Celebrate Alabama’s Barbecue Culture and National Barbecue Appreciation Month

 

May is National Barbecue Appreciation Month, a time to celebrate the smoky, savory, and slow-cooked traditions that define American barbecue. If there’s one state that knows how to do barbecue right, it’s Alabama. From legendary pitmasters to secret sauces passed down through generations, Alabama’s barbecue culture is rich, diverse, and deeply rooted in Southern tradition.  

 The Heart of Alabama Barbecue  

Alabama’s barbecue scene is a melting pot of flavors and techniques, influenced by neighboring states but distinct in its own right. While Texas is known for brisket and the Carolinas for vinegar-based pork, Alabama has carved out its own identity with a mix of hickory-smoked meats, tangy sauces, and classic Southern sides.  

What Makes Alabama Barbecue Unique? 

1. White Sauce– Perhaps the most famous contribution to the barbecue world, Alabama’s white barbecue sauce was pioneered by Big Bob Gibson in Decatur. Made with mayonnaise, vinegar, and spices, this tangy sauce is traditionally served over smoked chicken but has found its way onto everything from ribs to pulled pork.  

2. Hickory-Smoked Meats – Alabama pitmasters favor hickory wood, which imparts a deep, smoky flavor to meats. Pork reigns supreme, but beef, chicken, and even turkey are popular choices.  

3. Diverse Regional Styles – While North Alabama leans toward pulled pork with white sauce, Central Alabama embraces tomato-based sauces, and South Alabama often incorporates mustard-based influences from nearby Georgia.  

 Legendary Alabama Barbecue Joints  

Alabama is home to some of the most iconic barbecue restaurants in the country. If you’re looking to experience the best of the state’s barbecue culture, here are a few must-visit spots:  

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q (Decatur) – The birthplace of Alabama white sauce and a multi-time world champion in barbecue competitions.

  

Dreamland Bar-B-Que (Tuscaloosa & Birmingham) – Famous for its fall-off-the-bone ribs and simple, no-frills approach to barbecue.  

Saw’s BBQ (Birmingham) – A newer addition to the Alabama barbecue scene, Saw’s has gained national recognition for its pulled pork and smoked chicken with white sauce.  

Archibald’s BBQ (Northport & Birmingham) – A small, family-run joint known for its perfectly smoked ribs and vinegar-based sauce.  

Celebrating National Barbecue Appreciation Month in Alabama  

May is the perfect time to fire up the grill, visit a local barbecue joint, or attend a cook-off to celebrate Alabama’s barbecue heritage. Here are some ways to participate:  

Ken's BBQ 

1. Host a Backyard Barbecue 

Gather friends and family, smoke some ribs, and try your hand at making Alabama’s famous white sauce.  

Don't forget to pick up a smoker & supplies from Alabama's premier barbecue supply store, Brother's Q BBQ Supply. 

2. Visit a Local Barbecue Joint 

Support local pitmasters by dining at one of Alabama’s legendary barbecue spots.  

Rodney Scott's 

3. Attend a Barbecue Festival or Cook-Off  

Alabama hosts several barbecue events throughout the year, including the Decatur BBQ Festival and the WhistleStop Weekend in Huntsville which is one of my personal favorites.   

4. Try a New Barbecue Recipe  

Experiment with different sauces and smoking techniques to create your own Alabama-inspired barbecue masterpiece.  

Visit Alabaster's own Bama Grill Master's website for some amazing recipes, tips and techniques. BamaGrillMaster.com 

In conclusion, Alabama’s barbecue culture is more than just food—it’s a tradition, a community, and a way of life. Whether you’re indulging in a plate of hickory-smoked ribs or dipping smoked chicken into white sauce, every bite tells a story of Southern craftsmanship and passion.  

The Pig Iron BBQ Challenge

So this National Barbecue Appreciation Month, take a moment to savor the flavors, honor the pitmasters, and celebrate the rich barbecue heritage that makes Alabama one of the best places for barbecue lovers.  

