Best bbq in jax

Great place great service friendly people food was out of this world!

Awesome entertainment. Skytrain was Amazing!!!

food wasn't cook completely on everything but it otherwised tasted good and service was ok i guess

Excellent! Will definitely be back!! ~g

Excellent ribs!
Very friendly and efficient staff. Clean facilities and reasonable prices. We will be back!

1st time here with my fiancee and we love their food! Service was excellent!

Great food, good prices, decent service.

I've been eating at Fred's for 30 years....

The the cashier answered the phone very polite. I explained my order. She said it will be ready in 25mind an I have to was. The food order was correct and delicious.

Sonnys or any other bbq places dont even compare to Cottons. Eat more Cottons!!!!

Hometown legend. The owner is the most awesome man in the city.

The food and service here is always amazing!

Go there! Enjoy! (Repeat as necessary!) If you're in Jacksonville - or, anywhere in North Florida or South Georgia - stop reading this and get yourself to Fred Cotton's! If getting there right now isn't an option, then let me tell you what you're missing! First, if you're looking for some sparkly shiny landscaped building - this isn't it. Yes, there are bars on the window, yes there is a collapsing building across the road. So what. You want great BBQ and that is what matters. Inside Fred Cotton's you'll find one of the most comfortable, inviting, and modern restaurants you've ever seen. Seriously, this is the place Pinterest goes for decorating ideas. The food - oh Lord the food. Look, bring your wallet. Not because of the prices, but because you are seriously going to want to try everything. Please, do yourself a favor and order the fried pickles. Don't like fried pickles you say? Well, that's only because you didn't try them at Fred Cotten's! These are more like pickle potato chips. Then on to the ribs. Perfectly smoked, nice and meaty, served with some of the best.damn.sauce you could ever want. Oh - and the coleslaw. Fresh. Whomever invented coleslaw meant it to be this good. Not one bit of any hint of chemical taste. Just fresh ingredients. Bring a friend and go there. Your friend will love you, your taste buds will thank you, and your wallet will adore you. Go. Now!

Excellent...I go on Friday usually for 1/2 rack special..it's great, good sides too.

It's a good barbeque joint. I've never asked, but it seems they got real people in there cookin n bbqn it up because each time I go something always tastes different than the last time! So, u know... no pre made/package shiz. And our last trip...no sliced pork because everyone ate it and they were firing up another.

The ribs were super moist and very good. Id eaten half my plate before I realized I hadnt tried the sauce on them. The pulled pork sammich was also really good even without sauce! Id definitely recommend trying the brussel sprouts, I dont usually like them but Id eat these every day. Our waitress was also awesome :)

Good for first time will go back

Great service and hostess

#1 bbq shop in Jax. I overlooked this place for so long and recently made a trip out here and now I'm hooked ! Pulled pork on point son!

Sketchy on the outside, food on the inside is damn good. It is a landmark and the food there is some of the best you will ever have.

The best pulled pork

Comfortable, good bbq, and decent portions at an affordable price. I'll definitely be back.

Great food and Friendly Service!! Great local business.

Been a satisfied customer for years

Great folks. Great food. No BBQ Sauce needed. However the sauces doesn't compliment the meat.

Cotton's Bar-B-Q has been around forever. It is still just as delicious as it was when my grandmother used to take me there in the late 60's. Everything is tasty! Although the "new" location is adorable. Reclaimed wood and exposed brick give it a historic feel. Real old school BarBQ at it's best. The staff is friendly and attentive. Prices are better than I expected for the portions given. Loved it!

Fantastic lunch, great environment, and nice people.

They had a good selection of vegetable sides. Good prices and specials. Good food and service. The brussel sprouts were really good. The two female waitresses were very nice and friendly. I definitely would go back to it.

Food was wonderful would definitely recommend and return

Allways great service from all the ladys who work there keeps me coming back

Good food and excellent service....very clean establishment.....very affordable.....best BBQ RIBS!!

Good ribs and chicken great price

Great service, and the best bbq I've had in downtown Jacksonville!

This is a family place to eat the employees are great it's always clean the people always nice thank you for your kindness and I'm glad we can support you God bless you

Best BBQ in town!

Always like home they are like family!!

Had the ribs, sausage, and a bunch of sides. All were excellent. The sauces were very good, especially the hot mustard.

Very good staff super friendly an for it to be a barbeque spot the prices and deals that they have are amazing there potato salad and macaroni is off the hook the meat is excellent too

I enjoy the service, atmosphere, and absolutely love the food. I eat there just about three to four time a week. Mel, Bonnie, Kelly, and the Megans' treat you like family. Great Place to eat.

Excellent BBQ . Nice friendly staff.

A1 food and service as always

Cotten's is like an oasis, GOOD FOOD, GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD ATMOSPHERE ! Thanks Joe

Ordered the three meat salad and got a TON of meat. You definitely get lots of food for the price. The meat was flavorful and it was all really good.

Great place to eat

4 rib dinner with green beans and mac and cheese fed both me and my 7 year old son. Great ribs, great fries, great okra appetizer. Big portions for the money. If you can't fire up the smoker for yourself, Cottens will take care of you.

Tammy is a good waitress.good food.

The sliced BBQ is great and the shrimp is so tasty. But the real awesomeness was the Brussels sprouts. I ordered two sides and my 7 year old can't get enough. The Mac and cheese was over cooked but I still couldn't stop eating it. The service was spot on I will definitely keep coming back.

I have always gotten take out from here but have never actually been inside the restaurant. It is very clean. The food is excellent with nice smoke. We had a rack of ribs and brisket. The greens are very good too.

