Full Moon BBQ on Birmingham’s Southside. (Pat Byington/The Bama Buzz)

Two legendary Alabama BBQ joints have been recognized by the popular national website Cheapism, which declared them “Barbeque Chains that are “worth trying.”

Who did they choose?

Drumroll please… Birmingham-based Full Moon Bar-B-Que and Tuscaloosa’s own Dreamland Bar-B-Que.

A Chain?

Most Alabamians really don’t think of Full Moon and Dreamland as full blown BBQ chains.

Full Moon has only 17 locations statewide, with 10 of the storefronts in the Birmingham Metro area. In fact, the “Best Little Pork House” has only one location outside the state of Alabama and that one just opened in Madison, Mississippi.

What we do know, with brothers Joe and David Maluff running the show, is that you are going to get some of the best BBQ in town and yes, we dare to say—now in Mississippi.

Likewise, as a graduate of the University of Alabama in the 1980s, the Tuscaloosa Dreamland on the outskirts of town will always be number one in my heart. Making a journey to Dreamland in T-Town was like going to BBQ Mecca. You have to do it once in your lifetime.

A few years ago, Dreamland started opening locations in Mobile and over in Southside Birmingham. They now have 11 restaurants, including ones in Duluth, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida.

What Did Cheapism Say?

Even though we may dispute calling them chains, (c’mon, they are no way like McDonalds or Subways), Cheapism heaped a lot of praise on the two legendary BBQ joints.

Here is what they said:

“Alabama-based Full Moon BBQ is a small but mighty chain dubbed “the Best Little Pork House.” While you can indulge in plenty of freshly smoked meats at Full Moon, the real show-stopper is the vinaigrette slaw.”

Commentary: Very true!

About Dreamland:

“If you’re in Alabama and have a hankering for good barbecue, eating at Dreamland is a must. The restaurant has followed the same tried-and-true recipes since 1958 with some tasty new additions along the way. If you want to know what really makes the chain so successful, all you need to do is try the ribs — they’re truly dreamy.”