Barbecue can be one of the most divisive foods for Southerners. Everyone claims they know the best spot or can smoke a brisket that melts in your mouth, and while the debate may never be settled, Alabama certainly holds its own. Ask a dozen Alabamians where to find the state’s best barbecue, and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers—but that’s exactly what makes the search so much fun.
Around here, the restaurants with the biggest reputations aren’t always the ones that catch your eye from the road. They’re the ones that let the food do the talking. Whether they’ve been serving their communities for decades or have become local favorites more recently, these Alabama barbecue joints deserve a spot on any barbecue lover’s list.
Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch- Prattville
(Fat Boys BBQ Ranch/Facebook)
With its rustic, ranch-inspired setting tucked beside a creek in Prattville, Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch serves up more than just great barbecue. Everything from the smoked meats and classic southern sides to the desserts is made from scratch, creating the kind of meal that feels right at home in Alabama. While the barbecue is reason enough to stop, don’t miss a bowl of the restaurant’s camp stew—a regional favorite that’s become one of Fat Boy’s signature dishes alongside its homemade peach cobbler and fried pies.
Captain Frank’s Smoke Shack- Bayou La Batre
You might not expect to find some of Alabama’s best barbecue tucked away in Bayou La Batre, but Captain Frank’s Smoke Shack has built its reputation one smoked plate at a time. Visitors often discover the restaurant while exploring Alabama’s Gulf Coast, only to find themselves planning a return trip for the tender ribs, flavorful pulled pork and tangy house barbecue sauce. Alongside its barbecue plates, the generously loaded baked potatoes have earned a loyal following of their own.
RD’s Smokehouse BBQ-Harvest
(RD’s Smokehouse BBQ/Facebook)…