The best BBQ in Alabama starts at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, home of the original white sauce, and runs through old-line pits like Carlile’s Barbecue in Birmingham (since 1945), Chuck’s Bar-B-Que in Opelika (since 1976) and Country’s Barbecue in Auburn (since 1975). This road map groups our favorite locally owned barbecue joints by region, so you can plan a stop on any drive across the state.
Every restaurant below is listed in our directory, where you can check hours before you go. Barbecue joints keep short hours and often sell out, so lunch is the safest time to visit.
Best BBQ in Alabama at a glance
- Must-try original: Smoked chicken with white sauce at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Decatur.
- Longest-running on this list: Big Bob Gibson (1925), Carlile’s Barbecue in Birmingham (1945) and Ben’s Jr. Original Barbecue, smoking meat since 1955 and in Fairhope since 1980.
- Most unusual sauce: Chuck’s Bar-B-Que in Opelika, with a mustard-based sauce since 1976.
- Best side to look for: Brunswick stew in east Alabama, like the two-day version at Country’s Barbecue in Auburn.
- Best for a road trip: I-65 links Decatur, Birmingham and Montgomery, and I-85 links Montgomery with Auburn and Opelika.
What style of barbecue is Alabama known for?
Alabama is known for hickory-smoked pork shoulder and chicken, served with whichever sauce the town grew up on. Most of the state favors a tangy tomato sauce, north Alabama is the home of mayonnaise-based white sauce on chicken, and a few east Alabama pits use mustard. Ribs, smoked turkey and brisket are common, and sides lean Southern: slaw, potato salad, baked beans, Brunswick stew, and banana pudding or pie for dessert.
The white sauce story starts in Decatur in 1925, and our guide to Alabama white sauce tells it in full. For the bigger picture of what to eat across the state, see What to Eat in Alabama.
Where is the best barbecue in north Alabama?
North Alabama has the state’s most famous barbecue town, Decatur, and a string of family pits along the Tennessee River and Lake Guntersville.
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Decatur
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q has fed Decatur since Bob Gibson started smoking pork and chicken in a hand-dug pit in 1925 and invented Alabama white sauce. Five generations later, the family runs two Decatur locations, on 6th Avenue Southeast and Danville Road Southwest, both open seven days a week. Order the smoked chicken with white sauce, then a slice of pie. See our Decatur area guide for more in town.
BawBaw’s BBQ, Athens
BawBaw’s BBQ on South Madison Street in Athens, a short drive from the Limestone County courthouse square, is a counter-service spot built on recipes Jimmy and Audrey McMeans tested at their family table for about two decades. Brisket anchors the menu, and the Buster Burger, a thick slice of smoked bologna charred on the grill, is its signature. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ted’s Bar-B-Q, Huntsville
Ted’s Bar-B-Q in Huntsville’s Five Points neighborhood is named for Teddy Martin, who opened barbecue restaurants in the Shoals in the 1960s and 1970s. His sons now run Ted’s as part of a small, family-owned north Alabama restaurant group.
Salt Smokehouse and JJ’s BBQ+, Huntsville
For newer takes, Salt Smokehouse in the Lincoln Mill District mixes Southern barbecue with global flavors, and JJ’s BBQ+ on Bass Circle blends smoked meats with soul food. JJ’s is woman- and veteran-owned, founded by Army veteran Dr. Janis Hatcher.
Simmons BBQ, Guntersville
Simmons BBQ on Gilbreath Street has smoked pork, ribs, ham and turkey since 1986. It is more drive-thru than dining room. Order the Brown Bag Special of chopped pork, a side and bread, and do not skip the banana pudding.
Where is the best barbecue in Birmingham?
Birmingham’s best barbecue mixes decades-old counters with newer spots in the suburbs. Our guide to the best barbecue in Birmingham goes deeper, but these are the places we would drive across the state for.
- Carlile’s Barbecue, Birmingham: Open since 1945 on 6th Avenue South near Forest Park and Avondale, and owned by the Collat family since 2007. It serves lunch only, Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q, Birmingham: A custom brick pit in Cahaba Heights since 1984, with a North Alabama-style white sauce and a serious dessert case.