🔥 What’s your favorite Alabama barbecue spot? Send me an email at RestaurantRaider@gmail.com to be entered to win a gift card to your favorite Birmingham barbecue eatery. 🍖

*Winner will be notified 5/31/25

Thanks for reading & sharing!

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

Est.2009

Get Ready For The 14th Annual Bob Sykes BBQ & BLUES Festival

 

The Bob Sykes BBQ & BLUES Festival presented by Coca Cola United is set for April 26, 2025 from 12-6 pm. Gates open at 11am. This event will combine the best blues music and legendary Bob Sykes Bar B Q at the beautiful DeBardeleben Park located in historic downtown Bessemer, Alabama.  Be sure to bring your chair, or blanket and set-up your spot for the day to enjoy talented blues musicians.

Since 2010, the event has been a local favorite for festival goers. Attendees of the festival range from youth to adults. 2nd generation owner and pit master of Bob Sykes Bar B Q Van Sykes says, “Each year the festival grows, and we couldn’t do it without our sponsors and the support of the community.” City of Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley says "The Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival has been a great event for the City of Bessemer. We're looking forward to many more great years of barbecue and blues music in downtown Bessemer.”

The 2025 musical performance line up is sure to leave blues music lovers entertained. 

The festival has been chosen for numerous years as one of the top food festivals in Alabama.

There is something to do for the entire family including a large kid's corner with activities and games. Children eight and under are free with a ticketed adult. Besides great music and bbq the festival offers a variety of booths including arts and crafts, outdoor exhibits, and a diverse selection of vendors selling tempting offers.

General admission tickets can be purchased for $10 at http://www.bobsykesblues.com">www.bobsykesblues.com or visit Bob Sykes Bar B Q Restaurant.  

Day of the festival tickets are $15. 

🎫Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bob-sykes-bbq-blues-festival-tickets-894003798427

The 2025 Bob Sykes BBQ and BLUES Festival charity beneficiary is Community Foodbank of Central Alabama.

The mission is to feed people in need today and foster collaborative solutions to end hunger tomorrow. We believe no one in Alabama should go hungry. We believe there is a solution to the problem of hunger in Alabama. For every person who is currently in need, there are even more people in Alabama willing and able to reach out with a helping hand.

Thanks for reading & sharing! 

The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

Est.2009

Guns & Hoses BBQ Cook-Off Benefiting Firefighter Ryan Mizell

 

Please Share, Share, Share! 

Via The City of Helena:

 Calling all BBQ lovers and community heroes supporters! 

This Sunday, November 3rd, from 1–5 pm at the Helena Old Town Amphitheater, we're coming together for something truly special – the Guns n' Hoses BBQ Cookoff! It's more than just a BBQ event; it's a chance to stand by a man who has spent his life serving us all: Ryan Mizell.

For over a decade, Ryan has been a firefighter and paramedic, dedicating himself to Helena's safety and well-being. He's fought fires, saved lives, and even started his own business, all while raising a beautiful family with his wife, Charolette, a teacher at Jemison High School, and their two daughters, ages 14 and 9. But now, Ryan is in the fight of his life—battling Stage IV colon cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs.

Despite the hardships, surgeries, and countless rounds of chemotherapy, Ryan's spirit has remained unbreakable. Sunday, November 3rd, we can show him that his community has his back, just as he's had ours for many years.

Here's how YOU can make a difference:

- Spread the word! Share this post and invite everyone you know to come on Sunday, November 3rd!

- Join us for BBQ tastings and cast your vote for your favorite cookoff team by donating to their jar. The teams are our local police officers, firefighters, city department members, and the surrounding cities' departments. The one with the most donations by 3:30 pm wins!

- Your $10 donation gets you a wristband to sample some of the best BBQ, enjoy live music by Rollin in the Hay, and watch your kids have a blast in the bounce house.

But most importantly, 100% of your donations will go directly to help Ryan in his fight against cancer. Let's fill those jars, enjoy great food, and come together for a cause bigger than BBQ.

