First Choice Southern Bar-B Que

I’m not giving First Choice a one-​star rating to be mean… but I honestly can not understand all the rave reviews of this place. Tampa Bay Times just listed it as one of the top 52 best restaurants in the area. I’m cancelling our subscription to the newspaper! Food deserves 1 star, 1.5 at the most. And the store itself with walls painted black, sticky floors gets no more than a 1. Every year or so my family gives this place the chance to impress us… and it always falls WAY short!!! The folks giving this BBQ any more than 2 stars obviously have never had good BBQ in their lives. The sides are mediocre, the meats not smoky, and their signature sauce nothing more than glorified ketchup. The beans are too sweet as is their sauce, even the hot sauce has no heat to it whatsoever. First Choice… you’ve had ample opportunity to wow us… but we will never be back. (Folks…if you want good BBQ, well worth travelling a bit further for, treat yourself to Smokin’ Joe’s in Lithia.)

Very disappointing. We ordered a pound each of the pulled pork and beef brisket, baked beans and macaroni and cheese. The only thing good was the beans. The meet was greasy and flavorless. The macaroni and cheese so overspiced with Tabasco sauce that it was all you could taste. The only way I could eat the macaroni was to mix it with the beef and add barbecue sauce. Overall an extremely disappointing experience. Thankfully, we ordered our food to go because the dining room was so hot and sweltering you could not comfortably eat inside. We will not be back.

This is GREAT BBQ!!! I lived in Tampa 10 years ago and still crave this place. They know what they are doing. Great food!!! Don’t let the line scare you. Worth the wait!!!

I was really looking forward to some good old fashion bbq, but this place fell short. The ribs were a safety hazard. So dry and chewy, I was praying I didn’t choke. The chicken and coleslaw was tasteless. So very disappointed. The workers were all cold and appeared that they didn’t want to be there. Not being greeted when I arrived should’ve been my first clue. Needles to say I won’t be returning.

Great food, great service, great price. They are very generous portions. I had the ¼ slab rid dinner with fries. The sauce is great, very unique in flavor. The fries are delicious too. It was a little hard to find as the name on the outside has burned out… but so glad we did find it

This three star review is in comparison to the five stars that I gave to the Plant City location.
Not sure what the difference is, but it just wasn’t the amazing BBQ like I had at the Plant City First Choice. They were packed when I showed up during lunch rush, but the line moved quickly and efficiently.
I appreciated that they had signs up indicating the items that they were out of for that day (this day in particular was sausage.) It’s always a big letdown when you wait a while in line just to find out they are out of your favorite thing.
I had the brisket plate with sides of potato salad and baked beans. The baked beans weren’t my favorite at all — they tasted like cinnamon or nutmeg or some other type of really sweet spice that to me didn’t belong in baked beans. The potato salad was good. The brisket was tasty but a bit dry. I usually love their sauce but found it way sweeter and less flavorful than the other location — tasted a bit like sweetened ketchup.
Don’t get me wrong, this location is still solid southern BBQ, but next time I’ll make the extra drive to have the best of the best.

I decided to write this review as I sit here eating as I didn’t want to forget to do it later.
As the other reviewers stated, it’s tucked back in the corner of the Home Depot lot. I didn’t smell the BBQ so if I didn’t read the reviews, I wouldn’t have known.
Onto the meal. Now I don’t live in Tampa (trying to decide where to move in FL, but that’s another story) but o wasn’t impressed with this place.
First off, other reviewers said the workers are friendly. I found that to be way off. There are two men working here now and neither one acknowledged me, thanked me, or even showed the smallest bit of good customer service, which was an immediate turn off. I usually add a tip for service but that didn’t happen today.
I had the combination platter which was $ 12. I had the chopped pork and beef. They added sauce which, like another reviewer said, tasted like a real thick ketchup with a hint of BBQ sauce mixed in. Very weird and not my thing. Pulled pork was decent but the beef tasted very greasy.
I ordered the baked beans and cole slaw as sides and the beans really tasted of nutmeg. The cole slaw was flavorless.
I wanted to like it, but didn’t. Would I return? Honestly, no.

