Tropical Smokehouse Lands on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — West Palm Beach BBQ’s Big Night

Tropical Smokehouse is about to get the national spotlight it has earned. Specifically, on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET, this West Palm Beach barbecue powerhouse hits Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. Moreover, the episode — “Sandwiches, Sausage & Sweet Snacks” — shines a light on the smoked-meat magic that has made Tropical Smokehouse one of South Florida’s most talked-about kitchens. As a result, local foodies are already setting their DVRs.

However, for our burger and food festival community, this is more than a TV moment. Specifically, the team behind Tropical Smokehouse builds exactly the kind of bold, technique-driven flavor that the Boca Burger Battle celebrates every July. Therefore, we did the obvious thing — we sent Pitmaster Rick Mace an invitation, and we are waiting to hear if his crew is up for the challenge.

Tropical Smokehouse on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — May 22 at 9 p.m.

Guy Fieri’s red Camaro rolled into West Palm Beach back in February 2026, and the result lands on screens this Friday. Specifically, Tropical Smokehouse appears in Season 43’s “Sandwiches, Sausage & Sweet Snacks” episode, where the kitchen fired up its signature Cajun gator sausage for the cameras. Therefore, set a reminder for Friday, May 22 at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Furthermore, this is a homecoming of sorts for co-owner Jason Lakow, a lifelong Triple D superfan who told reporters he has “probably seen it a thousand times.” Naturally, getting the call from Guy Fieri’s producers was a full-circle moment. In addition, Tropical Smokehouse is in good company — it is one of six Palm Beach County restaurants featured on the show this season, alongside Boynton Beach’s Driftwood, which aired earlier this month.

Who Is Pitmaster Rick Mace?

Rick Mace is not your typical pitmaster, and that is exactly the point. First, he earned his stripes in fine dining — most notably as executive chef at the acclaimed Café Boulud in Palm Beach. However, his passion pulled him toward smoke, fire, and the craft of Florida barbecue. Consequently, he traded white tablecloths for butcher paper and never looked back.

That pedigree shows. In fact, Mace was named a 2023 James Beard Awards semifinalist, one of the most prestigious honors in American food. Additionally, he partnered with restaurateur Jason Lakow — co-founder of the beloved Mazie’s — to open Tropical Smokehouse and build something genuinely different. Specifically, they fused classic low-and-slow technique with the bright, coastal, Caribbean-leaning flavors of South Florida.

What Makes Tropical Smokehouse Worth the Drive

Tropical Smokehouse is at 3815 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Importantly, the concept is craft barbecue with a Florida-meets-Caribbean accent — house-smoked meats, vibrant sides, and creative twists you will not find at a standard ‘cue joint. As a result, it currently holds a 4.3-star rating across hundreds of reviews and a loyal following that keeps growing.

Specifically, the dishes that locals (and now a national TV audience) keep raving about include:

• The Old-Fashioned Cheeseburger — proof this BBQ kitchen can build a serious burger, which is exactly why we want them at the Battle
• Brisket Empanada — rich, smoky brisket tucked inside a crispy golden shell
• Cajun Gator Sausage — the Triple D star, an Andouille-style link of gator and pork belly cured with chili, bay leaf, nutmeg, and brown sugar, then smoked and seared
• Chopped Brisket Sandwich — hearty, messy in the best way, all smoke and flavor
• Brisket Tacos and Chorizo Queso — the kind of starters that make a table go quiet
• BBQ Scottish Salmon and the Black Bean & Plantain Rice Bowl — coastal, tropical, and unexpected
• White Cheddar Mac, Crispy Yuca, and Hot & Sweet Hush Puppies — sides that earn their own fan club
• Key Lime Pie — the bright, tangy finish a Florida BBQ meal demands

Moreover, the buzz is only building. Recently, Tropical Smokehouse expanded into downtown West Palm Beach and announced a fast-casual spinoff — clear signs that Mace’s vision is resonating well beyond his original Dixie Highway smokehouse.

We Just Challenged Tropical Smokehouse to the Boca Burger Battle

Here is where it gets fun for our community. First, a pitmaster who can turn out a James Beard-caliber menu — and an Old-Fashioned Cheeseburger this good — is precisely the kind of talent Boca Burger Battle judges look for. Therefore, we have extended an invitation to Rick Mace and the Tropical Smokehouse team, and we are hopeful the answer is yes.

Naturally, the dream is obvious — imagine a smoked, brisket-stacked, off-menu burger build dropping at this year’s Battle. Consequently, if Tropical Smokehouse joins the lineup, it would be one of the most anticipated debuts of 2026. Either way, this is a kitchen worth following. Specifically, if you love what Rick Mace does with smoke and fire, you will love what 18 South Florida chefs do with original off-menu burgers — all in one night.

How to Watch + How to Eat at Tropical Smokehouse

First, to catch the episode, tune in Friday, May 22, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (check local listings). Second, to eat at Tropical Smokehouse, swing by 3815 S Dixie Hwy or call 561-323-2573 — and you can see the full menu and locations at eattropical.com. Finally, hungry for more West Palm Beach burger picks while you wait for Friday night? Our Best Burgers in West Palm Beach roundup has you covered.

Taste the Top of South Florida in One Night

If Tropical Smokehouse joins the 2026 lineup, it will be in serious company. Specifically, the Boca Burger Battle is South Florida’s longest-running burger competition. Furthermore, it is one of the only nights of the year you can taste 18 original off-menu burgers — built by 18 of the region’s top chefs — all in one place. As a result, tickets are limited and the event sells out every year.

Photo: Tropical Smokehouse provided. Reporting on the upcoming Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode was first detailed by the South Florida Sun Sentinel and CBS12.