As a countdown to the Best Of Broward Palm Beach 2010, coming in May, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to [email protected].
No. 30: Chopped Beef Brisket from Tom Jenkin's Bar-B-Q
There's a reason Tom Jenkins' Bar-B-Q has become a Fort Lauderdale institution. Inside
that tiny 'cue hut, the tables are made of a few old wooden benches and
the room is filled with smoke. The line is almost always long, and the
staff is perpetually in motion, chopping pork and slicing ribs to meet
the demand. The air is sticky and thick, like the joint's famous sauce,
and it's impossible to visit and not leave smelling like barbecue. Some
people may pine for Tom Jenkins' meaty St. Louis-style ribs; others go
crazy for the pork sandwiches and the expertly made Southern sides. But
the brisket calls to us above all else. It's chopped, not sliced, into
thick, meaty hunks. The cut provides a little bit of charred exterior
(often called "bark" in 'cue circles) along with a smoky and moist
interior. It's so tender and flavorful thanks to hours in Jenkins' open
pit that it needs no sauce -- though a little dab won't hurt ya. Any
time is a good time for a bit o' that brisket. Just remember --
Jenkins' is closed Sundays ("gone to church") and Mondays ("gone
fishin").
Tom Jenkins' Bar-B-Q
1236 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale 33316
954-522-5046
Previous 100 Favorite Dishes:
No. 31: Burger from Brass Ring Pub
No. 32: Smoked marlin fish dip from Hurricane Alley
No. 33: Bimini bread from Bimini Boatyard
No. 34: Bacon from Georgia Pig
No. 35: Tacos al pastor from Taqueria Dona Raquel
No. 36: A slice from Pizza Rustica
No. 37: Whole fresh fish from Marumi Sushi
No. 38: Surf and turf roll from Nectar Lounge
No. 39: Yakitori from Heart Rock Sushi
No. 40: Upside down Sicilian from Nino's Restaurant & Pizzeria
No. 41: Gator Fritters from Corner Cafe and Brewey
No. 42: Kielbasa and eggs from Cypress Nook
No. 43: Rock shrimp tempura from Morimoto
No. 44: Daeji bulgogi from Gabose Korean Restaurant
No. 45: Coco bread from Charlie's Pastries
No. 46: Spare ribs from Troy's Bar-Be-Que
No. 47: Vegetarian reuben from Sara's
No. 48: Key lime pie from Le Tub
No. 49: Uni Angel Hair Pasta from Hiro's Yakko-San
50: Meatballs from Cafe Martorano
No. 51: Burger from Jack's Old Fashion Hamburger House
No. 52: Lunch specials from Charcuterie Too
No. 53: Bruschetta from Noodles Panini
No. 54: Tulipan's guava and cheese pastries
No. 55: Baingan bartha from Woodlands Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
56: Foie gras from Michelle Bernstein's at the Omphoy
57: Jalea mixta from El Rey de Pescado
58: Chipotle pork "florito" from East Coast Burrito Factory
59: Fish tacos from Tryst
60: French toast from Dune Deck Cafe
No. 62: Crawfish boil from Rosey Baby
No. 63: Banh mi from Saigon Cuisine
No. 64: Crispy orange beef from Pine Garden
No. 65: Chimichanga from Aleyda's Tex-Mex Restaurant
No. 66: Chicago dog from Hot Dog Heaven
No. 67: Lobster bomb from Galanga
No. 68: Wheat chiabatta from Gran Forno
No. 69: Fried chicken from Fran's Chicken Haven
No. 70: Salsa from Zona Fresca
No. 71: Falafel from Sunrise Pita
No. 72: Golden crab curry from Bamboo Fire
No. 73: Grilled squid from Sushi Bon
No. 74: Beef pho from Basilic Vietnamese Grill
No. 75: Stuffed poblano from Canyon
No. 76: Raja tamales from Chini's Burritos
No. 77: Udon soup from Sushi 1
No. 78: Steak fries from Maguires Hill 16
No. 79: Cheese steak from Sonny's Famous Steak Hogies
No. 81: Cowboy urger from Charm City
No. 82: Corn fritters from Park Avenue BBQ & Grill
No. 83: Milk shake from Jaxson's
No. 84: Chicken from La Granja
No. 85: Kimchi stew from Yama Japanese & Korean
No. 86: Prosciutto roma sub from My Market
No. 87: Anticuchos from Taurus Steakhouse
No. 88: Goat cheese cheesecake from Satoro
No. 89: Pink vanilla cupcake from House of Sweets
No. 90: Skirt steak executive lunch from Beefeater Steakhouse
No. 91: Baby bok choy from Marumi Sushi
No. 92: Beer muenster cheese soup from Big Bear
No. 93: Chopped pork sandwich from Georgia Pig
No. 94: Cannoli from Mona Lisa Coal Oven Pizza
No. 95: Cheeseburger from Le Tub
No. 96: LaSpada's Italian special hoagie
No. 97: Frito Misto from Sublime
No. 98: Chicharron tacos from Tacos al Carbon