I have no idea why this place has a rating of 4 stars. It should be 5! I had pork and fries with hot sauce and it was VERY good. The fries taste as good as they look. Dad had ribs, fries and baked beans and he absolutely LOVED them. The guys behind the counter are friendly, fast, and gracious. I couldn’t finish my meal because the portions are huge so I went to the counter to get a to go box and by the time I got there he was already handing me one. Didn’t even have to ask. I think he may be psychic. We will eat here again.

This is straight up real bbq. The quality of food is five star. If your eating in expect a line at prime time. The AC has never done a good job if eating in but its worth it regardless.

We just had the combo
1) brisket and turkey with mac and greens
2) beef and turkey with sweet corn and greens
And beef sandwich.
The seevice is fast ths food is amazing! What is that sauce? Amazing is a good word.
The little joint isnt that impressive but the food sure is.
Always a good sign at 1100am and ppl are lined up to the parking lot!

While on a business trip to the Tampa area I found this BBQ restaurant on Unilocal and decided to give it a try. It’s kind of hard to find in the corner of a shopping center. I walked in and after looking at the menu decided to go with a 2 meat combo of a ¼ chicken and beef with beans and potato salad.
The food came out quickly. The beef was chopped and I thought it was tender and good. (3). The chicken had a nice smoky flavor and I graded it as a 3.5. The beans were a 3.5 also. The potato salad was creamy and had a hint of nutmeg? I thought it was a 3.5 too. The sauce was kind of sweet and the more I tasted the more I dislike it more (2).
Finally I ordered another side of their fritters. These are made of pork rolled into a ball, then battered and then fried. Just like a hushpuppy but with a pork center instead of a cornmeal. You get 5 with the order and I thought they were wat too much. The first one was ok but greasy. I had to force myself to eat the second one and the other two went to waste. I just didn’t like them. I felt they were just a grease ball.
My overall score is a 3. If I am back in the area I will not return. The sauce was a turnoff. The food is ok.

This is decent barbecue. Prices are a good value and all the meat had a real nice smoke on it. I had beef and ribs. The sauce has a great flavor. Sweet with a bit of a kick. The baked beans were great. There was a little pork mixed in for flavor and had a bit of extra spice. They probably were my favorite thing on the plate. Fries weren’t anything special. Overall if I was in the area looking for a quick bite I would look them up.

I just visited again after a long hiatus. I remembered the food being really good, but don’t work in that area anymore, so I just haven’t been visiting. I also didn’t Unilocal back then, and, as it turns out, my memory of the food was better than the reality, so I’m only giving 2 stars.
I ordered the pulled pork and sausage combo plate with fries and collard greens.
I think they dip their fries in oil once, they were limp and soggy and had no salt at all.
The collard greens, especially at a barbecue place, should (IMHO) be cooked with some type of meat, but these bland collards probably were not. They taste like nothing but a collard green, no fat, no smoke, no meat, no salt, no nothing. I’m a white guy from Boston and I can make better greens.
The pork and sausage were OK, but again, nothing that would draw me back. The pork seems like it is just pork thrown in a smoker with no salt, seasonings, brine, nothing. Weird.
Also, the barbecue sauce they make is too sweet and has too much ketchup. It seems like it’s 95% ketchup.
And lastly, not one person who works here looks like they want you there. I remember this from before when i ate here in their early days after leaving the truck on the street and opening this place. Every order that comes through looks like a chore for them. Nobody will smile at you, nobody will thank you, and nobody will even say hi or goodbye to you while you’re in their «home».
So… I’ll jump on the crosstown and hit Holy Hog downtown before I’ll come back here.

