Alabama BBQ

The Smokin Grill in Springville, The Shack in Talladega, Jim N Nicks in Birmingham - these are the best in Bama.

We had lunch today at Golden Rule Barbeque at their Trussville location. My wife's hickory smoked chicken sandwich was excellent, she reports. My chopped pork sandwich was quite good. The slaw was excellent and the brunswick stew decent - more like vegetable soup with a few pieces of meat thrown in. The coconut cream pie and sweet tea were as good as I would expect.

Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur, Alabama is a stop we make on each run up or down I-65. Haven't had a bad BBQ there yet.

On a recent visit to 'Bama with the Lovely lleechef, we had the pleasure of
enjoying the BBQ at Jim & Nicks, and also at Dreamland. Both were EXCELLENT!!
The ribs at each have their own character, but the sides @ Jim & Nicks were
just awesome! (especially the okra.)
After we had finished a full rack of ribs @ Dreamland, the waitress asked if we were ready for dessert. (It was limited to a banana pudding...)
We looked at each other and thought "Naahh" just bring us another half rack of ribs!

The above account of eating in Bham is all true. We really DID eat more ribs for dessert at Dreamland! Jim & Nicks was awesome too and as my handsome Big Guy said, the side dishes were awesome!

A Golden Rule BBQ recently opened up in Auburn, and we've been there several times already! Wonderful pork and brisket, although the brisket's been a little gristly the last couple of times we were there. To avoid the problem, ask for your brisket to be hand-chopped, they said that they ran the meat through a machine and thus the gristle. Try the sweet potatoes and creamed spinach!

In Auburn, we also like Jim 'n' Nick's for ribs, and Byron's for the 'que and sauces. The BBQ House is also a standby for lunch, their chicken is the best, and get some peanut butter pie while you're there. Mmmm, mmmm....

How about a recommendation for que in Mobile? My family will be traveling through Mobile in May, should be there around lunch time. We usually stop by the Dew Drop Inn, but are thinking of trying something different this time. Anyone have a recent opinion on the Brick Pit?
BTW, The Shack in Tallageda is yummy!

Brick Pit would be first choice and Saucey Q a close second.

Tom

It's been a few years, but the last time we ate at the Brick Pit, west of Mobile on Old Shell Road, we were very pleased. The meat is smoked using a combination of hickory and pecan.

Fred Sauceman

Yep, I'd also go to the Brick Pit again if I had the chance. Good stuff!

When I was a brat the folks drove through the Opp,Enterprise, Al area. We stopped at a wooden joint located on a curve and built into a hill.That's all I remember about it. I'll be in that area the first of April if any of you know of the place please let me know.

Phil's BBQ in Eufaula Al. is the best!

"Best Butts in Alabama"

quote:

Originally posted by judy51

Phil's BBQ in Eufaula Al. is the best!

I have been to Phil's twice - once for dinner and once for lunch. It was indeed excellent. I will be back in Eufaula Monday, and will definitely hit Phil's again.
Once place I haven't seen on here is the 13th Street Barbecue in Phenix City. There is actually one on 13th Street, and I think there are a couple more, maybe even one in Columbus. Only been there once, and was talked into getting their pork chop sandwitch. It was good, a big chunk of pork loin, with sauce. But, being loin, it was a little dry for my taste. The chopped pork looked very good, though, and next time there I will try it.

In Muscle Shoals there was place that would serve "outside" meat on a sandwich when requested. My sister loved the place. It may have been "Singleton's" or similar (we can't remember). Is it still there?

Well, I was able to get to Phil's twice in the day and a half I spent in Eufaula. Had the pork plate for dinner, then the next day had the jumbo sandwich plate for lunch. Very good pork - chopped into big chunks, not pulled, though. Brunswick stew was good too, but the slaw was a little sweet for my taste.

quote:

Originally posted by stridge

When I was a brat the folks drove through the Opp,Enterprise, Al area. We stopped at a wooden joint located on a curve and built into a hill.That's all I remember about it. I'll be in that area the first of April if any of you know of the place please let me know.

I am not a fan of Jim and Nicks, I was years ago, but the chain expansion really killed their BBQ to me. I goto alot of Bama football games, there is a place that caters called Fat Boys that has great pork sandwiches, I think they are out of Prattville. I am also a fan of Johnny Rays in Bham as well as Golden Rule.

