Jimmy's The Original Fat Boy BBQ — Legendary Roadside Smoke
The BBQ kings of St. Maarten since the early 90s.
Why Go
Jimmy's The Original Fat Boy BBQ on Walter Nisbet Road started as a food truck in the early 1990s and has become a Philipsburg institution. Voted number one BBQ by locals and visitors, this family-run spot does one thing and does it right: slow-smoked meats in serious portions.
The Experience
Jimmy's is the kind of place where the smoke hits you before you see the sign. The roadside setup is no-frills — order at the counter, grab a seat, and wait for a plate that arrives piled high. The ribs are the star: slow-smoked until tender, with a bark that cracks under your teeth and meat that slides off the bone. Chicken comes juicy and charred, wings are sticky and addictive, and the fresh fish options — Mahi Mahi or Red Snapper, grilled, stewed, or fried — prove this is not just a one-trick operation. Sides are the real Caribbean deal: creamy mac and cheese, fluffy rice, and Johnny cakes that are worth the visit on their own. The daily soups, including chicken or bull foot, are the kind of comfort food that locals line up for.
What to Try
The ribs are non-negotiable — order a full rack and clear your afternoon schedule. The homemade Johnny cakes are legendary and the perfect vehicle for sauce. Try the grilled Red Snapper if it is available — fresh-caught and seasoned simply. Mac and cheese as a side, always. If bull foot soup is on the board, try it — a Caribbean delicacy and a test of culinary adventurousness.
Insider Tip
Go for lunch rather than dinner to ensure the full menu is available — popular items sell out by evening. Jimmy's does not take reservations and service is first-come, first-served. The wait is worth it. Take your food to go if you want a beachfront BBQ picnic — Great Bay Beach is a short drive away.
The Practical Stuff
Located at 36 Walter Nisbet Road, Pondfill, Philipsburg. Open Monday through Saturday, noon to 11 PM. Closed Sundays. Price range: $$ — generous portions at fair prices. Cash preferred. No alcohol served — bring your own or grab a cold drink from the cooler. Roadside parking available.
Pair It With
- Captain's Rib Shack — Simpson Bay's BBQ contender — try both and pick your champion
- Boardwalk Philipsburg — Walk off the BBQ with a stroll along Great Bay Beach