you get as soon as you get out of your vehicle in the parking lot so roll up your windows if you're in the path of the smoke. These are the real deal. -Smoked Chicken- Wow! Tender, juicy full of flavor all the way to the bone yet not dried out, it's really something magical. Warning this is smoked chicken not grilled perfect to pull apart and dip in your choice of sauces yes they don't bathe anything in sauce here you choose your sauce and how much of it you want, for me it doesn't need any sauce but I did dip a few bites of the chicken. -Smoked Pork Sausage- This maybe the most unique offering here and what sets them apart from every other BBQ shack in Florida, this special blend of meat and spice is going to be a hit with any pure sausage enthusiast smoked then chopped on the butcher block and piled high yes pour on the "hot BBQ sauce" on this one this is a real winner. -Smoked Turkey- I love turkey and this turkey was moist, smokey and tender and oh for an added twist it came chopped like you would for a sandwich, different but delish. -Collard Greens- Hand washed, chopped daily and cooked until tender. These aren't your average collard greens they are seasoned spicy and you will get a warning if you order them but not an apology so be ware of this, so simple so delicious and of course there's a bottle of pickled peppers in vinegars not the table to splash on top - oh and don't forget the cornbread it's old school and home made as well served up with any order of collards. -Blackeyed Peas- Seasoned mildly and cooked until they melt, Jackie assured me they were cooked from dried peas not frozen or canned there is a differences you know I could of eaten a bowl of these. -Potato Salad- Mustard based sweet and tangy this is served like everything else here no pre-measured portion controls are in place here it's like fixing your plate at home when youve cooked your favorite dish. -BBQ Sauces- Hot or Mild and these too are finger licking good. There's really nothing more to say, if you're looking for good BBQ, you've found it...
(5)
Steve C.
The BBQ is top notch. Nothing rivals it in Ybor for sure. Al has grown this from a start up to a full blown restaurant. I used to be one of the few diners in there when I went, today there was a line, so long a wait that I actually left and went to El Puerto. The side dish of chicken and yellow rice is a must when you are here. It's a meal unto itself. His homemade sauces are full of flavor.
(5)
James P.
Al's is awesome. Ribs, outstanding. Love the char on them. Pulled pork was easily some of the best I've ever had. Beans had a lot of molasses in them, making them sweet - but still great. Awesome potato salad. Great corn bread. Wife loved the collared greens; not really my thing, but she wouldn't stop talking about them. This is a guy you want to have as a neighbor, when he does cookouts. But since you're not Al's neighbor, go to his BBQ place and eat up there. Although seating/ordering/paying can get a little chaotic - especially during lunch - everyone is friendly and helpful. This is, hands down, some of the best barbeque I've had, from anywhere in the country. Go here!
(5)
Charlie G.
Had lunch here today, while working nearby! Just a simple pulled pork sandwich and some potato salad... and I left HAPPY! Service was awesome... really friendly staff, and it smells like carnivore heaven in there! The pulled pork was good, lots of flavor and very tender. The potato salad? OMG! Some of the best I have had... creamy and tart, and sweet.... just yummy! I will be going back.. when I am not time constrained... because I want to eat at least one whole rack of their ribs all by myself! And try some of the other assorted goodies on that menu! Wonderful stuff! But you don't want to go there... trust me. If you don't go... there will be more for me! :) highly recommended!
(5)
Akemi K.
Authentic, delicious, amazing BBQ. The platters are huge and there are many options.
(5)
Matt D.
We wandered across the tracks in search of Al's BBQ and couldn't have been happier. First of all, the smell of hickory smoke wafting out of the parking lot is a good sign, as are the many roosters wandering around the building. It really gives it an authentic, southern charm, which continued when we walked through the door. The service was attentive, friendly, and genuine with a relaxed, homey vibe. We ordered the three-meat sampler to get a taste of as much as possible. All the meats were great, but for me, the ribs and sausage outshined the pork just a little bit. These ribs were packed with smoky flavor and the skin on the sausage was so perfect it looks like cracked glass when cut into. Both of us loved the traditional bbq sauce and found that it had a bit more flavor than the "hot" variety. I nearly deducted a star for only having mac and cheese on Fridays (in a bbq joint, really?), but the potato salad was much better than I expected. It had a sweet mustardy taste that was quite addictive. I like the rotating cake idea, and our dessert of chocolate peanut butter cake from "Bear the Baker" was solid. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area, and the prices are reasonable as well.
(5)
Antony D.
The real deal. Outstanding! A little chaotic on Friday, but that's part of the charm.
(5)
Zao Z.
Food is amazing. It is one of the best BBQ places in Tampa. The ribs are delicious. The sides are amazing as well. The place is located in a old row house in Ybor. Certainly has character. The place itself is clean. The parking lot is unpaved. Be careful if you have a sports car. Service was attentive and friendly. You feel like you are meeting friends at a cookout almost.
(5)
Chris W.
It's simple, chicken is awesome, pulled pork is awesome, greens are spicy and different than any you've probably tried, Friday is mac and cheese day, made by his aunt. Sauce is outstanding. Very nice people on top of all of this. Very few great bbq places in Florida, this is one.
(5)
Nathan M.
The best barbecue in Tampa. Hands down. I was introduced by a friend 5hat has been going there for 29 years and I was a little skeptical of his praise but the food (and Al himself) won me over. I've had everything but the sausage. Everything is great but my favorite is the chicken. White or dark doesn't matter.
(5)
Joanne K.
We came to Tampa for an RV show so we had plenty of time to check out the obscure but delectable eateries in the area and BOY we were not disappointed in finding All's through Yelp!! It is a low profile place in Ybor City (within 5 miles of our hotel in Tampa). Our handy dandy GPS brought us to a small unassuming house skirted by a wide porch with a large smoker- smoking in the parking lot next door...We arrived! The smells assaulted our olfactory senses and all but forced us to drool uncontrollably as we entered the establishment and were told to have a seat anywhere. It was Friday about 5:30 so the place was not busy. The menu included different smoked meats -ribs, pork, chicken and sausage- and a variety of southern sides. The hubs and I both chose ribs and 2 sides each - collared greens (with a kick of spice:), coleslaw, baked beans and Mac and cheese (only served on Fridays). We were not disappointed with anything we ordered as we licked each bone dry and used every ounce of energy (channeling our parents social graces lessons) and refrained from sucking the BBQ bottle dry and licking our plates clean. The owner and workers were as nice as anyone could be by chatting us up after dinner evidently enjoying everyone's company while it was slow enough to do so. Clean establishment including the bathrooms! This will be a repeat stop for us if we are back in the area (within a driving distance of less than 150 miles). Worth it if you like BBQ! Enjoy folks (!) and don't miss this culinary experience in Southern satisfaction.
(5)
Anthony B.
Excellent BBQ, the best pulled pork I've ever had. Portions were a little on the small side, but I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Bryan B.
One of the best BBQ places in the U.S. I ate here once a week for 3 years straight with my co-workers when living in Tampa. Al and his daughter are great people and very friendly. If you go enough he'll start to remember your order. My go to order was always the Dale Special dinner, which is a mixture of pulled pork and chopped up sausage. On the side, I would go with baked beans and potato salad. The beans have brown sugar in them and are some of the best beans I've ever had. You can't go wrong with other items on the menu, the ribs are HUGE and absolutely delicious. Also, if you go on Friday's you can get mac n cheese as a side. All the sides are homemade including the BBQ sauces and if you like spicy things, the hot bbq sauce is a must try! Now in Seattle, I miss Al's more than ever, but will definitely be returning when I'm back in Tampa.
(5)
Treona H.
Wow! This place is Mmmm Mmmm Good! My boyfriend and I each got the half rack ribs dinner and it exceeded our expectations. This place gives you so much meat that you will have plenty to take home. The collard greens were good and spicy, the yellow rice was PHENOMENAL! The only reason that I am giving this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because the mac and cheese was just OK. I cannot wait to go back! Quality food in Tampa is hard to find so I am ecstatic that we stumbled upon this gem :)
(4)
Max S.
Al's pulled pork is really fresh and he puts the sauce on the side. His baked beans with the touch of cinnamon rocks but his chicken and yellow is why you'll come back.
(3)
Bob R.
I'm torn, the meat is (usually) good, the sides are (usually) good, but inconsistent. Also, you can have as much BBQ sauce of any kind of you dine in, but if you want an extra to-go they charge you for it. No other BBQ place I can think of does that. You have a guy that knows his BBQ, but needs help to run a business. It's just annoying.
(3)
David S.
Amazing BBQ! The best I have had in Florida by far. Small place in Ybor Area of Tampa, may make you think twice.... But just follow your nose in.... And enjoy! The staff is very friendly, the food is amazing. We had the full slab, 1/2 chicken, chicken rice and baked beans. Just can't say enough about this place. I will be back again and again and again.
(5)
Gwendolyn M.
The food is phenomenal! The staff is friendly and Al is always there working. You can tell this place is his pride and joy and he loves what he does! Great local business to support. I love coming here!
(5)
Craig A.
YES. Eat Here. Often. Smells awesome when you pull up to this cool little house. And it tastes even better, if that is even possible! Great crew to take care of you. ESPN on 4 flatscreens. Al is right there to make sure you enjoy it.
(5)
Clay M.
Best bar-b-que in town. They have ribs, beef, chicken, pulled pork, and sausage. They are all amazing. My favorite is the pulled pork. Their collard greens are spicy and delicious. The greens come with cornbread that is unbeatable. The baked beans are sweet and delicious. Their spicy bar-b-que sauce is fantastic. The only thing that compares to how good the food is, is how friendly and pleasant the staff are. If you appreciate good southern style bar-b-que you'll love Al's.
(5)
Queen G.
Pulled pork and ribs very good ! Spicy collard greens are delicious . I don't know what they out in those baked beans, they remind me of captain crunch but in a good way. Southern hospitality for sure ...gave us free samples to try and really welcoming. Sweet tea
(5)
Ramy A.
Great place in Ybor Florida....it's not easy finding an original place like this ...I really enjoyed sampling the platter with three meats They have okra as a side that's really good...rice is amazing as well Outside you will find roosters running around and it feels like your eating on a farm The staff is really friendly and kind...people that are genuine.,.wish you all the best :)
(5)
Michael B.
Awesome bbq! Great prices, would definitely come back! The pulled pork was so good, not to forget the red velvet cake!! See you soon!!
(5)
ANDREA H.
Checked the reviews and hit this spot for lunch while in Tampa! Off the path, turned a few corners and pulled into a smoking parking lot!! The sides were to die for and the menu was hilarious! Love Love and it is a MUST try! Will have to visit Al again when in Tampa!
(5)
Jenny L.
Awesome BBQ! The chopped beef and yellow rice was so yummy. Service was a bit slow that day, but otherwise Al's has some of the best BBQ in Tampa. The cute chickens hanging out around the premise was also a plus :-p
(4)
Jake B.
I'm only occasionally a BBQ fan, but this place was incredible. Located on the back side of the Ybor strip just across the railroad tracks, the neighborhood it's located in is a mix of commercial and residential with a great old-school feel -- including especially the very vocal chickens. We sat on the side porch where we got the full effect of the entertaining chickens in the back yard and the on-site smoker in the side parking lot. All on a nicely sunny and warm winter day. For a second as we first walked up to the place I worried it would be the kind of neighborhood place where an obvious tourist sticks out like a sore thumb, but the staff was welcoming and super friendly and helpful with the menu. I had the turkey breast with okra-and-tomato and yellow-rice-with-chicken sides; my dinner companion had the 1/4 white meat chicken with spicy collards and baked beans as sides. The meats were nicely smokey and moist, and coupled with the not-too-sweet-not-too-vinegary homemade BBQ sauce made some of the best BBQ I've ever had. Of the sides (all good), most memorable were the spicy collards -- smoky with a surprisingly potent afterburn -- and the yellow rice with chicken, which had an amazing light smoky flavor that I really enjoyed. Awesome place all around, I'll remember this place and its exuberant chickens and be back.
(5)
Chad W.
I had the Ryan's special. One of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've had. Moist, not over done, and with pieces of smokey ends mixed in. The sides were also top notch. Black eyes peas and yellow rice with chicken.
(5)
Cyrus J.
Damn good bbq, very highly recommended. Food is hellafied good, fast friendly service, and extremely welcoming staff.
(5)
Andrew M.
This is real BBQ. Owner was great, ribs were perfect and plenty of meat. Simple and fast service. The chicken and yellow rice side is a must. Good people, good BBQ.
(5)
Kelly A.
Love this place!! Best BBQ that I've ever had in my lif!
(5)
John Paul B.
Excellent barbecue, true southern style sides, and great service. A must if you are in the area!
(5)
Shawn L.
I will start out by saying I'm from Georgia and I grew up with bbq places having saw dust on the floors. I love bbq and I am a avid bbqer. I say all this to say this is really really really good bbq. The ribs, pulled pork and the chicken are amazing. The sides are just as good. The spivey collard greens are off the hook. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
J Matt S.
It's not everyday that you can try a new place and can say "This is the best ______ I've ever tasted" Al has, by far, the best smoked sausage I've ever had (better than any grilled sausage I've had too). So good that that alone will keep me coming back. We also tried the baked beans, which were pretty good but a little heavy on the cinnamon for my taste. The yellow rice w/chicken was excellent. The ribs too, were outstanding with plenty of smoky flavor. We ate our food to-go and the sauce they gave us wasn't sweet enough for my liking and I'm not sure if they have a sweeter one or not. I wanted to try the macncheese but unfortunately it is only served of Fridays. Check their website for the days they are open before you go as they are not open every day. I met Al while ordering our food and he was very welcoming and helpful. I can't wait to try some of the other things on the menu the next time we are here. This will be a must-stop for us whenever we are staying in Tampa.
(5)
Matt M.
Was here yesterday my first time brought some friends from chicago. Very friendly atmosphere and the bbq was excellent. I had pulled pork and ribs all I can say is they were smoked to perfection. I would recommend this spot to anyone.
(5)
Matt B.
Stopped by for lunch....best decision we have made in a while, this place rocks! Ribs, chicken, and sausage were delicious. We asked for the Mac N Cheese that is normally only served on Friday, and they happily made it for us. Bake beans with some sort of cinnamon are great, and we loved the spicy BBQ....but beware, probably only want to use a little bit, this stuff will light your mouth up!!!! Thanks Al's for a great unexpected meal.
(5)
Kirsten D.
Truly excellent bbq. Ribs are probably the best in Tampa bay. The mac and cheese is only on Fridays but is excellent and well worth the wait. What really sets them apart is the bbq sauce. It has a nice kick and is very savory. There other sides are very good with the baked beans coming in right behind the Mac and cheese. They have a decent selection of beer but are in the heart of ybor city which is anything but dry. I never leave enough room for dessert but maybe one day. Also the service is really good. People are nice and respectful. Just a great place for a great meal.
(5)
Ryan H.
Had driven by a handful of times but never stopped in until my wife and I read about them in Creative Loafing's 2014 Best of the Bay issue. They are more than deserving of the award; definitely the best bar b q we've had in Tampa. Service is fast and friendly, the environment is as casual and relaxed, and the food was spectacular. It happened to be raining pretty hard when we came in but that didn't stop the staff from regularly tending to the jumbo-sized smoker out by the parking lot (letting the smell float out there and reel people in). We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Terry C.
Al's us unbelievably delicious - best Bar B Que around! Service is fast, staff is friendly. This is a great place to eat - highly recommended!
(5)
Magnus D.
Boy, I really wish this was as good as the reviews say, but it's just not. I loved the location, building, and inside cleanliness. I also thought the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and the real deal. You get a good feeling when you climb the front steps and see the smoker puffing away in the parking lot. You swing the door open, step in and think you've found a hidden gem. But the ribs aren't high quality slabs, the mac & cheese is pretty light on the cheese, the baked beans are overly sugared, and the bbq sauce is bland and runny. The ribs did smell of smoke, even though they were too dry. The pulled pork, while moist, was bland and I got no hint of smoke in even one bite. Good Q remains elusive. They really need to get some good beers and at least a house wine so the women are happy--and some limes for the Corona (is there anything worse than a Corona beer without a lime?) A terrific bbq sauce would really help, and maybe they should just buy one off the shelf since there are so many good ones out there.