Real Pit bbq located at the Greenville Al exit on I65. Take out and a few picnic tables. Great pork ,Huge servings make this a real value.Also smoked turkey sandwiches.

Alabama PBS station had a special last night on Alabama barbeque and barbeque restaurants in Birmingham. It was very interesting. My favorite (here in Huntsville, AL) is the Old Greenbrier Restaurant. Not the one you can see off the Interstate I-565 spur but the one 2 miles off the Greenbrier Exit. They have the best chicken and white sauce around and their hushpuppies are to die for. I praise their food all the time in several topics on Roadfood. We have 3 Gibsons barbeque places here which are all pretty good (all are Gibsons relatives). We have a Dreamland here too, but truthfully I'm not crazy about it. Their ribs are always a hit and miss. Sometimes good, sometimes not. And using Jello type banana pudding with Cool-Whip is not my idea of true southern style banana pudding.

I was cruising through Alabama about 20 yrs ago on a weekend escape from Fort Benning, Ga. and stumbled upon a place called Cotton's Best Alabama BBQ or something like that. Being from Eastern NC it's hard for me to say this, but the BBQ was really good and it came with a green salad that had a salad dressing that resembled Old Dutch Dressing.(of course this was after eating several straight weeks of Amry chow) Does anyone know where that place is or was located. I'm sure it was northeast of Montgomery but it was thunderin' and lightnin' and raining to beat the band so I never really got a fix on where I was although I did eventually end up in Montgomery. I'd like to go back there sometime.

I've not been there but have heard very good things about this place.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=2044

John

I've had only one BBQ experience in Alabama and it dates back about 25 years. My family and I were driving North on I 20/59 and ate at Bob Sykes BBQ in Bessemer (SW of Birmingham)--it had been recommended highly by the Sterns in their original RoadFood. It was terrific! Outstanding ribs. But, is it still there?

Ciaoman,
Bob Sykes was still in operation last year when we passed thru. We stopped a couple of times in the past few years and have been let down several times. It just didn't live up to the endorsement the Sterns gave it years ago. It is OK, but I wouldn't put it in my top 25 (or top 50) BBQ places to visit!!

Thank you Mr. Mayor! Good to know, though somewhat disappointing. Realistically, it's pretty rare to find places that maintain their quality decade after decade.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20060721/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_alabama_barbecue;_ylt=AiJdlFs_9jEejsueMPCHzhCs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NWZtdDlpBHNlYwMyNjgz

The Decatur/Huntsville and Phenix City/columbus area are chock full of good Q. I wish I had spent more time at both. I only went to Country's in Columbus (great banana pudding btw), A place across the bridge going into Phenix City, Dreamland in Bham, Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur, and BBG's in Huntsville as well. It seems like a lot, but it really isn't. Alabama was a rib fan's dream. And I'm definitely a fan. Being from the north, I had some trepidation about going into Alabama. But all I found were especially nice people, besides this huge Confederate flag right off the interstate leaving Montgomery.

If you are ever headed out on 78 highway towards Walker County about 30 miles outside Birmingham look up Leo and Susie's Famous Green Top BBQ. . A tangy, slightly peppery vinegar/tomato sauce served on the side of pit smoked que. You can get the best beans in the world there. Chopped or sliced pork sandwich is heavenly.

7530 Highway 78 , Dora, AL Phone -(205) 648-9838

For ribs, my favorite is O'So Good Bar-B-Que,US231 Hwy.N.,Oneonta,Al.I'm 15 mins.from the Dreamland in Birmingham, but I drive the 40 mins.for Oscar's ribs, at O'So Good.

Like "The Mayor" a stop at Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur has never let me down. I love their potato salad (which I could get the recipe for it)

Johnny Ray's in Montgomery is closed I always stopped there when we would go to talladega, our hotel is 1 block from there.

There is a little que shop on the right side of 231, south of montgomery, can't remember if it is near ozark ot athens though, it's called the 231 BBQ.

A little family run shop, looks scary from the road, but the food has always been top notch. There is always a parking lot full of locals (which is why I stopped there to begin with)

I have found some of the best food in the scariest looking places, especially BBQ.