Naples Florida Named Best Place To Live In The U.S.

U.S. News & World Report is out with their new Best Place To Live In The United States rankings and Southwest Florida sits on top. Jumping up from number 6 last year, Naples, Florida has been named the best place to live in the country. US News states:

"Naples, Florida, took No. 1 this year due to its strong job market and quality of life scores. New data considerations– including a shift from metropolitan area-based data, used in previous editions of the rankings, to city-based data– resulted in many new appearances in the top 25 from places located in the Midwest and South."

The knock on Naples is affordability. According to Realtor.com, "The median listing home price in Naples, FL was $795K" last month. Yes Naples is wonderful, if you can afford to live there.

In the 2023-24 rankings, Naples was ranked in 6th place, behind Sarasota, Florida which was 5th. Now in first place, US News describes Naples as "Long known as a preferred retirement spot for the rich, powerful and cold-averse, the greater Naples and Marco Island area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping."

U.S. News asked thousands of people to tell them what factors are important to them when choosing a place to live. Based on this survey, they categorized the data into four indexes: Quality of Life Index (32%), Value Index (27%), Job Market Index (22%) and Desirability Index (19%). Here's where Florida cities ranked on the top 100.

13 of the Top 100 in the best place to live rankings were right here in Florida. And 3 of the top 37 in the country are right here in Southwest Florida. The big story here, however, is not Naples. Or Sarasota. It's Fort Myers. After Hurricane Ian, a devastated Fort Myers was 91st on last year's list. With a lot of rebuilding, jumping from 91 to 37 on this list is a tremendous accomplishment.

It was back in 2022 when I made this list, and then followed it up in 2023. Now, let's make the needed edits to show the best BBQ restaurants In Southwest Florida for 2024. Because great bbq is worth the drive, we'll expand outside of Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral, and include some spots in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Brand new to the list is a spot on Anna Maria Island. 

Fans of great bbq are fiercely loyal to their favorites. That’s why I took the conjecture out of it. By using an algorithm based on rankings from Trip Advisor, We are able to rank the top bbq restaurants in Southwest Florida. Yes, there’s some chains in here with more than one location, but if it’s amazing, maybe that’s why they have more than one location. Makes sense?

For as much as some people want to bash on Rib City, they're always busy. And why does one Michelbob's rank higher than the other? I'm guessing it's location.

Personally, some of the best bbq I've ever had came from my neighbor Keith. But not everyone has the skill or the all day long needed to make amazing bbq. What that man can do with a bag of chicken thighs is otherworldly.

The best bbq restaurants on this list vary from chain restaurants to family run giant smoker in the parking lot mom and pops. Not gonna lie. Those are my favorites. You can smell them as you roll up into the parking lot. There's a few of those on the list.

And don’t @ me if you don't like the selections, I used Trip Advisor's math to create this list. I’ll make the address linkable so you can read more about the place, and get directions and all that.  Hurricane Ian really rattled the past couple of lists, but I think most of places are back up to full speed. You can @ me if there's any places that are closed. And just to end the suspense, the McDonald's McRib did not make the list. Why do people always get so excited about that thing? 

Let's do it. The Best BBQ Restaurants In South West Florida – Ranked

1217 SE 47th Ter, Cape Coral, FL 33904-9844 A solid bbq spot in Cape Coral. High quality meats make all the difference at BIG8. Try the brisket. This is really a good place to start this list. 

1641 N Tamiami Trl, North Fort Myers, FL 33903-5504 Crossing the bridge into North Fort Myers is worth it. There's some amazing food on the other side of the Caloosahatchee. This is a Mom And Pop type of place that focuses on food and fair prices. Good food and a good deal makes Smoke'n Pit special.

11561 Majestic Palms Blvd #120, Fort Myers, FL 33908-3381 The Rib City in the San Carlos / McGregor section of Fort Myers. I think one of the draws to Rib City is their consistency. Although I don't have them as my number one go to, you always know exactly what to expect.

5718 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209-2539

The first thing you'll notice here is the aroma. Good luck driving by Pig Out and not smelling what thy got going on. They really know how to advertise that smoke :) Big portions, and reasonable prices.

