Tucked inside a colorful bungalow on East 7th Avenue in Tampa, Florida, Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que and Soul Food looks like the kind of place you might drive right past without a second glance. But locals know better.
With a 4.6-star rating from over 1,500 reviews and a loyal following that keeps the place packed from open to close, this unassuming spot has earned a serious reputation for Tennessee-style smoked meats and soul food that feels like a home-cooked meal. Whether you’re a Tampa native or just passing through Ybor City, here’s everything that makes Al’s a must-visit barbecue destination.
The Legendary Smoked Ribs That Keep People Coming Back
Some ribs fall off the bone, but Al’s ribs fall straight into your memory. Slow-smoked in the Tennessee tradition, these beauties develop a deep, caramelized crust on the outside while staying incredibly moist and flavorful inside.
Reviewers from across the country have called them some of the best they’ve ever had. One visitor from Kansas City, widely considered the BBQ capital of the world, gave Al’s ribs a full seal of approval after a single visit.
That’s not a compliment most restaurants ever earn.
Whether you order a quarter rack or go all in with a half slab, the smoke flavor is bold without being overpowering. Pair them with the house BBQ sauce for an extra punch of tangy sweetness that ties the whole plate together perfectly.
Fried Chicken So Juicy It Rewrites What You Thought You Knew
“I’ve never had fried chicken so tender and juicy” is a bold statement, but it keeps showing up in review after review about Al’s fried chicken. There’s something about the way this kitchen seasons and fries their bird that makes it stand apart from every fast food chain or backyard cookout you’ve ever attended.
The skin crisps up to a perfect golden crunch while the inside stays almost impossibly moist. Customers have described it as a food experience that transports them straight back to childhood Sunday dinners at grandma’s house.
That kind of emotional connection is rare.
One reviewer flat-out called it the best fried chicken they had ever eaten, and they weren’t being dramatic. Al’s fried chicken is the kind of dish that turns first-time visitors into regulars before they’ve even finished their plate.
Tennessee-Style BBQ Roots That Set Al’s Apart from the Crowd
Not all barbecue is created equal, and Al’s makes that crystal clear from the very first bite. The restaurant specializes in Tennessee-style smoked meats, which means low-and-slow cooking with wood smoke that penetrates deep into every cut of meat before it ever hits your plate.
Tennessee BBQ leans toward a balance of smoky depth and natural meat flavor, letting the quality of the protein shine rather than drowning everything in sauce. It’s a style that rewards patience and skill, two things Al’s kitchen clearly has in abundance.
What makes this especially exciting for Tampa locals is that this style of regional American barbecue isn’t easy to find in Florida. Al’s fills that gap with authenticity and pride.
Knowing the craft behind the food makes each bite taste even more intentional and satisfying.
The House BBQ Sauce That Deserves Its Own Fan Club
One reviewer admitted to putting Al’s BBQ sauce on their ribs, chicken, bread, and beans because it was just that good. That’s the kind of sauce that makes you reconsider every bottle you’ve ever bought at a grocery store.
Bold claim, fully earned.
The sauce has been described as having a homemade quality with a deep, tangy sweetness and just the right amount of complexity. It comes with your order automatically, which feels like a gift rather than an afterthought.
Al’s offers both mild and spicy versions, so heat-seekers and those who prefer a gentler flavor both walk away happy.
Interestingly, several reviewers noted that the smoked meats are so flavorful on their own that the sauce almost becomes optional. That’s the mark of truly great barbecue, when the sauce is outstanding but not necessary.
Creamy Mac and Cheese That Feels Like a Warm Hug
Mac and cheese at Al’s is not the kind that comes from a blue box. Reviewers consistently describe it as fresh, creamy, and deeply comforting, the kind of side dish that could easily headline its own meal if given the chance.
The texture hits that sweet spot between saucy and baked, with a richness that coats every noodle from edge to edge. Some customers have suggested a layer of sharp cheddar on top could push it over the edge into legendary territory, which says a lot about how close to perfect it already is.
Soul food side dishes often get overlooked next to the star proteins, but at Al’s, the mac and cheese holds its own with confidence. It’s the kind of comfort food that makes you slow down, close your eyes, and just enjoy the moment completely.
Collard Greens With a Kick That Grandma Would Respect
Collard greens are a soul food staple, but not every restaurant gets them right. Al’s version has built up a loyal following thanks to a bold, spicy seasoning that gives the greens a lively heat you feel on the back of your tongue long after the bite is gone.
One reviewer compared them directly to what grandma used to make, which is the highest possible compliment in the soul food world. Another admitted they wished the collards weren’t spicy because they desperately needed good collards in their life, then still raved about the taste anyway.
That’s the power of a well-seasoned pot.
The greens are slow-cooked until tender, absorbing all the savory depth of the broth and seasonings. They pair beautifully with the smoked meats, cutting through the richness with earthy, slightly bitter flavor that balances every bite.
Pulled Pork That Melts Before It Even Hits Your Tongue
Pulled pork done right is almost meditative to eat. At Al’s, the pork is smoked low and slow until it practically dissolves, with each strand carrying that signature Tennessee smoke flavor that makes the whole restaurant smell like a dream from the parking lot.
Reviewers have called it moist, melt-in-your-mouth, and buttery, which is a trifecta of textures that serious BBQ fans spend years chasing. One customer who ordered a three-meat plate specifically highlighted the pulled pork as a standout even among the ribs and chicken, which is no small feat at a place this talented.
The pork also works beautifully in sandwich form, packed with flavor and served on bread that soaks up every last drop of juice. Whether plated or sandwiched, Al’s pulled pork is a reason to make the drive to Ybor City all by itself.
Baked Beans So Good They Deserve a Standing Ovation
Baked beans are one of those side dishes that most people don’t think much about until they taste a truly great version. Al’s baked beans have inspired some of the most enthusiastic side-dish praise in any of the restaurant’s reviews, which is saying something at a place known for its meats.
Reviewers have called them fantastic, unlike anything they’ve had elsewhere, and simply the best. The beans carry a deep, smoky sweetness with a thick, sticky sauce that clings to every bean and makes you want to eat them by the spoonful straight from the bowl.
They’re the perfect companion to a plate of ribs or pulled pork, soaking up the juices and adding a sweet counterpoint to all that savory smoke. Once you’ve had Al’s baked beans, every other version starts to feel like a pale imitation of what beans can actually be.
Smothered Pork Chops That Redefine Comfort Food
Smothered pork chops are a soul food classic that requires real technique to execute properly. Al’s version has been described as incredibly moist and well-seasoned, with a gravy that wraps around every bite like a warm blanket on a cold evening.
Getting a pork chop right means hitting that narrow window between undercooked and dried out, and Al’s kitchen nails it consistently. The meat stays juicy and tender throughout, absorbing the seasoning from the inside out rather than just sitting in a sauce on the surface.
For customers who want something beyond the smoked meats, the smothered pork chops offer a different kind of soul food satisfaction, one rooted more in the traditions of Southern home cooking than the BBQ pit. It’s a reminder that Al’s isn’t just a barbecue restaurant.
It’s a full-service soul food experience that covers every craving.
The Cozy Bungalow Atmosphere That Feels Like Family
Walking into Al’s feels less like entering a restaurant and more like showing up at a family cookout where everyone already knows your name. The building itself is a converted house, which gives the space a warmth and intimacy that no chain restaurant could ever replicate no matter how hard it tried.
Inside, musical legends are spray-painted across the walls, and the dining room chairs look like they were borrowed straight from grandma’s kitchen. The combination creates a space that feels lived-in, loved, and completely authentic.
You’re not just eating a meal here. You’re stepping into a piece of Tampa’s cultural history.
The staff adds to that family feeling in a big way. Reviewers consistently mention friendly, attentive service that checks in throughout the meal without being intrusive.
At Al’s, hospitality isn’t a policy. It’s just how things are done.
Banana Pudding and OMG Cake Worth Saving Room For
After all that barbecue and soul food, you might think there’s no room left for dessert. Make room.
Al’s dessert offerings have generated their own wave of fan devotion, with the banana pudding and the OMG cake becoming almost mythical among regular customers.
One reviewer described the cake slice as being as big as the plate itself, which is the kind of portion news that makes your eyes go wide with excitement. The banana pudding carries that classic creamy, layered quality that feels like the final note of a perfect Southern meal, sweet, soft, and deeply satisfying.
Both desserts are the kind of made-with-care finishes that remind you why home cooking beats restaurant food most of the time, except that Al’s somehow manages to deliver that homemade quality in a restaurant setting. Don’t skip dessert here.
You’ll regret it on the drive home.
Finding Al’s: Location, Hours, and Tips for Your First Visit
Al’s sits at 2302 East 7th Avenue in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood, a location that already has plenty of character before you even step inside. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday, with Friday and Saturday hours running until 7 PM and Sunday wrapping up at 5 PM.
Monday and Tuesday are rest days for the team.
Parking can be a little tricky if you don’t know the trick. Free street parking is available on the side street next to the restaurant, but the spots along 7th Avenue out front typically require payment.
Pull around back or onto the side street and you’re all set without spending a dime.
Arrive early when you can, especially on weekends. Popular items like banana pudding and certain side dishes have been known to sell out before closing time.
Call ahead at 813-956-0675 or check the website at alsybor.com to plan your visit right.