(3)
Alex H.
Was in Tampa on vacation. This place is AMAZING!!!!down home southern cooking, felt like a family cookout with a gourmet chef. The best grilled chicken I've ever had. Ribs were on point, beans out of this world, rice and chicken...Damn...The greens...oh the greens...they put they foot in it! Like any cookout, get there early or the best stuff is gone.
(5)
Jenny S.
I was walking down the main drag in Ybor and looked over about a block to see beautiful smoke coming from what was a huge smoker in the parking lot. I had to check it out! When I got closer, there were even roosters running about! I ordered a combo plate of two meats and two sides. I got the pork ribs and sausage with cole slaw and mac & cheese (Fridays only). Let there be no mistake, the meat is the star of this restaurant! ! Smokey moist goodness. Melt in your mouth heaven! Although the BBQ sauce was good, the meat could stand alone! I couldn't stop eating it! And the portions are Huge!! Mac & cheese and coleslaw were good. What you would expect..and freshly made. But again, the meat is the star here! Fantastic! My plate cost about 13 bucks. And could have easily fed two!
(5)
Theresa R.
Fabulous barbecue. .all meats are moist with not too heavy a smoked flavor..sides are all great however collards are quite spicy so beware..Service and employees were very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go again..
(5)
Josi J.
Thanks to yelp reviews, I managed to find a yummy bbq spot. I had the Carolyn combo with beef and chicken, both delicious!! Also, had baked beans (yummm) & collard greens (spicy and diff, not for me)...but you can't forget the cornbread!! Overall great meal!
(5)
Stephanie W.
This hole in the wall is a little taste of home. The name says it all and I would highly recommend it! Yummy
(5)
Will S.
The bulk of these stars comes from the macaroni and cheese. It is ONLY available on Fridays; and it is riot worthy. There is only a limited quantity of the golden stuff so make sure you get there in time for the best part of your meal. The meat was exceptional, particularly the brisket and the ribs...outstanding. The rest was of the meats were ok, definitely not worth writing home about like the brisket or the ribs. The sides were alright as well. Compared to the mac 'n' cheese they were lacking. The staff was exceptional. Very knowledgeable about the menu, and willing to work with us on getting us a full and proper meal. Great night; lots of fun; full belly! The neighborhood is shady because it's in Ybor City, but it's worth the drive.
(4)
Chris R.
Went to Al's on a weekend trip to Busch Gardens. Hands down the best barbecue food i've had.
(5)
Jake M.
Service was quick but frankly, the food was not up to par. No Mac & cheese or cornbread on a Saturday night at 7? Also, the Budweiser was warm & our food was prepped in a microwave. Baked beans tasted as though they were from a can of Bush's. Server lost our bill so we had to remind them of what we had.
(1)
Kaitlin J.
This is the best barbeque I have had since moving down south, and Al never disappoints. Set in an obscure house off of downtown Ybor, Al's is no nonsense down home comfort food. If you head during lunch time, be prepared to wait a bit, sometimes they can be understaffed, and with small kitchen space. But be patient! It's worth it, and they will take care of you. The pulled pork with sausage (dale special) is something to write home about. All smoked on premise, you'll come out with a full stomach, and the sweet sweet smell of smoked meat lingering on your clothes, a fond reminder of the delicious meal you just had. And don't forget the homemade banana pudding on Fridays only! Get it early, it goes fast! I hope Al sticks around for a very long time.
(5)
Yanelly F.
Can't say enough good things about this place. The food was great service was great the prices were great and best of all it was so clean. Absolutely going there again and telling all my rib loving friends.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Wow, best BBQ I have ever had!! When it comes to great food and service Al's Finger licking good wins the Blue Ribbon!
(5)
Becca G.
Food was great! I work down the street and park right infront and for weeks i been smelling the food saying i have to stop in. Now that i finally have ill be coming here all the time. Best bbq iv had in a long time! People were friendly
(5)
Raymond H.
Ate there for lunch the ribs were excellent had a half rack. The smoke taste and char on the ribs were great. They didn't need any sauce they were so good.
(5)
Lindsey S.
Visited all the way from Kansas in search of some real BBQ. No disappointment was to be had. The beans were amazing and rivaled the wonderful pulled pork sandwich. It's been 3 months and I am craving some Al's yet again.
(5)
Amanda M.
We stopped by here for lunch one day a couple of months ago. We really enjoyed it. The ribs and sausage were great. The macaroni and cheese was cheesy and delicious. There wasn't very many people in there but we don't understand why. This place was great! Support your local businesses people. Get out there and try this place if you like BBQ. I don't believe you will be disappointed.
(5)
Randi H.
BEST BAR B QUE EVER!!! Stick with the ribs, all the sides are good including the greens, mac n cheese, tater salad. The sweet potate pie is also good. Oh, don't forget iced tea!
(5)
Tyler H.
Absolutely delicious! Everything was wonderful, but the baked beans were a special kind of wonderful! The customer service was the best! Very, very, friendly!
(5)
Joshua C.
Excellent choice for lunch. Great prices backed up by awesome BBQ. Highly recommend the ribs and the collar greens. The collar greens are pretty unique, they have great flavor and an unusual "kick"
(5)
Carmen F.
So I can officially name this the best BBQ in Tampa. The ribs are better than the last time(if that's possible) and everyone remembered me I love a family restaurant almost as much as I love bear cakes which are served here by the amazing Dwayne o'bear. I cannot find any fault with this amazing joint and I highly recommend you all stop on by!
(5)
Jessica M.
A real surprise! We were staying in Ybor and craving BBQ, went to yelp in search of good food and wow did this place not disappoint!! Fast, friendly and fantastic food at an affordable price! We had the smoked sausage, pulled pork, ribs, greens and baked beans. Everything was fantastic and the beans were delightful, with a touch of honey and cinnamon! Take a chance on Al's it's the best BBQ around!
(5)
Kelleigh M.
I stopped in today to get a little BBQ-I thought it was ok, nothing phenomenal. The pulled pork sandwich was moist, but nothing spectacular. A few things I noticed: The BBQ sauce is bottled The baked beans didn't seem home made The Mac n cheese was not homemade-I was expecting baked, fresh Mac n cheese. This reminded me of velveta -sort of soupy The bread wasn't toasted Maybe I had my expectations too high, but I don't see myself driving across town just for Al's
(3)
Scott P.
Simple but delicious barbecue at a great price, in a comfortable atmosphere with a quick and friendly staff. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Carl B.
Amazing! We ordered ribs, pulled pork, black eyed peas, baked beans, cole slaw and hummingbird cake. Best bbq we have ever had. Our waiter was just as amazing as the food was. If you are in ybor, make sure to stop here!
(5)
Ana Victoria M.
The service was amazing. You must try Sparky's pulled pork sandwich. It's amazing!
(5)
Cory N.
Great BBQ. Southern owner, likewise with the staff. I had the pulled pork sammich, spicy collard greens and potato salad. It was all excellent. I like that he preps the meat right there. Nothing like hearing the "BANG BANG" as he chops the meat to throw on the sandwich.
(5)
Jen G.
Umm umm good. The staff is friendly and attentive and the good was great. Had the chopped beef and dark meat chicken combo with Mac and cheese, collard greens and baked beans. I really appreciate that the sides do not have meat in them. Very cool. Tasty overall. Left me rubbing my belly and ready for a nap. :)
(5)
Malinda L.
We stopped here because we had tickets for the Ybor Aficionado days and this was one of the stops. I had no idea this place was there but wow, great bbq. We tried the pulled pork and tried a few of the bbq sauces. Really, really awesome. I can't wait to go back and try more. The owner is very nice and friendly to everyone who comes in as well, you can tell that they really want to make you happy with their food.
(5)
Angie L.
Fantastic bbq!!! Service is quick and friendly. Yellow rice and chicken is a side not to miss. Ribs are huge! Go when it's slow and chat up Al! He won't give up the secret to his great baked beans or bbq sauce though!
(5)
Jacob K.
Awesome home cooking! Best BBQ in the area by far. This small restaurant packs a big punch. The meat is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. I would recommend this place to anyone, and I can't wait to go back next Friday! The Mac and cheese (Friday only) is amazing!
(5)
Crystal S.
Phenomenal! True, southern bbq! Delicious! Their staff is super nice worth great service too! LOVE this place!
(5)
Amanda H.
The best BBQ in town and Al is a treat!
(5)
P G.
Good BBQ. I particularly liked the beans and collards. Best I have had. The sweet tea was perfect. If you enjoy BBQ, you will like this place. It is unpretentious, down home cooking.
(4)
Denis K.
I don't get it when there are glowing recommendations in reviews of this place, but the reviewer ends up giving only 3 stars! What's up with that??!! This place is five star quality, hands down -- no ifs, ands or buts. It deserves an excellent rating and all stars possible. Why? Simple: (1) Truly outstanding quality of food; (2) Cleanliness of establishment, including bathrooms; (3) Reasonableness of cost; (4) Prompt and attentive service; (5) Outstanding friendliness of owner and staff. What else is needed to be known? Not having set foot in this place beforehand and being complete strangers to the area, we did what we always do -- check in on Yelp and figure out the best places to eat nearby. This was one of the top in our area in Tampa. Ribs just sounded great. Plus, it was Friday when we went -- and the Yelp reviews talked about the promise of Friday-only Mac and Cheese which just sounded perfect at the time. When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by people we had never met -- Big Al and his super staff. They were ready to help us with all questions we had. We felt instantly valued as customers and ... well ... at home. We made our choices and were treated to exceptional fare, reasonable prices, friendly and prompt service. Just what the doctor ordered! I had 1/2 rack of pork ribs, the famous Mac and Cheese, baked beans, corn bread and sweet tea. Oh my!!! Just fabulous. Each and every bite. My wife had 1/4 rack, collard greens, creamy cole slaw, corn bread and diet soda. We both had to take food back to the motel, there was so much of it (and there was no way we were going to leave it on the plate!). The ribs, in my estimation, were definitely 1/4 pound each! Done perfectly and with terrific sauce (a bit of heat, a bit of mustard, a bit of smokey sweetness). The Mac and Cheese was heavenly -- creamy and fresh, cheesy but in a smooooooth way, a bit of sour cream somehow in the mix. The beans were also a winner with just a hint of cinnamon if you can believe that. Wonderful. And real southern sweet tea -- sweet, smooth, fresh. My fav. We had a great time, we had outstanding food at more than reasonable pricing, we had friendly and fun company with new people who love what they do in preparing and serving their wonderful food with obvious love and care. We will never miss this place when in Tampa again. If all that doesn't warrant a full five stars and an excellent rating, what does?
(5)
John A.
Tried on the recommendation of a great friend and was so surprised to see Al of First Choice Bbq fame at the helm. Great environment and hands down the best ribs that I've put in my mouth. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.
(5)
Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because Big Al is the man! --- --- --- I cannot believe that for a year and a half, I lived a mere two blocks from Big Al's and didn't know it! I'm in complete shock. I thought I would have at least smelled the fumes, but I guess Acropolis and Naviera have a monopoly on the scents of Ybor. These are some of the best ribs in town. The pulled pork is also top notch. Al and his "assistant" are always very friendly. Mac-n-Cheese is only served on Fridays, so that is the best day to go. I am still in utter dismay that it wasn't until recently that I discovered the greatness of Al's.
(4)
Yolanda S.
Flew home 2 days ago and had a taste fir barbecue which is strange because I'm so picky about cue. After checking Yelp for a barbecue joint with high ratings and open past 8 on a Fri I was led here. Al took my to-go order by phone and agreed to wail until we drove from St Pete (thanks Al). Ribs were good. Tender except for a few tough pieces on outer edge of couple ribs. Not heavily smoky (just right for me) and good sauce. Yum! Collards were awful. Not tender and way too bitter. I detected Old Bay Seasoning in them but that did nothing but add heat. Mac n cheese was ok. Hubby said the Potato Salad was good. Was left disappointed by dessert. What was supposed to be a Strawberry Hummingbird Cake tasted like a lackluster Carrot Cake minus the carrots. There was no bananas in the cake n definitely no strawberries although i kept biting into some kind of dried fruit (maybe) that i couldn't make out. I think there was a mix-up somewhere in the kitchen. All in all we will definitely return for more 'cue since it is the main attraction. The meat is worth a drive across the bridge.
(4)
Mac S.
This place has very authentic atmosphere and the ribs are so tender the meat falls off the bone! Definitely should go here of all the places to eat in Ybor!
(5)
Patti F.
Wow, I feel like I was at the wrong place. Great reviews I was very anxious to try it. Love the atmosphere, but the employees all acted like they were new. There was one guy behind the counter that seemed to be doing everything, everyone else just hangin out. A line at the counter ordering with no organization at all. Not what I was expecting, must have been an off day. Chicken was dry and cut up in small pieces. Very small for $10.00. Beans were good, mac and cheese ok. I was hoping for better.
(2)
Alayna A.
Good prices and great food and service. Only a few blocks from the main Ybor strip - definitely worth the blocks trip, walk the extra block. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. Will go back next time we're in the mood for bbq.
(5)
Aaron B.
Food quality was good overall. Small rib joint that could have been a good experience. Looked forward to it all day long. Greeted by Terrence and we ordered Combo platters. He said he'd save us $$ by serving us family style. We ended up getting MUCH less food for $12 more. Specially we got (total) one slab of ribs, half pound of pulled pork, small container of beans, slaw, and rice and 5 drinks for $64. My wife wouldn't let me argue because we were with family. Only advice would be that if you go, know What you are ordering. Despite other reviews, portions are NOT generous. They were out of Beef, Mac & cheese, and Chicken "was still cooking. Regarding their great reputation online, the owner Al encourages/ baits/ asks customers to post favorable comments. On a different day maybe we would've had a better experience. Sorely disappointed. Will not return. Rip off.
(1)
Eden F.
The collard greens and mac and cheese are to die for! Their bbq sauce is so spot-on delicious. The ribs have really good flavor, but not too tender. Overall, great bbq place!
(4)
Zach M.
Fantastic BBQ!! Very friendly staff and comfortable environment. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Ron D.
The BEST BBQ ribs and chicken that I have ever had in my life on a very consistent basis !!! My wife and I share an order of ribs which we can't finish. We order a whole chicken and take it home. The baked beans, collard greens, and all other sides are wonderful. Never had room for the home cooked sweet potato (and other) pies. Almost forgot to mention the place is dirt cheap!! ...The one drawback is that Al's is CLOSED Sunday through Tuesday...
(5)
James D.
Great food. I can't stay away from this place. The people who work here are super friendly and treat you right.
(5)
Familia O.
Oh my goodness...Definitely finger licking good! We live an hour away and would not hesitate to drive an hour to eat here. The staff is very pleasant and friendly too!
(5)
Jennifer M.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had! The turkey is so moist and juicy. The baked beans and potato salad are fantastic. The service is fast and super friendly.
(5)
Joe A.
Just stuffed my face with sausage and ribs... this place ia the truth! I'm only sad that it took me so long to figure out this place was here. Good food, friendly service. Greay place!
(5)
Melanie A.
AMAZING FOOD!!!! The staff is awesome also and so humble about their amazing food. BEST BAKED BEANS IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!! I will definitely be making the drive from Seminole to Tampa for this BBQ!!!!!
(5)
Corey C.
Wow! Fast, friendly and sooo delicious. Pork and collard greens were some of the best I've ever had!
(5)
Antwan E.
While visiting Tampa, I got a hankering for BBQ. Thanks yo Yelp, I found this little jewel and instantly fell in love. From the street, this place looks like a home. The owner and a worker were sitting on the porch chatting as I walked up. I go in and sit down...striking up a conversation that made me feel like I was sitting at home talking to my grandfather and uncle. The food was AMAZING!!! Down home cooking that was truly satisfying. I will NEVER go back to Tampa without stopping by this spot...even if I don't eat (which is highly unlikely), just to say "hey, how y'all doin'?!"
(4)
Rachel B.
