JIMBO'S for the WIN! Yep! You might have noticed a few reviewers mention they've been going to Jimbo's since the 70's. A place been around that long must be doing something right! I'm tempted to end my review right here and say "Nuff said!" But I won't. I'm in that Class of 70's myself. My very first visit was in 1976! Life seemed to move a lot slower back then. Funny, because I moved a LOT FASTER in those days. Faster footsteps for sure. And faster driving as I worked on the ambulance services. I took that driving to the streets, in a 'safe' way. Me and my sweet dream car '74 Corvette. Oh man, those were the days! It'd been a while since I drove any vehicle into the Jimbo's parking lot. But on this most recent visit, I saw a faint vision of my young self whipping in, parking, fixing my windblown hair and admiring my Vette as I walked towards Jimbo's front door. Stepping inside, I remembered. I remembered that swirling smoky oak aroma. I remembered that old school Bar-B-Q atmosphere. I remembered those ribs. THOSE AMAZING fall-off-the-bone RIBS. I remembered that apple pie. Warm cider sauce running down a mound of vanilla ice cream. SO, instead of just saying "Nuff said!", I am VERY HAPPY to report that on THIS day, my TIME MACHINE actually WORKED! I was back! Not ONE thing about the mystique of Jimbo's has changed. NOT EVEN the surprise bathroom door. LOL (SEE VIDEO) Oh sure, the prices have changed a bit. BUT NOT TOO BAD! I was very pleasantly surprised to see the price of my 5 RIB PLATTER was just $16.99! That includes two sides. I got fries and baked beans. AND they throw in a few of their dee-lectable hush puppies. Man, are those ever good! Perfect crunch outside, chewy good inside. Yummmm. The only part about this visit that made me sad? Uh, that I've missed this great food for WAY TOO LONG! I only live an hour away now. I WILL be making a Jimbo's trek a lot more often. Thanks for the memories. read more

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We were in town visiting family and had not been here in a very long time. Hands-down the best barbecue place the mac & cheese was divine and I am very picky when it comes to my mac & cheese the staff was friendly, kind, and efficient. Will definitely make this a staple every time we come to visit our family. read more

You'll never find a better barbecue experience in the state of Florida hands-down the best. I've been going to this place since the 70s and the quality of food has not changed 1 inch. They are family feast is the best deal in Florida maybe in the country. The ribs are falling off the bone and the chicken is so tender. typically I eat some of my meal and then I freeze the rest. Put it in the oven with a little sauce on it and it comes back just as I bought it that same day. The family fee you cannot get this meal for under $60 anywhere in the country, especially with the quality & consistency.. read more

Jimbos Pit Bar-B-Q - Jimbo's Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Consistent and delicious. Ribs are always on point, as well as the sides. Hush puppies are crispy and tasty. However, I do wish they could add some onions, peppers or something to make them pop a bit more. Service as always was outstanding! read more

Drove up to Lakeland, to take a friend to Jimbos, for his birthday. He had eaten here often when he lived near about 30 years ago. It had not changed much and i have to say, the ribs were meaty, tender and so good. Came with a huge sweet tea, excellent baked beans and lot of crispy fries. Service was right on and our server, who i think was the founders daughter and current owner, was excellent. It is a small inside seating area with wooden tables and bench seating. Has outside seating as well and an outside ordering window for take away orders. Was worth the drive. read more

I have been going on and off for several decades. The food always good. The hush puppies are awesome. The service is the best. Is it the best BBQ in the world, probably not but it is good. BBQ is an individual taste and BJ Alabama in Tampa is slightly better but again individual taste. Quality yes, service great, yes, quality meats and sides yes. Come experience old Florida in Lakeland or Tampa. read more

Open on Football Sunday and Monday. Make income. I want some Jimbo's BBQ for football Sunday with my family from out of town, I have been bragging, and now. Horrible, Harald would be disappointed! I give Jimbo a 5 Star because I love them. I knew, have been there since a child. I have great memories with my family. I am glad Tracy and family have kept it true and alive! read more

We have try a few BBQ around FL state and we can say this it the right spot BBQ for the area. The Service was good and the Food was well cook. We will definitely will come back and keep trying the whole Menu. 1of 10 .. the French fries 9.. pull pork 8 onion rings 4. Chicken 8, ribs 7 1/2 hush puppies 9, and bake beans 7 . Over all we give it a 8 , and yes we recommend read more

Juicy BBQ, generous portions and seasoned perfectly. I was pleasantly surprised that this spot was on point. I love the ribs and Mac n' cheese the most. The dinners can feed two. read more

Loved the BBQ! Good and fresh with a nice smoke flavor. The sides were definitely homemade. Staff and owner very friendly and lots of locals. read more

Exactly service. The most delicious ribs in Polk County. Yummy coleslaw. And an excellent apple pie. Top with ice cream and the warm cider sauce. It's a must! #SupportSmallBusiness read more

Food has been good since I was a young child eating with my parents. Now I take my grown children. Great portions, awesome food!

