I’ve never had the barbecue at Demetri’s BBQ. Based on the peppery, smoky smell that hangs heavy in the air and lingers on my clothes after I leave, it’s probably delicious. But I’ve only ever gone to Demetri’s for breakfast.
The Unexpected Breakfast Spot You Can’t Miss
The barbecue joint is a bona fide establishment in Homewood, a suburb just south of Birmingham, Alabama. Demetri’s opened in 1961 as El Rancho and got a new name when it moved to its current location in 1973. The sign out front of the wood-and-brick building changes often, sometimes to feature birthday wishes, other times to offer sage advice and fair warnings: “If you leave here hungry, it’s not our fault.”
What To Order
It’s a no-fuss, no-frills establishment that lets the food—good, simple food—do the talking. My friend Sarah, who first took me to Demetri’s, also introduced me to my go-to order. Find your way to the little heart icon on the menu, which’ll point you in the direction of the spot’s iconic Love Biscuits & Sandwiches. Sarah’s (and now mt) preferred breakfast stack calls for extra crispy bacon, eggs, double gouda cheese, all piled high on a grilled biscuit. I don’t know if ordering “double gouda” is really even a thing, but order it just like Sarah does and you won’t be disappointed. If biscuits aren’t your thing, try an omelette from the so-called “secret omelette menu” that’s printed right there on the actual menu, or the French toast, which is breaded in something (cornflakes, I think) that gives it the just-right amount of crunch.
Demetri’s is the one place I’ve ever felt like a regular, and that’s more a testament to the memories of the staff than how often I’ve showed up there for breakfast. But I’m hardly the restaurant’s only frequent flyer. There’s a slew of regulars who keep the place busy any given morning, from men’s Bible studies that meet there early on weekdays to families that fill the sunroom on Saturdays…