Aside from the BBQ in TX, this is the best BBQ I've ever had! I work near Ybor City and have gone here for lunch a few times. My fiance and I have even driven from Brandon to grab a bite to eat a couple of times. We get the pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese, and potato salad. This DEFINITELY trumps every other BBQ place in town...YUM!!
(5)
Elizabeth D.
The place is a lot cleaner than one would think given the area and it's location as a shack on the side of the street. There wasn't much to offer, but my pulled pork sandwich was good. The meat was tender and they made it to order really quickly. The baked beans were sweet, and do I detect some cinnamon in there? Yum. On the down side, my fountain diet coke was very watered down and I don't understand why they only offer mac 'n' cheese as a side on Fridays. The cornbread was slightly dry, definitely nothing to come back for. I liked their bbq sauce though some may like more variety other than a homemade sweet sauce and a bottled hot sauce.
(3)
Steve C.
Al's FLGBBQ is great food. I had the combo platter with ribs and pulled pork with the best spicy greens I've ever had and some decent baked beans and also a sweet potato pie that was pretty tasty. My GF had pulled pork with the potato salad that was pretty good and cole slaw that she says was really good (I unfortunately did not get a taste). She had the sour cream pound cake that was pretty tasty, but too much for me since I was so full. Al and his help (I didn't catch his name, but he was a slender fellow) were tremendously friendly and they like to interact with their guests. I enjoyed them almost as much as the food.
(4)
Mark P.
Yeah, it's that good. Really friendly too.
(5)
Jonny I.
Tucked away in Ybor, its basically an elevated mobile home, however its deceivingly more spacious than you would expect on the inside. The pulled pork sandwich and baked beans were great. And like Elizabeth stated below me, it was the first time I had tasted cinnamon in baked beans....but it was a great combo. The pulled pork was about what I expected (3 stars) but the baked bean originality adds the extra star. Portions aren't very large but they are just adequate enough to fill you up for lunch and last you till you get off work or whatever may have you. You can see you meal pulled from a stock pile of pork/bbq/etc and they chop it up in front of you so there is no surprises. Random tidbit, the men's bathroom is located outside and around the establishment. Just a minor inconvenience but nothing to knock on. If I remember correctly, there might have been 1-2 TVs playing ESPN so you can stay up to date on your sports if its killing you.
(4)
Susan M.
I love the feel of Big Al's. You can tell this is a local joint. It's in a house that's been converted to a restaurant. They also have the best collard greens in Tampa, in my opinion. I like them because they are just spicy enough. If you haven't been before go on Friday, that's the only day you can get the mac n cheese and you gotta try it!
(3)
David C.
After reading the reviews and seeing that 90% of the people liked this place I decided to give it a try and am glad i did. This is an excellent barbecue place at a great price. Al and his family are excellent hosts making you feel like you are sitting down as guests in their home. I had the pulled pork and ribs combo which I slathered in their homemade spicy hot sauce.The succulent meat falls right off the bone and is served with some really nice sides like roasted corn mixed with onions and peppers and don't miss the mac'n'cheese. Go on and get some great cooking at Al's! Taste's like you're eatin in grandma's southern kitchen! Kind of feels like it too, as it is in a converted casita left over from the cigar factory days of Ybor. Casual and so yummy.
(4)
Colin R.
I grew up in the Tampa area, but would travel to Georgia frequently, and would always have great bbq up there. I now live in Denver and I think the best bbq is a few states away. So finding this place while in Tampa for Christmas was a great treat! Al and all the staff are very friendly and the food is delicious. They have some of the best bbq sauce I've had and the meat is all very tender and delicious. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area!
(5)
Adam N.
Just went there yesterday for the first time. Al's is tucked on a side road, so I didn't know it existed for a long time, but it's not far from the restaurants on 7th Ave. in Centro Ybor. Been meaning to check it out for a while, and I'm glad I did. Yesterday, I got a 1/4 dark chicken, with baked beans and chicken w/ rice. Al and his staff are super friendly. The chicken was just okay, though. Competent, but not outstanding. When I was there, though, I saw a sign advertising "Fall Of The Bone" (sic) Turkey Leg Thursday, and I was intrigued. So I went back today. I'm glad I did. Bar none, that was the best turkey leg I've had in my life. It's $6.95 for a turkey leg, and $8.95 for a meal. (turkey leg + 2 sides w/ bread AND sweet cornbread) Incredibly tender. He gave me BBQ sauce on the side, but I didn't use it -- the turkey leg is plenty flavorful to begin with. It's a lot of food for the price, too. The turkey leg didn't fit in the styrofoam container he gave me for it, which actually looks pretty comical -- the bottom of the bone sticks out when it's closed. I'm a pretty big guy, (~200 lbs) and half of the meal is still sitting in the fridge. Easily 2 meals for me -- you could stretch it to 3 or 4 if you're a smaller person. Anyway, I'm thinking Al's is going to become a Thursday regular for me. Highly recommended.
(5)
Tom S.
I eat here regularly. My favorite bbq in town. Be sure to go on a Friday when they have the mac&cheese on the menu!
(5)
Tim S.
great food and a nice guy, I felt like I stopped over Al's house and he fixed me up with a great BBQ dinner.
(4)
T S.
Turkey leg Thursday's or mac & cheese Friday's are the best! Love Al's! Never had a bad meal there!
(5)
Mark H.
We go every week! Simply the best BBQ in Tampa Bay. Not a fancy place, but Al and Terry are always fantastic and the food is excellent every time. Try every place else first because once you go to Al's you've had the very best. I actually hate to write this review because I don't want to see the place get crowded. Al has truly created a Tampa gem.
(5)
Connie C.
So Al's just opened up in Ybor City and you will definitely need to come in for a bite. They have a nice daily sandwich lunch special for $5.99 (includes a side and a drink), but also have some meals that include two sides. I ordered the combination Chicken and Ribs and I must say, there was more food than I knew what to do with. We'll start with the meat, since that is what's really important....and it was all fall off the bone tender and had a nice smokiness. Their BBQ sauce is also has a nice flavor to it. I got as my sides the Collard Greens (which were spicy which is a plus!) and also the Potato Salad. I also had a piece of their cornbread and slice of their lemon coconut cake and both were moist and delicious!! I would definitely return and can't wait to try something else!
(4)
Diana L.
I'm definitely a fan of this BBQ. If you are in the Ybor area, you must try. The food is good, the portions are large, and the owners are very friendly.
(4)
Jason F.
A great BBQ option has arrived in Ybor. Do not leave without trying the baked beans!
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 : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Patti F.
Wow, I feel like I was at the wrong place. Great reviews I was very anxious to try it. Love the atmosphere, but the employees all acted like they were new. There was one guy behind the counter that seemed to be doing everything, everyone else just hangin out. A line at the counter ordering with no organization at all. Not what I was expecting, must have been an off day. Chicken was dry and cut up in small pieces. Very small for $10.00. Beans were good, mac and cheese ok. I was hoping for better.
(2)Jennifer M.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had! The turkey is so moist and juicy. The baked beans and potato salad are fantastic. The service is fast and super friendly.
(5)Joe A.
Just stuffed my face with sausage and ribs... this place ia the truth! I'm only sad that it took me so long to figure out this place was here. Good food, friendly service. Greay place!
(5)Melanie A.
AMAZING FOOD!!!! The staff is awesome also and so humble about their amazing food. BEST BAKED BEANS IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!! I will definitely be making the drive from Seminole to Tampa for this BBQ!!!!!
(5)Corey C.
Wow! Fast, friendly and sooo delicious. Pork and collard greens were some of the best I've ever had!
(5)Antwan E.
While visiting Tampa, I got a hankering for BBQ. Thanks yo Yelp, I found this little jewel and instantly fell in love. From the street, this place looks like a home. The owner and a worker were sitting on the porch chatting as I walked up. I go in and sit down...striking up a conversation that made me feel like I was sitting at home talking to my grandfather and uncle. The food was AMAZING!!! Down home cooking that was truly satisfying. I will NEVER go back to Tampa without stopping by this spot...even if I don't eat (which is highly unlikely), just to say "hey, how y'all doin'?!"
(4)Rachel B.
Aside from the BBQ in TX, this is the best BBQ I've ever had! I work near Ybor City and have gone here for lunch a few times. My fiance and I have even driven from Brandon to grab a bite to eat a couple of times. We get the pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese, and potato salad. This DEFINITELY trumps every other BBQ place in town...YUM!!
(5)Elizabeth D.
The place is a lot cleaner than one would think given the area and it's location as a shack on the side of the street. There wasn't much to offer, but my pulled pork sandwich was good. The meat was tender and they made it to order really quickly. The baked beans were sweet, and do I detect some cinnamon in there? Yum. On the down side, my fountain diet coke was very watered down and I don't understand why they only offer mac 'n' cheese as a side on Fridays. The cornbread was slightly dry, definitely nothing to come back for. I liked their bbq sauce though some may like more variety other than a homemade sweet sauce and a bottled hot sauce.
(3)Steve C.
Al's FLGBBQ is great food. I had the combo platter with ribs and pulled pork with the best spicy greens I've ever had and some decent baked beans and also a sweet potato pie that was pretty tasty. My GF had pulled pork with the potato salad that was pretty good and cole slaw that she says was really good (I unfortunately did not get a taste). She had the sour cream pound cake that was pretty tasty, but too much for me since I was so full. Al and his help (I didn't catch his name, but he was a slender fellow) were tremendously friendly and they like to interact with their guests. I enjoyed them almost as much as the food.
(4)Mark P.
Yeah, it's that good. Really friendly too.
(5)Jonny I.
Tucked away in Ybor, its basically an elevated mobile home, however its deceivingly more spacious than you would expect on the inside. The pulled pork sandwich and baked beans were great. And like Elizabeth stated below me, it was the first time I had tasted cinnamon in baked beans....but it was a great combo. The pulled pork was about what I expected (3 stars) but the baked bean originality adds the extra star. Portions aren't very large but they are just adequate enough to fill you up for lunch and last you till you get off work or whatever may have you. You can see you meal pulled from a stock pile of pork/bbq/etc and they chop it up in front of you so there is no surprises. Random tidbit, the men's bathroom is located outside and around the establishment. Just a minor inconvenience but nothing to knock on. If I remember correctly, there might have been 1-2 TVs playing ESPN so you can stay up to date on your sports if its killing you.
(4)Susan M.
I love the feel of Big Al's. You can tell this is a local joint. It's in a house that's been converted to a restaurant. They also have the best collard greens in Tampa, in my opinion. I like them because they are just spicy enough. If you haven't been before go on Friday, that's the only day you can get the mac n cheese and you gotta try it!
(3)David C.
After reading the reviews and seeing that 90% of the people liked this place I decided to give it a try and am glad i did. This is an excellent barbecue place at a great price. Al and his family are excellent hosts making you feel like you are sitting down as guests in their home. I had the pulled pork and ribs combo which I slathered in their homemade spicy hot sauce.The succulent meat falls right off the bone and is served with some really nice sides like roasted corn mixed with onions and peppers and don't miss the mac'n'cheese. Go on and get some great cooking at Al's! Taste's like you're eatin in grandma's southern kitchen! Kind of feels like it too, as it is in a converted casita left over from the cigar factory days of Ybor. Casual and so yummy.
(4)Colin R.
I grew up in the Tampa area, but would travel to Georgia frequently, and would always have great bbq up there. I now live in Denver and I think the best bbq is a few states away. So finding this place while in Tampa for Christmas was a great treat! Al and all the staff are very friendly and the food is delicious. They have some of the best bbq sauce I've had and the meat is all very tender and delicious. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area!
(5)Adam N.
Just went there yesterday for the first time. Al's is tucked on a side road, so I didn't know it existed for a long time, but it's not far from the restaurants on 7th Ave. in Centro Ybor. Been meaning to check it out for a while, and I'm glad I did. Yesterday, I got a 1/4 dark chicken, with baked beans and chicken w/ rice. Al and his staff are super friendly. The chicken was just okay, though. Competent, but not outstanding. When I was there, though, I saw a sign advertising "Fall Of The Bone" (sic) Turkey Leg Thursday, and I was intrigued. So I went back today. I'm glad I did. Bar none, that was the best turkey leg I've had in my life. It's $6.95 for a turkey leg, and $8.95 for a meal. (turkey leg + 2 sides w/ bread AND sweet cornbread) Incredibly tender. He gave me BBQ sauce on the side, but I didn't use it -- the turkey leg is plenty flavorful to begin with. It's a lot of food for the price, too. The turkey leg didn't fit in the styrofoam container he gave me for it, which actually looks pretty comical -- the bottom of the bone sticks out when it's closed. I'm a pretty big guy, (~200 lbs) and half of the meal is still sitting in the fridge. Easily 2 meals for me -- you could stretch it to 3 or 4 if you're a smaller person. Anyway, I'm thinking Al's is going to become a Thursday regular for me. Highly recommended.
(5)Tom S.
I eat here regularly. My favorite bbq in town. Be sure to go on a Friday when they have the mac&cheese on the menu!
(5)Tim S.
great food and a nice guy, I felt like I stopped over Al's house and he fixed me up with a great BBQ dinner.
(4)T S.
Turkey leg Thursday's or mac & cheese Friday's are the best! Love Al's! Never had a bad meal there!
(5)Mark H.
We go every week! Simply the best BBQ in Tampa Bay. Not a fancy place, but Al and Terry are always fantastic and the food is excellent every time. Try every place else first because once you go to Al's you've had the very best. I actually hate to write this review because I don't want to see the place get crowded. Al has truly created a Tampa gem.
(5)Connie C.
So Al's just opened up in Ybor City and you will definitely need to come in for a bite. They have a nice daily sandwich lunch special for $5.99 (includes a side and a drink), but also have some meals that include two sides. I ordered the combination Chicken and Ribs and I must say, there was more food than I knew what to do with. We'll start with the meat, since that is what's really important....and it was all fall off the bone tender and had a nice smokiness. Their BBQ sauce is also has a nice flavor to it. I got as my sides the Collard Greens (which were spicy which is a plus!) and also the Potato Salad. I also had a piece of their cornbread and slice of their lemon coconut cake and both were moist and delicious!! I would definitely return and can't wait to try something else!
(4)Diana L.
I'm definitely a fan of this BBQ. If you are in the Ybor area, you must try. The food is good, the portions are large, and the owners are very friendly.
(4)Jason F.
A great BBQ option has arrived in Ybor. Do not leave without trying the baked beans!
(4)Alayna A.
Good prices and great food and service. Only a few blocks from the main Ybor strip - definitely worth the blocks trip, walk the extra block. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. Will go back next time we're in the mood for bbq.
(5)Aaron B.
Food quality was good overall. Small rib joint that could have been a good experience. Looked forward to it all day long. Greeted by Terrence and we ordered Combo platters. He said he'd save us $$ by serving us family style. We ended up getting MUCH less food for $12 more. Specially we got (total) one slab of ribs, half pound of pulled pork, small container of beans, slaw, and rice and 5 drinks for $64. My wife wouldn't let me argue because we were with family. Only advice would be that if you go, know What you are ordering. Despite other reviews, portions are NOT generous. They were out of Beef, Mac & cheese, and Chicken "was still cooking. Regarding their great reputation online, the owner Al encourages/ baits/ asks customers to post favorable comments. On a different day maybe we would've had a better experience. Sorely disappointed. Will not return. Rip off.
(1)Eden F.
The collard greens and mac and cheese are to die for! Their bbq sauce is so spot-on delicious. The ribs have really good flavor, but not too tender. Overall, great bbq place!
(4)Zach M.
Fantastic BBQ!! Very friendly staff and comfortable environment. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Ron D.
The BEST BBQ ribs and chicken that I have ever had in my life on a very consistent basis !!! My wife and I share an order of ribs which we can't finish. We order a whole chicken and take it home. The baked beans, collard greens, and all other sides are wonderful. Never had room for the home cooked sweet potato (and other) pies. Almost forgot to mention the place is dirt cheap!! ...The one drawback is that Al's is CLOSED Sunday through Tuesday...
(5)James D.
Great food. I can't stay away from this place. The people who work here are super friendly and treat you right.
(5)Familia O.