I like Jimbo's. I've stopped here several times and I always enjoy it. They are located on Hwy 92 in Lakeland. They offer takeout, outdoor picnic tables, and a small indoor dining room. If you choose to dine in just go in and grab a seat. Service is fast and friendly. Someone will be over to take your order in a moment. Sandwiches start at about $5 and come with house made hushpuppies. For $3 more you can add a drink and side or two sides. BBQ plates start at about $11 and include two sides. Everything comes with house made pickles and hushpuppies. I like the bbq here, but I love the pickles and the hushpuppies. Both are outstanding. My favorite bbq so far has been the chopped pork. One of the ways that I judge bbq is by how much extra sauce I need and I've never had to ask for extra sauce for my chopped pork here, so that's awesome. I haven't had the ribs, but many people have told me they are their favorite here, so they are definitely on my list. My favorite side is the mac n cheese, especially if you get the top piece with the crusty cheese. They also have crinkle cut fries, baked beans, slaw, and potato salad. Overall, Jimbos is a solid choice if you are looking for some good bbq and fast friendly service. read more

Jimbos Pit Bar-B-Q - Jimbo 's Bar B - Q Pork Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

First time dining here and loved it. Ribs, sausage, mac and cheese, and fry's were all great choices. My daughter got the beef and we wouldn't recommend it. Way over cooked. Love the road side feel of the place and the staff was good. read more

This afternoon, I tried Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q for the first time and I went through the drive-thru. Since I was by myself I just ordered a Jimbo's Bar-B-Q Beef sandwich ( $5.25) which was thin sliced and I ordered it plain. This was a nice and tasty sandwich and it didn't need bbq sauce for flavor. The cashier that took my order was friendly and personable and made me feel sincerely welcomed. I told her it was my first time trying Jimbo's and when I opened my bad I found a bonus sample of their hush puppies which were quite tasty. After this experience, I'm looking forward to returning to try more of what the menu has to offer. Tasty and flavorful food, friendly staff, low prices...this is a value. read more

Jimbos Pit Bar-B-Q - Jimbo's Bar-B-Q Beef sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

I give Jimbo's a solid 3 1/2. Is it the best BBQ I've ever had? No. However, it was reminiscent of backyard barbecue style cooking. -The sweet staff were very welcoming. -We were brought a bowl of thick pickle chips when we arrived! -Food came out pretty quick. Faster than expected, actually. -They have kid prices for real food. I ordered the BBQ chicken which comes with hushpuppies, and 2 sides. I got BBQ beans and coleslaw. The coleslaw was good. Tasted just like KFC to me. And the beans were also yummy! I ordered white meat chicken and it tasted as it should. I didn't really care for thier BBQ sauce so I used the beans for dip! My husband and son got the ribs. There was nothing left so I will say they were good! The restaurant has a walk up window for ordering, a drive thru, and inside seating. All in all, I would return here for the convenience of a quick meal with sweet folks! read more

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Best bbq in Polk county great service delicious bbq I eat there 3 times a month they never get old

60 years is crazy for a small biz! it all makes sense when the food is this good and simple. ribs and chicken omg and that Mac! I'm over the crazy frills of new age bbq, this takes me back to my roots! read more

Jimbo's is always good! Everything from the dill pickles to the apple pie is delicious.

A good local BBQ joint. Has all your favorites. Back when I first started going there, they would put out bowls of peppers or pickles. They quit that practice some time ago. They are also known for their apple pie. I will say that sometimes the BBQ pork can be a bit mushy. The sides are really good. Service is good and friendly. Worth a try if you're in the area. read more

The Lakeland location doesn't have hand cut fries ?? :( the green beans had 0 flavor. The beef was very very thin and sauce cups were tiny. The hush puppies and pulled chicken were good, not great. Such a bummer. The sweet tea was also okay. The dinning room had 0 people. We took our food togo. read more

I feel like taking a little trip today and looking for a gem . I was in the mood for truck food cuisine. So I did some searching and I came across a taco truck if anyone knows me I don't have much patience must've been good tackles cause the line was a little too long. Go back to my car and I came across this barbecue drive-through pit / old gas station restaurant. So I tried some of their pork ribs to go dry rub barbecue sauce on the side. $13.50 later . I got enough food the food was out within five minutes room temperature. Actually that's the way I like it I'm not a fan of a scorching hot food. And the pork ribs were good nothing crazy nothing bad just good. I also got sides pickles Hush Puppies the Mac and cheese was okay the coleslaw was too wet for my taste. The perfect bite is a piece of the pork rib mac & cheese and a bite of the pickle all together in one bite delicious. A lot of parking as well also I ate outside and they also have a takeout window literally drive right through pick up your order and go . Very convenient I was a happy puppy. read more

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Went inside for a "to go" order. Nobody inside, figured to be quick in/out. Ordered = sliced beef sandwich, chopped pork sandwich. Got = sliced pork sandwich and chopped beef. But it's my fault because ALWAYS CHECK YOUR TO GO ORDER, and I didn't. What's happened to Jimbo's ?? read more

Kind of a hole in the wall place, you can drive through order, order at the window and eat outside or go in the dining room and order. They brought us pickles to start with witch were very good, I had the ribs, potato salad and baked beans. My meal also came with a few hush puppies. All very good, my husband had a cheeseburger and fries. Hush puppies included too. Giant drinks and very reasonably priced. The sauce is vinegar based. We would go back. Nice waitstaff too. Very attentive. read more

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I've been a little bummed that my favorite bbq place went out of business. My husband recently tried Jimbo's and tried to convince me it was just as good, if not better. I caved today and gave Jimbo's a try. Holy crap. It's awesome. Absolutely loved it. It's a cute little place, but with lots of seating. There's also a walk up window and drive through! We dined in. You sit where you want at any of the inside picnic tables. A friendly server will take your order and will bring drinks and free homemade pickles to hold you over until your food arrives. Not necessary, though, because the grub comes within like three minutes. No joke. About that grub: so good and smokey!!!! Kid had the bbq ham (no mustard slaw) sandwich and loved it, husband had the pulled pork plate, and I had the chicken. So, so good. Homemade hush puppies and sides were all good, too. The picky kid even said this would be a place we should go often! The comment was, "This looks just like a place on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives!" No surprise it's voted the best in the area. read more

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2.75 Stars Weak BBQ here, trust me. The Chopped Pork BBQ sandwich is not horrible but it's also not very good. You can tell that the meat is pre-made meat from earlier in the week and then mixed with bbq sauce; which is a always a bad sign. The customer should always be allowed to taste the meat without any sauce already on it. Having sauce already on the meat is either telling me it's not made fresh that day, doesn't taste good, is dry, not seasoned well, or not smoked/cooked properly. Or all of the above. All in all, the chopped pork tasted like the pre-made pulled pork package you would get in the fridge section at the grocery store. For my sides, I got Mac N' Cheeses and Green Beans. Without a doubt, the green beans are Del Monte (or some other manufacturer) - straight from the can. I mean, could they at least disguise this fact by adding some small ham chunks/pieces or some butter or pork fat? The Mc N' Cheese was ehhh, ok. Pasta and then processed cheese mixed with the cooked elbow macaroni. Hush puppies are good and their bbq sauce is pretty good. Better BBQ joints around the area. If you eat here and you're a bbq fan, you will walk away very disappointed. read more

We literally stumbled on this spot on our way to a taco truck- and just by looking at it, we had a feeling it was going to be good...and it was. We used the walk up window and got our food within 5 minutes. We ordered: *a rack of ribs *Mac n cheese *beans *cherry + apple pie Everything was great- the ribs are fall of the bone and extremely tasty. The mac n cheese was very good, and the beans were as well, definitely made there. We loved the pie, and will be back! read more

I've been craving ribs for a couple of days and didn't want to deal a commercial spot where you have to drown your food in BBQ sauce. Totally forgot about Jimbo's until the morning. This place has been around forever and wait for it...they have a drive thru! You'll feel like you've warped to another decade, but who cares. You're there for the meat! The drive thru is literally one window and I was greeted within a minute or two. Indulged in the Dinner-sized rib plate with mac and cheese and baked beans. The order automatically comes with hush puppies. Michelle, the lady that took my order said it would be a few minutes and just as she promised, another lady gave me my food. She was the sweetest woman ever and wished me a Merry Christmas. Everything was packaged well and all of my food was warm. I tore into the hush puppies first! Mac and cheese was on point, and the ribs...the ribs were flavorful and had the perfect amount of saltiness. You almost didn't need the sauce, but I still dipped my ribs in it. The sauce tasted like it was mustard-based. I was kind of hoping for more umph when it came to the beans. They were a little too saucy for my liking, and I wished they had a little bit of meat in them. Then again, everyone makes their sides differently. Totally regreted not getting a sweet tea as I drove off. My fault. If you're in the area, and in the mood for some pork ribs, give this place a shot. It's worth the drive. read more

