Levi Kelly's BBQ (Miami)

Taste: *****
Cost: $

Do you live within 40 miles from the University of Miami? Is it Friday or Saturday? Go visit Levi Kelly... NOW!

On my drive into work, I see this man setting up, but unfortunately I always take the train up to West Palm on Fridays so I've been unable to try out his BBQ. I've finally had an opportunity and it is hands down THE BEST BBQ IN SOUTH FLORIDA. The ribs are in a word.... PERFECT. Succulent, tender, but not shreds in your teeth tender, they have a nice snap to the meat, great smokiness with no charred bitter undertone. The meat is just incredible and Mr. Kelly does not trim the rib membrane, you het all the meat. For 8 bucks you get a huge half slab.

The sauce is best described as the crossroads of the big 4 of BBQ: Memphis, Carolinas, Texas and KC. Actually its very St Louis-style. It is sweet, but not overly sweet; its has a nice touch of tang but not too acidic. Its just right, although maybe a bit more spiciness might work too.

I transcend into a little pork induced heaven after biting in and the only thing that made the ribs better was sharing the bones and some fat with my best friend; my dog Halo.

The neighborhood Mr. Kelly serves his excellent bbq might be perceived as a bit "tough". It is actually not like that at all. Its a charming little area, where the people are extraordinarily nice and make due the best they can with their means. Trust me, you'll forget about where you are, as soon as you bite in. They have officially overthrown Tom's in West Palm Beach (now under new management) as the best BBQ in florida.

Corner of SW 59th Place and 62nd Street
On the Gravel Lot behind the church

Mississippi Sweets BBQ Co. (Palm Beach)

Taste: **
Cost: $$

With such a clever name you would expect some top notch BBQ? The execution here is good at times but it seems the owners have gotten complacent how the Tom's BBQ moved out of Boca. The ribs have a nice savory style sauce with an obvious kick of sweetness, its just how the ribs are cooked is the problem. I'm often to find a rib thats just a bit over charred or a piece thats a bit tough. On a whole its not bad and if I'm craving for BBQ in Boca this is where I go. Their name is akin to their sweet potato chips which are very good and abundant. Go ahead and order extra, you won't be disappointed. Theres so much potential here its such a shame to see them rest on their laurels.

2399 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL

Memphis BBQ and Blues formerly Tom's Place BBQ (Palm Beach)

Taste: ****
Cost: $

Revised:
They can change the name but not the ribs. This place is still Tom's but with a little something missing. Maybe I'm being nostalgic, but the ribs were a bit smaller in portion. Maybe I'm a bit slighted, bc I had finally filled up the buy 6 get 1 free card and the new management wouldn't honor it. The food is still pretty good, but I miss Tom's. I miss the Anquan Boldin autographed jersey, and the history.

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From what I hear, Tom's used to be even better than the incarnation I dined at in West Palm. The original location in Boca before they moved up to West Palm I heard was unbelievably amazing. I'm sorry but Tom's BBQ hands down has some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The ribs are tender and their sliced beef is lip smacking. That sauce of theirs, even makes BBQ chicken (which I vehemently hate) taste great. The sides are nothing to write home about and are actually quite bland with exception to their cornbread muffins. Everything is served on a hot plate and I guarantee you will leave there fat and happy. I'm getting hungry, going to head there this weekend in fact... The location is on the border of a sketchy neighborhood, but I just don't go there when the sun is down so theres no problem!

1225 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL