Help Us Find the Best BBQ in Polk County

Submit your nominations for the top barbecue spots in Polk County, Florida

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Ledger is launching a monthlong, bracket-style contest to determine Polk County's best barbecue. Readers are invited to submit their nominations for the top barbecue restaurants, food trucks, and other eateries in the area. The top 16 nominees will advance to a tournament-style competition, with the winner crowned as having Polk County's best barbecue.

Why it matters

Barbecue is a beloved culinary tradition in Polk County, with several long-standing and acclaimed spots serving up mouthwatering smoked meats. This contest aims to celebrate the local barbecue scene and help readers discover new favorite spots, supporting independent and family-run businesses in the process.

The details

The Ledger is accepting reader nominations for Polk County's best barbecue through March 1st. Nominations can include brick-and-mortar restaurants, food trucks, roadside stands, and other eateries that serve barbecue year-round. The top 16 nominees will advance to a March Madness-style tournament, with the winner being crowned Polk County's best barbecue on April 1st.

  • Nominations are open until March 1, 2026.
  • The top 16 nominees will be revealed on March 15, 2026.
  • The tournament-style competition will take place throughout March 2026.
  • The winner of Polk County's best barbecue will be announced on April 1, 2026.

The players

Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q

A classic barbecue spot in Lakeland that has been serving patrons since the 1960s.

Peebles Bar-B-Q

A family-run barbecue restaurant located in Auburndale.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's a wide range of places that claim to specialize in barbecue and frankly, some of those who earn a spot in our competition are going to be obvious.”

— Sara-Megan Walsh, Author (theledger.com)

“Think of last year's March Madness food competition when we did Polk's Best Pizza. We welcomed J. Burns' Pizza Shop but not Domino's or Papa John's. We were surprised by the hidden gem who won the title.”

— Sara-Megan Walsh, Author (theledger.com)

What’s next

The initial poll and nominations will help select the Sweet 16 finalists, to be revealed on March 15, 2026. The tournament-style competition will then take place throughout March, with the winner of Polk County's best barbecue announced on April 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This contest celebrates the vibrant local barbecue scene in Polk County, Florida, encouraging readers to discover new favorite spots and support independent, family-run businesses serving up mouthwatering smoked meats.