7 best barbecue spots in Central Florida

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa's brisket paired with plantains and black beans and rice.
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel
With the tagline "You can smell our butts a mile away," you know Porkie's Original BBQ is going to be a fun, relaxing meal. The barbecue joint's claim to fame is its ribs, but don't let that top you from trying its burgers, sandwiches and other eats.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)
Family recipes are used to smoke up some Florida 'cue.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Sugarboo's Bar-B-Q slathers on its delectable sauce on its tender ribs.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
This longtime barbecue food truck now serves its blend of barbecue inspired by the Carolinas and Alabama at a brick-and-mortar location too. Pictured here is the Talladega, beef brisket with two types of sauce mixed in before being sprinkled with chopped jalapenos and slices of conecuh sausage. Go: North Quarter Market, 885 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando. caro-bamabbq.com
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Mission BBQ smokes up no-frills barbecue that involves all the usuals — brisket, pork, chicken, sausage and ribs — in its first area location in Oviedo. The Maryland-based chain is centered around men and women in uniform, from highlighting crests as decor to offering special services for soldiers, firefighters, police officers or first responders. Go: 968 W. Mitchell Hammock Road, Oviedo; 407-479-3386; Mission-BBQ.com
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Even if you don't spot Harry & Larry's deep narrow space in the heart of Winter Garden's historic district, your nose will direct you to the barbecue mainstay.Go with thedry-rub seasoned brisket is moist and fork-tender and pairs perfectly with the restaurant's spicy barbecue sauce.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Mind your manners at The Polite Pig, a fast casual BBQ joint in Disney Springs by the Petrakis family (the minds behind The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park). Grab some meats from the smoker, unique takes on sides or a cocktail on tap (you heard me right).
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Barbecue and doughnuts is the unlikely duo that once you experience, you'll wonder why you didn't try them before. Besides barbecue mainstays such as pulled pork and smoked brisket, Smoke & Donuts serves some unique dishes as well. The Smokin' Doughnut Sandwich combines the eatery's namesakes — diners can choose from brisket or pulled pork to be sandwiched in a cake doughnut. Go: Find this food truck around town by following its Facebook page at Facebook.com/SmokeandDonuts
Kyle Arnold / Orlando Sentinel
Get ready for straight off the pit 'cue from this down-home barbecue joint. The cafeteria-like atmosphere serves up some mean baby back ribs.
Tom Benitez / Orlando Sentinel
This Central Florida institution is still committed toslow, wood-smoked barbeque.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Pig Floyd's smoked meats get a healthy dose of global flavors in their sauces, from tikka masala to chimichurri. Even the sides are unique to barbecue with options such as black beans and rice, grilled Mexican street corn, fried yuca and more. Go: 1326 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando and 9680 N. Narcoossee Road, Suite 103, Orlando. pigfloyds.com
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
This Clermont restaurant has been testing its St. Louis-style barbecue in competitions almost since it opened. Smoky pulled pork with a hint of bark goes well with the mustard-based barbecue sauce, but don't be afraid to try each of the eatery's dressings.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
You'll find your traditoinal barbecue plates along with some specialty sandwiches and dishes such as barbecue nachos.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Within Sugarboo's simple green building lies a mystery: the makeup of their main barbecue sauce. Described by the owners as "not quite mustard-based, not quite tomato-based, and not quite vinegar-based," it's a tangy, tasty blend of well ... something. Get the sauce tossed on the succulent ribs.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
This Central Florida powerhouse has expanded to South Florida and Atlanta as well. The brisket in particular is a favorite at this Texas-style barbecue joint. Take a look into each location - some offer a sweets shop.
Tom Burton / Orlando Sentinel
Hickory-smoked meats are fall-off-the-bone at this no frills 'cue joint.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
Caro-Bama's Talladega 'wich is stuffed with brisket, conecuh sausage, jalapenos and lots of sauce.
Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel
Check out this eatery'sslow-cooked barbecue and flame grilled specialties.
Lauren Delgado / Orlando Sentinel
2202 W. Pine St. i

PUBLISHED: May 8, 2018 at 1:25 p.m. | UPDATED: December 13, 2018 at 3:13 p.m.

May is a smokin’ month thanks to its distinction as National Barbecue Month.

Below, you’ll find a few of my favorite spots for barbecue in Central Florida — but you can find more options in the photo gallery above.

Caro-Bama BBQ

This longtime barbecue food truck now serves its blend of barbecue inspired by the Carolinas and Alabama at a brick-and-mortar location too. Pictured below is the Talladega sandwich with beef brisket with two types of sauce mixed in before being sprinkled with chopped jalapenos and slices of conecuh sausage (a special product made in Alabama).

Go: North Quarter Market, 885 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando. caro-bamabbq.com

Caro-Bama's Talladega 'wich is stuffed with brisket, conecuh sausage, jalapenos and lots of sauce. — Caro-Bama’s Talladega ‘wich is stuffed with brisket, conecuh sausage, jalapenos and lots of sauce.

Harry and Larry’s Bar-B-Que

Even if you don’t spot Harry & Larry’s deep narrow space in the heart of Winter Garden’s historic district, your nose will direct you to the barbecue mainstay. Go with the dry-rub seasoned brisket is moist and fork-tender and pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s spicy barbecue sauce.

Go: 54 Plant St. in Winter Garden; 407-614-5950

Jesse’s Rib Shack

Looks can be deceiving, and nowhere is this more true than at Jesse’s Rib Shack. Tucked inside a building that lives up to the “shack” in its name are some of the best ribs in Orlando.

Go: 2202 W. Pine St. in Orlando; 407-501-9299; Facebook

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa

Pig Floyd’s smoked meats get a healthy dose of global flavors in their sauces, from tikka masala to chimichurri. Even the sides are unique to barbecue with options such as black beans and rice, grilled Mexican street corn, fried yuca and more.

Go: 1326 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando and 9680 N. Narcoossee Road, Suite 103, Orlando. pigfloyds.com

Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa's brisket paired with plantains and black beans and rice. — Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa’s brisket paired with plantains and black beans and rice.

Smoke & Donuts

Barbecue and doughnuts is the unlikely duo that once you experience, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try them before.

Besides barbecue mainstays such as pulled pork and smoked brisket, Smoke & Donuts serves some unique dishes as well. The Smokin’ Doughnut Sandwich combines the eatery’s namesakes — diners can choose from brisket or pulled pork to be sandwiched in a cake doughnut.

Go: Find this food truck around town by following its Facebook page at Facebook.com/SmokeandDonuts

Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Q

Within Sugarboo’s simple green building lies a mystery: the makeup of their main barbecue sauce. Described by the owners as “not quite mustard-based, not quite tomato-based, and not quite vinegar-based,” it’s a tangy, tasty blend of well … something. Get the sauce tossed on the succulent ribs.

Go: 1305 N. Grandview St. in Mt Dora; 352-735-7675; sugarboo.com

Sugarboo's Bar-B-Q slathers on its delectable sauce on its tender ribs. — Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Q slathers on its delectable sauce on its tender ribs.

Uncle Kenny’s BBQ

This Clermont restaurant has been testing its St. Louis-style barbecue in competitions almost since it opened. Smoky pulled pork with a hint of bark goes well with the mustard-based barbecue sauce, but don’t be afraid to try each of the eatery’s dressings.

Go: 157 US-27, Clermont; 352-394-1225; unclekennysbbq.com