Ryan has faced every challenge with courage and strength. Now, let's show him the same love and support he's shown us. See you Sunday, 11/3!

For more information, you can visit the GoFundMe page for Ryan Mizell https://www.gofundme.com/stand-with-firefighter-ryan...

The Guns n' Hoses event is Sunday, 11/3, from 1 to 5 pm in the Helena Amphitheater Park. Again, all monies collected will go to Ryan Mizell!

Helena Amphitheater

4151 Helena Rd, Helena, AL 35080

Looking forward to seeing you there! 

Thanks for reading & sharing. 

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

Est. 2009

https://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/

Make Your Way To Blue Sushi Sake Grill

 

Birmingham has some outstanding restaurants. I think we can all agree on that. It's always nice to find one of those spots that you'd go to over & over again. 

I recently visited one of my new favorite places, Blue Sushi Sake Grill in the Summit Shopping Community off of highway 280. 

We were celebrating a very special birthday so to be sure that we'd be guaranteed a table, I made a reservation via OpenTable.com. Thank goodness I did, because the place filled up within moments of us being seated. When using the reservation app, you are allowed to select your seating choice at many establishments. Booth seating is always my preference. Our server, Austin, recommended everything we tried. His attention to detail was superb. 

We started out with a couple of savory starters: A bowl of the traditional Edamame & The Coconut Crab Soup: roasted corn, sweet potatoes, yellow curry, coconut milk, cilantro, chili oil. 

COCONUT CRAB SOUP

EDAMAME

Since we were celebrating, we decided to have a couple of items from their popular custom cocktail menu: The Strawberry Daisy and The Raspberry Mojito. These paired extremely well with all of the menu items we selected. 

STRAWBERRY DAISY

RASPBERRY MOJITO

Our sushi rolls consisted of the Rainbow Roll: bigeye tuna, salmon, yellowtail, ebi, crab mix, avocado & cucumber. The Spicy Tekka: spicy bigeye tuna & cucumber

Both rolls were outstanding. Our feature dishes included the Tuna Tower & The Salmon Poke Bowl. These were by far, two incredible dishes that I would definitely recommend to a first-time visitor. 

Click To Enlarge

The Tuna Tower: sesame and ponzu-marinated bigeye tuna, spicy crab mix, avocado and sushi rice, topped with black tobiko and wasabi sprouts, served with honey wasabi, mango and eel sauces. 

Click To Enlarge

The Salmon Poke Bowl: sockeye salmon, sweet onion, wakame and avocado, tossed in sesame dressing, served with nori crisps and cucumber sunomono.

Overall, Blue Sushi Sake Grill has all of the elements for a fun night out, date night or a special occasion dinner. Their menu variety combined with the outstanding service definitely puts them on my list of favorites. 

For more information or to make a reservation, visit their website at https://bluesushisakegrill.com 

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

238 Summit Blvd

Birmingham, AL 35243

Also download or visit OpenTable.com to start earning dining rewards. 

Thanks for reading & sharing! 

The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

Est.2009

https://birminghamrestaurantraider.blogspot.com/

Hometown Fare Hits a Home Run

 

Hello All! 

Here's a short & sweet recap of a local dining experience. 

During a recent (and much needed) self-care day at Birch Tree Day Spa in the Ross Bridge community, I decided to check out the restaurant offerings in the area. In walking distance was a very quaint spot called Hometown Fare. 

The atmosphere was quite inviting. The dining area was very well lit with a "hometown feel.  They also have several shelves containing great wine selections for vino enthusiasts. It was AFTER the lunch rush, so I had the place all to myself along with another couple. 

The staff was super friendly and made the ordering process very easy for this first timer. The Hometown Burger, a popular menu item, was highly recommended. I added a side of a seasonal dish, the Mexican Street corn.

The Hometown Burger is 6 ounces of perfectly grilled beef surrounded by fresh, crispy lettuce, tomato, melted cheddar cheese & savory grilled onions on their signature branded brioche bun. The generous helping of the street corn was perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. I can't wait for this side item to make its way back to the menu. 

