- Attraction: Tropical Smokehouse
- Location: 3815 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
- Industry: Barbecue Restaurant
- Website: https://www.eattropical.com
Welcome to Tropical Smokehouse, where Pitmaster Rick Mace has been redefining what Southern barbecue can be since opening in January 2021.
This isn’t your typical smokehouse – it’s a tropical twist on BBQ that celebrates Florida’s unique culinary identity with dishes like mojo pulled pork, jerk turkey, and plantains that perfectly complement the slow-smoked meats.
The restaurant has quickly gained national recognition, earning the distinction of “Best BBQ in Florida” from Southern Living Magazine and landing Chef Mace a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination.
With two locations in West Palm Beach, Tropical Smokehouse serves what they proudly call “Florida’s Craft Barbecue” – a fusion of traditional smoking techniques with Caribbean and Latin flavors that reflect South Florida’s diverse culture.
BBQ Highlights That Set This Place Apart
The Legendary Brisket: You’ll discover perfectly smoked prime brisket with a beautiful bark and tender interior that falls apart at the touch of a fork.
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Keep Exploring →The meat showcases hours of patient smoking, creating that ideal balance of smoky flavor without overpowering the natural beef taste. Each slice comes with house-made barbecue sauces, including their signature coffee-infused sauce made with Café Bustelo.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs: The Duroc pork spare ribs are cooked to absolute perfection, seasoned with coarse cracked pepper and smoked until the meat literally slides off the bone. These ribs consistently earn rave reviews for their tenderness and rich, smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with their mustard-based barbecue sauce.
The Smash Burger Sensation: You might be surprised to learn that this BBQ joint serves what many consider one of the best burgers in South Florida. The Old Fashioned Double Cheeseburger features perfectly smashed patties with caramelized edges, thick pickles, red onions, and a sriracha-mayo special sauce on a potato bun. It’s become so popular they serve up to 200 burgers daily.
Tropical Fish Specialties: What truly sets this place apart is their smoked fish offerings. The smoked Scottish salmon and crispy fish sandwich featuring smoked and fried mahi with fire BBQ sauce showcase Chef Mace’s fine dining background. The smoked fish dip has become a local favorite, packed with flavor and just the right amount of heat.
Caribbean-Inspired Sides: You’ll love the sweet plantains that provide a perfect tropical complement to the smoky meats. The black beans and rice, yucca fries, and golden rice reflect the restaurant’s Florida barbecue philosophy. The hush puppies with chili-honey butter are absolutely divine – crispy outside with a fluffy interior and that incredible sweet-spicy butter.
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Discover MoreUnique Proteins: The Cajun gator sausage (80% gator, 20% pork) offers a mild, pleasant flavor that’s surprisingly approachable. The jerk turkey breast brings Caribbean spice to traditional barbecue, while the mojo pulled pork features a citrus and garlic marinade that adds bright notes to the rich, smoky pork.
Atmosphere & Dining Experience
Casual Florida Vibes: You’ll find a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly captures South Florida’s relaxed dining culture. The restaurant features both indoor seating and a comfortable patio area with fans and adjustable music, making it ideal for families and even pet-friendly dining.
Modern Ordering System: The restaurant uses a contemporary phone-based ordering system where you can order directly from your table or at the bar. While some find this modern approach refreshing, others prefer traditional table service – but the efficiency means your food arrives quickly and hot.
Sauce Bar Experience: You’ll discover an impressive array of house-made sauces at their sauce bar, including Coffee BBQ sauce, Florida Fire (spicy), Mustard, Sweet, and their special white BBQ sauce made with ginger and citrus. Each sauce offers a different flavor profile to complement various meats.
Dog-Friendly Touches: Pet owners will appreciate that they offer smoked pig ears for dogs – a unique touch that shows their attention to the whole family dining experience.
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Keep Exploring →Other Considerations
Fair Pricing for Quality: You’ll find the pricing sits in the mid-tier range for barbecue restaurants, with most entrees ranging from $13-16. While not the cheapest option, the quality of ingredients, preparation time, and generous portions make it excellent value for award-winning barbecue. The three-sides-for-$12 deal provides good variety for families.
Happy Hour Deals: You can take advantage of daily happy hour from 4:30-6:30 PM featuring half-off snacks and 25% off house drinks, plus discounted burgers that make it an even better value.
Parking Convenience: The restaurant offers both front and back parking areas, making it easily accessible without the street parking hassles common to many West Palm Beach establishments.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: You’ll find this is an excellent spot for families with kids, featuring a kid-friendly menu and casual environment where children are welcome. The patio seating provides extra space for families to spread out comfortably.
Two Locations: Besides the original Dixie Highway location, they’ve opened Tropical BBQ Market downtown for grab-and-go options, perfect when you want to take their incredible barbecue home or to the beach.
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Discover MoreTiming Your Visit: Tuesday through Sunday service runs from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM (closed Mondays). Arriving during off-peak hours ensures shorter waits, though the efficient ordering system keeps things moving even during busy periods.
Tropical Smokehouse
📍 3815 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
