For a restaurant built on slow-smoked meat, Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q got a very different kind of smoke early Wednesday when an overnight kitchen fire temporarily shut down the beloved Tampa joint on West Kennedy Boulevard. Fire crews knocked the flames down quickly, and no injuries were reported, but the doors are staying closed while the damage is checked out.
Firefighters arrived just after midnight
Tampa Fire Rescue said crews rolled up "just after midnight" to a reported structure fire in the 4100 block of West Kennedy Boulevard and were able to put out the blaze in short order. The cause is still under investigation. As reported by Yahoo News, the department also shared a photo showing smoke lingering around the building.
Owner says kitchen damage will take weeks to repair
According to Spot On Florida, the restaurant's owner told 10 Tampa Bay he expects Jimbo's to stay closed for roughly one to two weeks while contractors repair the damaged kitchen. He did not offer an exact reopening date, so regulars will have to wait a bit longer for their next plate of ribs.
Longtime Tampa fixture
The West Kennedy location, listed on the restaurant's site at Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q, has been dishing out oak-smoked meats and hearty breakfasts for decades. Local coverage and loyal customers consistently describe the spot as a longtime staple of Tampa's barbecue scene.
Investigation and next steps
Tampa Fire investigators are going over the scene to figure out what sparked the blaze, and officials have not released a cause. For updates on repairs and reopening, customers are being pointed toward local broadcast reports and the restaurant's website. Spot On Florida noted that the owner's remarks were shared through 10 Tampa Bay's coverage, which also included video from the scene.