Overall, this is definitely a spot that I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone in the area looking for a great menu full of hometown cafe favorites without outrageous prices. I can't wait to return to this spot.  

They also have the most amazing 5-course fall wine dinner scheduled on October 13th. 

Click to enlarge.

For more information on Hometown Fare or to make a reservation for the fall wine dinner, visit https://www.hometownfarerb.com/. 

Visit them on Instagram @hometownfarerb/ & Facebook @hometownfarerb

Hometown Fare

3623 Market Street 

Suite 101

Hoover, AL 35226

(205) 957-6460

Thanks for reading and sharing! 

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

"Anonymously Raiding A Restaurant Near You"

Est. 2009

 

An Amazing Evening At Oakhouse Birmingham

 

I scheduled a meeting at Oakhouse Restaurant, a popular eatery just south of metro Birmingham in the beautiful community of Mt. Laurel. 

1️⃣ We shared a "Pork Belly & Grits" appetizer. Succulent maple butter glazed pork belly, with blue cheese crumbles over a creamy bed of smoked gouda grits. Simply divine. 

2️⃣ A glass of red wine for my dinner companion🍷 and I had my tried-and-true Cahaba Blonde draft beer. 🍺

3️⃣ We both had the 14 oz Ribeye Steak. I had mine "Oscar Style" topped with lump crab meat and cream sauce w/ grilled asparagus and a side of scalloped potatoes au gratin.

4️⃣ Finally, with little room left, we shared a decadent slice of bread pudding with a caramel and cream sauce. I highly recommend this heavenly dessert. 

Overall, Oakhouse provided GREAT service in a beautiful atmosphere which made for a beautiful MUCH NEEDED night out and an amazing dining experience. 😉🥰💕

For more information on Oakhouse Restaurant or to make a reservation, 

visit them at https://www.oakhouseeats.com/

Instagram Link: @oakhousebham

Facebook Link: facebook.com/oakhousebham/

Thanks for reading & sharing! 

~The Birmingham Restaurant Raider

Est. 2009 

#RaidBham 

*Please take a moment to visit the website for The Roverchase Foundation. 

Your tax-deductible donations help provide professionally trained service animals to aid people with disabilities. 

This is an Alabama based non-profit organization.

https://www.theroverchasefoundation.org  

Birmingham Restaurant Week- Winter Edition 2022

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jan. 12, 2022 — Birmingham Restaurant Week (BRW) organizers are pleased to announce the dates of BRW 2022 - Winter Edition presented by Spire. Happening Thursday, Feb. 17 through Saturday, Feb. 26, the 10-day event brings patrons the opportunity to indulge in two, three and four-course meals at a prix-fixe price at over 30 participating restaurants, bars and food trucks. BRW also has plans to host crowd-favorite events, Wine-O-Logy on Feb. 22, alongside a new cocktail-style event, Magic City Mix-O-Logy, on March 1. 

Watkins Branch

From fine dining to down-home cookin’, food and drink lovers with a taste for adventure can enjoy special breakfast, lunch and/or dinner prix-fixe menus ranging from $5 to $50 per person – making it easy and affordable for everyone to enjoy a taste of Birmingham’s diverse dishes and sips. Known as Birmingham’s premier culinary and beverage event, BRW aims to support local restaurants by giving individuals incentives to enjoy the South’s most vibrant culinary destination one bite at a time. BRW helps to stimulate the local economy and boosts local love for Birmingham’s award-winning restaurant scene. 

Red Diamond Coffee Martini

Previously scheduled for January, BRW organizers decided to postpone the Winter Edition because of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.  BRW will continue to monitor cases and seek advice from public health officials going forward. 

Sol Y Luna Patio

To safely serve patrons who don’t want to dine in, participating businesses will again boast to-go and/or curbside options as well as the traditional dine-in option. Additionally, many restaurants have made special accommodations to safely serve diners during the winter and to allow for al fresco dining no matter the weather by offering outdoor high-powered heaters, firepits, cabana tents and enclosed patios. 

