| FOOD Alabama BBQ Bucket list (from Bob Carlton)

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Carlton is one of only 2 al.com people I care to read, he does a good job covering the Alabama food scene. Obviously this stuff is subjective, but he hits much more than he misses, IMO. There are some changes I would make, but I haven't eaten at all the places on the list (though I'd like to).

Alabama BBQ Top 50 Bucket List

His past articles linked in the list are also good, though some of the places on the best by county list are now closed down.

 

[XXL TideFan]

I have eaten at more than I thought I would. Every location in the Florence/Shoals area with Dick Howells the least of them. Big Bob Gibson is really good but their white sauce doesn’t WOW me.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I have eaten at more than I thought I would. Every location in the Florence/Shoals area with Dick Howells the least of them. Big Bob Gibson is really good but their white sauce doesn’t WOW me.

That's an area that I need to spend a long weekend at, I'm rarely up that way unless passing through. Several places there I'd like to hit... have had Big Bob Gibson's several times.

 

[XXL TideFan]

Mayo, garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, kosher salt kicks Big Bob Gibson’s white sauce off the table. That’s the recipe I use and Shoals natives preferred that I tested it on.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I've hit about fifteen of those, mostly Bham and Central Alabama. That's a good list, representing mainstays and out-of-the-way country spots.

 

[RollllTide!]

On interstate 65 there is the Georgiana exit going to Hank Williams museum is Kendalls Barbeque. It is takeout only but anytime I go that way I get their pulled pork big sandwich. It is hogly

 

[PurlJam]

I have eaten at more than I thought I would. Every location in the Florence/Shoals area with Dick Howells the least of them. Big Bob Gibson is really good but their white sauce doesn’t WOW me.

Smokin' on The Boulevard... smoked baloney. Ribs pretty good too.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

On interstate 65 there is the Georgiana exit going to Hank Williams museum is Kendalls Barbeque. It is takeout only but anytime I go that way I get their pulled pork big sandwich. It is hogly

I have about 2 dozen BBQ places throughout AL saved in google maps that I want to try, Kendall's is one of them. That place in the Shell parking lot on the Greenville exit, Real Pit Bar-B-Q that was really good years ago (not sure if it still is?) Used to stop there a lot when I went that way.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Smokin' on The Boulevard... smoked baloney. Ribs pretty good too.

Another place I have saved in maps.

 

[PurlJam]

Another place I have saved in maps.

Good idea to call ahead, they're open at odd times, 12n to 6pm on Thursday, 8am to 6pm on Fridays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays and have been known to run out of food.

 

[XXL TideFan]

Good idea to call ahead, they're open at odd times, 12n to 6pm on Thursday, 8am to 6pm on Fridays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays and have been known to run out of food.

I used to work with a niece of his. A real honey that started in a sorority at Bama but finished at UNA. Girl knew her football

 

[alabama mike]

Another place I have saved in maps.

About 1 mile from my parents house.

 

[alabama mike]

That's an impressive list! I too have been to just about everyone in NW Alabama. Love Bunyan's and Smoking on the Blvd.

 

[Rolltide24]

I’m the airport in Nashville a few weeks back. Lady with obvious northern accent said she made sure to visit Whitt’s BBQ before her stay in Nashville ended. To see what the southern BBQ scene was about. Raves about how good it was. Me thinking, that’s terrible chain BBQ. And she thinks that’s special? Geez.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

About 1 mile from my parents house.

Another great thing about Alabama... you can throw a dart at the state map and more than likely a quality BBQ spot will be pretty close by.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I’m the airport in Nashville a few weeks back. Lady with obvious northern accent said she made sure to visit Whitt’s BBQ before her stay in Nashville ended. To see what the southern BBQ scene was about. Raves about how good it was. Me thinking, that’s terrible chain BBQ. And she thinks that’s special? Geez.

Ha! Sorta reminds me of how folks treat Jim n' Nicks. It's decent to good, and some locations are better than others, but always cracks me up when people claim it's the best around. Like Dreamland and Full Moon, franchising has hurt the overall quality.

 

[bama alum]

Ha! Sorta reminds me of how folks treat Jim n' Nicks. It's decent to good, and some locations are better than others, but always cracks me up when people claim it's the best around. Like Dreamland and Full Moon, franchising has hurt the overall quality.

I'd rather drive to Tuscaloosa to eat at Dreamland before I drive ten minutes to Jim N Nicks. The owner of the Alabaster Jim N Nicks is a Bama alum. The Shelby County Alumni Association used to hold pep rallies there. In those cases, I'd love to go back.

 

[alabama mike]

I’m the airport in Nashville a few weeks back. Lady with obvious northern accent said she made sure to visit Whitt’s BBQ before her stay in Nashville ended. To see what the southern BBQ scene was about. Raves about how good it was. Me thinking, that’s terrible chain BBQ. And she thinks that’s special? Geez.

It is almost impossible to find decent BBQ up north. Lived here almost 32 years so I can give a witness.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Watch Q: Alabama's Barbecue Legends on Alabama Public Television

Filmmaker Norton Dill introduces you to BBQ legends from all across Alabama.

aptv.org

This is from 2015, but a great documentary of Alabama BBQ spots. They cover the big names and some out of the way places. I believe the R&B BBQ owner in Lincoln has passed away since this was filmed.