Fat Boyz BBQ Downtown Fort Lauderdale — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

I really hate when this happens. A highly reviewed restaurant we decide to try out and it ends up being absolutely horrible. What are we missing, what is wrong with us, what happened to them that day? Is it us, is there a good excuse, what did everyone else get that we didn't?

Regardless, I can say without hesitation this is the worst BBQ I have ever had, and possibly the worst restaurant we have ever been to period (and it was unanimous from 3 completely different types of eaters). There wasn't a single redeeming quality to anything that we ordered. We spent over $75 for 3 people and we didn't/couldn't eat half of the food. My son who eats anything and just wanted some good ribs, couldn't even get the dry ribs and brisket down (overcooked and dry as a desert). My wife genuinely thought she was going to throw up when we left. And I had bone and inedible cartilage throughout my "sandwich" so couldn't eat as I had hoped without a visit to the dentist.

And then adding insult to injury, this is one of those places that seem to be popping up more often where the customer has to do everything themselves (i.e. walk in and order off a screen, get your drink, throw away your trash, etc), yet they ask for a tip when you place the order!? For what? Will you still be requesting a tip when a robot is doing all the work? Just raise your prices if you think the food or employees deserve more, stop begging for a handout, it's just sad.

Regardless, I would love to say "maybe next time...," but you couldn't pay me to try and eat here ever again. And I mean literally, if you gave me the food for free, the thought of it turns my stomach. We just moved in around the corner and we will now have to travel out a little further for good BBQ (or just eat at one of the hundreds of amazing restaurants in downtown Fort...

Let me just say this: Fat Boyz BBQ in Fort Lauderdale is not just a restaurant—it’s a sacred meat temple. I walked in a humble human, and I waddled out a changed soul, covered in barbecue sauce and unapologetically happy.

Let’s talk about the rib tips. OH. MY. SMOKED. GOODNESS. These things didn’t just fall off the bone—they leapt off and did a touchdown dance on my tongue. I actually heard angels sing somewhere between bites three and four. Juicy, smoky, with that perfect caramelized edge—if these rib tips ran for office, I’d vote for them. Twice.

And then… the jalapeño cornbread. Whoever invented this deserves a statue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Moist, fluffy, with just enough kick to make you feel alive but not enough to embarrass yourself in public—unless you count moaning loudly while eating it (which I absolutely did).

The staff? Friendly like Southern hospitality meets a backyard family cookout. The vibe? Casual, cozy, and smells like pure happiness. Honestly, I considered hiding in the bathroom just so I wouldn’t have to leave.

Fat Boy’s BBQ, thank you for giving my taste buds the full VIP experience. I’ll be back soon—probably tomorrow. Maybe tonight....

I visited Fat Boyz Barbecue in Fort Lauderdale this past Sunday, and it was such a great experience from start to finish. The customer service was excellent — the staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and very family-oriented. I had my two kids with me, and not only did they help me manage my order while I was juggling my little one being fussy, but they did it with so much patience and kindness.

The food was absolutely delicious! I had the rib tips dinner, which was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. My daughter had the chicken platter, and she loved it so much she completely cleaned her plate. It’s not easy to impress kids, but they definitely delivered.

I also really enjoyed the ambience — they had gospel music playing on Sunday, which gave the place such a warm and welcoming vibe. Between the great food, amazing service, and the family-friendly atmosphere, Fat Boys has definitely earned a spot on our list of go-to places....