Ask enough people about the best barbecue in Tampa and you're bound to hear about Kojak's House of Ribs. This South Tampa barbecue restaurant has grown into being one of Tampa's most reputable restaurants for delicious, southern bbq since opening back in 1978.
Even at 3 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, Kojack's is a bustling restaurant filled with diners young and old chowing down in and outside of Kojak's, a sure signifier that there's a consistent draw that keeps many coming back, even when it's not a designated meal time.
When it comes to the menu, Kojak's House of Ribs keeps it similar much like the rest of its great barbecue brethren here in the Tampa Bay area. There's all the classic meats - ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, sausage, etc. - rounded out by an ample selection of sides, appetizers, and more.
Of course, with a name like "House of Ribs", you know what the pride and joy is here and, unsurprisingly, they're unabashedly delicious.
Each rib section comes with an ample amount of succulent pork, smoked to a near-gelatinous state that almost had my mouth watering before the first bite. A distinct, smokey flavor permeates the ribs down to the bone. Coupled with their hot barbecue sauce, these ribs are easily a cut above the rest yielding a spicy and monstrous flavor I can still taste now.
Kojak's pulled pork was a tad drier than preferable, but doused in enough of their hot barbecue sauce (again), they're a deliciously similar cousin to their rib counterparts.
Overall, it's easily understandable why Kojak's is a Tampa barbecue institution. Sure, they don't cast a huge culinary net, but when they execute, they execute well, and that's enough to keep plenty coming back for more.
Sound good? Give Kojak's a try, then let us know what you think with your own rating and review on the Kojak's House of Ribs 813area buiness listing.