Jimbos Pit Bar-B-Q - Rib Plate (To Go) - Barbeque Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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Excellent food! Best BBQ IN the south.! Great Service, Friendly owner! The chopped bbq pork sandwich with hush puppies and mustard coleslaw was wonderful! This is now my favorite bbq place. Don't go expecting frills...just great food. Oh don't forget the pie a la mode for dessert! read more

The ribs were undercooked. The cole slaw was terrible. The ham looked like they had picked up a few slices from the grocery store and then microwaved them. Only positive: The hush puppies were good the food was terrible read more

Had the rib and pork combo. Food was good. Nothing made me say great but good BBQ. I can understand why they have been in business this long. Busy place great Nostalgic location. read more

Great hush puppies. Friendly servers. Pulled pork has too much sauce for my taste but good flavor. Sliced pork is good (add your own sauce). This place was very busy for lunch. Dining room is spartan (picnic table/bench seating) but clean. Bathrooms-- clean but tiny and tired. Also outdoor takeout order window. read more

Excellent food and unique atmosphere. Had the fried fish and hush-up-Isengard, will need to try the brisket and ribs next. Overall liked the place and the staff was terrific!! read more

If atmosphere is everything, this is a fun BBQ place to be. Divey, decorated in pig paraphernalia, potties out back, picnic table seats. (a former drive-in). 47 years of operation-BBQ icon for the area. A variety of meats including fish. Grill out back makes the place smell yum if you like to eat out by the road. I find their pork and chicken only "mediocre" but the atmosphere makes ya smile. They have one kind of BBQ sauce, served warm. Very vinegary. Great potato salad, great cole slaw. Nice sweet baked beans. Apple pie is delish. Love the pot 'o pickles while you wait. Five main sandwiches run $4. Platters run $7 with two sides and hush puppies. Pepsi beverages. By prior arrangement, they will smoke your family turkey for you.....DIne in/take out, convenient to the highway (92). read more

I've lived in Lakeland my whole life and I grew up eating Jimbo's, it's a family favorite! The ribs are always great, the have the best mac n cheese of any restaurant, and the apple pie with cider sauce is perfection! Portions on dinner plates are generous. Will continue to support! read more

I've been enjoying Jimbo's for about 50 years. I grew up eating there about once a month. Now, when I return to FL, I make sure to stop by for a chicken and rib plate with hush puppies and coleslaw. I live their pies, but I use my calories for the savory stuff. read more

Wife and I did the take out. Slab of ribs and half chicken. Not a fan of hush puppies. They had a good crunch and weren't over powering with any type of flavor. I ate 3 which is 3 more than I eat anywhere else. Chicken and ribs were very good. Smokey flavor was just right. Not over bearing but just enough there to enjoy it. The BBQ sauce came on the side and it was fabulous. Unlike most places today there wasn't anything salty about this dinner. It was perfect. Next time we'll order some sides For about $30 this was a good deal. We're on board. Oh yeah, 5 minute wait for everything and it was fresh. read more

Nice local bbq place. Food was avg. Staff were friendly. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich plate. I had the beef sandwich plate. They use eye of round for thier beef instaead of brisket, it was tender but a little salty. Baked Mac and Cheese was avg. Avlittle dry but still tasted good. Portuon sizes were good for the cost of our meal. Overall a nice local joint with good atmosphere. read more

Don't belive good reviews. My take out order all the regular Ribs I had there had a thick hard crust that was impossible to eat! When I removed the crust to eat what was left there was very little meat left on the ribs. The coleslaw looked like KFC but had a bad sour taste. The baked beans were okay. The hush puppies were all dried out and terrible. The pork sandwich tasted like something you would feed a dog! (very bad!) I am getting a feeling when they give you take out food they give you leftovers that anyone would send back to the kitchen if you ate there. read more

I was looking forward to trying this spot since newly moving to lakeland, saw the great reviews and was sadly disappointed. I ubered my food and when it got here I was given RAW chicken! I also got bbq beans and the beans were extremely under cooked.. read more

Jimbos Pit Bar-B-Q - Chicken - Barbeque Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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