★★★★★
The ribs were beautiful — gorgeous bark, tender meat, full of flavor. The sides were exactly what you want with a BBQ plate.
BBQ · Springfield · Jacksonville
Fred Cotten's
Landmark BBQ
01
The place
Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ is a barbecue restaurant in Jacksonville's Historic Springfield neighborhood, located at 1417 N Main St. The business traces back to 1946, when Fred Cotten opened the original pit on North Main Street. The current location reopened in 2018 under owner Melanie Dosztan, who rehired longtime pitmaster Johnnie Brown to keep the original recipe intact. Meats are smoked over blackjack oak with no gas and prepared fresh daily. The menu centers on hand-pulled pork, sliced beef brisket, smoked ribs and smoked chicken, with sides including coleslaw, BBQ beans, collards, green beans and Brunswick stew. Pricing skews budget-friendly, with sandwich meals from around $7 and a half-slab of ribs at $14. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Sunday. Dine-in, takeout and third-party delivery are available.
Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ is a Jacksonville institution that traces its lineage to 1946, when Fred Cotten opened the original pit a few blocks up North Main Street. After a four-year closure, the smoker was relit in 2018 at 1417 N Main St in Historic Springfield, with longtime pitmaster Johnnie Brown brought back to keep the recipe untouched. The dining room is compact and unpretentious — bare-bones, fluorescent-lit, hung with old Springfield photos.
Order the ribs — bark-forward, fall-off-the-bone and smoked over blackjack oak — alongside a half-pound of sliced beef brisket that regulars single out for its smoke ring. Pulled pork, smoked chicken and Brunswick stew round out the meats, and the house BBQ sauce is poured on the side. Sides like coleslaw, BBQ beans, collard greens, green beans and fried okra get name-checked in reviews almost as often as the meat.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; the restaurant is closed Sunday. Reservations aren't taken — it's counter-style ordering with limited seating, so plan around the noon rush or phone in a takeout order. Delivery runs through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. Free street parking is plentiful along N Main and the Springfield grid.
Original recipe dating to 1946
Pitmaster Johnnie Brown stoking the fire since 1989
Smoked over blackjack oak — no gas
Counter-service, no-frills dining room
What to expect
Walk-up counter service with a chalkboard menu — order at the register, grab a number, eat in the cramped but cheerful dining room or carry it out. Cash and cards both work. Expect a Springfield-locals lunch crowd from 11:30 to 1, smoke drifting from the back pit, and near-instant turnaround on plates of ribs, brisket and pulled pork.
Then come for the photos
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The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
04
What people are saying
★★★★★
Brisket has that smoky richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture you don't find at most Jacksonville BBQ spots.
★★★★★
Great personal service even on a takeout order. They treat regulars and first-timers like family.
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Frequently asked
Does Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ take reservations?
No — service is counter-style with limited dine-in seating. Arrive before the noon rush, or call (904) 634-7571 ahead for large takeout orders.
Is Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ dog-friendly?
Dogs are not allowed in the dining room. Well-behaved dogs may be welcome on the small outdoor area at staff discretion — call ahead to confirm.
Where do I park near Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ?
Free street parking is available along N Main St and the surrounding Historic Springfield grid; a small lot near the building also serves the restaurant.
What are the most popular dishes at Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ?
Pork spare ribs, sliced beef brisket and pulled pork are the most-ordered items. Brunswick stew and the house coleslaw are the signature sides.
What are Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ's hours?
Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Does Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is the standard ordering method, and delivery is available via DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. Bulk meats by the pound are also available for parties.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ.
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From Instagram
@best_bbq_in_town