Birmingham area BBQ Joints -- for future reference, part II

[Darrell KSR]

I am just now getting around to reading some Birmingham Business Journals from the last few weeks, and the one from May 5 had a list of the top 25 BBQ joints in the Birmingham area as compiled by Composite Score from Yelp and Zomato. ESPECIALLY if you have visited Birmingham more than once, and don't care as much about going to the "popular" places, this is a very good list, it seems to me. Mick and Darryl may have other thoughts, but I know Mick has highly touted some of the ones at the top of this list before.

Anyway, here ya go.

1. Saw's Soul Kitchen 215 41st St. S
2. Saw's BBQ Oxmoor Road
3. Saw's Juke Joint 1115 Dunston Avenue. Trivia note--who rented a house at 1268 Dunston Avenue when he first moved to Birmingham and walked there?
4. Ken's Hickory Pit BBQ Pinson Valley Parkway - don't go here unless you don't mind driving away from the city a bit. Fun drive to me, good lunch spot.
5. Fat Man's Bar-B-Que - Cropwell, Alabama. I have never been here.

6. Miss Myra's Pit BBQ - Cahaba Heights. Right on the route of a very popular soccer venue; actually, close to two very popular soccer venues for tournaments, tryouts, camps, etc.
7. Moe's Original BBQ Vestavia
8. Jim 'N Nicks - Hoover
9. Jim 'N Nicks - Trussville
10. Jim 'N Nicks - Alabaster (OK, we get it. It's a franchise. The one at Greystone is # 25. I go there)

I'm going to mention a few more just out of interest

14. Full Moon BBQ Alabaster. The one on Highway 280 is # 24 (I go there)
17. Johnny Ray's BBQ Birmingham (Colonnade Parkway). My office used to be there; was very popular. You can't go wrong there, and Lisa Ray's chocolate pies were legendary. Haven't been in a long time, though.
21. Dreamland BBQ, 14th and 14th. Mick has been telling people a long time that it's overrated. Yelp and Zomato agree. But I'd hasten to say that I've eaten at most of the ones on this list, and they are all good (to me). Just varying degrees.

It's the May 5, 2017 issue if you are interested.

[KSRBEvans]

Daniel Vaughn is a true BBQ aficionado. He focuses a lot on Texas Q (he has a regular column in Texas Monthly magazine) but also looks at BBQ nationwide. (His Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/bbqsnob/) is awesome if you're into food porn pics).

Anyway, I certainly yield to Darrell and others who live in Alabama, but here's an article he wrote about Alabama BBQ, mentioning Saw's and some others in the Birmingham area:

http://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/the-year-of-alabama-barbecue/

[blueboss]

So far in Alabama I've eaten at :
Jim'n Nicks (Hoover, and I think Alabaster)

Dreamland (Montgomery)

Big Bob Gibson's (Decatur)

Hickory Chip (Clanton)

I saw an article not long ago that listed the top 11 must try BBQ's in Alabama and the first three I've eaten were on the list. Saw's is one that I remember being on the list which next time I'm in Alabama I'll be going to.


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[blueboss]

Answer to the trivia question concerning Saws and who used to walk there from Dunston Ave. Darrell Redbone Cartwright?


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[Darrell KSR]

So far in Alabama I've eaten at :
Jim'n Nicks (Hoover, and I think Alabaster)

Dreamland (Montgomery)

Big Bob Gibson's (Decatur)

Hickory Chip (Clanton)

I saw an article not long ago that listed the top 11 must try BBQ's in Alabama and the first three I've eaten were on the list. Saw's is one that I remember being on the list which next time I'm in Alabama I'll be going to.


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You're doing very well. Great job. Keep at it.

[Darrell KSR]

Answer to the trivia question concerning Saws and who used to walk there from Dunston Ave. Darrell Redbone Cartwright?


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You are correct. House on the corner. My wife and I and our first born child lived there.

[blueboss]

You are correct. House on the corner. My wife and I and our first born child lived there.

Ding ding ding!!' Winner winner Big Bob Gibson's chicken dinner!!!


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[CitizenBBN]

I'm having a very hard time with this thread now. I can't get my mind around a time when Darrell only had one child.

[MickintheHam]

Just a few comments on the topic. All of the Saw restaurants are unique. Ownership is unique to each. Some menu items are served at each. One entree common to each is pork and greens. You have a plate of cheese grits layered with collards and bbq pork. It is all topped with onion ring straws. I dont care how you feel about collards and grits, you will love these. Saws on 41 st has limited tables inside, but they have blocked off the alley and filled it with picnic tables. Part of the experience is sharing your table with perfect strangers. We had Saws soul kitchen cater a rehearsal dinner last month and it drew raves from everyone.

The problem with Dreamland is the ribs are of inconsistent quality. They can be very dry and filled with gristle. Other times they are good. i like the sauce. But overall I fix better ribs on my grill with whatever ribs I can get at the Pubilix.

As for the others Full Moon is in the area and I go there more than the others. Jim and Nicks is 2 miles from the house and almost never go there unless it is for fish taco night. It is very overpriced.

Edit: I should have added don't let the weather and limited capacity at Saws Soul Kitchen keep you from going. You can always take your food two doors down to Avondale Brewery and wash the Q down with one of their great brews. They welcome outside food.