Barbecue chicken gets overlooked a lot. Most people walk into a smokehouse thinking about ribs or brisket and treat the bird as the backup plan.
In Florida, a handful of kitchens are changing that by cooking their chicken low and slow over oak, the same wood that has fueled Southern pits for generations. Oak burns steady and gives meat a clean, savory smoke that never overpowers the chicken itself.
The six spots on this list stretch from Jacksonville down to Tampa, with a cluster in Central Florida that makes an easy road trip along US-27 and beyond. Some are longtime family-style smokehouses with big plates and Southern sides.
Others put a modern spin on the classics with tacos and global flavors. Each one earns its place for a different reason, so save this list for your next drive and bring a friend who never orders the chicken.
1. Oakwood Smokehouse, Lady Lake, FL
Lady Lake sits right on US-27, and Oakwood Smokehouse is the kind of stop that turns a quick errand into a full lunch. The restaurant is part of a small local chain, and its whole identity comes from oak-smoked meats.
Chicken here is the quiet star. It comes off the smoker tender and full of flavor, and it pairs naturally with the baked beans, which show up on plates alongside smoked chicken, ribs, and pulled pork.
Portions run large. The menu also covers a Rib Combo, full and half racks, a BBQ Pork Plate, and a Texas Toast Pork Sandwich, plus fried pickles and onion rings for the table.
Prices land in the $10 to $20 range per person, and the room is casual and comfortable. Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu.
Plan around the clock. Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 3 PM on Sunday, and evenings fill up fast since there are no reservations.
A late lunch is the smart move.
2. Sonny’s BBQ, Jacksonville, FL
Few names are more tied to Florida barbecue than Sonny’s. The long-standing chain built its reputation on meats smoked over oak, and the Atlantic Boulevard location in Jacksonville keeps that tradition going.
I like this stop for a sampler-style meal. The pit lineup includes St. Louis style ribs, sliced brisket, pulled pork, jalapeño sausage, and smoked chicken, so you can put the bird right next to the heavy hitters and compare.
Sides lean classic Southern. Think corn nuggets, fried okra, and a baked sweet potato, all washed down with sweet tea.
Convenience is a big part of the appeal. This location offers dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, delivery, and a drive-through, with free on-site parking and plenty of room for groups.
Sunday afternoons and weekend evenings get busy. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
3. Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill, Clermont, FL
Crispy skin is the detail that separates good barbecue chicken from great barbecue chicken. At the Clermont branch of Oakwood, the chicken comes out with crisp, sauced skin and visible grill marks, with smoke flavor running all the way through the meat.
The restaurant sits on Citrus Tower Boulevard, close to one of Clermont’s best-known landmarks. That makes it an easy add-on for anyone exploring the hilly side of Lake County.
Sides deserve attention here. The corn fritters are made with real corn kernels, and the baked beans are thick and hearty.
Beyond chicken, the menu includes the Rib Combo, half racks, fried shrimp, a turkey sandwich, and a Black and Blue Burger. A smoky au jus joins the sauce lineup, which is a nice surprise for brisket and pork fans.
Outdoor seating and curbside pickup add flexibility. The kitchen closes at 8 PM Monday through Saturday and at 3 PM on Sunday.
4. Oakwood Express Smokehouse, Wildwood, FL
Driving north from Orlando toward the Turnpike and I-75 split, Wildwood is a natural place to pull over. Oakwood Express Smokehouse on North Main Street makes that pause pay off with smoked chicken that ranks among the best plates in the family of restaurants.
Ribs fall off the bone and the pulled pork sandwiches are a crowd favorite. Still, the chicken is the reason it lands on this list.
One side stands out from its sister locations. The corn salad has a loyal following, and the menu also covers mac and cheese, corn fritters, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a Kids BBQ Plate.
The vibe is homey and the service is quick, with counter and table options plus outdoor seating. Prices stay between $10 and $20 per person.
Check the calendar before you go. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and closed Sundays and Mondays.
5. Oak & Smoke BBQ, Tampa, FL
Most barbecue fans skip the chicken because it shows up on every menu in town. Oak & Smoke BBQ in Tampa is the place that makes people rethink that habit, since its chicken is good enough to steal attention from the other meats.
The name says plenty about the method. Oak is the wood, smoke is the point.
Timing matters more here than anywhere else on the list. The spot is open only on weekends, from 1 to 7 PM on Saturday and 1 to 6 PM on Sunday, so it works best as a planned weekend outing.
Expect a casual, slightly trendy setup with dine-in and takeout. Free parking in the lot and on the street makes the Busch Boulevard stop easy, and it is a short drive from the attractions in that part of the city.
6. Pig Floyds Urban Barbakoa, Orlando, FL
Here is where Southern barbecue meets Latin and Asian flavors. Pig Floyds Urban Barbakoa on North Mills Avenue in Orlando’s Mills 50 area takes a traditional oak-smoked foundation and runs in fun directions with it.
The Oakwood Smoked Brisket shows the pit roots clearly. From there, the menu branches into shrimp and sausage tacos, pork belly tacos, and Mexican street corn fries.
Traditionalists are covered too. Ribs come by the quarter, half, or whole rack, and Plain Jane pulled pork and sliced brisket sandwiches keep things simple, with baked beans and fries on the side.
Ordering happens at a walk-up counter, but plates arrive on real dishware in a rustic-industrial space with outdoor seating. Dogs are welcome outside.
Late hours give it an edge over the others. It runs until 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 PM on Sunday, so dinner after a long day is still on the table.
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