first choice bbq brandon
mattThanks to persistent praise from Sticks readers, we drove over to Brandon this past Friday to check out First Choice Southern BBQ for dinner. We thought we had arrived early enough to beat the dinner crowd, but instead found the line already out the door when we walked up.
The first thing we noticed while waiting in line, besides the great smells coming out of the kitchen, was that people were being friendly to each other. One guy turned around to the lady in front of us and said First Choice was “the best bbq he’s ever had.” She agreed. Maybe great food puts everyone in a good mood. Whatever the reason, it was nice to see strangers getting along.
Listening to the chopping of the meat and the buzz of the kitchen just made me hungrier as we waited in line. The line moved quickly and after getting to the counter I ordered a pork and beef combo plate with sides of spicy macaroni salad and coleslaw. Traci ordered smoked turkey with fries and macaroni. Service is fast and next thing we knew we were paying for our orders and grabbing an open table. From our table we watched as the line built even further out the door.
The pork and the beef were both excellent (juicy and moist) and I loved the spicy macaroni, which was indeed spicy, but not too much bite to ruin things. I was tempted to order some macaroni to go. The smoked turkey was some of the best I’ve ever had. The coleslaw was good- not too sweet, but not bitter either. My only complaint was that the two sides of bread that come with each meal were plain. I would have preferred garlic toasted bread, but the great barbecue and macaroni more than made up for it.
We left First Choice stuffed and only a little lighter in the wallet. While I haven’t tried Big John’s yet, I’m willing to go out on a limb and say First Choice is the best barbecue in Tampa Bay. This comes after trying Jimbo’s (still good in a pinch and I like the inside dining room), Hickory Hollow (good food overshadowed by poor service), Kojak’s (food was disappointing, but cool atmosphere), Fred Fleming’s, and yes even Sonny’s a few years ago.
I know I’ve reviewed a lot of barbecue places lately and that barbecue isn’t for everyone. So drop me a line and let me know what restaurants around the area you’d like me to check out.
Bottom-line: When I first heard about First Choice, I thought the place was over-hyped. After eating there, I actually think this place isn’t talked about enough. Simply great barbecue!
Inspection Scorecard: Last Inspection - August 2006 violations - Critical (0), Non-Critical (1).
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August 29th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Glad you were able to try First Choice BBQ. I think you would have enjoyed the French Fries as well. They are not like the others, and they really are good! This small BBQ place has a reputation and you will never leave hungry. The price and the quality is really a great deal. As for Kojaks, I loved their ribs. No sauce needed. Only exception, their health report isn’t so good. WAY too many criticals for me.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Kojaks was a work lumch place for me for quite awhile. Last tim ethough, after the long time waitress that we saw all time time remarked to us, “I never eat the food here.”
August 29th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Wow! I just read my last comment and realized how bad that was. What I meant was that the last time I went to Kojaks our long time waitress remarked that she would never eat the food there.
Maybe she is a vegetarian?
August 29th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Maybe she likes McDonald’s better.
August 29th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Next place you should try: Soul-4-Real on 7th Avenue in Ybor City, caddy corner from The Columbia. Great catfish and fritters. Collards are awesome.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:15 am
Did you hit up Campbell’s Dairy Isle for dessert?
August 30th, 2006 at 10:48 am
Awesome BBQ. love the baked beans.
August 30th, 2006 at 11:51 am
Cheezy- I did try some of Traci’s fries and they were good. I meant to order some fritters but forgot, someone waiting in line was talking them up.
Jason- that’s funny about the Kojak’s waitress. Usually an ominous sign
Still gotta try Campbells, maybe this weekend.
Jeff- Soul 4 Real- I know where that is. How long has that been there? I’ve heard Atwaters in St Pete is tops for soul food.
Damien- see I have another reason to go back now to FirstChoice - to try the baked beans, not that I need any reasons
Any other places you guys want me to check out?
August 30th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
i had to laff at the tribs review of the revolving restaurant at tia….’if you like lard in your prime rib, you’ll love this’….they cant even deliver a criticism w/o making it sound like praise…
October 31st, 2006 at 7:40 pm
I was born and raised up North. I lived in Atlanta for 7, St Louis for year, Tampa for 10 years and Charleston for the last 5. 1st Choice is THE best. The collards greens are amazing. Always order as a side.
October 31st, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Bubba-
First Choice is indeed my favorite bbq joint in Tampa. I love their spicy pasta salad. I will try to collards next time we go.
Also: love Charleston. Have visited twice in past two years, thought it was a food town on par with New Orleans which is where I grew up.
March 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
To the comment “I never eat the food here.”
I know which waitress your talking about, and by the amount of weight she gain being there I would say she eating alot of the food there, and as far as the health report, where is this list of “criticals”… oh yeah there isnt one. First choice would be my last choice!