Big Johns Alabama Bar B Que
(813) 626-9800
5707 N 40TH St
Tampa,
FL
33610
27.9986
-82.4139
Neighborhoods: Northeast, Northeast Tampa
Hours:
Mon-Wed 10am-10pm
Thu 10am-11pm
Fri 10am- 1am
Sat 10am-12am
Parking:
Lot
Last updated 1.30.09
What People Are Saying About Big Johns Alabama Bar B Que
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
One of the Bay Area's oldest barbecue joints, Big John's was founded by a preacher named John Andrew Stephens, who ran it successfully for nearly 25 years. When he died a couple of years ago, he was so well-known that the Tampa Tribune put his obituary on the front page. Now, his family continues to run his restaurants, one called Mrs. Campbell's Alabama BBQ on Gandy Boulevard and the original Big John's Alabama BBQ on 40th Street near Busch Gardens. And the food continues to be among the best barbecue served anywhere.
The Food
The chopped pork sandwiches and rack of ribs are too heavenly, the baked beans are rich with a heavy sauce, thick with molasses and just sweet enough. Corn on the cob and coleslaw round out the side orders. The decor is simple, unadorned tables and chairs, nothing fancy. Eat in or take out.
User Reviews
Anonymous
September 06, 2008
The meat falls off the bone at Big John's and after you leave you will only have one thought, wish I had got more to go. You can get it with or without the bone and you will not regret it.
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sunnysideup5
May 25, 2008
Take it from someone who knows her BBQ when I say that Big John's hits the mark! Most of all, I found the staff to be nice and for me, customer service is more important than anything. There are lots of places with good food but fewer with good service! Way to go and please keep the smiles coming!
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poetsguild
October 19, 2007
This was my first time at Big John's, but it won't be my last. This is Bar-B-Q Pork like I remember it growing up, cooked over a hickory wood fire to tender-juicy perfection, chopped into bite sized pieces, and doused with a vinegary sauce laced with a generous splash of tabasco. I ordered the sandwich, but found the bun was completely overwhelmed by the pile of succulent meat heaped on it. Forget about eating out of hand, this is knife and fork food, and that's fine by me. I had a nice size serving of potato salad on the side, smooth and mustardy and full of chopped pickles. I followed up with a slice of homemade sweet potato pie; tasty and not too sweet, but I would have preferred if it had been a little browner on top. Overall, a very satisfying experience, one I will be repeating on a regular basis.
read full reviewThe Details on Big Johns Alabama Bar B Que
Category:
Barbecue Restaurants, Restaurants
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
