Smokin’ Jim’s House of Bar-B-Q

Easily the tops in Polk County (or any other county in Florida). My family ordered the ribs, which looked like they were smoked to perfection (It would have helped if we had known the BBQ sauces were in the catsup and mustard bottles… but STILL, pretty good as is). I tried a small bite, and they were tasty.
I ordered the brisket plate which was a revelation (WoW!). Amazing flavor, juicy and cooked to perfection; this alone is worth a visit or five.
I always judge a great BBQ place by their sides, too. BBQ beans, cornbread, and really killer collard greens (don’t forget to add the spicy vinegar!) were all above par. The lunch portions are dinner sized.
This place looks and feels like a local institution, and I feel it’s worth investigating. It’s the real deal. You’ll know what I mean as soon as you hit the parking lot. Go hungry! Leave happy. ;)

This is one of the best BBQ restaurants that I have visited. I have eaten BBQ across the nation, and this establishment is a winner. You will not be disappointed. We had the ribs and Bubba Spud. The baked beans were equally impressive. Nice waitstaff and excellent environment. Keep up the great work!

This is my favorite bbq place! I’ve been all over the US and every time I come home I have to stop by Jim’s. They have great sized portions, amazing food and a good staff.

My favorite BBQ place! Enjoying ribs, chicken and pork. Awesome friendly staff and great service.

My friends had ribs and shredded pork. She said the ribs were dry n fatty. Pulled pork was good. I had the redneck fries. She said since that was my meal to get the large… well I took ¾ of it home. Not much meat under that mass amount of cheese. Good if youre a huge cheese fan. Another bbq place checked off the list… not interested in going back. Waitress never came to check on us or refill our drinks.

Excellent bar-​b-​que. wish there was a hit barbecue sauce option. Lots of top notch meats!

Although there are several good barbecue places in the area worth frequenting, this is the place to go for ribs, in my opinion. They are always juicy, flavorful, perfectly seasoned, and fall off the bone tender. I especially like them because they taste great without barbecue sauce so it helps limit my sugar intake since I’m diabetic. I’m also a Realtor and would appreciate any chance to earn your business.

After so many great Unilocal reviews I had to stop in and try this place out.
As always I ordered The Ribs and chicken combo with beans and fries.
It was a big plate and looked good. Although only 3 ribs.
The chicken was very well smoked and moist.
The ribs not so great, they proved that looks can be deceiving as they were dry and overcooked and not flavourful at all. It was mid afternoon, so maybe they were left over from lunch, maybe even the day before.
The beans were tasty and the fries were great.
Maybe I caught them on an off day or at the wrong time. I’ll give them another try for sure.

This is Real slow smoked barbecue.
We like to stop for lunch on Saturdays. Today, I had the brisket plate, and my wife had their loaded baked potato. The potato was Huge! and full of chopped brisket (your choice of meat when ordering), topped with cheese sauce. It gets an A+.
The brisket plate had good smoke flavor, tender and moist, maybe a little to heavy with the dry rub for some, but overall excellent. The house bbq sauces are good; the flavor of the brisket stood on its own, and didn’t need any. Service was prompt, and the drinks were always refilled before they were empty. The sides of baked beans and mac&cheese were acceptable. Not bad mind you, just not great. The beans did have some extra pork in them, and the mac&cheese was smooth and creamy, but I come here for the smoked meats, not the sides.
On past visits,(always for lunch) the ribs, pulled pork, and smoked turkey, have all been competition quality.
Two thumbs up to Ray, the pit boss. He really knows how to run a smoker. Most everything thing is cooked in a 2,000 gallon offset smoker, with locally cut oak, that they split out in the back.
If the sign says «Barbecue», and you don’t see a smoker, with a stack of wood, IMHO, its not barbecue. This is Slow smoked Barbecue, the way it is suppose to be done.

This is real barbecue, the way it should be!
Fresh-​cut wood used to fire all-​day smoking of the best meats. We arrived right as they opened, and you could tell the work was already put in. Everything we had was amazing!
Speed of service was insane, food was right up. It was a good thing too, because in no time the place was filling up. We could tell why, you want this food its so great.
I had the ribs, my fiancé had the pulled pork (add an extra slice of bread, now you have a pulled pork sandwich, and still more pork). The beans were great, the potato salad was awesome (mustard-​based, I believe).
Food so good, bathrooms are in a building out back. Clean and nice.
Don’t miss Jim’s!

