Best traditional smokehouse BBQ in Orlando
These six places make barbecue their main event rather than a side dish, and we rank them using our earned methodology, a composite score built from ratings, review volume, recency, and real guest sentiment.
Want the single best barbecue joint in Orlando regardless of specialty? See our best BBQ restaurants overall list. The order here reflects composite score among barbecue specialists only.
Picks are ranked by relevance to traditional smokehouse bbq.
At a glance
| # | Business | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uncle Tony's Backyard Barbecue | 4.8 (1325) | moderate | Fall-off-the-bone ribs & brisket |
| 2 | Sonny's BBQ | 4.5 (4733) | moderate | Big portions, four house sauces |
| 3 | Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ | 4.5 (3793) | moderate | Tableside Japanese BBQ |
| 4 | Jerkman BBQ | 4.5 (87) | inexpensive | Late-night Caribbean jerk |
| 5 | Southern Style BBQ | 4.2 (78) | moderate | Owner-run food truck ribs & brisket |
Ranked picks
Uncle Tony's Backyard Barbecue
Why it ranks first
Uncle Tony's pulls the highest composite score in town on a large, high-confidence review base, built on tender ribs and brisket, made-from-scratch sides like collard greens and cornbread, and a dining room regulars call immaculate. Customers drive in from Daytona Beach and beyond for it, and staff routinely go out of their way, carrying orders to cars and double-checking every ticket.
Pros
- Fall-off-the-bone ribs and brisket
- Homemade sides: collard greens, cornbread, potato salad, baked beans
- Custom sauces that aren't overly sweet
- Clean, welcoming dining room
Services: carolina style bbq, smokehouse bbq, bbq catering, rib house · Price: moderate
Sonny's BBQ
Why it ranks second
Sonny's carries a 50-year track record and the largest review base on this list by far, with smoky wings and ribs that reviewers say hold their flavor even reheated. Four signature sauces let regulars mix and match, and staff like Jeanette and Larry get called out by name for attentive service.
Pros
- Generous portions across the menu
- Smoky flavor that holds up reheated
- Four signature BBQ sauces to choose from
- Catering and multiple service formats
Services: carolina style bbq, smokehouse bbq, bbq catering, bbq buffet · Price: moderate
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
Why it ranks third
Gyu-Kaku draws a large following for butter-tender meat and tableside cooking, with servers who make solid recommendations and a standout lava cake for dessert. On quieter nights the kitchen and service both run smoothly, which is where the loyal regulars keep coming from.
Pros
- Tender meat cooked fresh at the table
- Attentive server recommendations on quieter visits
- Distinct dessert menu, including lava cake
- Wide flavor variety across cuts and marinades
Services: carolina style bbq, smokehouse bbq, korean asian bbq, bbq catering · Price: moderate
Jerkman BBQ
Why it ranks fourth
Jerkman built its reputation on punchy jerk chicken and Caribbean flavor at budget prices, with a grab-and-go format that stays open past 2 AM. Staff get regular praise for warmth, though the review base here is smaller than the other picks on this list, so treat the score as an early read rather than a settled verdict.
Pros
- Bold, distinctive jerk chicken flavor
- Inexpensive pricing
- Open late, past 2 AM
- Friendly front-of-house staff
Services: bbq catering, bbq buffet, smokehouse bbq, carolina style bbq · Price: inexpensive
Southern Style BBQ
Why it ranks fifth
Southern Style BBQ earns a high-confidence score on tender ribs and brisket and generous meat portions, with owner Mike known for personally sending samples to customers who drove hours to find the truck. It's a smaller operation with fewer reviews than the chains on this list, but the sentiment behind those reviews runs genuinely warm.
Pros
- Tender ribs and brisket when the kitchen is on point
- Generous meat portions
- Owner known for warmth and generosity
- Reasonable, food-truck-friendly prices
Services: carolina style bbq, bbq catering, smokehouse bbq, bbq food truck · Price: moderate