- Saw’s BBQ, Homewood: The Oxmoor Road location of a small local group that began on Southside in 2009. The smoked chicken sandwich with white sauce is a favorite.
- Kuntry Kitchen, Avondale: Country-style barbecue and Southern home cooking built around one family’s recipes and a house seasoning called Momma’s Blend.
- Creekside BBQ, Pelham: A barbecue joint with a covered patio over Bishop Creek, near the entrance to Oak Mountain State Park, with Alabama craft beer on tap. Good after a hike.
Where is the best barbecue in west Alabama and Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa’s barbecue is a game-day ritual. Thomas Rib Shack on 15th Street grew out of a neighborhood grocery that opened in 1971 and has been a family-run barbecue and soul food spot since 1990. Across the river in Northport, Jake’s Juke Joint on US-43 serves pulled pork with a choice of house sauces, including white sauce, and stays open late on Friday and Saturday. Tuscaloosa’s Dreamland Bar-B-Que, opened by John “Big Daddy” Bishop in 1958, is the state’s best-known rib house, and the Encyclopedia of Alabama tells its story.
Where is the best barbecue in east Alabama?
East Alabama, from Anniston down to Auburn, Opelika and Phenix City, has some of the oldest family barbecue in the state and its own sauce traditions.
Chuck’s Bar-B-Que of Opelika
Chuck’s Bar-B-Que has pit-cooked chicken, pork, turkey and ham on Short Avenue in Opelika’s historic district since Chuck Ferrell opened it in 1976, across from the police department. Its tangy, mustard-forward sauce is the reason to come. The Que Salad, topped with pit-cooked meat, is the menu’s most popular item, and the barbecue nachos and loaded potatoes are close behind.
Country’s Barbecue, Auburn
Country’s Barbecue on Opelika Road has served Auburn since 1975, cooking pork and chicken over hickory and oak. Its Brunswick stew is made from scratch over two days, the fries are hand cut and the lemon pie is a house signature. Platters run from about $12 to $17 depending on the cut.
Byron’s Smokehouse and Bow and Arrow BBQ, Auburn
Byron’s Smokehouse on Opelika Road is an independent smokehouse with a full breakfast menu, and Bow and Arrow BBQ on East Samford Avenue calls itself a South Texas smokehouse with an Alabama potluck spirit, folding smoked meats into enchiladas and tacos alongside collards and borracho beans. Both are busy on football Saturdays.
Mike and Ed’s Barbecue, Phenix City
Mike and Ed’s Barbecue on Crawford Road has been a Phenix City fixture since 1985, when two insurance colleagues bought the barbecue joint they already loved. Order the pork Ed’s Special style, with slaw, pickles and hot sauce, or Mike’s Special style, with slaw and hickory sauce mixed in.
Dad’s Bar-B-Que, Anniston, and Brad’s Bar-B-Que, Oxford
Dad’s Bar-B-Que on McClellan Boulevard has smoked over hickory since 1993 and is known for hand-dipped milkshakes. Nearby, Brad’s Bar-B-Que on US Highway 78 East in Oxford has served smoked pork and fried catfish since 1988, keeping its traditional recipes under new ownership since January 2026.
Our Opelika and Auburn area pages list more places to eat nearby.
Where is the best barbecue in south Alabama and on the coast?
Barbecue gets less attention near the Gulf, where seafood rules, but there are strong pits from Montgomery to the beach.
- K and J Rib Shack, Montgomery: A no-frills barbecue counter on Perry Hill Road since 2004, selling ribs, chicken and beef by the piece, pound or slab.
- BBQ Haven, Enterprise: Brisket, ribs, smoked wings and chopped pork sandwiches (the Little Bishop and Big Bishop) on Boll Weevil Circle, with bottled house sauce to take home.
- Ben’s Jr. Original Barbecue, Fairhope: Smoking meat since 1955 and on North Section Street since 1980. It is smoked fresh each day, and when it is gone, it is gone.
- Wingfield’s BBQ, Mobile: Ribs and brisket alongside breakfast plates and shrimp and grits on Moffett Road.