Oh my goodness...Definitely finger licking good! We live an hour away and would not hesitate to drive an hour to eat here. The staff is very pleasant and friendly too!
(5)Akemi K.
Authentic, delicious, amazing BBQ. The platters are huge and there are many options.
(5)Clay M.
Best bar-b-que in town. They have ribs, beef, chicken, pulled pork, and sausage. They are all amazing. My favorite is the pulled pork. Their collard greens are spicy and delicious. The greens come with cornbread that is unbeatable. The baked beans are sweet and delicious. Their spicy bar-b-que sauce is fantastic. The only thing that compares to how good the food is, is how friendly and pleasant the staff are. If you appreciate good southern style bar-b-que you'll love Al's.
(5)Queen G.
Pulled pork and ribs very good ! Spicy collard greens are delicious . I don't know what they out in those baked beans, they remind me of captain crunch but in a good way. Southern hospitality for sure ...gave us free samples to try and really welcoming. Sweet tea
(5)Gwendolyn M.
The food is phenomenal! The staff is friendly and Al is always there working. You can tell this place is his pride and joy and he loves what he does! Great local business to support. I love coming here!
(5)Craig A.
YES. Eat Here. Often. Smells awesome when you pull up to this cool little house. And it tastes even better, if that is even possible! Great crew to take care of you. ESPN on 4 flatscreens. Al is right there to make sure you enjoy it.
(5)Jim H.
We went to Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que for the 1st time this afternoon. Don't go there expecting a Sonny's or Smoky Bones experience - Like most owner operated establishments in our area, Al's restaurant is fairly small and has simple décor. There is more than ample parking and it's just a block off the main street with all Ybor City attractions. We shared a 1/2 rack of ribs with 4 sides between us so we could enjoy a wider variety. The ribs we delicious, cooked to absolute perfection. There were two sauces semi-sweet and spicy. Both were great but we preferred the spicy. For sides we had: Baked Beans (perfect robust flavor without being super sweet), Collard Greens (spicy fresh - just right) , Cole-Slaw (creamy sauce and crisp ingredients) and yellow Corn with Black Eyed Peas. Everything was prepared right there in-house and was excellent if not better than I've had anywhere. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the staff quickly seated. Later Al came by the table to see if we needed anything and to ask how we liked the food. I can't believe that Al's has been at this location for 6 years and I never heard of it. Between the friendly staff, location and TERRIFIC food . . . Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que is definitely our go-to BBQ spot!
(5)Michele D.
And Finger licking is what I did.... I love that this place is hidden in Ybor city and there are live chickens running around. It added a primitive effect to what I knew I came here to do... Which was to eat smoked meats, probably use my fingers and look barbaric since I will have sauce everywhere. I ordered a meat trio because I am greedy like that and I have to try everything at once. Ribs, Chicken and Sausage with Collard greens and Mac & Cheese. I enjoyed every moment eating this meal and will be back again when twitching for some BBQ. Being that my family is from Georgia and I was raised on this stuff, I have to say their collard greens were on point. They had just enough spice that worked with the additional pepper sauce I like to put on my greens. This places is laid back with just the heavenly smell of smoke and sounds of the meat cleaver. I would recommend coming here when in the area and in need of a tender, juicy and flavorful meal!
(5)Caity A.
How has no one told me about Al's?!? Hands-down top BBQ restaurant in Tampa (move aside, 4R!) We are more than wowed by both the Q and sides here. I got the pulled pork with slaw and beans. The pork is just phenomenal, and they do a great job of picking out the fatty pieces so you're just left with good quality meat. The slaw is delicious and creamy. The baked beans... Lordy, those baked beans!!! I've never tasted beans quite like these (we're thinking there's cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice or maple syrup in there), but they kick butt big time. My husband is nuts and got the 3 meat plate (pork, beef, ribs) with Mac and cheese and slaw. He ate it all, which was probably about 3 pounds of food so that should be your answer of whether or not it was good ;) If you want Heaven served up on a styrofoam plate, this is the place you need to be! Be warned- you'll have to roll yourself out of here because there's no other option than to eat yourself into a food coma!
(5)Mark P.
It's been 6 years since I've been going to Al's and I'm still their biggest fan. It's been great to watch them grow over the years to a point where they have a cult-like following and fill up every seat in the house some days/nights. I've tried many other BBQ restos in the area and also when I travel but Al's is still the undisputed champ. The food is consistently great as is the service. I often find myself staying there for hours just to shoot the breeze with Al and the staff in between chowing down. I usually go there on Fridays when it's really busy but now they have me hooked on their smoked wings that they serve only on Wednesdays. If they ever operate 7 days a week, I might as well just move in.
(5)Jaimie T.
After revisiting Al's a few times, it would be an injustice to not change my rating to five stars. The food is phenomenal every single time. The sausage is the best meat in my opinion, but to be fair I don't like sauces so it may be because it's the juiciest. Just a disclaimer! The yellow rice and chicken will forever be my favorite. The staff is always so polite and courteous. Even the parking lot man! I'm convinced we just had a misunderstanding or caught him on a bad day. I didn't think it was possible, but Al's has quickly turned me into a barbeque lover!
(5)Grace C.
The smoked turkey leg on Thursday is incredibly delicious !! Perfectly seasoned and fall right off the bone tender! Great ribs with wonderful BBQ sauce. A must try place!
(5)Bob R.
I'm torn, the meat is (usually) good, the sides are (usually) good, but inconsistent. Also, you can have as much BBQ sauce of any kind of you dine in, but if you want an extra to-go they charge you for it. No other BBQ place I can think of does that. You have a guy that knows his BBQ, but needs help to run a business. It's just annoying.
(3)David S.
Amazing BBQ! The best I have had in Florida by far. Small place in Ybor Area of Tampa, may make you think twice.... But just follow your nose in.... And enjoy! The staff is very friendly, the food is amazing. We had the full slab, 1/2 chicken, chicken rice and baked beans. Just can't say enough about this place. I will be back again and again and again.
(5)Ken D.
This is the place for BBQ! There is no other! I have been to them all! I declare this the best BBQ in the United States of America! Even a half slab of ribs can not be finished by one man. I fed three other people at work on these. The portions are amazing, the price is right and the people that run the place are as sweet as that sauce they use so liberally. The collard greens are spicy and a perfect compliment to the ribs. The baked beans are loaded with brown sugar just like your old bitter uncle used to make at cookouts as a kid. The burnt ends are not allowed to be talked about online for fear of drowning in our own saliva! You can even buy BBQ by the pound here. No joke. This is a place for serious lovers of the Q. And forget about the Mac and cheese, it will be the best you've ever had. I would eat here everyday if I could but I can't cause I'm older and know better. It is a place of indulgence and a beautiful one at that. I'm in shock this is two blocks from where I work and I never knew until someone brought some to work and I smelled it. It's glorious. I highly recommend Al's if you are a fan of BBQ. I mean it when I say it's the best. You're welcome!
(5)Jiimy P.
Coming to Tampa to a conference! Decided to eat with a group. Their yellow is delicious, Mac and cheese, dark chicken, sausage sandwich are good!!!!
(5)Dave O.
After reading the amazingly positive reviews I had no doubt I would be experiencing Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que in the very near future and today the opportunity presented itself. If you know anything about me it's that I love good BBQ and can be somewhat direct and maybe a little harsh when it's come to reviewing these places, in my opinion Southern Style BBQ cooked on a real pit using wood is authentic and how cooking meat was meant to be from the beginning of time or at least since man discovered fire. There have been occasions when I've enjoyed smoked meats on mechanical devices that were developed either to speed up the process or feed the masses but the old school wood fired method that requires hours of patients is in a different league. This place proves when you're passionate about something and willing to put in the work to make it successful the end results will be rewarding. What started in a garage feeding family members expanded into throwing a few extra pieces on the grill to feed a few neighbors it was apparent Al had the knowledge and talent to become what will be know forever going forward as a "Grill Master" this is not a self proclaimed tittle it's a fact. Once you experience this food that's a combination of southern style and soul food cooking you will know this is the real deal. After lunch I had the pleasure of meeting Jackie one of the family members here, it was apparent that her passion for serving only the best homemade dishes possible along with exceptional customer service is her number one priority and as impressive as this restaurant's accolades are it's all about customer service and the food. One look around validates the humble beginnings, one taste of anything here solidifies their place as one of the best BBQ joints if not the best in Florida. Demand has dictated a relocation is in the future as much as they love this location near 7th street in the historic district of Ybor City, so pay attention when you plan your visit. Now on to the food..... -Pork Ribs- Fall off the bone tender, seasoned perfectly, smoked until a smoke ring and thin bark forms on the outside sealing in the all the juices. The flavor of the wood is intertwined with the seasoning to create a distinctive fragrance you get as soon as you get out of your vehicle in the parking lot so roll up your windows if you're in the path of the smoke. These are the real deal. -Smoked Chicken- Wow! Tender, juicy full of flavor all the way to the bone yet not dried out, it's really something magical. Warning this is smoked chicken not grilled perfect to pull apart and dip in your choice of sauces yes they don't bathe anything in sauce here you choose your sauce and how much of it you want, for me it doesn't need any sauce but I did dip a few bites of the chicken. -Smoked Pork Sausage- This maybe the most unique offering here and what sets them apart from every other BBQ shack in Florida, this special blend of meat and spice is going to be a hit with any pure sausage enthusiast smoked then chopped on the butcher block and piled high yes pour on the "hot BBQ sauce" on this one this is a real winner. -Smoked Turkey- I love turkey and this turkey was moist, smokey and tender and oh for an added twist it came chopped like you would for a sandwich, different but delish. -Collard Greens- Hand washed, chopped daily and cooked until tender. These aren't your average collard greens they are seasoned spicy and you will get a warning if you order them but not an apology so be ware of this, so simple so delicious and of course there's a bottle of pickled peppers in vinegars not the table to splash on top - oh and don't forget the cornbread it's old school and home made as well served up with any order of collards. -Blackeyed Peas- Seasoned mildly and cooked until they melt, Jackie assured me they were cooked from dried peas not frozen or canned there is a differences you know I could of eaten a bowl of these. -Potato Salad- Mustard based sweet and tangy this is served like everything else here no pre-measured portion controls are in place here it's like fixing your plate at home when youve cooked your favorite dish. -BBQ Sauces- Hot or Mild and these too are finger licking good. There's really nothing more to say, if you're looking for good BBQ, you've found it...
(5)Steve C.
The BBQ is top notch. Nothing rivals it in Ybor for sure. Al has grown this from a start up to a full blown restaurant. I used to be one of the few diners in there when I went, today there was a line, so long a wait that I actually left and went to El Puerto. The side dish of chicken and yellow rice is a must when you are here. It's a meal unto itself. His homemade sauces are full of flavor.
(5)James P.
Al's is awesome. Ribs, outstanding. Love the char on them. Pulled pork was easily some of the best I've ever had. Beans had a lot of molasses in them, making them sweet - but still great. Awesome potato salad. Great corn bread. Wife loved the collared greens; not really my thing, but she wouldn't stop talking about them. This is a guy you want to have as a neighbor, when he does cookouts. But since you're not Al's neighbor, go to his BBQ place and eat up there. Although seating/ordering/paying can get a little chaotic - especially during lunch - everyone is friendly and helpful. This is, hands down, some of the best barbeque I've had, from anywhere in the country. Go here!
(5)Charlie G.
Had lunch here today, while working nearby! Just a simple pulled pork sandwich and some potato salad... and I left HAPPY! Service was awesome... really friendly staff, and it smells like carnivore heaven in there! The pulled pork was good, lots of flavor and very tender. The potato salad? OMG! Some of the best I have had... creamy and tart, and sweet.... just yummy! I will be going back.. when I am not time constrained... because I want to eat at least one whole rack of their ribs all by myself! And try some of the other assorted goodies on that menu! Wonderful stuff! But you don't want to go there... trust me. If you don't go... there will be more for me! :) highly recommended!
(5)Matt D.
We wandered across the tracks in search of Al's BBQ and couldn't have been happier. First of all, the smell of hickory smoke wafting out of the parking lot is a good sign, as are the many roosters wandering around the building. It really gives it an authentic, southern charm, which continued when we walked through the door. The service was attentive, friendly, and genuine with a relaxed, homey vibe. We ordered the three-meat sampler to get a taste of as much as possible. All the meats were great, but for me, the ribs and sausage outshined the pork just a little bit. These ribs were packed with smoky flavor and the skin on the sausage was so perfect it looks like cracked glass when cut into. Both of us loved the traditional bbq sauce and found that it had a bit more flavor than the "hot" variety. I nearly deducted a star for only having mac and cheese on Fridays (in a bbq joint, really?), but the potato salad was much better than I expected. It had a sweet mustardy taste that was quite addictive. I like the rotating cake idea, and our dessert of chocolate peanut butter cake from "Bear the Baker" was solid. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area, and the prices are reasonable as well.
(5)Antony D.
The real deal. Outstanding! A little chaotic on Friday, but that's part of the charm.
(5)Zao Z.
Food is amazing. It is one of the best BBQ places in Tampa. The ribs are delicious. The sides are amazing as well. The place is located in a old row house in Ybor. Certainly has character. The place itself is clean. The parking lot is unpaved. Be careful if you have a sports car. Service was attentive and friendly. You feel like you are meeting friends at a cookout almost.
(5)Chris W.
It's simple, chicken is awesome, pulled pork is awesome, greens are spicy and different than any you've probably tried, Friday is mac and cheese day, made by his aunt. Sauce is outstanding. Very nice people on top of all of this. Very few great bbq places in Florida, this is one.
(5)Nathan M.
The best barbecue in Tampa. Hands down. I was introduced by a friend 5hat has been going there for 29 years and I was a little skeptical of his praise but the food (and Al himself) won me over. I've had everything but the sausage. Everything is great but my favorite is the chicken. White or dark doesn't matter.
(5)Ramy A.
Great place in Ybor Florida....it's not easy finding an original place like this ...I really enjoyed sampling the platter with three meats They have okra as a side that's really good...rice is amazing as well Outside you will find roosters running around and it feels like your eating on a farm The staff is really friendly and kind...people that are genuine.,.wish you all the best :)
(5)Michael B.
Awesome bbq! Great prices, would definitely come back! The pulled pork was so good, not to forget the red velvet cake!! See you soon!!
(5)Joanne K.
We came to Tampa for an RV show so we had plenty of time to check out the obscure but delectable eateries in the area and BOY we were not disappointed in finding All's through Yelp!! It is a low profile place in Ybor City (within 5 miles of our hotel in Tampa). Our handy dandy GPS brought us to a small unassuming house skirted by a wide porch with a large smoker- smoking in the parking lot next door...We arrived! The smells assaulted our olfactory senses and all but forced us to drool uncontrollably as we entered the establishment and were told to have a seat anywhere. It was Friday about 5:30 so the place was not busy. The menu included different smoked meats -ribs, pork, chicken and sausage- and a variety of southern sides. The hubs and I both chose ribs and 2 sides each - collared greens (with a kick of spice:), coleslaw, baked beans and Mac and cheese (only served on Fridays). We were not disappointed with anything we ordered as we licked each bone dry and used every ounce of energy (channeling our parents social graces lessons) and refrained from sucking the BBQ bottle dry and licking our plates clean. The owner and workers were as nice as anyone could be by chatting us up after dinner evidently enjoying everyone's company while it was slow enough to do so. Clean establishment including the bathrooms! This will be a repeat stop for us if we are back in the area (within a driving distance of less than 150 miles). Worth it if you like BBQ! Enjoy folks (!) and don't miss this culinary experience in Southern satisfaction.
(5)Anthony B.
Excellent BBQ, the best pulled pork I've ever had. Portions were a little on the small side, but I'll definitely be back.
(5)Bryan B.
