Florida Names Finalists for State BBQ Awards

Sunshine State Tourism has unveiled 49 finalists for its inaugural 2026 barbecue restaurant competition.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Barbecue

Florida Names Finalists for State BBQ Awards

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Do you typically visit restaurants based on local rankings or awards?

Sunshine State Tourism has announced a list of 49 restaurant finalists for its statewide barbecue award. The organization released the selections online to help residents identify top dining destinations across Florida.

Why it matters

This award program serves as a guide for locals and visitors to discover high-quality barbecue establishments across the state. By highlighting these restaurants, organizers aim to promote regional culinary businesses.

Sunshine State Tourism selected 49 restaurants as finalists, including established venues like Mrs. Smokeys Real Pit Bar-B-Q which opened in 1979. Finalists were chosen through a process of recommendations and reviews.

The players

Sunshine State Tourism

Established in 2025, this organization focuses on promoting local dining destinations across the region.

Tropical Smokehouse

This West Palm Beach eatery is one of the 49 establishments recognized as a finalist for the state award.

Mrs. Smokeys Real Pit Bar-B-Q

Operating in Jupiter since 1979, this long-standing restaurant is a finalist in the competition.

The details

The competition features a diverse group of nominees, including Tropical Smokehouse and Pig Beach BBQ in West Palm Beach, as well as Nevs in Palm Beach Gardens. Winners will be decided through a public voting process hosted on the organization's website.

October 10, 2026: The list of finalists was published online.
December 31, 2026: Public voting for the selected finalists concludes.
January 1, 2027: The official contest results will be published.

Culture Shift

This award program follows a pattern set by industry-led hospitality initiatives like the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to define excellence in the state's food sector. It reflects a growing cultural focus on regional culinary tourism and the celebration of local independent dining.

Readers can participate in the selection of the state's top barbecue by voting on the organization's website through the end of the year. This provides diners with a verified list of local favorites to prioritize for future meals.

The takeaway

Supporting local barbecue restaurants helps preserve regional cooking traditions and encourages business growth. Voters should ensure they submit their preferences by the December deadline to influence the final results.

What happens next

The contest results will be published on the Sunshine State Tourism website on January 1, 2027. Additionally, Tropical Smokehouse is scheduled to host the Smoke & Sunshine event on January 23, 2027.