Smokin Jims - Auburndale

I've passed by Smokin Jim's many times – you really have to be paying attention, or you'll easily miss it. The restaurant doesn't stand out much and is somewhat obscured by a nondescript fence along the road. You'll need to pull in and park towards the back, then take a short walk past the smokehouse to get to the entrance. Inside, it's not fancy and fairly small, which gives it a vibe reminiscent of the classic fish camps we used to have in North Carolina around Charlotte, Gastonia, and Belmont. The atmosphere is casual, with picnic-style seating, paper towels, and plastic utensils. For BBQ enthusiasts, it's definitely worth a visit to check it out.