Gaskins BBQ (Lakeland) Review | Mike’s Polk Food Quest

For the first official stop on Mike’s Polk Food Quest, I visited Gaskins BBQ & Lobster in Lakeland.

The concept is simple: every week I try a local spot, order the most common thing people get, try a few extras, and rank it on taste, value, vibes, and overall.

This week: BBQ.

Which means I ordered a pulled pork sandwich as my main dish.

I also shared our first ever Best Food In Polk article this week, which featured the best pizza spots in Winter Haven — so I wanted to make sure I hit up Lakeland for my quest.

Even though I did really want pizza after writing that one up ... so don't be surprised if that's the quest next week.

Taste: 4/5

Overall, everything at Gaskins is amazing.

I haven't had a single thing that I didn't enjoy.

From the brisket & pork sandwiches and bbq plates all the way to the lobster, fries, banana pudding and sides — everything is a hit.

That said, the taste section itself is based purely on the standard item for each category — and for BBQ that means a pulled pork sandwich.

For that, I'm giving it a 4/5. 

I would have likely given Gaskins as a whole a 4.5/5 for the entire menu — but stacked up against other pulled pork sandwiches I can't give it a perfect score.

Somewhere I'll continuously go back to and recommend consistently?

Absolutely.

Value: 4/5

I definitely wouldn't call Gaskins expensive, but I also wouldn't say it's a cheap date, either.

For Katie and my meal for two (one combo sandwich & side each, an extra side each, and one drink to split) cost about $40.

Obviously any time you factor in lobster things can get pricey, but there are plenty of options to go around without having to drop $20-40 on a lobster roll.

The value is definitely there, and you don't leave hungry, but not so much that I'm blown away by the pricing. Still adds up pretty quickly.

Vibes: 4/5

Gaskins vibes make you feel like you're walking into a chain.

Always super clean, everything extremely professional looking, and very on-brand.

That said, the feeling that you're walking into a chain also isn't always the greatest vibes. It's not necessarily anything that's going to wow you, but it's also always solid and safe.

And while I thought about giving it a 3.5, this jumps to 4/5 being right on the edge of Lakeside Village, making it a perfect spot to sit down for a quick bite and then take a walk around the shops.

Bonus points for the free small cup of ice cream after your meal (make sure you ask someone for it when you finish eating!); Gaskins is a go-to spot that's always a good option.

This is somewhere I take my parents when they come to visit because there's something for everyone.

Mom grabs a lobster roll, Katie grabs a pulled pork grilled cheese, brothers fight over brisket trays, and my wimp of a step-dad gets a simple burger.

And, for the same reason it jumped from 3.5-4 for vibes, being in Lakeside Village, it's coming in at 4/5 overall because the location makes it a no-brainer.

Hey!

I want to know what you think of Gaskins.

Leave a comment below.

The more you share, the better, but anything is appreciated.

Each comment helps The Best Of Polk articles and eventually, the yearly awards!

Have a place you want me to try? 

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