- Meat Boss, Mobile: A short menu of smoked Boston butt, brisket, chicken and ribs on Cottage Hill Road.
- Down South BBQ, Foley: Ribs, pulled pork, brisket and half chickens on County Road 10, with platters served with two sides and Texas toast. An easy stop on the way to Gulf Shores.
- Hog Wild Beach and BBQ, Gulf Shores: An independent barbecue kitchen on Gulf Shores Parkway, with online ordering and delivery for beach renters.
Alabama barbecue road map
| Restaurant | Town | Open since | Order this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q | Decatur | 1925 | Smoked chicken with white sauce |
| Ben’s Jr. Original Barbecue | Fairhope | 1955 (Fairhope since 1980) | Whatever came off the smoker that morning |
| Carlile’s Barbecue | Birmingham | 1945 | A weekday barbecue lunch |
| Country’s Barbecue | Auburn | 1975 | Pork plate, Brunswick stew, lemon pie |
| Chuck’s Bar-B-Que | Opelika | 1976 | Pork with mustard sauce |
| Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q | Birmingham | 1984 | Chicken with white sauce, dessert |
| Mike and Ed’s Barbecue | Phenix City | 1985 | Pork sandwich, Ed’s or Mike’s Special |
| Simmons BBQ | Guntersville | 1986 | Brown Bag Special, banana pudding |
| Dad’s Bar-B-Que | Anniston | 1993 | Hickory-smoked pork, a milkshake |
| BawBaw’s BBQ | Athens | Family recipes | Brisket, Buster Burger |
How do you plan an Alabama barbecue road trip?
Plan around lunch, since many of the best pits close early or sell out. Two routes work well:
- North to south on I-65 (two days): Big Bob Gibson in Decatur for lunch, BawBaw’s in Athens or Ted’s in Huntsville for dinner. The next day, Carlile’s or Miss Myra’s in Birmingham for lunch, then K and J Rib Shack in Montgomery.
- East Alabama loop (one day): Chuck’s in Opelika for lunch, Country’s in Auburn for an afternoon plate of Brunswick stew and pie, and Mike and Ed’s in Phenix City for dinner, about 40 minutes south.
Wash it down with a local beer from our Alabama brewery trail. Browse every barbecue restaurant in our directory to fill in the gaps.
Tips for eating barbecue in Alabama
- Go early: Ribs and brisket sell out, and some pits, like Carlile’s, serve lunch only.
- Check the day: Many barbecue joints close Sunday or Monday. BawBaw’s is closed Mondays, and Carlile’s is closed weekends.
- Try the local sauce: White sauce in Decatur, mustard in Opelika, and tomato nearly everywhere else.
- Save room: Pies and banana pudding are part of the meal at Big Bob Gibson, Country’s and Simmons.
- Game days: Auburn and Tuscaloosa pits are packed on home football Saturdays, so eat before or after the crowds.
FAQ
What is the best BBQ in Alabama?
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur is the state’s most famous barbecue, known for inventing Alabama white sauce in 1925. Carlile’s in Birmingham, Chuck’s in Opelika and Country’s in Auburn are also long-running favorites.
What is the oldest barbecue restaurant in Alabama?
Golden Rule Bar-B-Q in Irondale, which dates to 1891, is often called the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Alabama. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, founded in 1925, is the oldest on our list.
What barbecue sauce is Alabama known for?
Alabama is known for white sauce, a peppery mayonnaise and vinegar sauce invented at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur. Most of the state also uses tomato-based red sauces, and some east Alabama pits use mustard.
Where is the best barbecue near Auburn?
Country’s Barbecue on Opelika Road has served Auburn since 1975, and Chuck’s Bar-B-Que in nearby Opelika has used its mustard sauce since 1976. Byron’s Smokehouse and Bow and Arrow BBQ are good alternatives.
Is Alabama barbecue pork or beef?
Alabama barbecue is mostly pork and chicken, especially pulled or chopped pork shoulder and smoked chicken. Ribs and smoked turkey are common, and brisket shows up more often at newer smokehouses.