One of the best BBQ places in the U.S. I ate here once a week for 3 years straight with my co-workers when living in Tampa. Al and his daughter are great people and very friendly. If you go enough he'll start to remember your order. My go to order was always the Dale Special dinner, which is a mixture of pulled pork and chopped up sausage. On the side, I would go with baked beans and potato salad. The beans have brown sugar in them and are some of the best beans I've ever had. You can't go wrong with other items on the menu, the ribs are HUGE and absolutely delicious. Also, if you go on Friday's you can get mac n cheese as a side. All the sides are homemade including the BBQ sauces and if you like spicy things, the hot bbq sauce is a must try! Now in Seattle, I miss Al's more than ever, but will definitely be returning when I'm back in Tampa.
(5)Treona H.
Wow! This place is Mmmm Mmmm Good! My boyfriend and I each got the half rack ribs dinner and it exceeded our expectations. This place gives you so much meat that you will have plenty to take home. The collard greens were good and spicy, the yellow rice was PHENOMENAL! The only reason that I am giving this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because the mac and cheese was just OK. I cannot wait to go back! Quality food in Tampa is hard to find so I am ecstatic that we stumbled upon this gem :)
(4)Max S.
Al's pulled pork is really fresh and he puts the sauce on the side. His baked beans with the touch of cinnamon rocks but his chicken and yellow is why you'll come back.
(3)ANDREA H.
Checked the reviews and hit this spot for lunch while in Tampa! Off the path, turned a few corners and pulled into a smoking parking lot!! The sides were to die for and the menu was hilarious! Love Love and it is a MUST try! Will have to visit Al again when in Tampa!
(5)Jenny L.
Awesome BBQ! The chopped beef and yellow rice was so yummy. Service was a bit slow that day, but otherwise Al's has some of the best BBQ in Tampa. The cute chickens hanging out around the premise was also a plus :-p
(4)Jake B.
I'm only occasionally a BBQ fan, but this place was incredible. Located on the back side of the Ybor strip just across the railroad tracks, the neighborhood it's located in is a mix of commercial and residential with a great old-school feel -- including especially the very vocal chickens. We sat on the side porch where we got the full effect of the entertaining chickens in the back yard and the on-site smoker in the side parking lot. All on a nicely sunny and warm winter day. For a second as we first walked up to the place I worried it would be the kind of neighborhood place where an obvious tourist sticks out like a sore thumb, but the staff was welcoming and super friendly and helpful with the menu. I had the turkey breast with okra-and-tomato and yellow-rice-with-chicken sides; my dinner companion had the 1/4 white meat chicken with spicy collards and baked beans as sides. The meats were nicely smokey and moist, and coupled with the not-too-sweet-not-too-vinegary homemade BBQ sauce made some of the best BBQ I've ever had. Of the sides (all good), most memorable were the spicy collards -- smoky with a surprisingly potent afterburn -- and the yellow rice with chicken, which had an amazing light smoky flavor that I really enjoyed. Awesome place all around, I'll remember this place and its exuberant chickens and be back.
(5)Chad W.
I had the Ryan's special. One of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've had. Moist, not over done, and with pieces of smokey ends mixed in. The sides were also top notch. Black eyes peas and yellow rice with chicken.
(5)Cyrus J.
Damn good bbq, very highly recommended. Food is hellafied good, fast friendly service, and extremely welcoming staff.
(5)Andrew M.
This is real BBQ. Owner was great, ribs were perfect and plenty of meat. Simple and fast service. The chicken and yellow rice side is a must. Good people, good BBQ.
(5)Kelly A.
Love this place!! Best BBQ that I've ever had in my lif!
(5)J Matt S.
It's not everyday that you can try a new place and can say "This is the best ______ I've ever tasted" Al has, by far, the best smoked sausage I've ever had (better than any grilled sausage I've had too). So good that that alone will keep me coming back. We also tried the baked beans, which were pretty good but a little heavy on the cinnamon for my taste. The yellow rice w/chicken was excellent. The ribs too, were outstanding with plenty of smoky flavor. We ate our food to-go and the sauce they gave us wasn't sweet enough for my liking and I'm not sure if they have a sweeter one or not. I wanted to try the macncheese but unfortunately it is only served of Fridays. Check their website for the days they are open before you go as they are not open every day. I met Al while ordering our food and he was very welcoming and helpful. I can't wait to try some of the other things on the menu the next time we are here. This will be a must-stop for us whenever we are staying in Tampa.
(5)Matt M.
Was here yesterday my first time brought some friends from chicago. Very friendly atmosphere and the bbq was excellent. I had pulled pork and ribs all I can say is they were smoked to perfection. I would recommend this spot to anyone.
(5)Matt B.
Stopped by for lunch....best decision we have made in a while, this place rocks! Ribs, chicken, and sausage were delicious. We asked for the Mac N Cheese that is normally only served on Friday, and they happily made it for us. Bake beans with some sort of cinnamon are great, and we loved the spicy BBQ....but beware, probably only want to use a little bit, this stuff will light your mouth up!!!! Thanks Al's for a great unexpected meal.
(5)Kirsten D.
Truly excellent bbq. Ribs are probably the best in Tampa bay. The mac and cheese is only on Fridays but is excellent and well worth the wait. What really sets them apart is the bbq sauce. It has a nice kick and is very savory. There other sides are very good with the baked beans coming in right behind the Mac and cheese. They have a decent selection of beer but are in the heart of ybor city which is anything but dry. I never leave enough room for dessert but maybe one day. Also the service is really good. People are nice and respectful. Just a great place for a great meal.
(5)Ryan H.
Had driven by a handful of times but never stopped in until my wife and I read about them in Creative Loafing's 2014 Best of the Bay issue. They are more than deserving of the award; definitely the best bar b q we've had in Tampa. Service is fast and friendly, the environment is as casual and relaxed, and the food was spectacular. It happened to be raining pretty hard when we came in but that didn't stop the staff from regularly tending to the jumbo-sized smoker out by the parking lot (letting the smell float out there and reel people in). We'll definitely be back.
(5)Terry C.
Al's us unbelievably delicious - best Bar B Que around! Service is fast, staff is friendly. This is a great place to eat - highly recommended!
(5)John Paul B.
Excellent barbecue, true southern style sides, and great service. A must if you are in the area!
(5)Shawn L.
I will start out by saying I'm from Georgia and I grew up with bbq places having saw dust on the floors. I love bbq and I am a avid bbqer. I say all this to say this is really really really good bbq. The ribs, pulled pork and the chicken are amazing. The sides are just as good. The spivey collard greens are off the hook. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Magnus D.
Boy, I really wish this was as good as the reviews say, but it's just not. I loved the location, building, and inside cleanliness. I also thought the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and the real deal. You get a good feeling when you climb the front steps and see the smoker puffing away in the parking lot. You swing the door open, step in and think you've found a hidden gem. But the ribs aren't high quality slabs, the mac & cheese is pretty light on the cheese, the baked beans are overly sugared, and the bbq sauce is bland and runny. The ribs did smell of smoke, even though they were too dry. The pulled pork, while moist, was bland and I got no hint of smoke in even one bite. Good Q remains elusive. They really need to get some good beers and at least a house wine so the women are happy--and some limes for the Corona (is there anything worse than a Corona beer without a lime?) A terrific bbq sauce would really help, and maybe they should just buy one off the shelf since there are so many good ones out there.
(3)Alex H.
Was in Tampa on vacation. This place is AMAZING!!!!down home southern cooking, felt like a family cookout with a gourmet chef. The best grilled chicken I've ever had. Ribs were on point, beans out of this world, rice and chicken...Damn...The greens...oh the greens...they put they foot in it! Like any cookout, get there early or the best stuff is gone.
(5)Jenny S.
I was walking down the main drag in Ybor and looked over about a block to see beautiful smoke coming from what was a huge smoker in the parking lot. I had to check it out! When I got closer, there were even roosters running about! I ordered a combo plate of two meats and two sides. I got the pork ribs and sausage with cole slaw and mac & cheese (Fridays only). Let there be no mistake, the meat is the star of this restaurant! ! Smokey moist goodness. Melt in your mouth heaven! Although the BBQ sauce was good, the meat could stand alone! I couldn't stop eating it! And the portions are Huge!! Mac & cheese and coleslaw were good. What you would expect..and freshly made. But again, the meat is the star here! Fantastic! My plate cost about 13 bucks. And could have easily fed two!
(5)Theresa R.
Fabulous barbecue. .all meats are moist with not too heavy a smoked flavor..sides are all great however collards are quite spicy so beware..Service and employees were very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go again..
(5)Josi J.
Thanks to yelp reviews, I managed to find a yummy bbq spot. I had the Carolyn combo with beef and chicken, both delicious!! Also, had baked beans (yummm) & collard greens (spicy and diff, not for me)...but you can't forget the cornbread!! Overall great meal!
(5)Stephanie W.
This hole in the wall is a little taste of home. The name says it all and I would highly recommend it! Yummy
(5)Will S.
The bulk of these stars comes from the macaroni and cheese. It is ONLY available on Fridays; and it is riot worthy. There is only a limited quantity of the golden stuff so make sure you get there in time for the best part of your meal. The meat was exceptional, particularly the brisket and the ribs...outstanding. The rest was of the meats were ok, definitely not worth writing home about like the brisket or the ribs. The sides were alright as well. Compared to the mac 'n' cheese they were lacking. The staff was exceptional. Very knowledgeable about the menu, and willing to work with us on getting us a full and proper meal. Great night; lots of fun; full belly! The neighborhood is shady because it's in Ybor City, but it's worth the drive.
(4)Chris R.
Went to Al's on a weekend trip to Busch Gardens. Hands down the best barbecue food i've had.
(5)Jake M.
Service was quick but frankly, the food was not up to par. No Mac & cheese or cornbread on a Saturday night at 7? Also, the Budweiser was warm & our food was prepped in a microwave. Baked beans tasted as though they were from a can of Bush's. Server lost our bill so we had to remind them of what we had.
(1)Kaitlin J.
This is the best barbeque I have had since moving down south, and Al never disappoints. Set in an obscure house off of downtown Ybor, Al's is no nonsense down home comfort food. If you head during lunch time, be prepared to wait a bit, sometimes they can be understaffed, and with small kitchen space. But be patient! It's worth it, and they will take care of you. The pulled pork with sausage (dale special) is something to write home about. All smoked on premise, you'll come out with a full stomach, and the sweet sweet smell of smoked meat lingering on your clothes, a fond reminder of the delicious meal you just had. And don't forget the homemade banana pudding on Fridays only! Get it early, it goes fast! I hope Al sticks around for a very long time.
(5)Yanelly F.
Can't say enough good things about this place. The food was great service was great the prices were great and best of all it was so clean. Absolutely going there again and telling all my rib loving friends.
(5)Jennifer M.
Wow, best BBQ I have ever had!! When it comes to great food and service Al's Finger licking good wins the Blue Ribbon!
(5)Becca G.
Food was great! I work down the street and park right infront and for weeks i been smelling the food saying i have to stop in. Now that i finally have ill be coming here all the time. Best bbq iv had in a long time! People were friendly
(5)Raymond H.
Ate there for lunch the ribs were excellent had a half rack. The smoke taste and char on the ribs were great. They didn't need any sauce they were so good.
(5)Lindsey S.
Visited all the way from Kansas in search of some real BBQ. No disappointment was to be had. The beans were amazing and rivaled the wonderful pulled pork sandwich. It's been 3 months and I am craving some Al's yet again.
(5)Amanda M.
We stopped by here for lunch one day a couple of months ago. We really enjoyed it. The ribs and sausage were great. The macaroni and cheese was cheesy and delicious. There wasn't very many people in there but we don't understand why. This place was great! Support your local businesses people. Get out there and try this place if you like BBQ. I don't believe you will be disappointed.
(5)Randi H.
BEST BAR B QUE EVER!!! Stick with the ribs, all the sides are good including the greens, mac n cheese, tater salad. The sweet potate pie is also good. Oh, don't forget iced tea!
(5)Tyler H.
Absolutely delicious! Everything was wonderful, but the baked beans were a special kind of wonderful! The customer service was the best! Very, very, friendly!
(5)Joshua C.
Excellent choice for lunch. Great prices backed up by awesome BBQ. Highly recommend the ribs and the collar greens. The collar greens are pretty unique, they have great flavor and an unusual "kick"
(5)Carmen F.
So I can officially name this the best BBQ in Tampa. The ribs are better than the last time(if that's possible) and everyone remembered me I love a family restaurant almost as much as I love bear cakes which are served here by the amazing Dwayne o'bear. I cannot find any fault with this amazing joint and I highly recommend you all stop on by!
(5)Jessica M.
A real surprise! We were staying in Ybor and craving BBQ, went to yelp in search of good food and wow did this place not disappoint!! Fast, friendly and fantastic food at an affordable price! We had the smoked sausage, pulled pork, ribs, greens and baked beans. Everything was fantastic and the beans were delightful, with a touch of honey and cinnamon! Take a chance on Al's it's the best BBQ around!
(5)Kelleigh M.
I stopped in today to get a little BBQ-I thought it was ok, nothing phenomenal. The pulled pork sandwich was moist, but nothing spectacular. A few things I noticed: The BBQ sauce is bottled The baked beans didn't seem home made The Mac n cheese was not homemade-I was expecting baked, fresh Mac n cheese. This reminded me of velveta -sort of soupy The bread wasn't toasted Maybe I had my expectations too high, but I don't see myself driving across town just for Al's
(3)Scott P.
Simple but delicious barbecue at a great price, in a comfortable atmosphere with a quick and friendly staff. What more can you ask for?
(5)Carl B.
Amazing! We ordered ribs, pulled pork, black eyed peas, baked beans, cole slaw and hummingbird cake. Best bbq we have ever had. Our waiter was just as amazing as the food was. If you are in ybor, make sure to stop here!
(5)Ana Victoria M.
The service was amazing. You must try Sparky's pulled pork sandwich. It's amazing!
(5)Cory N.
Great BBQ. Southern owner, likewise with the staff. I had the pulled pork sammich, spicy collard greens and potato salad. It was all excellent. I like that he preps the meat right there. Nothing like hearing the "BANG BANG" as he chops the meat to throw on the sandwich.
(5)Jen G.
Umm umm good. The staff is friendly and attentive and the good was great. Had the chopped beef and dark meat chicken combo with Mac and cheese, collard greens and baked beans. I really appreciate that the sides do not have meat in them. Very cool. Tasty overall. Left me rubbing my belly and ready for a nap. :)
(5)Malinda L.
We stopped here because we had tickets for the Ybor Aficionado days and this was one of the stops. I had no idea this place was there but wow, great bbq. We tried the pulled pork and tried a few of the bbq sauces. Really, really awesome. I can't wait to go back and try more. The owner is very nice and friendly to everyone who comes in as well, you can tell that they really want to make you happy with their food.
(5)Angie L.
Fantastic bbq!!! Service is quick and friendly. Yellow rice and chicken is a side not to miss. Ribs are huge! Go when it's slow and chat up Al! He won't give up the secret to his great baked beans or bbq sauce though!
(5)Denis K.
I don't get it when there are glowing recommendations in reviews of this place, but the reviewer ends up giving only 3 stars! What's up with that??!! This place is five star quality, hands down -- no ifs, ands or buts. It deserves an excellent rating and all stars possible. Why? Simple: (1) Truly outstanding quality of food; (2) Cleanliness of establishment, including bathrooms; (3) Reasonableness of cost; (4) Prompt and attentive service; (5) Outstanding friendliness of owner and staff. What else is needed to be known? Not having set foot in this place beforehand and being complete strangers to the area, we did what we always do -- check in on Yelp and figure out the best places to eat nearby. This was one of the top in our area in Tampa. Ribs just sounded great. Plus, it was Friday when we went -- and the Yelp reviews talked about the promise of Friday-only Mac and Cheese which just sounded perfect at the time. When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by people we had never met -- Big Al and his super staff. They were ready to help us with all questions we had. We felt instantly valued as customers and ... well ... at home. We made our choices and were treated to exceptional fare, reasonable prices, friendly and prompt service. Just what the doctor ordered! I had 1/2 rack of pork ribs, the famous Mac and Cheese, baked beans, corn bread and sweet tea. Oh my!!! Just fabulous. Each and every bite. My wife had 1/4 rack, collard greens, creamy cole slaw, corn bread and diet soda. We both had to take food back to the motel, there was so much of it (and there was no way we were going to leave it on the plate!). The ribs, in my estimation, were definitely 1/4 pound each! Done perfectly and with terrific sauce (a bit of heat, a bit of mustard, a bit of smokey sweetness). The Mac and Cheese was heavenly -- creamy and fresh, cheesy but in a smooooooth way, a bit of sour cream somehow in the mix. The beans were also a winner with just a hint of cinnamon if you can believe that. Wonderful. And real southern sweet tea -- sweet, smooth, fresh. My fav. We had a great time, we had outstanding food at more than reasonable pricing, we had friendly and fun company with new people who love what they do in preparing and serving their wonderful food with obvious love and care. We will never miss this place when in Tampa again. If all that doesn't warrant a full five stars and an excellent rating, what does?
