Alabama's Best BBQ sandwich is ... (2024)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Oh, it's been a journey ...

By Haley Laurence

Around a month ago, we asked y'all to tell us whereto get the best barbecue sandwich in Alabama. And y'all told us. Thousands of nominations poured in suggesting hundreds of places across the state. We then divided your nominations into regions andasked you to vote for your favorite sandwich.After the votes were tallied, we listened to your suggestions and traveled across Alabama to taste test your favorites and name Alabama's Best BBQ Sandwich.(See our schedule here.)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

And we can happily report this: Y'all have great taste in barbecue.

The journey took us to every kind of barbecue joint imaginable. There were the barbecue food trucks. Barbecue joints paired with convenience stores. Barbecue joints in renovated gas stations. Backyard barbecue joints. Barbecue joints in former bars. We've seen it all.

They all have one thing in common, though: Each place we visited had absolutely superb 'cue and even better service.So much so that we hated picking a top 10, and agonized about it for days. But we had to do it. That's what we set out to do.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

And one more thing before we get started ...

We judged solely on the barbecue sandwich -- not the atmosphere, or the ambience, or the convenience. It was all about the 'cue sandwich. If you're craving a nice, sit-down joint, there are plenty of options. If you just want to hit up a drive-thru in your PJs, we have that for you, too.

Remember: Although we narrowed it down to 10 places, we visited 22, and all were delicious and the owners were delightful. Make sure to visit them all. (See the list here.) And make sure to frequent your favorite 'cue spot -- let's keep Alabama barbecue thriving, y'all.

10. Saw's BBQ

Saw's BBQ, 1008 Oxmoor Road, Homewood
Saw's Soul Kitchen, 215 41st St. S., Birmingham
Saw's Juke Joint,1115 Dunston Ave., Birmingham

Saw's BBQ has only been around since 2009, but it's already a Birmingham institution. No matter what time of the day you get there, you'll probably encounter a line at their Homewood, Avondale and Crestline locations. And the lines are there for a reason -- they serve some totally legit 'cue. (Photo by Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

This is one pretty barbecue sandwich. I mean, look at it. It's one gorgeous sandwich. But it's not just about the looks, either. AL.com food expert Bob Carlton says he "was knocked out by how tender and flavorful their pork is."Read about our journey to Saw's here.

9. Big Bob Gibson Bar B Q

1715 6th Ave. S.E., Decatur and 2520 Danville Road S.W., Decatur

OK, so you've probably heard about Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, probably the most legendary barbecue joint in Bama (and that's saying a lot). The Decatur eatery knows its stuff -- its won four Grand Champion titles at Memphis in May -- but does its 'cue match its stellar reputation? We're proud to say yes. (Photo by Madison Underwood/munderwood@al.com)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we loved it.

Big Bob Gibson's hickory-smoked pulled pork needs no sauce, but if you want, you have plenty of choices -- you can add their award-winning sweet red sauce or famous white sauce to the mix. Win, win. Also on the sandwich: A sprinkle of slaw, which is perfect for those who aren't sure if they want to commit to slaw on a barbecue sandwich or not. Read about our trip to Big Bob Gibson Bar B Q here.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

8. Leo & Susie's Famous Green Top Bar-B-Que

7530 Hwy. 78, Dora and 535 AL-195, Jasper

Leo & Susie's Famous Green Top Bar-B-Que may not look like much from the outside, but it has plenty of personality -- and history -- on the inside. The county-line barbecue joint has served plenty of famous folks throughout the years, and has a fun, lively atmosphere. An added bonus: It has some totally spectacular food as well.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

The flavorful 'cue is topped with their tomato-based sauce, and it's absolutely tasty. Warning, though: Start eating it with your hands, but you may have to grab a fork to finish it -- it gets messy. But as the server told us, "Barbecue's not good if it's not messy."Read more about our visit here.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

7. Meat Boss

5401 Cottage Hill Road, Mobile

With a name like Meat Boss, the pressure is on, right? Luckily, Benny and Dara Charris -- Mr. and Mrs. Meat Boss themselves -- know a lot about cooking meats and customer service, making Meat Boss a must-try barbecue restaurant.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

Meat Boss' pulled pork sandwich is messy but delicious. It's also a bit of choose-your-own adventure -- you choose the bread, sauce, toppings and sides on a sheet of paper while placing your order. The meat is smoked perfectly -- Benny often comes back to the smoker at 2 or 3 a.m., Dara says, to ensure it's perfect -- and the sauce is just right. Read more about our visit here.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

6. ChuckWagon BBQ

8982 Hwy. 20, Madison

ChuckWagon is definitely not just a place to buy meats (as AL.com writer Matt Wakepointed out, a visit to ChuckWagon is definitely also about thedining experience itself). With a cowboy motif and gun signs everywhere, ChuckWagon definitely has a unique atmosphere. But it's not the atmosphere that ensures that there's a long line by the time they open at 11 a.m. -- it's the truly delicious food.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

Before you get your sandwich at ChuckWagon, you watch owner Mike Holley pull it apart by hand, so you know this isn't warmed-over meat. And after he hands it to you, you have the choice to add toppings and sauce at an area beside the cash register, but you really don't need them -- the meat has a slight smoky flavor that stands on its own.Read more about our visit here.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

5. Moe's Original Bar B Que

Locations throughout the state.Find them here.