5000 E Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34292-2541 Can't decide between seafood and bbq? You don't have to. This place truly has an old Florida feel, situated on the bank of the Myakka River. It's delicious bbq and local craft beers.

https://www.snookhaven.com/

4705 US Highway 301 N, Ellenton, FL 34222-2871 Down home country cooking. Corn fritters, smoked turkey, traditional smoked ribs. This is truly a "local" place. If you're not familiar, Ellenton is just north of Bradenton and it's the furthest north spot on this list.

https://www.hickoryhollowbbq.com/

12128 South Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33907 Dropping a couple of spots from last year's list is Famous Dave's in Fort Myers. Grab you a brisket or chopped pork platter. They keep the sauces on the table so you can try 'em all.

https://www.famousdaves.com/Ft-Myers

1528 State St, Sarasota, FL 34236-5832

Also dropping a couple of spots from last year is Brick's in Sarasota. Definitely another "locals" spot featuring, of course, smoked meats. Beef, pork, chicken or sausage. Get the mac n' cheese, too.

https://www.brickssmokedmeats.com/

2278 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901-2937

Moving up 4 spots from last year is The Lodge, downtown Fort Myers. Do the the 3 meat combo- ribs, pulled pork, brisket. All meats come in a dry rub and each table has 4 different types of  sauce to choose from. Plus 2 sides and corn bread. Woo!

https://www.thelodgefl.com/

915 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145-2742 Dropping one spot is the Michelbob's on Marco Island. Keep in mind this location is take out only. Get the ribs, of course, but also try the smoked jalapeño cheese sausage. Then bring it back to your place to enjoy .

https://www.michelbobs.com/

371 Airport Pulling Rd N, Naples, FL 34104-3520

And the dine in of the two. Michelbob's Naples. Racks of ribs and smoked meats and homemade bbq sauces make this a must try for anyone in Naples.

https://www.michelbobs.com/

4836 Leonard St, Cape Coral, FL 33904-9151 I swear Rib City isn't sponsoring this list. Their name just keeps popping up. But this is the last one. The Cape Coral Rib City is the highest rated of the chain on this list.

https://ribcity.com/

4519 Tamiami Trl E, Naples, FL 34112-6723 My only problem with this place is that it's so far away from my house in Estero. Texas Tony's is amazing. Super laid back with great food and 2 for 1 drinks make this a local favorite and a destination trip. A good as reason as any to drive to East Naples. I haven't tried their Cape Coral location, yet.

215 Tamiami Trl S, Venice, FL 34285-2420

Truly the big mover on the list. Darrell's went from 13 last year all the way up to 6 this year. You show up for the brisket, you come back for what might be "the best baked beans ever." And if you're from the south - they got chicken livers, too.

801 S Indiana Ave, Englewood, FL 34223-3790

Englewood! As soon as you pull in, you know you're in for a treat. Just look at that building. This is what a bbq spot should look like. Brisket and ribs are the fav. A special treat on the menu is the baked potato topped with butter, cheese, and chopped brisket. It's a meal.

https://txbestbarbecue.com/

3591 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33952-5528 Holding on to the number 4 spot is Wally's in Port Charlotte. Bring a date and get the ribs for 2 and sweet slaw. Very casual, local spot, and that is a beautiful picture.

https://www.wallysbbq.com/

661 Tamiami Trl, Venice, FL 34285-3237 Now that we're out of season you may be able to get a table without the wait. This place is popular. Gotta say, being in Venice it was a smart move naming your place after a slot machine. Very smart.

https://www.goldrushbbq.com/#welcome

1701 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island, FL 34217-2326

Smokqehouse wasn't even on this list last year, and now it's at number 2. BBQ on Anna Maria Island, I would not have guessed that. Fabulous pulled pork and get this - poutine. A Cuban with smoked beef? This place sounds amazing.

12984 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907-3821

Still number one in Southwest Florida is Mission BBQ in Fort Myers. The second you walk in, you know you're in the right place. Try the brisket, babyback, and spare ribs. Lots of different sauces to choose from and I'm hearing something about banana pudding? The staff is amazing, Mission is a gem in Fort Myers.

https://mission-bbq.com/