(5)John A.
Tried on the recommendation of a great friend and was so surprised to see Al of First Choice Bbq fame at the helm. Great environment and hands down the best ribs that I've put in my mouth. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.
(5)Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because Big Al is the man! --- --- --- I cannot believe that for a year and a half, I lived a mere two blocks from Big Al's and didn't know it! I'm in complete shock. I thought I would have at least smelled the fumes, but I guess Acropolis and Naviera have a monopoly on the scents of Ybor. These are some of the best ribs in town. The pulled pork is also top notch. Al and his "assistant" are always very friendly. Mac-n-Cheese is only served on Fridays, so that is the best day to go. I am still in utter dismay that it wasn't until recently that I discovered the greatness of Al's.
(4)Jacob K.
Awesome home cooking! Best BBQ in the area by far. This small restaurant packs a big punch. The meat is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. I would recommend this place to anyone, and I can't wait to go back next Friday! The Mac and cheese (Friday only) is amazing!
(5)Crystal S.
Phenomenal! True, southern bbq! Delicious! Their staff is super nice worth great service too! LOVE this place!
(5)Amanda H.
The best BBQ in town and Al is a treat!
(5)P G.
Good BBQ. I particularly liked the beans and collards. Best I have had. The sweet tea was perfect. If you enjoy BBQ, you will like this place. It is unpretentious, down home cooking.
(4)Yolanda S.
Flew home 2 days ago and had a taste fir barbecue which is strange because I'm so picky about cue. After checking Yelp for a barbecue joint with high ratings and open past 8 on a Fri I was led here. Al took my to-go order by phone and agreed to wail until we drove from St Pete (thanks Al). Ribs were good. Tender except for a few tough pieces on outer edge of couple ribs. Not heavily smoky (just right for me) and good sauce. Yum! Collards were awful. Not tender and way too bitter. I detected Old Bay Seasoning in them but that did nothing but add heat. Mac n cheese was ok. Hubby said the Potato Salad was good. Was left disappointed by dessert. What was supposed to be a Strawberry Hummingbird Cake tasted like a lackluster Carrot Cake minus the carrots. There was no bananas in the cake n definitely no strawberries although i kept biting into some kind of dried fruit (maybe) that i couldn't make out. I think there was a mix-up somewhere in the kitchen. All in all we will definitely return for more 'cue since it is the main attraction. The meat is worth a drive across the bridge.
(4)Mac S.
This place has very authentic atmosphere and the ribs are so tender the meat falls off the bone! Definitely should go here of all the places to eat in Ybor!
(5)Jim H.
We went to Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que for the 1st time this afternoon. Don't go there expecting a Sonny's or Smoky Bones experience - Like most owner operated establishments in our area, Al's restaurant is fairly small and has simple décor. There is more than ample parking and it's just a block off the main street with all Ybor City attractions. We shared a 1/2 rack of ribs with 4 sides between us so we could enjoy a wider variety. The ribs we delicious, cooked to absolute perfection. There were two sauces semi-sweet and spicy. Both were great but we preferred the spicy. For sides we had: Baked Beans (perfect robust flavor without being super sweet), Collard Greens (spicy fresh - just right) , Cole-Slaw (creamy sauce and crisp ingredients) and yellow Corn with Black Eyed Peas. Everything was prepared right there in-house and was excellent if not better than I've had anywhere. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the staff quickly seated. Later Al came by the table to see if we needed anything and to ask how we liked the food. I can't believe that Al's has been at this location for 6 years and I never heard of it. Between the friendly staff, location and TERRIFIC food . . . Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que is definitely our go-to BBQ spot!
(5)Michele D.
And Finger licking is what I did.... I love that this place is hidden in Ybor city and there are live chickens running around. It added a primitive effect to what I knew I came here to do... Which was to eat smoked meats, probably use my fingers and look barbaric since I will have sauce everywhere. I ordered a meat trio because I am greedy like that and I have to try everything at once. Ribs, Chicken and Sausage with Collard greens and Mac & Cheese. I enjoyed every moment eating this meal and will be back again when twitching for some BBQ. Being that my family is from Georgia and I was raised on this stuff, I have to say their collard greens were on point. They had just enough spice that worked with the additional pepper sauce I like to put on my greens. This places is laid back with just the heavenly smell of smoke and sounds of the meat cleaver. I would recommend coming here when in the area and in need of a tender, juicy and flavorful meal!
(5)Caity A.
How has no one told me about Al's?!? Hands-down top BBQ restaurant in Tampa (move aside, 4R!) We are more than wowed by both the Q and sides here. I got the pulled pork with slaw and beans. The pork is just phenomenal, and they do a great job of picking out the fatty pieces so you're just left with good quality meat. The slaw is delicious and creamy. The baked beans... Lordy, those baked beans!!! I've never tasted beans quite like these (we're thinking there's cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice or maple syrup in there), but they kick butt big time. My husband is nuts and got the 3 meat plate (pork, beef, ribs) with Mac and cheese and slaw. He ate it all, which was probably about 3 pounds of food so that should be your answer of whether or not it was good ;) If you want Heaven served up on a styrofoam plate, this is the place you need to be! Be warned- you'll have to roll yourself out of here because there's no other option than to eat yourself into a food coma!
(5)Mark P.
It's been 6 years since I've been going to Al's and I'm still their biggest fan. It's been great to watch them grow over the years to a point where they have a cult-like following and fill up every seat in the house some days/nights. I've tried many other BBQ restos in the area and also when I travel but Al's is still the undisputed champ. The food is consistently great as is the service. I often find myself staying there for hours just to shoot the breeze with Al and the staff in between chowing down. I usually go there on Fridays when it's really busy but now they have me hooked on their smoked wings that they serve only on Wednesdays. If they ever operate 7 days a week, I might as well just move in.
(5)Jaimie T.
After revisiting Al's a few times, it would be an injustice to not change my rating to five stars. The food is phenomenal every single time. The sausage is the best meat in my opinion, but to be fair I don't like sauces so it may be because it's the juiciest. Just a disclaimer! The yellow rice and chicken will forever be my favorite. The staff is always so polite and courteous. Even the parking lot man! I'm convinced we just had a misunderstanding or caught him on a bad day. I didn't think it was possible, but Al's has quickly turned me into a barbeque lover!
(5)Grace C.
The smoked turkey leg on Thursday is incredibly delicious !! Perfectly seasoned and fall right off the bone tender! Great ribs with wonderful BBQ sauce. A must try place!
(5)Ken D.
This is the place for BBQ! There is no other! I have been to them all! I declare this the best BBQ in the United States of America! Even a half slab of ribs can not be finished by one man. I fed three other people at work on these. The portions are amazing, the price is right and the people that run the place are as sweet as that sauce they use so liberally. The collard greens are spicy and a perfect compliment to the ribs. The baked beans are loaded with brown sugar just like your old bitter uncle used to make at cookouts as a kid. The burnt ends are not allowed to be talked about online for fear of drowning in our own saliva! You can even buy BBQ by the pound here. No joke. This is a place for serious lovers of the Q. And forget about the Mac and cheese, it will be the best you've ever had. I would eat here everyday if I could but I can't cause I'm older and know better. It is a place of indulgence and a beautiful one at that. I'm in shock this is two blocks from where I work and I never knew until someone brought some to work and I smelled it. It's glorious. I highly recommend Al's if you are a fan of BBQ. I mean it when I say it's the best. You're welcome!
(5)Jiimy P.
Coming to Tampa to a conference! Decided to eat with a group. Their yellow is delicious, Mac and cheese, dark chicken, sausage sandwich are good!!!!
(5)Dave O.
After reading the amazingly positive reviews I had no doubt I would be experiencing Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que in the very near future and today the opportunity presented itself. If you know anything about me it's that I love good BBQ and can be somewhat direct and maybe a little harsh when it's come to reviewing these places, in my opinion Southern Style BBQ cooked on a real pit using wood is authentic and how cooking meat was meant to be from the beginning of time or at least since man discovered fire. There have been occasions when I've enjoyed smoked meats on mechanical devices that were developed either to speed up the process or feed the masses but the old school wood fired method that requires hours of patients is in a different league. This place proves when you're passionate about something and willing to put in the work to make it successful the end results will be rewarding. What started in a garage feeding family members expanded into throwing a few extra pieces on the grill to feed a few neighbors it was apparent Al had the knowledge and talent to become what will be know forever going forward as a "Grill Master" this is not a self proclaimed tittle it's a fact. Once you experience this food that's a combination of southern style and soul food cooking you will know this is the real deal. After lunch I had the pleasure of meeting Jackie one of the family members here, it was apparent that her passion for serving only the best homemade dishes possible along with exceptional customer service is her number one priority and as impressive as this restaurant's accolades are it's all about customer service and the food. One look around validates the humble beginnings, one taste of anything here solidifies their place as one of the best BBQ joints if not the best in Florida. Demand has dictated a relocation is in the future as much as they love this location near 7th street in the historic district of Ybor City, so pay attention when you plan your visit. Now on to the food..... -Pork Ribs- Fall off the bone tender, seasoned perfectly, smoked until a smoke ring and thin bark forms on the outside sealing in the all the juices. The flavor of the wood is intertwined with the seasoning to create a distinctive fragrance you get as soon as you get out of your vehicle in the parking lot so roll up your windows if you're in the path of the smoke. These are the real deal. -Smoked Chicken- Wow! Tender, juicy full of flavor all the way to the bone yet not dried out, it's really something magical. Warning this is smoked chicken not grilled perfect to pull apart and dip in your choice of sauces yes they don't bathe anything in sauce here you choose your sauce and how much of it you want, for me it doesn't need any sauce but I did dip a few bites of the chicken. -Smoked Pork Sausage- This maybe the most unique offering here and what sets them apart from every other BBQ shack in Florida, this special blend of meat and spice is going to be a hit with any pure sausage enthusiast smoked then chopped on the butcher block and piled high yes pour on the "hot BBQ sauce" on this one this is a real winner. -Smoked Turkey- I love turkey and this turkey was moist, smokey and tender and oh for an added twist it came chopped like you would for a sandwich, different but delish. -Collard Greens- Hand washed, chopped daily and cooked until tender. These aren't your average collard greens they are seasoned spicy and you will get a warning if you order them but not an apology so be ware of this, so simple so delicious and of course there's a bottle of pickled peppers in vinegars not the table to splash on top - oh and don't forget the cornbread it's old school and home made as well served up with any order of collards. -Blackeyed Peas- Seasoned mildly and cooked until they melt, Jackie assured me they were cooked from dried peas not frozen or canned there is a differences you know I could of eaten a bowl of these. -Potato Salad- Mustard based sweet and tangy this is served like everything else here no pre-measured portion controls are in place here it's like fixing your plate at home when youve cooked your favorite dish. -BBQ Sauces- Hot or Mild and these too are finger licking good. There's really nothing more to say, if you're looking for good BBQ, you've found it...
(5)Steve C.
The BBQ is top notch. Nothing rivals it in Ybor for sure. Al has grown this from a start up to a full blown restaurant. I used to be one of the few diners in there when I went, today there was a line, so long a wait that I actually left and went to El Puerto. The side dish of chicken and yellow rice is a must when you are here. It's a meal unto itself. His homemade sauces are full of flavor.
(5)James P.
Al's is awesome. Ribs, outstanding. Love the char on them. Pulled pork was easily some of the best I've ever had. Beans had a lot of molasses in them, making them sweet - but still great. Awesome potato salad. Great corn bread. Wife loved the collared greens; not really my thing, but she wouldn't stop talking about them. This is a guy you want to have as a neighbor, when he does cookouts. But since you're not Al's neighbor, go to his BBQ place and eat up there. Although seating/ordering/paying can get a little chaotic - especially during lunch - everyone is friendly and helpful. This is, hands down, some of the best barbeque I've had, from anywhere in the country. Go here!
(5)Charlie G.
Had lunch here today, while working nearby! Just a simple pulled pork sandwich and some potato salad... and I left HAPPY! Service was awesome... really friendly staff, and it smells like carnivore heaven in there! The pulled pork was good, lots of flavor and very tender. The potato salad? OMG! Some of the best I have had... creamy and tart, and sweet.... just yummy! I will be going back.. when I am not time constrained... because I want to eat at least one whole rack of their ribs all by myself! And try some of the other assorted goodies on that menu! Wonderful stuff! But you don't want to go there... trust me. If you don't go... there will be more for me! :) highly recommended!
(5)Akemi K.
Authentic, delicious, amazing BBQ. The platters are huge and there are many options.
(5)Matt D.
We wandered across the tracks in search of Al's BBQ and couldn't have been happier. First of all, the smell of hickory smoke wafting out of the parking lot is a good sign, as are the many roosters wandering around the building. It really gives it an authentic, southern charm, which continued when we walked through the door. The service was attentive, friendly, and genuine with a relaxed, homey vibe. We ordered the three-meat sampler to get a taste of as much as possible. All the meats were great, but for me, the ribs and sausage outshined the pork just a little bit. These ribs were packed with smoky flavor and the skin on the sausage was so perfect it looks like cracked glass when cut into. Both of us loved the traditional bbq sauce and found that it had a bit more flavor than the "hot" variety. I nearly deducted a star for only having mac and cheese on Fridays (in a bbq joint, really?), but the potato salad was much better than I expected. It had a sweet mustardy taste that was quite addictive. I like the rotating cake idea, and our dessert of chocolate peanut butter cake from "Bear the Baker" was solid. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area, and the prices are reasonable as well.
(5)Antony D.
The real deal. Outstanding! A little chaotic on Friday, but that's part of the charm.
(5)Zao Z.
Food is amazing. It is one of the best BBQ places in Tampa. The ribs are delicious. The sides are amazing as well. The place is located in a old row house in Ybor. Certainly has character. The place itself is clean. The parking lot is unpaved. Be careful if you have a sports car. Service was attentive and friendly. You feel like you are meeting friends at a cookout almost.
(5)Chris W.
It's simple, chicken is awesome, pulled pork is awesome, greens are spicy and different than any you've probably tried, Friday is mac and cheese day, made by his aunt. Sauce is outstanding. Very nice people on top of all of this. Very few great bbq places in Florida, this is one.
(5)Nathan M.
The best barbecue in Tampa. Hands down. I was introduced by a friend 5hat has been going there for 29 years and I was a little skeptical of his praise but the food (and Al himself) won me over. I've had everything but the sausage. Everything is great but my favorite is the chicken. White or dark doesn't matter.
(5)Joanne K.
We came to Tampa for an RV show so we had plenty of time to check out the obscure but delectable eateries in the area and BOY we were not disappointed in finding All's through Yelp!! It is a low profile place in Ybor City (within 5 miles of our hotel in Tampa). Our handy dandy GPS brought us to a small unassuming house skirted by a wide porch with a large smoker- smoking in the parking lot next door...We arrived! The smells assaulted our olfactory senses and all but forced us to drool uncontrollably as we entered the establishment and were told to have a seat anywhere. It was Friday about 5:30 so the place was not busy. The menu included different smoked meats -ribs, pork, chicken and sausage- and a variety of southern sides. The hubs and I both chose ribs and 2 sides each - collared greens (with a kick of spice:), coleslaw, baked beans and Mac and cheese (only served on Fridays). We were not disappointed with anything we ordered as we licked each bone dry and used every ounce of energy (channeling our parents social graces lessons) and refrained from sucking the BBQ bottle dry and licking our plates clean. The owner and workers were as nice as anyone could be by chatting us up after dinner evidently enjoying everyone's company while it was slow enough to do so. Clean establishment including the bathrooms! This will be a repeat stop for us if we are back in the area (within a driving distance of less than 150 miles). Worth it if you like BBQ! Enjoy folks (!) and don't miss this culinary experience in Southern satisfaction.
