Suggestions for an out of towner

[RhodeHog]

Sorry to be late to the party. I'd agree with au4stree on most of his recommendations. Some other considerations/comments:

1. Full Moon BBQ in Fultondale is ok but, like Jim N Nicks, is a chain and has that feel (I ate at the original Full Moon in a cinderblock building in Southside in the old days)
2. Demitri's in Homewood is one of the classics that is connected with the Greek community that started a lot of restaurants in town. Golden Rule in Irondale is also from that Greek heritage.
3. Top Hat in Blount County is good but they're doing better catfish than ribs (pork is ok). Porky's at the Hayden exit is VERY good. If you are driving down to Bham on I-65, it's about 2-3 miles from the exit.
4. I've never been to Rib-It-Up but there always seems to be a line around that building. Very small place so you would probably do a to-go order and drive a few blocks to Railroad Park and eat there.
5. Dreamland Southside - If executed, my last meal will come from here. The Southside restaurant has the best vibe outside of the one in Tuscaloosa.

Your non-BBQ bonus: for a good southern meat-n-three go to Niki's West. Historical favorite, another rooted in Greek culture, and was featured on Andrew Zimmern's show once. Local favorite.

[klflowers]

jfmorris thanks for the assist. I should have looked before I posted. I know it is down there somewhere.

[au4stree]

Saw's Juke Joint in Crestline (in Bham) will come the closest to your criteria.  I'd check their website to ensure live music is on the menu.  That location does have a nice vibe to it, especially this time of year, sitting on their porch.  Saw's & Jim n Nicks have full bars.  If you're wanting to go out and about after you eat, then Dreamland on the Southside will be closer to some of the nightlife things.

[D-Walt]

Thank you everyone for the hospitality and suggestions. For those of you familiar with the restaurants mentioned above, which ones are best suited for dinner(atmosphere, serve alcohol, music?).
Thanks

[Alan Brice]

Welcome fr Cincy Ohio

[jfmorris]

Welcome to the Pit!

I agree with the list 3 posts above from au4stree for sure, and if going through Decatur, give the Danville Road Big Bob's a try for sure. They are the folks who invented Alabama white bbq sauce with chicken, which is its own category of BBQ.

[jfmorris]

As a resident of Huntsville for 34 years, with a sister who lives in Alabaster south of B'ham, I'll second everything he says about the Birmingham and Alabama BBQ scene. In my opinion, Alabama in general may have a lot of BBQ restaurants, but a lot of them are just "meh", and don't approach what I do at home these days. If I was going on a BBQ pilgrimage it would be to Memphis.

[jfmorris]

It's actually in Decatur, a few miles to the west of I-65.

[WillTravelForFood]

From Food and Wine: https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/g...ood-birmingham

From AL.COM: https://www.al.com/bhammag/2020/03/t...m-in-2020.html
On this particular list, AUTOMATIC, OVENBIRD, and HIGHLANDS are places that have seen big national reviews. HIGHLANDS in particular. Sadly, Highlands is still showing as being temporarily closed based on their website. Booooooooo.

[bbqLuv]

Hello from NW Oregon.

[au4stree]

Ok, you’re coming to my neck of the woods. My recommendations of BBQ joints are:

1). Saw’s, in Homewood. 3 locations, menus vary by location. They have a terrific menu and IMO, best bbq in town of all the restaurants.
2). Moe’s Original BBQ. I love their wings.
3). Dreamland, on the Southside near UAB. The original is from Tuscaloosa, but this location is good as well.
4). Jim N Nicks, yes this is a chain but has consistent menu and one of the better varieties.
5). If you must, give Full Moon BBQ a try, they are my least favorite place in town but, again they have a varied menu. Their turkey is good and those fried green tomatoes and chow chow are popular. Especially the chow chow. Oh, and the carrot cake and chocolate dipped cookies are popular.
6). Bob Sykes in Bessemer is popular, but I’ve never gotten a a good meal there. It’s forgettable.
7). Rodney Scott’s BBQ, whole hog bbq. I’ve written about this place, maybe you’ll have better luck than I’ve had. He’s in partnership with the owner of Jim N Nicks. Thus the reason a SC native opened a spot here in town.

Note: I don’t consider Bham to be a great BBQ town, you have to go north and a bit south to find better bbq. If you’re willing to drive a bit, Top Hat in Blount county has decent bbq and as mentioned, Big Bob’s in Decatur is good, but go to the Danville Rd location, 6th Avenue is just meh. The Danville Rd location is Chris Lilly’s store, if that tells you anything.

[Skip]

Welcome from Minnesota. Sorry to say I have not been there but glad you joined The Pit. You'll have to give us a report.

[Clawbear57]

Welcome to town.

[tbob4]

Welcome to the Pit from Chico, CA.

[Jerod Broussard]

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/bbq-restaurant-roundup/alabama/1019051-dream-land-bbq

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/bbq-restaurant-roundup/alabama/51025-bob-syke-s-bessemer