"Mayport" shrimp available daily, at a BBQ no less. These were huge and delicious!

ribs were pretty good and the whole chicken is not whole its just quarters and wings .when menu says whole i expect whole .chicken flavor is excellent sausage was the best but on the pricey side.

amazing ribs

Great bbq freindly staff

Great bar b que. Reasonable priced. Went right at noon and were seated and got our food pretty quick.

Get service great food love to eat here!

Best of both worlds GREAT BBQ and Seafood! Original BBQ Sauce and Salad Dressing recipes. Great Quality and very generous serving sizes. Best Ribs and Beef Brisket in town. Eat there regularly and have had them cater 3 events. Food is consistently GOOD! You won't be disappointed.

My fav place for Bbq..

My very first time here. Food was good and the people friendly.

Was very good. Great food and service

This place deserves a special place marker in your CONTACT LIST under "GO TO PLACE FOR BBQ and GOOD FOOD". The Pork, Beef and Chicken have always been a favorite amongst our family and friends - when out of the blue, my good friend Vic orders the shrimp. Vic's a great guy and an accomplished Cello Player - but he's a stickler about his shrimp. He left the room with shrimp in hand, returned to the lunch table with a look of reverance and awe light up his aura - "....this may be the best shrimp I have ever eaten..." (que the tear drop) - let's just say - I am ordering shrimp next time. As ALWAYS Meagan Graham and the entire staff at FCLMBBQ has hit a GRAND SLAM homerun. Thank you Fred Cotten Staff - you turn an ordinary lunch into a culinary event fit for royalty. If you have NOT been to FC's in a while or it's your fist time - you need to get acquainted really really really fast! From Joe and the Gang at Mazda City - God Bless you all!

Highly recommend!! The food was soooooooooo good! We ordered fried corn as an appetizer and had the wing lunch with a sweet potato and collard greens! And he ordered the fried shrimp lunch!!! Everyone was so nice and the service was really quick!!!
- Brandy L.

Wow. Wow. Fred’s is such a good BBQ joint that you can always count on for quality, fast great meals. I come by for lunch at least once, if not twice a week with my coworkers and it can’t be beat. Dying to come by and try the all you can eat BBQ. I wouldn’t dare have if weekdays. They have daily specials and I’ve had almost all of them with no complaint.
- Bianca B.

I stopped by for lunch the service was great the food was hot and delicious. The portion size was plentiful.

The MOAB was an Awesome sandwich!!!! The collard greens were AMAZING They were literally melt in your mouth tender but full of flavor. The BBQ Sauces were all great and did not over power the food. Lastly I came even believe I am writing this but the slaw was TASTY!!!!
- Ned A.

Cotton’s Bar-B-Que is a mainstay near downtown Jacksonville and recently moved to this location from 17th and Main Street in Jacksonville. They are well known for their high quality of food and fabulous sauces.
I ordered the half slab of Ribs and took half of them
Home with me. The staff are very friendly and attentive to their customers. The meat was slow cooked and seasoned to perfection. They have limited seating (about 50 seats), and they fill up quickly during lunch hour.
If your in the Springfield area of town then I highly recommend you trying this for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!!
- Bobby D.

OMG. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! We visited on a Saturday shortly after opening, and in the hour we were there all the tables were taken and there were several customers waiting for to-go orders. Everyone in our party got something different, which was great because we all sampled everything - ribs, pork, chicken, mac and cheese, collards, BBQ beans, fries. Y'all, it was all SO GOOD. I don't normally eat ribs, but the ribs here were so tender and flavorful. I loved the mac and cheese! My husband had the all-you-can-eat special - $14.99 for so much food. He raved about all the meats he had. The original barbecue sauce - it's mustard based - has just enough of a kick, but not too much. The sweet sauce? Just sweet enough without making you feel like you're eating syrup (like some chain barbecue restaurants). And the banana pudding is a nice, sweet treat.

You will drive by this place if you're not actively looking for it. Don't be swayed by the outside appearance - you will find phenomenal barbecue here with friendly service. Wear something you don't mind getting messy in. :)
- Olivia E.

The new Fred Cotten's is simply put, as good as it gets! From Bbq to seafood and all else in between. Smoked Turkey on Thursdays and Baby Backs and live music on Fridays. Be sure to try the fried shrimp!
- Chris C.

I've passed Fred Cotten's for years and never stopped. Today, my colleagues and I decided to try them out. I ordered the beef brisket lunch special with green beans and mac and cheese. The food was delicious... although I'd have loved to see Texas toast in place of the slice of white bread that was included in my meal. I'll definitely be back again
- Autumn M.

If you haven’t tried Fred Cotten’s Landmark BBQ, I highly recommend you do!!! The food is delicious, the customer service is superior and I love the 80’s music choice. I have been to many restaurants but none can compete with Fred’s BBQ! I will be back to enjoy the experience once more.
- Andrew D.

Family Owned, clean, great customer service and Delicious BBQ, Pup and I approve, will be back, Yum!!!!!
- Nancy C.

I have been eating Cottons bbq since i was a child. im now 59 yrs old. Best BBQ ever made. We always ate at the orginal store on 16th and Main. Havent had any since that location closed. Now i know where this one is next time im in Jax you can trust and believe ill be getting me some Cottons BBQ. So so good!!! Same quailty and taste for over 50 years....
- Cindy R.

Had lunch there yesterday. Used to go there frequently when it was under Fred Cotton's ownership. Now that I know it's open again, under the new ownership, I will be going back for more! Same original recipes, even have the option of the original salad and dressing. It is absolutely delicious! Everything was so good. The staff is super friendly, feel like you're eating with friends and family. The only difference is it's much brighter and cleaner
- Jennifer B.