Best BBQ catering in Orlando
These are the seven Orlando businesses where BBQ catering is the main event, not a side menu item, ranked by our earned composite methodology covering rating, review volume, recency and sentiment.
Looking for the best plate to eat in-house rather than book for an event? See our separate ranking of the best BBQ restaurants overall. This list only counts businesses whose catering operation is a primary service.
Picks are ranked by score and relevance to bbq catering, so a lower overall score can rank higher here.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CDL BBQ at Home | 89 | 5 (122) | — | Corporate & large-event catering |
| 2 | Smokemade Meats + Eats | 85 | 4.6 (587) | — | Smoked meats by the tray, value pricing |
| 3 | Smoke & Donuts BBQ | 84 | 4.7 (1141) | moderate | BBQ paired with brunch or dessert catering |
| 4 | Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que | 80 | 4.4 (2398) | moderate | Traditional Orlando BBQ, big groups |
| 5 | Jerkman BBQ | 73 | 4.2 (578) | inexpensive | Jerk-style BBQ catering |
| 6 | Kenny’s BBQ | 70 | 4.2 (90) | — | Late-night food truck BBQ |
| 7 | Orlando BBQ Company | 59 | 4.6 (11) | — | On-site cook-out catering, dietary flexibility |
Ranked picks
CDL BBQ at Home
Why it ranks first
CDL BBQ at Home holds a near-perfect 5-star average across more than 120 catering jobs, with reviewers naming staff like Carlos, Felipe and Thiago for running events from 40-person office lunches to 90-guest celebrations without a hitch. The Brazilian grilling background shows up in the meat's tenderness and in touches like guava jam pairings and fresh sides plated with real care.
Pros
- Meat consistently praised as tender and cooked to order
- Named staff get called out for attentive, polished service
- Elegant plating and setup that elevates corporate events
- Scales smoothly from 40-person lunches to 90+ guest parties
Watch out: One reviewer flagged unsafe driving from a delivery staffer, an outlier in an otherwise clean record.
Services: bbq catering, bbq food truck
Smokemade Meats + Eats
Why it ranks second
With 587 reviews and a 4.6 average, Smokemade backs up its catering trays with pulled pork, brisket and housemade sausage that reviewers describe as heavily smoked and still juicy after the drive home. Portions run generous and prices undercut other Orlando BBQ spots, which is part of why regulars keep coming back.
Pros
- 100% Certified Angus Beef brisket and pulled pork
- Housemade smoked sausage with real depth of flavor
- Generous portions at competitive prices
- Warm, welcoming counter staff
Watch out: Popular cuts sell out by early afternoon, so call ahead or order catering trays in advance.
Services: smokehouse bbq, carolina style bbq, bbq catering, bbq food truck
Smoke & Donuts BBQ
Why it ranks third
Smoke & Donuts pairs oak-smoked brisket, ribs and pulled pork with handmade donuts, a combination that's earned it the largest review base on this list at over 1,100 reviews and a 4.7 average. It's a strong pick for events that want barbecue and dessert handled by one kitchen, though the volume of business here means service isn't always as tight as the food.
Pros
- Genuine slow-smoked flavor on brisket, ribs and pulled pork
- Handmade donuts as a built-in dessert option
- Casual, welcoming atmosphere
- Distinctive concept that stands out from typical Orlando BBQ
Watch out: Donuts and brunch items can sell out midday, and some reviewers report order mix-ups or slow service.
Services: smokehouse bbq, bbq catering, bbq food truck, bbq buffet · Price: moderate
Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que
Why it ranks fourth
Bubbalou's has run out of the same Southwest Orlando spot for over two decades, and its nearly 2,400 reviews reflect a loyal following that includes out-of-state visitors seeking the original recipe. Ribs, brisket and Southern sides are the draw, with staff and cleanliness earning steady praise alongside the food.
Pros
- Consistent recipes across two decades in business
- Generous portions on ribs, brisket and sides
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Wide range of house BBQ sauces to choose from
Watch out: Some reviewers mention long waits and occasional inconsistency with side dishes.
Services: rib house, smokehouse bbq, carolina style bbq, bbq catering · Price: moderate
Jerkman BBQ
Why it ranks fifth
Jerkman built its name on jerk chicken and ribs bold enough that customers drive in from Winter Haven and Port St Lucie for it, and food quality holds up across nearly every visit in its 578 reviews. The catch is on the logistics side: delivery timing and how complaints get handled have been inconsistent enough to pull the overall sentiment down to mixed.
Pros
- Signature jerk chicken draws repeat, long-distance customers
- Ribs and wings praised alongside the chicken
- Inexpensive pricing for the portion size
- Multiple locations for convenience
Watch out: Delivery delays are a recurring complaint, and some reviewers found follow-up on issues dismissive.
Services: smokehouse bbq, bbq catering, bbq buffet · Price: inexpensive
Kenny’s BBQ
Why it ranks sixth
Kenny's runs three smokers out of a fenced lot near Fairvilla Road and stays open late on weekends, with fans praising fall-off-the-bone ribs, smoked chicken and a genuinely distinctive sauce lineup. Reviews over the past year are split, though: this is a medium-confidence pick (90 reviews) where quality swings between excellent and disappointing depending on the visit.
Pros
- Multiple smokers running for variety and volume
- Late-night weekend availability
- House-made sauces including honey mustard and spicy mustard
- Staff know regulars and move orders quickly
Watch out: Recent visits report burnt or dry ribs and skimpy portions, a real drop from the shop's earlier reputation.
Services: smokehouse bbq, bbq catering, carolina style bbq, bbq food truck
Orlando BBQ Company
Why it ranks seventh
Orlando BBQ Company cooks on site at events and has reportedly been doing it for over 40 years, with reviewers praising the staff's willingness to accommodate last-minute bookings and dietary needs at flat-rate pricing. This is a low-confidence read with only 11 reviews, so the strong 4.6 average should be treated as an early signal rather than a settled track record.
Pros
- Cooks on site rather than dropping off trays
- Accommodates dietary restrictions and last-minute requests
- Flat-rate dinner pricing simplifies budgeting
- Long-running operation with decades of catering experience
Watch out: Very few reviews to go on, and past visitors have had trouble locating the business due to signage issues.
Services: bbq catering, bbq food truck, bbq buffet