The Brisket Shoppe — Restaurant in Tampa

As others have shared here on the reviews, I will echo some of what others have shared. This place is right up there with some of the considered best! Without revealing my background, I'll just say, I am very familiar with this style of bbq. The brisket was on par with better known places you'll find down in Texas. Now, I would not go as far as to say it's comparable to Franklins, or other more well known places, like Lewis bbq in Charleston, but, it's not far behind. I'll say this, we've recently visited a top five (2025 edition) Texas Monthly location, and we were not impressed. This undisclosed location there in Texas might have had an off day, I don't know, but, the smoke flavor was very weak, the bark was not there, and it was just odd. The service was not as friendly there as well. So, after our experience here, and eating the brisket here, I was very pleased. Like I commented to the owner, "you have to go to Florida now to get Texas style BBQ". The pork ribs were excellent. Fall off the bone goodness and great flavor. The turkey was the homerun! We've had turkey from many BBQ joints over the years. This was by far the juiciest cut of turkey we've had in some time, and this is including some of so-called, "best of the best". My girlfriend is a cook, not professionally, but, has catered to her community many times since we've been together, so, she has a knack for knowing what's going on with food. So, when she's impressed, I know we're on to something. As for the sides, we had the coleslaw, which was also really good. The owner stopped to talk to us and after a few minutes, he wanted us to try the rice and beans. So, he brought out a cup of each. I am normally not big on rice with bbq, so, I am neutral on that part of it. The beans were ok. Maybe someone else on here has a more favorable review of those items, I'm just so-so when it comes to rice and beans. We did have the sausage, it was also ok. Maybe some more options the owner could add down the road, but, in comparison to something like Lewis BBQ in Charleston, SC, it was not. But, it was ok. All in all, we had a very good meal here on the day we visited. The owner is a very, very nice guy. The atmosphere is also good. It was strange at first, seems like a maze walking around in there, but, after being there for a few minutes, it's actually really cool. It almost felt as though we had our own private room. The ordering is very convenient by using a self kiosk. We went on a Friday, and parking was right up front, no problem. We look forward to coming back the next time we find ourselves down in the Tampa area, and thank you The Brisket Shoppe and thank you for such a surprisingly good...

Review of The Brisket Shoppe

If you're a fan of mouthwatering barbecue and succulent meats, The Brisket Shoppe is a must-visit destination. This hidden gem of a restaurant takes the art of smoking meats to a whole new level, leaving your taste buds yearning for more.

One of the standout items on the menu at The Brisket Shoppe is undoubtedly their burn ends. These delectable morsels of perfectly caramelized meat are a true delight. The burn ends are tender, smoky, and bursting with flavor. Each bite reveals a satisfying balance of smokiness, spice, and a hint of sweetness. It's an absolute joy for barbecue enthusiasts and novices alike.

Now, let's talk about the brisket—the star of the show. The Brisket Shoppe takes pride in their perfectly smoked, melt-in-your-mouth brisket. It's cooked to perfection, with a beautiful pink smoke ring encasing the incredibly tender meat. The flavors are rich and robust, with a delightful balance of smoky and savory notes. Whether you're a fan of lean or fatty brisket, The Brisket Shoppe offers both options, ensuring there's something for everyone.

To accompany their phenomenal meats, The Brisket Shoppe serves up an irresistible side dish: beef tallow fries. These fries are cooked to golden perfection and then fried in beef tallow, which gives them a unique and incredibly flavorful twist. The result is a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior, perfectly seasoned and boasting a hint of beefy goodness. They're the ideal companion to the main course, elevating the overall dining experience.

Aside from the exceptional food, The Brisket Shoppe also provides a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. The staff members are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about their craft. They're always ready to answer questions and provide recommendations, ensuring that every visit is a memorable one.

In conclusion, The Brisket Shoppe is a true barbecue haven that will leave you craving more. The burn ends are heavenly, the brisket is a delight for the senses, and the beef tallow fries add a delicious twist to the meal. Whether you're a barbecue aficionado or simply someone who appreciates exceptional food, this restaurant is a must-visit. Your taste buds...

MADE MY FLIGHT! I actually risked missing my flight just to get a1st timer serving of brisket (moist and lean) and the spare ribs. Thanks to the owner and his team for responding to my pleas for help to make my flight with food in hand which went straight into checked baggage! 5 hours later everyone agreed it was a massive hit. I am a BBQ critic and I don't write reviews for fluff or at all if I don't think a place is worth the dirt their business sits on. I have traveled to test and their m review food, and have had fire side chats with competitive pitmasters and personally (respectfully) shamed gucci-dripped BBQ chefs who made horrible BBQ in high rent districts with gilded doors.( Think: hey man, you are better than this and you know it.)

Though Brisket shoppe says they self select Texas BBQ category, this was flat out great BBQ.

Specifics? Flavor from the brisket meat all the way out to the fat rim on the moist. Even heat & Well seasoned hull during the smoking process so that the outer layer still has a peppery/saltpop leathery quality that's gives easily under bite so no "jaw muscle" force needed for the lean or moist which both had consistent rich red smoke rings. The spare ribs were generous portion, dense but easy to chew and', thank you' for selling by slab measure not ounce. That's so annoying.

I hope one day they can rethink the single line for both take out or dine-in because it's really too hot out there. Idea from the cheap seats? Consider those apps that send texts to whose next in line or those discs that buzz/light, when time to be seated so ppl can wait in their cars for a/c and take out customer aren't waiting behind dine-in ppl.

I really hope the owners and Pitt master stick to this culinary success formula. Many shops switch it up or let their "day 1" staff go pursuing bigger profit margin. Considering you already had a long line out the door for both dine in and take out, customer repeat loyalty and that nice social media teasers will be what stands the time test. Lock this formula in and enjoy the rewards. Well...