Tucked into an obscure corner behind the Adamo Home Depot, you could probably follow your nose to FirstChoice BBQ.
The combination plate includes pork ribs, sausage, fries and baked beans. The food was just as I remember from 8 years ago. The sausage was smoky without being spicy, and the ribs were fall off the bone. The fries, made from fresh potatoes, were just crispy enough and the beans were molasses-​sweet and tasty, great for dipping fries. Definitely order the fritters. Crispy on the outside, but tender and moist on the inside, they’re not sweet, more savory since they stuff them with pork morsels. They are the most unique tasting, and that is in a good way, fritters I have ever tasted.
Dora here. My fave is the chopped pork with fries and baked beans, but the turkey is also a close second. Today I chose the pork. Made me want to close my eyes and just savor the flavor so I could tuck it in my memory for the next few years! We lucked out getting here early on a Saturday because normally the line is out the door. And don’t come all dressed up. It’s warm and you’ll smell like woodsmoke when you walk out, but that’s all good because the food is worth it.
I would rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 forks for a family friendly restaurant serving great food.
Ernie & Dora Hiers, Fiction Faith & Foodies Blog

After this recent visit I have to update my review and say that there are just better options around. The pulled pork was bland, the ribs were fatty and the potato salad was mush. The customer service was also «eh». They rushed us through and there wasn’t anyone in line behind us.

I was craving a Banh Mi thanks to Rachel M earlier this week so I drove to the closest Vietnamese restaurant that was in the area. Well… apparently, I had stayed away too long because the restaurant had closed.
Several doors down was First Choice, begging me to walk through its doors. I practically ran to it, like a lost child running back to her mother.
Go ahead and make fun of me, I like to eat early. Call me old or whatever you like ha ha, but I despise crowds. Lucky for me, I had walked into First Choice right when they had just opened their doors.
Getting early to First Choice is crucial. Crucial, because there is less of a wait. Otherwise, the line is out the door. No thanks. For those who know me, I have zero patience.
What has not changed is that these guys are the BBQ Nazis like the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. You better know what you want or else you will be in trouble! Don’t be scared though, the staff is firm, but friendly here.
Being a creature of habit, I always order the same thing here: sausage with baked beans and french fries. Mmmmmmm sausage!!!
As usual, the sausage was delicious. The fries were a bit soggy for me. And, the baked beans were good, but the cinnamon they added overpowered the taste of the beans. Next time, I plan to finally change it up with the sides.
First Choice is definitely one of the best BBQ joints in this area. Their food is delicious and the portions are such a good value. The staff here is friendly and very efficient at getting you in and out of their restaurant. Tables are limited but turnover is normally quick.
Ahhh…First Choice. I have missed you, my love. I promise it won’t be two years before I see you again.

I love this place. It’s really unfussy, unfooled-​around with BBQ. I prefer BBQ joints like this. The meat is perfect every time. The sides are few, but done exactly right (try spicy Mac salad or beans). The sauce comes in regular or spicy. Both are great.
The line is out the door at lunch and you better know your order! These guys are busy as all get out and for good reason.

One of my favorite places for barbecue. All the meats are cooked to perfection & are always juicy (not dry like some places). Don’t forget the sides– I love the mac & cheese– it has a nice kick to it too!

Amazing BBQ! The sauce is finger-​lickin good and the meat is always smoked perfectly. The service feels a little bit like you are in the Soup Nazi’s line (seinfeld reference) but soo worth it and to be honest I am glad they move you through the line fast because there is ALWAYS a line.
We have used their catering too and it was just as good.

The smoke drew me in…
Great BBQ joint in Brandon. Line was long when arrived for lunch this saturday but it went quick. I like the idea you can see where your food is coming from. Watching the meat being chopped fresh.
I ordered the combo platter and a drink. I had Chicken and Pork with beans and fries with some bread. The sauce is good no doubt about that. I wish they had a spicy version or even a mustard sauce but I did not see any. The chicken was good but a little dry. The pork was flavorful and moist. The sauce made the meal. The beans were ok, probably order something else next time. The fries were fresh, not very crispy.
All in all the food was good, definitely will be back to try the corn beef.