Sabor Latino

 

“Birmingham’s culinary and beverage industry and its residents have been through a rough couple of years of heartbreak due to the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide labor shortage, and Birmingham Restaurant Week 2022 - Winter Edition is a high note for everyone,” said Bill Stoeffhaas, co-founder of BRW and owner of Style Advertising, the organizer of BRW. “BRW’s 10-day culinary affair provides an opportunity for the public to revisit old favorites or experience new restaurants in the new year while allowing local chefs to showcase delicious recipes that put Birmingham on the foodie road map.”

Fat Charles' BBQ

Organizers expect approximately 30 to 40 Birmingham-area restaurants, food trucks, bars and coffee shops to participate in BRW 2022 - Winter Edition and join in on Birmingham’s renowned food and beverage promotional blitz. Those currently registered include: Ash Homewood, Aww Shucks, Bay Leaf Modern Indian Cuisine & Bar, Blueroot, Dread River Distilling Co., EATS Highland, El ZunZún, Farrelly’s Southern Bar & Kitchen, Fat Charles BBQ, Filter Coffee Parlor, Iron City Grill, Michael’s Restaurant, Moonshine Rooftop Bar at Elyton Hotel, Ovenbird Restaurant, Red Mountain Crawfish, Rojo, Roots & Revelry, Sabor Latino, Slice Pizza and Brewhouse - Lakeview, Slice Pizza and Brewhouse - Vestavia, Sol Y Luna, Steel Gastropub, The Current at Cahaba, The Gardens Cafe by Kathy G., The Fennec, The Yard Birmingham at Elyton Hotel, Tropicaleo, Vino, Watkins Branch Bourbon & Brasserie and Whole Latte Drip.

Vino

Diners can search participating restaurants and their special menus on the BRW website at www.bhamrestaurantweek.com via the home page and the Eat/Drink page powered by Bham Now. Users can view participating businesses by neighborhood, meal, price point, service or other desired option to aid in planning their BRW culinary plan of attack.

Filter 

“At Spire, we understand the vital role restaurants and other businesses in the food and beverage industry play in a community,” says Joe Hampton, president of Spire Alabama. “That’s why we’re proud to continue our partnership with Birmingham Restaurant Week, support our local restaurants and provide the community with a way to connect through enjoying great food and drink. Restaurant Week has proved to be the perfect way to do that, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build an even stronger connection through the 2022 Winter Edition.”

 

BRW will again be promoted in local and regional media with both earned coverage and paid advertising in print, TV and digital media outlets, as well as through extensive social media campaigns. Participants of BRW can expect to receive multiple opportunities of multimedia promotion, an increase in sales, exposure to a large pool of culinary and beverage industry supporters and 10-plus days of constant promotion. 

 

Oven Bird

Stoeffhaas also noted, “During the pandemic, many restaurants were able to avoid closing their doors by offering curbside pick-up, to-go and delivery services, but now restaurants are facing labor shortages that are making operating normally challenging. With BRW, our goal is not only to promote locally owned restaurants but to provide assistance to them where we are able to. Without our restaurants, the vibrancy of our culinary community will diminish.”

Iron City Grill

According to a recent article by AL.com, Alabama has the nation’s 11th largest labor shortage. The largest of job openings have happened in food services, hospitality, health care and others. In August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that job openings increased to 10.9 million or about 6.9 percent from July 2021. As noted in Birmingham Watch, Birmingham-Hoover metro area’s leisure and hospitality industry had 50,500 employees in July. That’s up from 42,400 the same month in 2020 but still below the 54,400 employees for July 2019. Due to this, restaurants across the state and the country have increased wages. From July 2020 to July 2021, average hourly earnings for restaurant and hospitality workers have increased by at least $1.95 here in Alabama (from $12.92 to $14.87) - more than in any neighboring state during that same time. For individuals seeking a career in the culinary industry, there is no better time than now. 

#BRW2022 #BhamRestWeek

Thanks for reading & sharing!