We are BBQ addicts. We try it wherever we go and have had great as well as not so great. SMOKIN’ JIM’S is our favorite barbeque eatery, so much so that we will drive 1800 miles to dine there.
It all started two years ago when we stopped in on a busy evening to get takeout. We were overwhelmed by their generosity. When we were struggling to decide, the waitress brought us a free «sampler» bigger that meal portions at other establishments. It was awesome! We got our takeout and wolfed it down. Still awesome! We left Florida for Jersey, but we never forgot.
Fast forward to 2015. Smokin’ Jim’s was a target of our annual road trip. Got there late on Thursday night and wow!!! Sometimes when you return to a place that you’ve thought about a lot, it’s not quite as good. Well, let me tell you, not this time. It was even better that we had remembered! Shannon and Ray took great care of us. When Ray said «everything’s good» he wasn’t lying. Fall-​off-​the-​bone ribs and great wings. The smoked turkey is so fantastic that it’s addictive! The pulled pork is so, SO tasty! In our experience, we have been underwhelmed by brisket more times than not. But Jim’s nails it! And don’t get me started on the Redneck fries — worth going off any diet! Definite BBQ heaven! They insisted that we come back to enjoy steak night on Saturday and we wouldn’t even think of missing it.
We have gone to top steakhouses throughout the NYC area. Well, that Saturday, Ray grilled up the best two steaks we’ve ever had (in addition to some amazing shrimp)! Perfectly seasoned and cooked! Their collards and baked beans are top notch too. After ordering a care-​package of takeout to prevent early Jim’s withdrawal, we chatted on the patio with Jim and Ray. On his website, Jim says «I wanted a restaurant where the diners feel like they are dining at my home.» He backs this up 100%.
We look forward to returning in the future. We’ll probably break down and order online since we already crave more. If I could give Smokin’ Jim’s 6 stars, I would.
If any of you are traveling through central Florida, hitting the Orlando theme parks, you owe it to yourself to detour to Auburndale and visit Smokin’ Jim’s House of Bar=B-Q. Tell them «New Jersey» sent you!

You can always tell a bad BBQ joint when you arrive early for lunch and they serve you DAY OLD DRIED OUT chicken like Smokin’ Jim’s did to me today.
Jim walked by my table 2 or 3 times wish he would have asked me how is the chicken but he didn’t…
Also the place looks like a junkyard when you park with 30 or so dirty coolers and other catering equipment next to a storage barn, not a good impression.

We ordered the combo which came with 2 sides. We had ribs with brisket, Mac n cheese and slaw. Everything tasted great. The brisket, however was shredded and a little bland. I would have preferred slices with bark and more flavor. Fast service, no line and great service and hospitality. Finished off with a slice of Pecan pie, which my daughter ate all of as I am finishing this review. SMH!

Best bar-​b-​cue in central Florida. I eat here every chance I get. The ribs and pulled pork are to die for. Chicken and sausage is pretty good two. If in the Winter Haven area you must stop by.

The hubs and I are still here.
I will be more thorough later.
For right now, this place is absolutely awesome.

Primero, el servicio no está muy bueno, sólo hay una camarera que ha de recorrer por todo el restaurante, algunas veces tenemos que esperar muchísimo tiempo para pedir cosa o pedir la cuenta, creo que hay que mejorar, ¿no? Pero, me encanta la barbacoa de ribs y garlic bread, son geniales!!! Pero, the sides «mixed green» no me gusta mucho, se saborea raro. En fin, es un restaurante para probar barbacoa bueno, con historia, con sus propias características pero tampoco es excelente excelente.

Very disappointed in Smokin Jims, got 4 to go meals spent $ 60. 00.
No BBQ sauce, very skimpy on cheese and meat, Mac and cheese wasn’t up to standards. Ordered corn bread did not get it. Looks like Pebbles and Ricks gets our business.

