After nearly 40 years of serving up smoky ribs, tender brisket, and soul-warming sides, Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q is closing its doors for good on December 21.
The beloved Fort Lauderdale restaurant has been a local institution since the 1980s, feeding generations of families and becoming a household name for anyone craving authentic Southern barbecue. As word of the closure spreads, longtime customers are lining up for one last taste of the legendary flavors that made this humble smokehouse a community treasure.
How Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q Became a Fort Lauderdale Legend
Tom Jenkins started something special decades ago when he first fired up his smoker and brought authentic Southern barbecue to Fort Lauderdale. His commitment to slow-smoked meats and homemade sides quickly earned him a devoted following. Word spread fast about the tender ribs falling off the bone and the brisket that melted in your mouth.
Families began making Tom Jenkins’ a weekly tradition, and the restaurant became woven into the fabric of the community. Customers didn’t just come for the food—they came for the warm atmosphere and the feeling of eating at a family gathering…