Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Celebrate National BBQ Day with these 9 spots across Alabama
Reading time: 6 minutes
You may already have plans for celebrate National BBQ Day. I mean… why wouldn’t you? This is the best state to be in to celebrate the holiday.
National BBQ Day is officially Thursday, May 16 but we are also in the middle of National BBQ Month! There are so many great spots to sit down and grab a bite, it’s impossible to compile them all into one list.
But I decided to try my best and throw together a list of some favorites including staples that everyone may know + some maybe not so well known spots you need to try.
The map below will show places around the state but keep reading to find out more about which locations + plates we recommend.
SAW’s BBQ in Birmingham
- What: SAW’s Soul Kitchen
- Where: 215 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222 (My personal favorite location)
- When: MTWR—11AM-8PM; FS—11AM-9PM; closed Sunday
- Why: There’s not a bad item on this menu but the reason it’s my favorite in the state is the Sweet Tea Fried Chicken Sandwich + the white sauce that comes with it. It helps if you add a side of onion rings or baked beans with a cup of sweet tea. But the recommendations at this place could go on and on.
- Facebook | Instagram | Locations | Menu
Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa
- What: Dreamland BBQ
- Where: 5535 15th Ave E, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (Has to be the original)
- When: 10AM-9PM, every day
- Why: Listen, I get it. We all know how good it is but sometimes we want other options. But I’ll always say the red sauce at Dreamland is the best in the game. It’s why I can go through a loaf of bread just by dipping it in the sauce before even getting to the meal. By the time I’m done with the bread + sauce, I can move on to banana pudding then just call it a day.
- Facebook | Instagram | Locations | Menu
Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur
- What: Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
- Where: 1715 6th Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601
- When: 9:30AM-8:30PM, every day
- Why: White sauce.
No seriously, you can stop reading this section. The answer is just white sauce.
I see you want more explanation. Smoked chicken? White sauce. Pulled chicken? White sauce. Wings? White sauce. Pulled pork? Yes, still, white sauce. Banana pudding?… okay maybe not everything. - Facebook | Instagram | Locations | Menu
Lannie’s Bar-B-Q in Selma
- What: Lannie’s Bar-B-Q 2
- Where: 205 Medical Center Pkwy, Selma, AL 36701 (The original location on Minter Avenue is currently being remodeled)
- When: 9AM-9PM, Monday-Saturday
- Why: There’s a couple of solid BBQ options in Selma but what makes Lannie’s stand out is the simple, yet delicious, pulled pork sandwich. Everything is doused in a more than fair share of sauce. By the time you think you’re done with your sandwich, you’ll look down at your plate and see another meal with the amount of pork that fell off.
- Facebook | Locations
306 Barbecue in Athens
- What: 306 Barbecue
- Where: 23101 US Highway 72 Athens, AL, US 35613
- When: 11AM-8PM, Tuesday-Saturday
- Why: Once again, there’s not many things you can go wrong with on this menu. You can see their loaded tots in the picture above and that’s what I would recommend. Whether you want a salad, a potato, or some tots, let them load it up with barbecue + all the other toppings they want to add. You won’t regret it.
- Facebook | Instagram | Locations | Menu
B & K BBQ in Clanton
- What: B & K BBQ
- Where: 2611 Lay Dam Rd, Clanton, AL 35045
- When: 10:30AM-7PM, Monday-Saturday
- Why: You want to talk about a hole-in-the-wall shack, this may be your best bet. The single location spot will serve up some great chopped pork or chicken. You don’t have to get complicated with your order, just get served and enjoy some great food.
- Facebook | Menu
Archibald & Woodrow’s BBQ
- What: Archibald and Woodrow’s BBQ
- Where: 4215 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
- When: MTWR—10AM-9PM; FS—10AM-10PM; Sunday—10AM-6PM
- Why: Walking into either location already makes you feel like you’re about to eat in the best BBQ restaurant on the planet and the food delivers every time. The ribs are always a go-to for those who don’t mind a mess but you shouldn’t sleep on something as simple as their hot dogs or chicken fingers.
- Facebook | Instagram | Locations | Menu
Smokin’ S in Wetumpka
- What: Smokin’ S Bar-B-Que
- Where: 5826 US HWY 231, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092
- When: 10:30AM-3:30PM, Monday-Friday
- Why: I had to throw some love to one of regular lunch spots when I lived in Wetumpka. If a place is only open for lunch, you can pretty much always bet that lunch is going to be very good. I used to get the pulled pork sandwich with a side of onion rings, which you can never go wrong with. But a main reason why they are so popular around town is their catered meals + sides.
- Facebook | Instagram | Menu
Meat Boss in Mobile
- What: Meat Boss Smoked BBQ & Meats
- Where: 5401 Cottage Hill Rd. Suite D, Mobile, AL 36609
- When: TWRS—10AM-3PM; Friday—10AM-6PM; Closed Sundays + Mondays
- Why: That picture above says it all. How often do you struggle to pick between pork and chicken? For me, it’s all the time so a slider-sized sandwich is perfect because then I can have both.
- Facebook | Instagram | Menu
It’s impossible to know exactly all the best BBQ spots in the state and I am welcoming your criticism of this list along with your recommendations. Let us know what your favorite place is by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
