6. Rib Shack Real Pit Bar-B-Q - 1972 3861 Baymeadows Rd Jacksonville, FL
The Rib Shack was founded in Jacksonville in 1972. For nearly three decades, this longtime Southside institution was operated by Mike and Michele Whitley. The Shack is famous for their fried squash, their selection of homemade sauces and sides, and of course, their barbecue. Many of the customers are regulars at this restaurant, and a large portion of the staff has been there for years. This restaurant has not become a chain, and can be found on Baymeadows Road, just east of San Jose Boulevard.
Courtesy of Rib Shack’s Facebook page.
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5. Jenkins Quality Barbecue - 1957 830 N Pearl St Jacksonville, FL
(Courtesy of Jenkins Quality Barbecue Facebook page)
Jenkins Quality Barbecue began with God, a dream and $125 on October 11, 1957. Established by Melton Jenkins Jr. and his wife, Willie Mae, Jenkins didn’t have much to his name. What he did have was a secret family barbecue sauce recipe, which had been handed down from his father. He used this to open up his first restaurant at Kings Road near Spires Avenue with a menu that strictly featured ribs and chicken. Advertising in those days was done by word of mouth and “smoke signals”.
Over six decades later, the second and third generations of the Jenkins family continue to run the local landmark. Over the years, additional locations have opened. Today, Jenkins still offers a fairly straight-forward, simple menu of ribs, chicken, pork, beef, wings and a handful of sides. All meat is cooked over an oak wood-fired pit and basted with their famous mustard sauce. Currently there are Jenkins locations in downtown, Northside and Southside.
(Courtesy of Jenkins Quality Barbecue Facebook page)
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4. The Pig Bar-B-Q - 1955 9760 Lem Turner Road Jacksonville, FL
(Courtesy of The Pig Bar-B-Q Facebook page)
In 1956, Elmer S. Murdock opened up The Pig Bar-B-Q solely focusing on serving barbecue. A few years later, Marvin Roseberry, a friend of Murdock who owned a shrimp boat at the time, had inspired Murdock to add a seafood selection for the menu. This established The Pig as the first restaurant in Jacksonville to concentrate on seafood and classic southern barbecue selections. Having to be there early on a daily basis to prepare and smoke barbecue, the Pig added a breakfast menu during the 1960s. A community fixture for more than six decades, The Pig is a currently in its 4th generation of family running the business and now has five locations in and around Jacksonville, including one of the oldest on Lem Turner Road.
(Courtesy of The Pig Bar-B-Q Facebook page)