Dreamlands Barbecue — Dreamland Bar-B-Que came in at #3 on Southern Living’s list. (The Bama Buzz)

It’s no secret that the South loves barbecue—and Alabama is one of the states that knows how to do it right. Each year, Southern Living sets out on the daunting task of ranking the top 50 barbecue restaurants in the South. This year, three Alabama spots made the “The South’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints Of 2023.” Let’s dig in.

1. Dreamland Bar-B-Que—#3

Dreamland Barbecue — Dreamland Bar-B-Que is a favorite for a reason. (The Bama Buzz)

One Alabama barbecue joint made it as high as the top three spots in the South—Dreamland Bar-B-Que. Famed for its grilled ribs, home-style sides and classic iced tea, there really “Ain’t nothing like ’em nowhere.”

Here’s what Southern Living had to say about this Alabama staple:

“If you love ribs, you owe yourself a visit to Dreamland. The restaurant now has eleven locations in three states, but the red-painted cinderblock building on the south side of Tuscaloosa is where it all began back in 1958. The menu at the flagship is more barebones than at its fancier younger siblings—just ribs, sausage, chicken, and chopped pork sandwiches. The setting is more barebones, too, and that’s a virtue. Beneath a low ceiling, the red walls are cluttered with old license plates, framed photographs, and all sorts of Alabama Crimson Tide memorabilia—the perfect atmosphere for enjoying Alabama’s distinctive style of barbecued ribs…”
Robert F. Moss, Southern Living

Location: 5535 15th Ave E, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Hours: Every day 10AM-9PM
More Locations + Hours
Website | Facebook | Instagram

2. Arhchibald’s BBQ—#14

Archibald’s BBQ, another spot hailing from the Tuscaloosa area, came in at #14. Established in 1962, they still make their famous barbecue in the same cinderblock building that they did in the early days.

Southern Living sang the praises of Archibald’s:

“Alabama-style ribs are a category all their own. Full slabs are cooked hot and fast over a hickory fire on a big brick-and-cinder block pit, which imparts a distinctive firm, meaty texture and lots of delightful crisp, charred bits around the edges. One of the foremost practitioners of that style can be found just across the river from Tuscaloosa in Northport. At Archibald’s, the ribs are served doused in spicy, orange-hued vinegar sauce with slices of white bread laid over the top — perfect for creating impromptu sandwiches or soaking up the savory sauce.”
Robert F. Moss, Southern Living

Location: 1211 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Northport, AL 35476
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10AM-8PM | Friday-Saturday 10AM-8:30PM | Closed Sunday
Greensboro Avenue Location + Hours
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3. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q—#21

As a North Alabama native, I’m a bit biased toward the pick. Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Que’s famous Alabama white sauce, pork and ribs has won countless awards, and Southern Living can’t get enough of it:

“Robert ‘Big Bob’ Gibson started cooking pork shoulders and chicken in his backyard in 1925, and he single-handedly created an entire sauce category when he started dunking his smoked chicken in a unique mayo-based white sauce. Generations later, the traditions are carried on by pitmaster Chris Lilly, who not only married Big Bob’s great-granddaughter but is also a renowned barbecue competition champion and live-fire cooking guru. Back in Decatur, Lilly and the crew still cook top-notch pork, ribs, brisket, and turkey on old school big brick pits fired by blazing hickory logs. Equally of note are the restaurant’s splendid housemade pies. The meringue-topped coconut cream may well be the best barbecue dessert in all of the South.”
Robert F. Moss, Southern Living