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DISHIN' ON DISHES

THE DOWN LOW

As barbecue grows in popularity, the competition for customers fires some intense creativity.  There's also no substitution for good old-fashion know how.  Classics are classics for a reason, and, when done well, hold their own.  From grandma's family recipe to scientific concoctions from formally trained chefs, there are ton's of mind-blowing, mouth watering bites that you have to try.  This list highlights the most delicious chase worthy delights in Alabama.  Enjoy and let me know what you think deserves to be on this list.  I don't want to miss a thing!

MAKIN' IT THE TASTIEST

Great barbecue joints can't be one dimensional.  These dishes help their joints stand out and belong on the silver platter of best eats!

BEST ALL AROUND

Heards BBQ & Soul Food

Don't worry about what to order.  It's all DYNOMITE!

Heard's pork plate with mac n cheese and fried green tomatoes

BEST PULLED PORK SANDWICH

Jim's Hwy 82 Barbecue

Big Jim sandwich with fries and a Coke

The Big Jim, a half-pound sandwich on a giant bun.  

BEST PULLED PORK

Hog Wild Beach & BBQ

Hog Wild pork plate

Old school preparation, smoky with bark, yet tender and moist.

BEST BRISKET

Big Bob Gibson's

Not a lot of brisket in Alabama I'd chose over pork.  This one I would!

Big Bob Gibson's brisket

Best Smoked Chicken 

Hog Wild Beach & BBQ

No sauce required!  It's deliciousness needs no help.

Hog Wild smoked chicken sandwich

Best Smoked Turkey 

Rodney Scott's BBQ

Rodney Scott's smoked turkey

We expect nothing less from a James Beard winner.

Best Ribs 

Smokey C's

Smokey C's ribs

Tender, juicy, and so good there's no need for sauce.

Best Sauce

Dreamland

Dreamland sauce

The godfather of all sauces!

Best Red Sauce

Jim's Hwy 82 Barbecue

Jim's red sauce on pork

Perfectly balanced with deep flavor and just enough spice to liven your taste buds.

Best White Sauce

Big Bob Gibson's

Big Bob Gibson's white sauce

Smooth and light, keep a bottle in the fridge for all sorts of uses.

Best Golden Sauce 

Sam's Smokehouse

Sam's Smokehouse golden sauce

A take on Carolina gold that absolutely slaps on pork!

Best Vinegar Sauce

Martin' s Bar-B-Que

Martin's vinegar base sauce

If you're not a fan of vinegar sauce, this one could change your mind.

Best Fries

Carlile's

Carlile's fries

Hand-cut, hot, fresh, and just something about the smell.

Best Onion Rings

Sho'Nuff BBQ

Sho' Nuff's onion rings

Battered, crispy, and hot!  Nothing comes close.

Best Slaw 

Bunyan's Bar-B-Que

Bunyan's spicy slaw

Up your expectations with this spicy, yellow slaw that's totally unique.

Best Baked Beans

Smokehouse Pit Barbecue

Smokehouse's baked beans

Flavorful, thick, and meaty.  The model for a side of vegetables.

Best Potato Salad 

Big Bob Gibson's

Big Bob Gibson's potato salad

Red potatoes in a creamy mayo that's smooth and indulgent.

Best Mac n Cheese

Demetri's

Demetri's mac n cheese

Spiral pasta covered in a rich, delectable cheese blend.

Best Grits

Porky's Pride

Porky's Pride's cheese grits

Course ground, rich, creamy, and, most importantly, cheesy!

Best Greens

Rodney Scott's BBQ

Rodney Scott's greens

How can anyone make collard greens taste this good?

Best Baked Potato 

Green Top Bar-B-Q

Green Top barbecue potato with pork & white sauce

Top it with pork and get the white sauce.

Best Cornbread

Heards BBQ & Soul Food

Heard's cornbread

Corny, creamy, and absolutely delicious!

Best Desserts

Ole Hickory BBQ

Ole Hickory's coconut pie

We recommend the coconut, but they're all outrageous!

Best Unique Dish

Saw's Soul Kitchen

Saw's pork 'n greens

Pork N Greens - fried onions, on pulled pork, on

collard greens, on grits.  Amazing!

All TABC lists are living, breathing entities.  They may change frequently based on reader recommendations and my own personal discoveries.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcome so don't be shy.  We're all in this together!

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