(5)Anthony B.
Excellent BBQ, the best pulled pork I've ever had. Portions were a little on the small side, but I'll definitely be back.
(5)Bryan B.
One of the best BBQ places in the U.S. I ate here once a week for 3 years straight with my co-workers when living in Tampa. Al and his daughter are great people and very friendly. If you go enough he'll start to remember your order. My go to order was always the Dale Special dinner, which is a mixture of pulled pork and chopped up sausage. On the side, I would go with baked beans and potato salad. The beans have brown sugar in them and are some of the best beans I've ever had. You can't go wrong with other items on the menu, the ribs are HUGE and absolutely delicious. Also, if you go on Friday's you can get mac n cheese as a side. All the sides are homemade including the BBQ sauces and if you like spicy things, the hot bbq sauce is a must try! Now in Seattle, I miss Al's more than ever, but will definitely be returning when I'm back in Tampa.
(5)Treona H.
Wow! This place is Mmmm Mmmm Good! My boyfriend and I each got the half rack ribs dinner and it exceeded our expectations. This place gives you so much meat that you will have plenty to take home. The collard greens were good and spicy, the yellow rice was PHENOMENAL! The only reason that I am giving this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because the mac and cheese was just OK. I cannot wait to go back! Quality food in Tampa is hard to find so I am ecstatic that we stumbled upon this gem :)
(4)Max S.
Al's pulled pork is really fresh and he puts the sauce on the side. His baked beans with the touch of cinnamon rocks but his chicken and yellow is why you'll come back.
(3)Bob R.
I'm torn, the meat is (usually) good, the sides are (usually) good, but inconsistent. Also, you can have as much BBQ sauce of any kind of you dine in, but if you want an extra to-go they charge you for it. No other BBQ place I can think of does that. You have a guy that knows his BBQ, but needs help to run a business. It's just annoying.
(3)David S.
Amazing BBQ! The best I have had in Florida by far. Small place in Ybor Area of Tampa, may make you think twice.... But just follow your nose in.... And enjoy! The staff is very friendly, the food is amazing. We had the full slab, 1/2 chicken, chicken rice and baked beans. Just can't say enough about this place. I will be back again and again and again.
(5)Gwendolyn M.
The food is phenomenal! The staff is friendly and Al is always there working. You can tell this place is his pride and joy and he loves what he does! Great local business to support. I love coming here!
(5)Craig A.
YES. Eat Here. Often. Smells awesome when you pull up to this cool little house. And it tastes even better, if that is even possible! Great crew to take care of you. ESPN on 4 flatscreens. Al is right there to make sure you enjoy it.
(5)Clay M.
Best bar-b-que in town. They have ribs, beef, chicken, pulled pork, and sausage. They are all amazing. My favorite is the pulled pork. Their collard greens are spicy and delicious. The greens come with cornbread that is unbeatable. The baked beans are sweet and delicious. Their spicy bar-b-que sauce is fantastic. The only thing that compares to how good the food is, is how friendly and pleasant the staff are. If you appreciate good southern style bar-b-que you'll love Al's.
(5)Queen G.
Pulled pork and ribs very good ! Spicy collard greens are delicious . I don't know what they out in those baked beans, they remind me of captain crunch but in a good way. Southern hospitality for sure ...gave us free samples to try and really welcoming. Sweet tea
(5)Ramy A.
Great place in Ybor Florida....it's not easy finding an original place like this ...I really enjoyed sampling the platter with three meats They have okra as a side that's really good...rice is amazing as well Outside you will find roosters running around and it feels like your eating on a farm The staff is really friendly and kind...people that are genuine.,.wish you all the best :)
(5)Michael B.
Awesome bbq! Great prices, would definitely come back! The pulled pork was so good, not to forget the red velvet cake!! See you soon!!
(5)ANDREA H.
Checked the reviews and hit this spot for lunch while in Tampa! Off the path, turned a few corners and pulled into a smoking parking lot!! The sides were to die for and the menu was hilarious! Love Love and it is a MUST try! Will have to visit Al again when in Tampa!
(5)Jenny L.
Awesome BBQ! The chopped beef and yellow rice was so yummy. Service was a bit slow that day, but otherwise Al's has some of the best BBQ in Tampa. The cute chickens hanging out around the premise was also a plus :-p
(4)Jake B.
I'm only occasionally a BBQ fan, but this place was incredible. Located on the back side of the Ybor strip just across the railroad tracks, the neighborhood it's located in is a mix of commercial and residential with a great old-school feel -- including especially the very vocal chickens. We sat on the side porch where we got the full effect of the entertaining chickens in the back yard and the on-site smoker in the side parking lot. All on a nicely sunny and warm winter day. For a second as we first walked up to the place I worried it would be the kind of neighborhood place where an obvious tourist sticks out like a sore thumb, but the staff was welcoming and super friendly and helpful with the menu. I had the turkey breast with okra-and-tomato and yellow-rice-with-chicken sides; my dinner companion had the 1/4 white meat chicken with spicy collards and baked beans as sides. The meats were nicely smokey and moist, and coupled with the not-too-sweet-not-too-vinegary homemade BBQ sauce made some of the best BBQ I've ever had. Of the sides (all good), most memorable were the spicy collards -- smoky with a surprisingly potent afterburn -- and the yellow rice with chicken, which had an amazing light smoky flavor that I really enjoyed. Awesome place all around, I'll remember this place and its exuberant chickens and be back.
(5)Chad W.
I had the Ryan's special. One of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've had. Moist, not over done, and with pieces of smokey ends mixed in. The sides were also top notch. Black eyes peas and yellow rice with chicken.
(5)Cyrus J.
Damn good bbq, very highly recommended. Food is hellafied good, fast friendly service, and extremely welcoming staff.
(5)Andrew M.
This is real BBQ. Owner was great, ribs were perfect and plenty of meat. Simple and fast service. The chicken and yellow rice side is a must. Good people, good BBQ.
(5)Kelly A.
Love this place!! Best BBQ that I've ever had in my lif!
(5)John Paul B.
Excellent barbecue, true southern style sides, and great service. A must if you are in the area!
(5)Shawn L.
I will start out by saying I'm from Georgia and I grew up with bbq places having saw dust on the floors. I love bbq and I am a avid bbqer. I say all this to say this is really really really good bbq. The ribs, pulled pork and the chicken are amazing. The sides are just as good. The spivey collard greens are off the hook. You won't be disappointed.
(5)J Matt S.
It's not everyday that you can try a new place and can say "This is the best ______ I've ever tasted" Al has, by far, the best smoked sausage I've ever had (better than any grilled sausage I've had too). So good that that alone will keep me coming back. We also tried the baked beans, which were pretty good but a little heavy on the cinnamon for my taste. The yellow rice w/chicken was excellent. The ribs too, were outstanding with plenty of smoky flavor. We ate our food to-go and the sauce they gave us wasn't sweet enough for my liking and I'm not sure if they have a sweeter one or not. I wanted to try the macncheese but unfortunately it is only served of Fridays. Check their website for the days they are open before you go as they are not open every day. I met Al while ordering our food and he was very welcoming and helpful. I can't wait to try some of the other things on the menu the next time we are here. This will be a must-stop for us whenever we are staying in Tampa.
(5)Matt M.
Was here yesterday my first time brought some friends from chicago. Very friendly atmosphere and the bbq was excellent. I had pulled pork and ribs all I can say is they were smoked to perfection. I would recommend this spot to anyone.
(5)Matt B.
Stopped by for lunch....best decision we have made in a while, this place rocks! Ribs, chicken, and sausage were delicious. We asked for the Mac N Cheese that is normally only served on Friday, and they happily made it for us. Bake beans with some sort of cinnamon are great, and we loved the spicy BBQ....but beware, probably only want to use a little bit, this stuff will light your mouth up!!!! Thanks Al's for a great unexpected meal.
(5)Kirsten D.
Truly excellent bbq. Ribs are probably the best in Tampa bay. The mac and cheese is only on Fridays but is excellent and well worth the wait. What really sets them apart is the bbq sauce. It has a nice kick and is very savory. There other sides are very good with the baked beans coming in right behind the Mac and cheese. They have a decent selection of beer but are in the heart of ybor city which is anything but dry. I never leave enough room for dessert but maybe one day. Also the service is really good. People are nice and respectful. Just a great place for a great meal.
(5)Ryan H.
Had driven by a handful of times but never stopped in until my wife and I read about them in Creative Loafing's 2014 Best of the Bay issue. They are more than deserving of the award; definitely the best bar b q we've had in Tampa. Service is fast and friendly, the environment is as casual and relaxed, and the food was spectacular. It happened to be raining pretty hard when we came in but that didn't stop the staff from regularly tending to the jumbo-sized smoker out by the parking lot (letting the smell float out there and reel people in). We'll definitely be back.
(5)Terry C.
Al's us unbelievably delicious - best Bar B Que around! Service is fast, staff is friendly. This is a great place to eat - highly recommended!
(5)Magnus D.
Boy, I really wish this was as good as the reviews say, but it's just not. I loved the location, building, and inside cleanliness. I also thought the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and the real deal. You get a good feeling when you climb the front steps and see the smoker puffing away in the parking lot. You swing the door open, step in and think you've found a hidden gem. But the ribs aren't high quality slabs, the mac & cheese is pretty light on the cheese, the baked beans are overly sugared, and the bbq sauce is bland and runny. The ribs did smell of smoke, even though they were too dry. The pulled pork, while moist, was bland and I got no hint of smoke in even one bite. Good Q remains elusive. They really need to get some good beers and at least a house wine so the women are happy--and some limes for the Corona (is there anything worse than a Corona beer without a lime?) A terrific bbq sauce would really help, and maybe they should just buy one off the shelf since there are so many good ones out there.
(3)Alex H.
Was in Tampa on vacation. This place is AMAZING!!!!down home southern cooking, felt like a family cookout with a gourmet chef. The best grilled chicken I've ever had. Ribs were on point, beans out of this world, rice and chicken...Damn...The greens...oh the greens...they put they foot in it! Like any cookout, get there early or the best stuff is gone.
(5)Jenny S.
I was walking down the main drag in Ybor and looked over about a block to see beautiful smoke coming from what was a huge smoker in the parking lot. I had to check it out! When I got closer, there were even roosters running about! I ordered a combo plate of two meats and two sides. I got the pork ribs and sausage with cole slaw and mac & cheese (Fridays only). Let there be no mistake, the meat is the star of this restaurant! ! Smokey moist goodness. Melt in your mouth heaven! Although the BBQ sauce was good, the meat could stand alone! I couldn't stop eating it! And the portions are Huge!! Mac & cheese and coleslaw were good. What you would expect..and freshly made. But again, the meat is the star here! Fantastic! My plate cost about 13 bucks. And could have easily fed two!
(5)Theresa R.
Fabulous barbecue. .all meats are moist with not too heavy a smoked flavor..sides are all great however collards are quite spicy so beware..Service and employees were very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go again..
(5)Josi J.
Thanks to yelp reviews, I managed to find a yummy bbq spot. I had the Carolyn combo with beef and chicken, both delicious!! Also, had baked beans (yummm) & collard greens (spicy and diff, not for me)...but you can't forget the cornbread!! Overall great meal!
(5)Stephanie W.
This hole in the wall is a little taste of home. The name says it all and I would highly recommend it! Yummy
(5)Will S.
The bulk of these stars comes from the macaroni and cheese. It is ONLY available on Fridays; and it is riot worthy. There is only a limited quantity of the golden stuff so make sure you get there in time for the best part of your meal. The meat was exceptional, particularly the brisket and the ribs...outstanding. The rest was of the meats were ok, definitely not worth writing home about like the brisket or the ribs. The sides were alright as well. Compared to the mac 'n' cheese they were lacking. The staff was exceptional. Very knowledgeable about the menu, and willing to work with us on getting us a full and proper meal. Great night; lots of fun; full belly! The neighborhood is shady because it's in Ybor City, but it's worth the drive.
(4)Chris R.
Went to Al's on a weekend trip to Busch Gardens. Hands down the best barbecue food i've had.
(5)Jake M.
Service was quick but frankly, the food was not up to par. No Mac & cheese or cornbread on a Saturday night at 7? Also, the Budweiser was warm & our food was prepped in a microwave. Baked beans tasted as though they were from a can of Bush's. Server lost our bill so we had to remind them of what we had.
(1)Kaitlin J.
This is the best barbeque I have had since moving down south, and Al never disappoints. Set in an obscure house off of downtown Ybor, Al's is no nonsense down home comfort food. If you head during lunch time, be prepared to wait a bit, sometimes they can be understaffed, and with small kitchen space. But be patient! It's worth it, and they will take care of you. The pulled pork with sausage (dale special) is something to write home about. All smoked on premise, you'll come out with a full stomach, and the sweet sweet smell of smoked meat lingering on your clothes, a fond reminder of the delicious meal you just had. And don't forget the homemade banana pudding on Fridays only! Get it early, it goes fast! I hope Al sticks around for a very long time.
(5)Yanelly F.
Can't say enough good things about this place. The food was great service was great the prices were great and best of all it was so clean. Absolutely going there again and telling all my rib loving friends.
(5)Jennifer M.
Wow, best BBQ I have ever had!! When it comes to great food and service Al's Finger licking good wins the Blue Ribbon!
(5)Becca G.
Food was great! I work down the street and park right infront and for weeks i been smelling the food saying i have to stop in. Now that i finally have ill be coming here all the time. Best bbq iv had in a long time! People were friendly
(5)Raymond H.
Ate there for lunch the ribs were excellent had a half rack. The smoke taste and char on the ribs were great. They didn't need any sauce they were so good.
(5)Lindsey S.
Visited all the way from Kansas in search of some real BBQ. No disappointment was to be had. The beans were amazing and rivaled the wonderful pulled pork sandwich. It's been 3 months and I am craving some Al's yet again.
(5)Amanda M.
We stopped by here for lunch one day a couple of months ago. We really enjoyed it. The ribs and sausage were great. The macaroni and cheese was cheesy and delicious. There wasn't very many people in there but we don't understand why. This place was great! Support your local businesses people. Get out there and try this place if you like BBQ. I don't believe you will be disappointed.
(5)Randi H.
BEST BAR B QUE EVER!!! Stick with the ribs, all the sides are good including the greens, mac n cheese, tater salad. The sweet potate pie is also good. Oh, don't forget iced tea!
(5)Tyler H.
Absolutely delicious! Everything was wonderful, but the baked beans were a special kind of wonderful! The customer service was the best! Very, very, friendly!
(5)Joshua C.
Excellent choice for lunch. Great prices backed up by awesome BBQ. Highly recommend the ribs and the collar greens. The collar greens are pretty unique, they have great flavor and an unusual "kick"
(5)Carmen F.
So I can officially name this the best BBQ in Tampa. The ribs are better than the last time(if that's possible) and everyone remembered me I love a family restaurant almost as much as I love bear cakes which are served here by the amazing Dwayne o'bear. I cannot find any fault with this amazing joint and I highly recommend you all stop on by!
(5)Jessica M.
A real surprise! We were staying in Ybor and craving BBQ, went to yelp in search of good food and wow did this place not disappoint!! Fast, friendly and fantastic food at an affordable price! We had the smoked sausage, pulled pork, ribs, greens and baked beans. Everything was fantastic and the beans were delightful, with a touch of honey and cinnamon! Take a chance on Al's it's the best BBQ around!
(5)Kelleigh M.
I stopped in today to get a little BBQ-I thought it was ok, nothing phenomenal. The pulled pork sandwich was moist, but nothing spectacular. A few things I noticed: The BBQ sauce is bottled The baked beans didn't seem home made The Mac n cheese was not homemade-I was expecting baked, fresh Mac n cheese. This reminded me of velveta -sort of soupy The bread wasn't toasted Maybe I had my expectations too high, but I don't see myself driving across town just for Al's
(3)Scott P.