Look, I know all you Alabama barbecue purists are rolling your eyes right now. How can a chain with dozens of locations throughout the country make this list? It's because they serve up one mean barbecue sandwich, that's why.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

Oh my goodness, y'all. The "Bama-style" sandwich is glorious. The bun is perfectly toasted and topped with almost slow-cooked pulled pork, red sauce, white sauce, pickles and slaw. It's good stuff. And don't forget to save some room for their side items, which includes a unique daily special. Read more about our visit here. (Courtesy photo)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

4. Rusty's Bar-B-Q

7484 Parkway Drive, Leeds

Rusty's Bar-B-Q opened in Leeds in 2009, and it has a nice, down-homeAlabama barbecue joint vibe: This is definitely a place you can grab some food and catch up with old pals -- over some delicious food.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

The pulled pork sandwich at Rusty's is a bit different than the sandwiches at some other restaurants -- the pork is hand-pulled into larger pieces than you typically find at other joints. And it's a good call -- it highlights the meat's smoky flavor. The pork is then topped with pickles, and you can add any of Rusty's five homemade sauces to the sandwich.Read more about our visit to Rusty's here.(Photo by Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

3. Ole Hickory BBQ

5061 Maysville Road, New Market

Ole Hickory is really off the beaten path, but it's worth the drive. The relaxed, homey restaurant serves catfish, chicken, brisket, sandwiches and more, but as the name suggests,the barbecue is the star here.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

This sandwich is what dreams are made of. Perfectly smoked pork topped with a sweet slaw and vinegar-based red sauce, this is delicious. I dare you not to eat it all. Actually, I double dare you. You want to know why? It's just not possible.Read about our visit to Ole Hickory here.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

2. Archibald's Bar B. Q.

1211 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Northport

You have to know what you're looking for to make it to Archibald's: The family-owned barbecue joint is just a cinder block building behind a home. But Archibald's has been in business since 1961 because people can't stop eating their pork and ribs.

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

Oh, this is what Heaven tastes like, y'all. This is a must-eat Alabama sandwich. Or, as AL.com writer Ben Flanagan says, "Third-generation owner Tray Archibald put it best: It's all about the sauce. That puts this longtime Northport staple a cut above the rest of the barbecue I've had throughout the state."

The only caveat: It's so saucy that you won't be able to pick it up -- you'll have to use a fork.Read more about Archibald's here.(Photo by Ben Flanagan/bflanagan@al.com)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

1. Whitts Barbecue

Locations in Athens, Decatur, Rogersville and Muscle Shoals.See more here.

Whitts Barbecue has plenty of fans -- it has locations in Alabama and Tennessee with lots of loyal customers -- and it's certainly not for its ambiance. You simply use the drive-thru or walk-up window and eat your food at a picnic table or take it outside. But the restaurant has thrived since the '60s because it serves some seriously stellar meat and awesome sides (try the Brunswick stew. Trust me on this one.)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

Here's why we love it.

OK, so here's the thing: This photo doesn't look like much. I had gotten drenched from a severe summer thunderstorm (without an umbrella) at the previous stop, so I drove over to Whitts a little miffed. I ran up to the walk-up menu and placed my order, and had to run back to my car in the storms to eat the sandwich. I really had nowhere to stage a photo, make the sandwich look attractive.

But guess what? Looks don't matter, and this was absolutely the best barbecue sandwich I had throughout the journey -- and possibly throughout my life. It was the juiciest pulled pork I've ever eaten, and the sweet slaw complemented the rest well. I refused to add sauce because, well, that just seemed like an insult to the meat. That's how good it was. And that's why it is Alabama's Best BBQ Sandwich. (Read more about our visit to Whittshere.)

Haley Laurence | hlaurence@al.com

But that's not all ...

Catch up with our journey to find Alabama's Best BBQ Sandwich here, or read these stories:

• 9 Alabama BBQ restaurants we miss
• 15 under-the-radar BBQ joints
• Revisit the 2015 Alabama Barbecue Hall of Fame
• Where to eat ribs in Alabama
• Slaw vs. no slaw: An Alabama barbecue discussion
• Eat barbecue for breakfast at these Alabama restaurants
• These aren't your ordinary barbecue sandwiches
• Here's where celebrities eat barbecue in Alabama
• 7 sides you need to try at Alabama barbecue restaurants