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Tom Jenkins Barbecue

1236 S Federal Hwy

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

954-522-5046

Drive past this roadside log cabin at lunch or dinnertime and you'll understand exactly why lines stretch out the door. The aroma of meat grilling over red oak and hickory is hard to resist, so why bother? Just find a spot in the tiny, crowded lot, order your ribs, beef, or chicken at the counter, and keep a sharp eye out for a seat — one is hard to come by. The sauce recipe, developed by the owners from old family recipes, is a thick, tasty blend of molasses, honey, and a variety of secret ingredients. Side dishes, from collard greens to macaroni and cheese, are uniformly excellent and artery-clogging (try the baked beans for a slightly more-healthful alternative). Don't miss the sweet potato pie for dessert.

Best Of 2007: Best Barbecue
Best Of 2004: Best Ribs
Best Of 2002: Best Barbecue Patriarch

Cuisine(s): Barbecue
Hours: Tue-Thu 11am-8:30pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
Price: $
Serving: Lunch, Dinner
Alcohol: Beer/Wine
Reservations: Not Accepted
Parking: Lot Available
Payment Types: cash
Attire: casual
Features: Wheelchair Access, Smoking, Free Parking

show/hide reviews (4) Please log in to write your review

Overall:

I was most disgusted, ashamed and full of righteous indignation this past Saturday when I visited Tom Jenkins. I had previously enjoyed the food there, and drove from deep in South Broward to satisfy my palate once again. Instead, what I found turned my stomach. The customer service was reprehensible.

I watched as one of the workers berated an elderly gentleman who had approached the counter to ask why his order had not yet been called, when several patrons that came in after him had received theirs. The server showed a total lack of manners, respect and deference for, if nothing else, the patron's age. As a result, I have decided to never go back to Tom Jenkins, despite how "good" their food may be.

What made things worse was the fact that this establishment seemingly is proclaiming the goodness of God in their theme verse which "adorns" the top of their menu and is plastered on the wall in their establishment. Another reason why I had felt inclined in the first place to drive so far to purchase barbecue. I thought I would be supporting owners who were not ashamed to give the honor and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Needless to say, my God Himself must have felt the pain and embarrassment of the treatment of one of His creations last Saturday.

I had heard from a friend of mine that he had seen a similar display on previous occasions. Unless this establishment steps up on its treatment of patrons and remembers the humble beginnings from which it sprang, it could very well suffer the loss of its rapid success. More patrons like me could spread the word. I sure hope that this does not happen, but that things make a dramatic turn for the better.
Review by A.M. Smith
Overall:

I was most disgusted, ashamed and full of righteous indignation this past Saturday when I visited Tom Jenkins. I had previously enjoyed the food there, and drove from deep in South Broward to satisfy my palate once again. Instead, what I found turned my stomach. The customer service was reprehensible.

I watched as one of the workers berated an elderly gentleman who had approached the counter to ask why his order had not yet been called, when several patrons that came in after him had received theirs. The server showed a total lack of manners, respect and deference for, if nothing else, the patron's age. As a result, I have decided to never go back to Tom Jenkins, despite how "good" their food may be.

What made things worse was the fact that this establishment seemingly is proclaiming the goodness of God in their theme verse which "adorns" the top of their menu and is plastered on the wall in their establishment. Another reason why I had felt inclined in the first place to drive so far to purchase barbecue. I thought I would be supporting owners who were not ashamed to give the honor and glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Needless to say, my God Himself must have felt the pain and embarrassment of the treatment of one of His creations last Saturday.

I had heard from a friend of mine that he had seen a similar display on previous occasions. Unless this establishment steps up on its treatment of patrons and remembers the humble beginnings from which it sprang, it could very well suffer the loss of its rapid success. More patrons like me could spread the word. I sure hope that this does not happen, but that things make a dramatic turn for the better.
Review by A.M. Smith
Overall:

I'll admit I've noticed the staff at Tom Jenkins to be unfriendly most of the time, and straight up rude the rest of the time. The food and value is great so I suppose they feel they can get away with it. They shouldn't make references to God and religion when you consider how they treat their guests.
Review by cedric
Overall:

It's been eight months since our visit to this eatery and I'm still thinking and wishing I could drop in one more time. We loved the food and everything that went with our wonderful lunch, like people watching. It was fun just to see everyones plates and what they had choosen and how good it looked too. If we are ever within a couple of states would try and "drop by" one more time...
Review by Myrna Shippy

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