Saturday, March 14, 2009

Food Review: Big John's Alabama BBQ.

Yesterday, my brother Cameron and I ventured out into Tampa to look at an apartment. On the way, we saw a giant smoke stack and Cam yelled "Stop! We are going THERE!"

The place in question was Big John's Alabama BBQ. We walked into a place filled with the aroma of roasting meat. It was wonderful. I never know what to order because I want everything. Cameron ordered the chopped pork sandwich and I followed suit. Cameron ordered the slaw and beans. I ordered the macaroni salad and potato salad, so all of the sides were sampled.

Cameron scarfed the slaw down and loved it. He also liked the beans, but said he wanted to make his own at home later. I thought that the potato salad tasted alright, but that it had a much too liquid consistency. The macaroni salad also tasted as it should have, but it was not the best the restaurant has to offer.

After the opening act, it was time for the star of the show. It was time for the pork and barbecue sauce. I ordered my sauce on the side. Cameron did not. I tasted the pork first and it was wonderful. It was tender, juicy, and delicious. I tasted the sauce next. Cameron said that it tasted like ketchup with a lot of vinegar added to it. I agreed with him, but we both felt like it grew on you. It wasn't bad at all.

Big John's has the feel of a barbecue joint. The room has about 6 small tables, padded metal chairs, and plastic picnic style table clothes. You walk up to a big counter to order and they bring your food to you there. If you are thirsty they sell canned soda and I was very happy to find that they stocked Coca-Cola.

All in all, it was a good experience. The food was good. The pork was great. We were happy. My brother insists that I will take him there again.

Big John's Alabama BBQ is located at 5707 N 40th St, Tampa, FL 33610‏.

Note: Due to the widening of 40th Street, Big John's will be closing for three months starting on the first of April, 2009.


Big John's Alabama BBQ on Urbanspoon

6 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for posting the note about the closing period. I about had a heart attack when I drove by and saw the building leveled today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Susie, you're welcome! I try to post as much information as I can.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wanted to take my son to Big John's because he didn't know where to get good bbq in town. We drove pass the spot where it should have been but there was nothing there. I thought we passed it so we turned around and drove pass again. I was sure we were at the spot where Big John's should have been. Then I realized we were at the right spot but there was literally NOTHING there! I held my heart and screamed, "It's gone!" I was in shock for about a good half hour. I just kept reating, "It's gone, it's gone." The fear of never eating good bbq again filled my head.

    Please tell me what is the estimated date to reopen?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Big John's was scheduled to be closed for 3 months would would put the reopening in July.

    ReplyDelete
  5. yeah, well closer to a year, but it's scheduled for the ribbon-cutting today!

    ReplyDelete