By Rachelle Lucas

Barbecue seems to be the epitome of southern comfort foods. Slow cooked, fall-off-the bone meats.  Sweet and tangy finger-licking marinades. Buttery grilled corn-on-the-cob, cool and crunchy coleslaw, and thick slices of bread to sop up left over sauce on your plate.  

Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

If you've got a craving for some tender and delicious barbecue, but need a break from the heat of the grill this summer, here's a quick guide on where to find some of the best barbecue throughout Florida.  

There seem to be as many different variations in sauce, style, and sides as there are in the spelling of this popular summertime meal, but with so many choices I'm sure there's something for everyone on this list.

In Northwest Florida, the place to go is small Airstream food truck permanently parked in Seaside: Barefoot B-B-Q.  It's a great place to grab a bite to go or to just sit and hang out at one of their picnic tables and share a plateful of BBQ nachos with friends.

Jacksonville.com has a Top 10 list to help guide you through their countless choices of spots for excellent barbecue, two of which have been in business for over 50 years. You know with a history like that, they're bound to be delicious.

If you find yourself cruising down the east coast, there's Captain's BBQ in Palm Coast that is accessible by both boat and by car.

In my hometown of Orlando, there are several local favorites including Bubbalous Bodacious Bar B Que that has been serving up delicious pulled pork sandwiches since 1986. And there's 4 Rivers Smokehouse with their award-winning smoked brisket, house-made sauces, coffee rub, and sweet shop.

And finally, Miami might be better known for its fine dining and Cuban cuisine, but there are two barbecue joints that are going neck-to-neck in popularity, and their names, Shorty's and Sparky's, certainly make this competition as fun cheer for as a college football game.

Places to Remember