Kathleen Long
A friend turned me on to First Choice Bar-B-Que recently and I loved it.
First Choice has been around since 1992. It was located in the back corner of a little shopping center (Brandon Crossings). The place was unassuming and it had a warm, simple, and friendly atmosphere. They claim that their goal is to provide you top quality barbecue with every bite you eat! And they do.
I ordered a half slab of ribs and a pork sandwich to go. The smoker showed me the ribs before they were wrapped and I refrained from eating until I got home.
The ribs were delicious-tender and smoked perfectly. The BBQ sauce was good too although I prefer a mustard base. The pork sandwich was my favorite. Lucky for me that it was a generous size as my guy was eating it immediately.
The next time I stop in I will order the collard greens and coleslaw. The pork rice is tempting. Actually all of the sides are tempting.
First Choice Bar-B-Que offers a variety of sandwiches, dinners, a huge selection of meats (including turkey, sausage, corned beef, chicken & more) and sides in the Southern BBQ style.
Definitely a must-try kind of place.
B Fitzgerald
I first ate here almost 20 years ago. I had not been in a couple years; prePandemic. The pork was delicious as usual; the cold macaroni salad was still spicy and tasty; and the fries were hot and fresh. Great bbq!
Nya Smith
I am SO PLEASED with my combo meal today. I arrived just as the storefront was closing and the staff was so kind and hospitable, not treating me like an annoyance or inconvenience. My food was hot and fresh until I arrived home 30min away, so I knew they took care in the preparation the same way they would if I’d arrived an hour earlier… You can’t fake that kind of dedication to quality!
Today I got a ribs and beef combo plate that came with 2 sides: I chose coleslaw and fries, and it also came with 2 slices of white bread (to make a sammy with the beef) and a heaping helping of sauce, which is the absolute best part in my opinion.
What can I say about this place? I’ve been coming since I was a child, and I’ll probably bring my own kids one day. It’s worth the trip!
Joe Pezzulich
Great place for fast and great quality barbecue. A barbecue restaurant needs great tasting fresh sides, and they have it at First Choice. Food served promptly at a fair price.
Mystic “The Key”
This very establishment not only has soul, character, and delightful taste... But it gives you a sense of satisfaction of knowing that it reminds you of a family barbecue cookout. Leaving you with a stomach of blissful completion.
T-REX
One of my Favorites. Everything has a nice smokey flavor. This place gets packed quickly and frequently has a line out the door. I usually get the Beef. It's more of a pulled Beef, like a pot roast, smokey and tender. They make their own Fries and they are usually a highlight of the meal. I also get the Macaroni , which is a cold dish, but has a bunch of Spicy Heat that makes it have a real complexity for a simple dish. Their Corned Beef is and item that is not usually found at BBQ places and provides a real unique culinary experience. Their sauce leans toward the sweet side with a bit of Tang, but there is a hotter version available. Worth the trip.
steven varnell
Can NEVER go wrong with First Choice Bar B Que. Love the combo of the sweet baked beans and the spicy macaroni sald. The pork is amazing.
Scott Johnson
Everytime I come here there's a line out the door and Everytime the food is delicious, the staff is friendly and the prices are fair. I always get a pulled pork sandwich, with fires and potato salad. I highly recommend the sausage and the ribs too. This is some of the best BBQ, just follow the smoke...
Joey M.
I sure have missed this place.
I haven't been to first choice in about 4 years. I was so happy to see that they haven't changed a thing! It was just as delicious as it was back then. I absolutely love their macaroni salad. First Choice is just a great barbeque place, no frills, great food and real southern sweet iced tea!
Michael Scanio
Always a treat to find delicious BBQ. Friendly and fast service, and great food. Little hot inside but well worth building up a little sweat!
Karen Hawes
Decent BBQ and a local favorite (much better than Sonny's BBQ!). The spicy macaroni salad was tasty and the pork sandwich was good.
Snipes Chris
Hands down best BBQ seriously. The Baked beans and spicy macaroni salad are the best I've ever had anywhere. Buy a bottle of BBQ sauce too while your there it makes the meat.
Eric Nelson
1st of all this aint the easiest restaurant to find
It's right next to Aaron's furniture
If you're looking for a fancy pants restaurant to have barbecue this is not the place but if you're looking for great open pit barbeque flavor without the frills you're in for a treat
I ordered a slab of ribs A
and it did not disappointTheir sweet tea is just like back home in Georgia And the ribs where fall off the bone delicious
Jarred Hoffpauir
Drove by the MONSTER wood BBQ bit out back and had to try. It did not disappoint, ordered a dinner combo with ribs and sausage, plus two sides. My two boys and I loved every bite. Lots of meat! Also a great sweet tea.
Sebastian Rios (Joe Kidd)
It’s my second time coming and the first time getting the corn beef. Both times the quality of the food was amazing. The food tasted really authentic and any options or sides probably taste as amazing as the other ones. This place is the best BBQ in Brandon.
Forrest Baumhover
Awesome beef and pork. Macaroni salad is red because of all the spice in it...awesome.
You’re not getting frills, just good BBQ. Don’t ask for a paper menu. But be prepared for a meal so heavy they have to put it on a second plate!
Lynn Everhart
This has been a weekly outing for us. We drive from Land o Lakes to eat here. They have the best food. Especially the bbq. A lot of places have greasy bbq but I have never been disappointed here.
Alen Bajramovic
My favorite BBQ place! I would recommend this place to everyone,absolutely amazing !..
Kelli Arron Murphy
Just moved to the area and this was the 1st place we went to get some BBQ. Excellent choice. Everything was great, loved the southern potato salad. Meat was tender and delicious. Will definitely come back.
K Kitty Bry
Obviously ownership has changed. Went there today for bar-b-que and get home 30 mins away and when i open my container i have boiled ribs half cooked and half cooked sausage, not to mention the size of the ribs. I've been going to this place for at least 7 yrs and this time its horrible. I will NEVER go again!!! If i wanted boiled ribs I could have cooked them myself. Just horrible!!!! $17 worth of food in the trash!!!!!
Corey George
The best BBQ in Tampa! Sausage and ribs are always prefect, and the french fries are some of the best I've had.
Stephanie Simpson
We drive from Tampa for this BBQ because it is the best and we love the friendly staff. Always a pleasure!
Terry Ringley
What makes the food so good, is how good the people are. Professional from all who are involved. But the food is the best BBQ around.
Jason Aldridge
Everything is cooked to perfection, and if you're not sure about the sauce, get it on the side. And yes if you're not there early, there will be a line and well worth the wait!!
Michelle Monfort
Consistent and very good. I'm from GA and this is the only BBQ I've eaten since I left. I drag all my friends in and they don't want to leave.
Candy Malaspina
Great BBQ, cole slaw wasn't that great. Macaroni salad a bit spicy. But loved the BBQ pork sandwich. Good price. Clean decent atmosphere. Very popular!
John Mcdonald
Some top-notch BBQ. Kind of a rare treat since we live in Lakeland, but it's worth the drive. Ya'll need a Polk County location. There's no other Que restaurant in Lakeland that could touch you.
Cat Lynn
I had the pulled pork sandwich collard greens and baked beans with sweet tea and it was beyond delicious the baked beans were perfect and the sweet tea was amazing definitely will be going back
Stan Pratt
First Choice is great! The whole menu. We've been a customer for years. I give them an A+
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