Simple but delicious barbecue at a great price, in a comfortable atmosphere with a quick and friendly staff. What more can you ask for?
(5)Carl B.
Amazing! We ordered ribs, pulled pork, black eyed peas, baked beans, cole slaw and hummingbird cake. Best bbq we have ever had. Our waiter was just as amazing as the food was. If you are in ybor, make sure to stop here!
(5)Ana Victoria M.
The service was amazing. You must try Sparky's pulled pork sandwich. It's amazing!
(5)Cory N.
Great BBQ. Southern owner, likewise with the staff. I had the pulled pork sammich, spicy collard greens and potato salad. It was all excellent. I like that he preps the meat right there. Nothing like hearing the "BANG BANG" as he chops the meat to throw on the sandwich.
(5)Jen G.
Umm umm good. The staff is friendly and attentive and the good was great. Had the chopped beef and dark meat chicken combo with Mac and cheese, collard greens and baked beans. I really appreciate that the sides do not have meat in them. Very cool. Tasty overall. Left me rubbing my belly and ready for a nap. :)
(5)Malinda L.
We stopped here because we had tickets for the Ybor Aficionado days and this was one of the stops. I had no idea this place was there but wow, great bbq. We tried the pulled pork and tried a few of the bbq sauces. Really, really awesome. I can't wait to go back and try more. The owner is very nice and friendly to everyone who comes in as well, you can tell that they really want to make you happy with their food.
(5)Angie L.
Fantastic bbq!!! Service is quick and friendly. Yellow rice and chicken is a side not to miss. Ribs are huge! Go when it's slow and chat up Al! He won't give up the secret to his great baked beans or bbq sauce though!
(5)Jacob K.
Awesome home cooking! Best BBQ in the area by far. This small restaurant packs a big punch. The meat is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. I would recommend this place to anyone, and I can't wait to go back next Friday! The Mac and cheese (Friday only) is amazing!
(5)Crystal S.
Phenomenal! True, southern bbq! Delicious! Their staff is super nice worth great service too! LOVE this place!
(5)Amanda H.
The best BBQ in town and Al is a treat!
(5)P G.
Good BBQ. I particularly liked the beans and collards. Best I have had. The sweet tea was perfect. If you enjoy BBQ, you will like this place. It is unpretentious, down home cooking.
(4)Denis K.
I don't get it when there are glowing recommendations in reviews of this place, but the reviewer ends up giving only 3 stars! What's up with that??!! This place is five star quality, hands down -- no ifs, ands or buts. It deserves an excellent rating and all stars possible. Why? Simple: (1) Truly outstanding quality of food; (2) Cleanliness of establishment, including bathrooms; (3) Reasonableness of cost; (4) Prompt and attentive service; (5) Outstanding friendliness of owner and staff. What else is needed to be known? Not having set foot in this place beforehand and being complete strangers to the area, we did what we always do -- check in on Yelp and figure out the best places to eat nearby. This was one of the top in our area in Tampa. Ribs just sounded great. Plus, it was Friday when we went -- and the Yelp reviews talked about the promise of Friday-only Mac and Cheese which just sounded perfect at the time. When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by people we had never met -- Big Al and his super staff. They were ready to help us with all questions we had. We felt instantly valued as customers and ... well ... at home. We made our choices and were treated to exceptional fare, reasonable prices, friendly and prompt service. Just what the doctor ordered! I had 1/2 rack of pork ribs, the famous Mac and Cheese, baked beans, corn bread and sweet tea. Oh my!!! Just fabulous. Each and every bite. My wife had 1/4 rack, collard greens, creamy cole slaw, corn bread and diet soda. We both had to take food back to the motel, there was so much of it (and there was no way we were going to leave it on the plate!). The ribs, in my estimation, were definitely 1/4 pound each! Done perfectly and with terrific sauce (a bit of heat, a bit of mustard, a bit of smokey sweetness). The Mac and Cheese was heavenly -- creamy and fresh, cheesy but in a smooooooth way, a bit of sour cream somehow in the mix. The beans were also a winner with just a hint of cinnamon if you can believe that. Wonderful. And real southern sweet tea -- sweet, smooth, fresh. My fav. We had a great time, we had outstanding food at more than reasonable pricing, we had friendly and fun company with new people who love what they do in preparing and serving their wonderful food with obvious love and care. We will never miss this place when in Tampa again. If all that doesn't warrant a full five stars and an excellent rating, what does?
(5)John A.
Tried on the recommendation of a great friend and was so surprised to see Al of First Choice Bbq fame at the helm. Great environment and hands down the best ribs that I've put in my mouth. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.
(5)Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because Big Al is the man! --- --- --- I cannot believe that for a year and a half, I lived a mere two blocks from Big Al's and didn't know it! I'm in complete shock. I thought I would have at least smelled the fumes, but I guess Acropolis and Naviera have a monopoly on the scents of Ybor. These are some of the best ribs in town. The pulled pork is also top notch. Al and his "assistant" are always very friendly. Mac-n-Cheese is only served on Fridays, so that is the best day to go. I am still in utter dismay that it wasn't until recently that I discovered the greatness of Al's.
(4)Yolanda S.
Flew home 2 days ago and had a taste fir barbecue which is strange because I'm so picky about cue. After checking Yelp for a barbecue joint with high ratings and open past 8 on a Fri I was led here. Al took my to-go order by phone and agreed to wail until we drove from St Pete (thanks Al). Ribs were good. Tender except for a few tough pieces on outer edge of couple ribs. Not heavily smoky (just right for me) and good sauce. Yum! Collards were awful. Not tender and way too bitter. I detected Old Bay Seasoning in them but that did nothing but add heat. Mac n cheese was ok. Hubby said the Potato Salad was good. Was left disappointed by dessert. What was supposed to be a Strawberry Hummingbird Cake tasted like a lackluster Carrot Cake minus the carrots. There was no bananas in the cake n definitely no strawberries although i kept biting into some kind of dried fruit (maybe) that i couldn't make out. I think there was a mix-up somewhere in the kitchen. All in all we will definitely return for more 'cue since it is the main attraction. The meat is worth a drive across the bridge.
(4)Mac S.
This place has very authentic atmosphere and the ribs are so tender the meat falls off the bone! Definitely should go here of all the places to eat in Ybor!
(5)Patti F.
Wow, I feel like I was at the wrong place. Great reviews I was very anxious to try it. Love the atmosphere, but the employees all acted like they were new. There was one guy behind the counter that seemed to be doing everything, everyone else just hangin out. A line at the counter ordering with no organization at all. Not what I was expecting, must have been an off day. Chicken was dry and cut up in small pieces. Very small for $10.00. Beans were good, mac and cheese ok. I was hoping for better.
(2)Alayna A.
Good prices and great food and service. Only a few blocks from the main Ybor strip - definitely worth the blocks trip, walk the extra block. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. Will go back next time we're in the mood for bbq.
(5)Aaron B.
Food quality was good overall. Small rib joint that could have been a good experience. Looked forward to it all day long. Greeted by Terrence and we ordered Combo platters. He said he'd save us $$ by serving us family style. We ended up getting MUCH less food for $12 more. Specially we got (total) one slab of ribs, half pound of pulled pork, small container of beans, slaw, and rice and 5 drinks for $64. My wife wouldn't let me argue because we were with family. Only advice would be that if you go, know What you are ordering. Despite other reviews, portions are NOT generous. They were out of Beef, Mac & cheese, and Chicken "was still cooking. Regarding their great reputation online, the owner Al encourages/ baits/ asks customers to post favorable comments. On a different day maybe we would've had a better experience. Sorely disappointed. Will not return. Rip off.
(1)Eden F.
The collard greens and mac and cheese are to die for! Their bbq sauce is so spot-on delicious. The ribs have really good flavor, but not too tender. Overall, great bbq place!
(4)Zach M.
Fantastic BBQ!! Very friendly staff and comfortable environment. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Ron D.
The BEST BBQ ribs and chicken that I have ever had in my life on a very consistent basis !!! My wife and I share an order of ribs which we can't finish. We order a whole chicken and take it home. The baked beans, collard greens, and all other sides are wonderful. Never had room for the home cooked sweet potato (and other) pies. Almost forgot to mention the place is dirt cheap!! ...The one drawback is that Al's is CLOSED Sunday through Tuesday...
(5)James D.
Great food. I can't stay away from this place. The people who work here are super friendly and treat you right.
(5)Familia O.
Oh my goodness...Definitely finger licking good! We live an hour away and would not hesitate to drive an hour to eat here. The staff is very pleasant and friendly too!
(5)Jennifer M.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had! The turkey is so moist and juicy. The baked beans and potato salad are fantastic. The service is fast and super friendly.
(5)Joe A.
Just stuffed my face with sausage and ribs... this place ia the truth! I'm only sad that it took me so long to figure out this place was here. Good food, friendly service. Greay place!
(5)Melanie A.
AMAZING FOOD!!!! The staff is awesome also and so humble about their amazing food. BEST BAKED BEANS IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!! I will definitely be making the drive from Seminole to Tampa for this BBQ!!!!!
(5)Corey C.
Wow! Fast, friendly and sooo delicious. Pork and collard greens were some of the best I've ever had!
(5)Antwan E.
While visiting Tampa, I got a hankering for BBQ. Thanks yo Yelp, I found this little jewel and instantly fell in love. From the street, this place looks like a home. The owner and a worker were sitting on the porch chatting as I walked up. I go in and sit down...striking up a conversation that made me feel like I was sitting at home talking to my grandfather and uncle. The food was AMAZING!!! Down home cooking that was truly satisfying. I will NEVER go back to Tampa without stopping by this spot...even if I don't eat (which is highly unlikely), just to say "hey, how y'all doin'?!"
(4)Rachel B.
Aside from the BBQ in TX, this is the best BBQ I've ever had! I work near Ybor City and have gone here for lunch a few times. My fiance and I have even driven from Brandon to grab a bite to eat a couple of times. We get the pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese, and potato salad. This DEFINITELY trumps every other BBQ place in town...YUM!!
(5)Elizabeth D.
The place is a lot cleaner than one would think given the area and it's location as a shack on the side of the street. There wasn't much to offer, but my pulled pork sandwich was good. The meat was tender and they made it to order really quickly. The baked beans were sweet, and do I detect some cinnamon in there? Yum. On the down side, my fountain diet coke was very watered down and I don't understand why they only offer mac 'n' cheese as a side on Fridays. The cornbread was slightly dry, definitely nothing to come back for. I liked their bbq sauce though some may like more variety other than a homemade sweet sauce and a bottled hot sauce.
(3)Steve C.
Al's FLGBBQ is great food. I had the combo platter with ribs and pulled pork with the best spicy greens I've ever had and some decent baked beans and also a sweet potato pie that was pretty tasty. My GF had pulled pork with the potato salad that was pretty good and cole slaw that she says was really good (I unfortunately did not get a taste). She had the sour cream pound cake that was pretty tasty, but too much for me since I was so full. Al and his help (I didn't catch his name, but he was a slender fellow) were tremendously friendly and they like to interact with their guests. I enjoyed them almost as much as the food.
(4)Mark P.
Yeah, it's that good. Really friendly too.
(5)Jonny I.
Tucked away in Ybor, its basically an elevated mobile home, however its deceivingly more spacious than you would expect on the inside. The pulled pork sandwich and baked beans were great. And like Elizabeth stated below me, it was the first time I had tasted cinnamon in baked beans....but it was a great combo. The pulled pork was about what I expected (3 stars) but the baked bean originality adds the extra star. Portions aren't very large but they are just adequate enough to fill you up for lunch and last you till you get off work or whatever may have you. You can see you meal pulled from a stock pile of pork/bbq/etc and they chop it up in front of you so there is no surprises. Random tidbit, the men's bathroom is located outside and around the establishment. Just a minor inconvenience but nothing to knock on. If I remember correctly, there might have been 1-2 TVs playing ESPN so you can stay up to date on your sports if its killing you.
(4)Susan M.
I love the feel of Big Al's. You can tell this is a local joint. It's in a house that's been converted to a restaurant. They also have the best collard greens in Tampa, in my opinion. I like them because they are just spicy enough. If you haven't been before go on Friday, that's the only day you can get the mac n cheese and you gotta try it!
(3)David C.
After reading the reviews and seeing that 90% of the people liked this place I decided to give it a try and am glad i did. This is an excellent barbecue place at a great price. Al and his family are excellent hosts making you feel like you are sitting down as guests in their home. I had the pulled pork and ribs combo which I slathered in their homemade spicy hot sauce.The succulent meat falls right off the bone and is served with some really nice sides like roasted corn mixed with onions and peppers and don't miss the mac'n'cheese. Go on and get some great cooking at Al's! Taste's like you're eatin in grandma's southern kitchen! Kind of feels like it too, as it is in a converted casita left over from the cigar factory days of Ybor. Casual and so yummy.
(4)Colin R.
I grew up in the Tampa area, but would travel to Georgia frequently, and would always have great bbq up there. I now live in Denver and I think the best bbq is a few states away. So finding this place while in Tampa for Christmas was a great treat! Al and all the staff are very friendly and the food is delicious. They have some of the best bbq sauce I've had and the meat is all very tender and delicious. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area!
(5)Adam N.
Just went there yesterday for the first time. Al's is tucked on a side road, so I didn't know it existed for a long time, but it's not far from the restaurants on 7th Ave. in Centro Ybor. Been meaning to check it out for a while, and I'm glad I did. Yesterday, I got a 1/4 dark chicken, with baked beans and chicken w/ rice. Al and his staff are super friendly. The chicken was just okay, though. Competent, but not outstanding. When I was there, though, I saw a sign advertising "Fall Of The Bone" (sic) Turkey Leg Thursday, and I was intrigued. So I went back today. I'm glad I did. Bar none, that was the best turkey leg I've had in my life. It's $6.95 for a turkey leg, and $8.95 for a meal. (turkey leg + 2 sides w/ bread AND sweet cornbread) Incredibly tender. He gave me BBQ sauce on the side, but I didn't use it -- the turkey leg is plenty flavorful to begin with. It's a lot of food for the price, too. The turkey leg didn't fit in the styrofoam container he gave me for it, which actually looks pretty comical -- the bottom of the bone sticks out when it's closed. I'm a pretty big guy, (~200 lbs) and half of the meal is still sitting in the fridge. Easily 2 meals for me -- you could stretch it to 3 or 4 if you're a smaller person. Anyway, I'm thinking Al's is going to become a Thursday regular for me. Highly recommended.
(5)Tom S.
I eat here regularly. My favorite bbq in town. Be sure to go on a Friday when they have the mac&cheese on the menu!
(5)Tim S.
great food and a nice guy, I felt like I stopped over Al's house and he fixed me up with a great BBQ dinner.
(4)T S.
Turkey leg Thursday's or mac & cheese Friday's are the best! Love Al's! Never had a bad meal there!
(5)Mark H.
We go every week! Simply the best BBQ in Tampa Bay. Not a fancy place, but Al and Terry are always fantastic and the food is excellent every time. Try every place else first because once you go to Al's you've had the very best. I actually hate to write this review because I don't want to see the place get crowded. Al has truly created a Tampa gem.
(5)Connie C.
So Al's just opened up in Ybor City and you will definitely need to come in for a bite. They have a nice daily sandwich lunch special for $5.99 (includes a side and a drink), but also have some meals that include two sides. I ordered the combination Chicken and Ribs and I must say, there was more food than I knew what to do with. We'll start with the meat, since that is what's really important....and it was all fall off the bone tender and had a nice smokiness. Their BBQ sauce is also has a nice flavor to it. I got as my sides the Collard Greens (which were spicy which is a plus!) and also the Potato Salad. I also had a piece of their cornbread and slice of their lemon coconut cake and both were moist and delicious!! I would definitely return and can't wait to try something else!
(4)Diana L.
I'm definitely a fan of this BBQ. If you are in the Ybor area, you must try. The food is good, the portions are large, and the owners are very friendly.
(4)Jason F.
A great BBQ option has arrived in Ybor. Do not leave without trying the baked beans!
(4)