I BAR B QUE EXPRESS INC
Few Lake County kitchens score higher than I BAR B QUE EXPRESS INC — an A at 98/100, safer than 92% of Lake County restaurants we grade.
Its latest inspection on June 17, 2026 cited 2 basic violations. Diners give it 4.5 across 1,326 reviews. Menus here flag options for gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and paleo diners.
A · 98/100 · safer than 92% of Lake County restaurants we grade
Get directions Call (352) 315-4227
Restaurant details
- Health grade
- A (98/100)
- Violations
- 2 total — 2 basic
- Address
- 3170 US 441/27, Fruitland Park, FL
- Cuisine
- Other
- Categories
- Barbecue restaurant
- Price
- $10–20
- Rating
- 4.5 stars (1326 reviews)
- Seats
- 100
- Phone
- (352) 315-4227
- Website
- Official website
Community Rating
Reviews via GoogleWhat diners say — our read
Reviews here split hard: 17 five-star against 2 one-star, with little in between. Service tends to be raised approvingly here, averaging 4.2 stars.
One subject never comes up here: what it costs. Coverage here reaches back to Dec 2025 and forward to Jun 2026. Of the 21 rated reviews, 19 sit at four stars or better and 2 at two or below.
The health record runs ahead of the reviews. The last DBPR inspection returned an A (98/100) with 2 basic violations. DBPR last walked in on June 17, 2026. The trend across inspections is improvement. On health score it sits safer than 92% of the Lake County restaurants we grade. The citations behind that grade include floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained.
With both signals pointing the same way, there is little to argue about on this listing. The individual reviews are below, newest first, if you want the raw material.
Our own analysis of 21 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →
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The staff are nice but the food isnt great.
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First time there and we will be back! I had the chopped pork sandwiche and husband had the ribs. Both were delicious, and plenty of food
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Amazing family restaurant
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Super Clean and to the point
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Great food; wonderful, friendly service!! Love this place!
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Such a Great Restaurant!! BBQ is my Favorite! My Dad took me there! Its one of his Favorite Dinner Spots to go for Great eats!! Great portions! Sweet tea is spot on n Southern all the way!
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I am absolutely amazed but the country cooking and soul food and service is of the chain
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Good Food. Service was great. Home style fell.
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Great bbq restaurant! I also am a fellow smoker of meats and this place does meats justice. The sauces to accompany meats are great compliments. I had bbq chicken,sausage, 2 chopped pork sandwiches and a plate of sliders. The sides were great too (green beans, greens and mac n cheese). I'm trying the "fish" next.
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It's the best barbeque anywhere
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If you want the best BBQ in Lake County stop in here. The people are friendly and the food is amazing. Don't forget to have some banana pudding before you leave.
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The BEST fried chicken that I've had in years!!!! The friendliest, most helpful owners and staff. Excellent experience.
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Best restaurant near the villages! Excellent home cooking
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It was 15 mins to 8pm an the establishment able to provide dinner. Food was Amazing, seasoning on point and atmosphere calm, pleasant and relaxing. We will definitely be back.
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YESTERDAY WAS MY FIRST TIME EATING AT I BARQUE EXPRESS THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT AND THE STAFF WAS EXCELLENT,I WOULD EAT THERE AGAIN AND I LOVED THE PEACH COBBLER IT WAS SO SO GOOD.
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Great meals@
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Really good food,great service!
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I smoke my own meats usually. But the wife and I were running errands and she wanted to stop. I really glad we did. First off the atmosphere was dive bar/old school bbq joint. Everyone and I do mean everyone was super friendly and pleasant. The foid was top notch. The brusket was very good. The pulled pork was fantastic. The ribs were very tender abd the flavor was on point. The chicken is some of the best smoked chicken I've ever had at a resurant. The sausage was flavorful but was too spicy for me but Im a whimp when it comes to heat. The mac n cheese was good. The smoked buttered corn was great. The green beans were great. The corn bread was more sweet than savory but Im a Yankee and like it on the sweeter side. I was very impressed with the food and will definitely be back. Once again the service was amazing everyone was helpfull and friendly! I highly recomend iBarbque!!
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The staff here is extremely friendly, and the restaurant is clean—no complaints there. Unfortunately, the food just didn’t hit the mark for me. Both times I visited, I watched the back kitchen microwave all our sides, which left the dishes bland and oily. Honestly, for a place called I Barbecue, it should really be called I Microwave. I had high hopes as someone new to the area and am sure the food might be better when prepared fresh. That said, the staff’s kindness and the clean environment are definite positives.
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Great local place! Cornbread is outstanding
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Great food! Whole family loved it ribs, catfish, and the best sliders I’ve ever had.
Overall Score
77 / 100
Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.
Opening hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 11 AM to 8 PM
- Wednesday
- 11 AM to 8 PM
- Thursday
- 11 AM to 8 PM
- Friday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Inspection history
The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.
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June 17, 2026 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
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June 16, 2026 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Extension given, pending
1 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
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June 2, 2026 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Extension given, pending
1 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
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June 2, 2026 · Complaint Partial
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic
No violations cited.
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May 22, 2026 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
1 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 5 basic
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×3)
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
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May 13, 2026 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Extension given, pending
1 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 6 basic
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×3)
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
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May 1, 2026 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Extension given, pending
2 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 7 basic
- 06 — Potentially hazardous foods properly thawed
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×3)
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
- 50 — Current license, properly displayed
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April 22, 2026 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
4 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 7 basic
- 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
- 06 — Potentially hazardous foods properly thawed
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×3)
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
- 50 — Current license, properly displayed
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December 9, 2025 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 3 basic
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
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December 4, 2025 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
2 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 5 basic
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training (×3)
This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →
Data last updated: June 17, 2026