I’m not blowing smoke (pun intended) when I tell you these are the best damn ribs. They fall off the bone and taste like they took forever to make. No sauce needed. The collard greens are so flavorful and perfectly cooked. The cornbread is a staple but they don’t overlook it. It’s equally as delicious as the rest, and they don’t give small servings. The feel is friendly and casual southern. You’ll see everyone in the community there and have a yummy meal. Don’t forget some sweet tea!

Some great ribs, pork, brisket and if you show up on Saturday nights you can have the best steak in Polk Co or grilled chicken breast and shrimp!!!
Smokin Jim’s is a great mom and pop place with some of the best meat you will ever find! It also has some southern sides to go along with it; Mac n cheese, collard greens, green beans, baked beans, Texas toast, cornbread, salad and more.
Don’t forget to finish your meal with some to die for banana pudding !!!

ITS POPULARITY IS DESERVED
Unilocal led me to this place – hungry and burnt from a day of cycling. My starving self almost had a heart attack when I saw the line pouring out of the take-​out in the front and the number of people stuffed into the dining area – but based on the number of diners alone I knew – if I didn’t dine at this popular place I’d regret it! Not to mention as soon as you step out of the car the smell of roasting Meat surrounds you.
DREAMING OF MEAT
The Meat from the sliced ribs really did FALL OFF THE BONE! Sooo freakin’ soft with an excellent kiss of smoke to the flavor. The Ribs Dinner for Two (basket of Spare Ribs, four Garlic or Corn Bread, and two big sides – we chose Fries and Green Beans) could’ve easily fed more than two. Great price at around $ 25. The sides were more typical and not too special but accompanied the Ribs well. The Bread tasted of home cooking. A sweet and spicy and thick Barbeque sauce are on each table for trying.
MOM AND POP SURROUNDINGS
We had taken the last table that evening. Even the small outdoor area was packed. The walls are covered in cutesy home photos and sayings – as if you were in someone’s dining room. Several times we were visited not only by our server but the manager and owner to make sure we were okay. Excellent dining treasure in Auburndale.

Today sucked. I had to drive almost 2 hours in order to take one photograph in Winter Haven. This was in addition to all of the other driving around and tasks that needed to be done. Not Happy, Party of One? Right here…
On my way to Winter Haven I drove by Smokin Jims House of BBQ. I’d done this at least 10 times before today. Each time Id say to myself, «Self, we really need to stop by there one day.» (The art of speaking to oneself comes in handy on long solo drives) Anyway, after the day I was having, it was decided between me and myself that Today would be the day I go to Jims.
The front building is unassuming and part of the initial charm. You have to drive past it, into a walled area in order to park. It feels like entering a special carnivore club. I got out of my truck and walked past their smokehouse. The place where all the magic happens. Im still kicking myself for not getting a pic. I gathered my wits and walked inside the restaurant.
It’s very casual, picknicky even. There’s writing on posts, personal pics on walls. It feels very family friendly and community oriented. The tables have everything you need. Paper towels, BBQ sauce, wet naps, plastic wear. That was convenient considering the waitress didn’t seem to talk any more than she had to. No worries though, I wasn’t there for smiles and witty conversation, I was there for Meat, Glorious BBQed Meat.
I ordered the Rib lunch plate which came with two side. I got the mixed greens and the mac & cheese. Then the anticipation began. It had been a little while since I had ribs and I was pumped. The waitress brought my food and explained that there were two sauces on the table, one sweet bbq and one mild. Got it. Time to do work.
The mixed greens: Very well flavored, cooked well, not over cooked. I liked them a lot.
The mac & cheese: It was okay, not my favorite. It didn’t have enough cheesey kick, a little light on the flavor for me.
The ribs: Fall off the bone, flavorful, didn’t even need sauce, slap someone in the face, most redonkulous ribs Ive had in a long time, Possibly Ever.
I had to check myself at times to make sure I wasn’t going caveman. Hunched back, grunting over the ribs, ready to bite someone if they came too close. If I lived closer, I would be here on a regular basis. Solid BBQ. If you live within 20 miles and haven’t been here, shame on you. Shame on me for waiting so long.