Fort Lauderdale may be synonymous with breezy dockside lunches on Fort Lauderdale Beach and champagne-stacked seafood towers on Las Olas, but anyone who has spent real time in this city knows there is another love language here, and it smells like hickory smoke. Look a little past the waterfront postcard views, and you will find a barbecue scene that runs deep, powered by generational pitmasters, backyard traditions, and locals who are fiercely loyal to their favorite rib plate. This is a city where legacy joints still feel sacred, newer spots experiment without losing respect for the craft, and every great meal starts with patience, fire, and a whole lot of trust in the pit.
Of course, 2025 brought its share of heartbreak for Fort Lauderdale barbecue fans. The closure of Tom…..