If you are visiting Huntsville, Alabama, this summer, gravitate towards our Southern palate with amazing barbecue places to enjoy, including a historic barbecue restaurant just 30 minutes from downtown Huntsville in Decatur, Alabama—Big Bob Gibson's. Alabama White Sauce, a mayonnaise-vinegar and spice-based sauce, was invented here in North Alabama by Bob Gibson, the owner of Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ in Decatur, Alabama in the 1920s. Alabama White Sauce was created for Gibson’s signature BBQ chicken to keep it moist, but it is great on everything! Dine in, take out, and buy some bottled sauces to take back home with you. You will find that most BBQ places in Alabama will offer this unique white BBQ sauce on their menus.
Closer into the Rocket City- Huntsville area we have many BBQ establishments including some of these smaller and locally owned places to try.
Blue Oak BBQ
1000 MidCity Drive
(only one other location in New Orleans)
This vibrant BBQ spot is located in the heart of an entertainment district known as MidCity. Award winning Orion amphitheater is walkable to this restaurant and bar which makes this the perfect spot for a meal and drinks before or after a concert. Family friendly with a covered patio and kids' meals.
Classic BBQ dishes and sides with a nod to their New Orleans origins on the menu with items like BBQ Gumbo, pork belly cracklins and smoked peach cobbler. BBQ nachos, ribs, brussels sprouts, wings, pulled pork, brisket and salads. House made BBQ sauces from mild to spicy.
Indoor-outdoor covered patio seating and indoor/outdoor bar.
On the patio, you can observe the screened-in smokehouse, where you can enjoy the smells of fresh BBQ smoke and see the pitmaster work his magic.
Ted’s BBQ
212 Andrew Jackson Way AND 8780 Madison Boulevard, Madison, AL (breakfast too!)
The 5 Points location is near downtown Huntsville and offers a drive-thru, inside seating, and to-go options. The Madison location also offers breakfast.
Classic pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, wings, Salads, BBQ pork, ribs.
This BBQ restaurant offers spicy tamales served in the husk.
BoarHog’s Barbeque
2064 Highway 72 East
Located just minutes from downtown Huntsville, this standalone sit-down establishment feels like you are in a small-town BBQ spot. BBQ pulled pork, brisket, ribs, wings, smothered potatoes, loaded nachos, and smoked ham are offered here among the classic BBQ staples. You can order meat and sides in bulk, and family packs that include meat, sides, and buns are offered. Unique offerings here that you may not see at other BBQ restaurants in town include catfish, fried mushrooms, bologna, hamburger steak, fried squash, and a smoked chicken salad sandwich.
Their unique sauce to try here: The Sloppy sauce, a spicy, vinegar-based red sauce.
Salt Smokehouse
1300 Meridian Street (Lincoln mill area near downtown)
Elevated casual barbecue fusion restaurant. Offering Wagyu meat in some dishes alongside Chopped Brisket Salads and crowd favorites like the Barbecue Wonton Nachos and Texas Twinkies (stuffed jalapenos with smoked brisket). Not the run-of-the-mill barbecue restaurant. Spicy boiled peanuts and a craft cocktail and mocktail menu level up this unique smokehouse. The atmosphere is a large industrial room with tall ceilings and windows all around, bright and simple.
Smoked beef burnt ends, pulled pork plate, smoked chicken, and pork ribs for the traditional BBQ lovers.
Hickory Store
1947 Blake Bottom
Traditional BBQ restaurant with some Louisiana inspired dishes like Boudin Balls, Smoked Tuna DIP and Babyback Rib Egg Rolls. Enjoy eating inside, grab in bulk to go, drive through or on the covered patio with fans, fireplace and TV.
The menu offers smoked wings, pulled pork sandwiches, plates, and Loaded Spuds.
Salads, baby back ribs, fried green tomatoes, and smoked wings eggrolls
Peach cobbler and banana pudding for a way to end on a sweet note.
Kars Char
Texas Style BBQ
2211 Seminole Drive
(located in Lowe Mill near downtown Huntsville)
Don’t let the pink checked floor inside this restaurant located in an Arts and Entertainment Historic Building fool you, this is Texas-style BBQ in Huntsville, Alabama. Pulled pork, chicken, pulled ham, smoked sausage, and brisket. They also offer brisket chili, burgers, sandwiches, BBQ plates, and loaded fries. Sides like macaroni and cheese, potato salad, pinto and collard greens. Unique items here include BBQ Frito Pie and the BBQ Mac & Cheese Parfait (layered in a cup, smoked meat and mac and cheese). Classic BBQ desserts like banana pudding
Luv’s Hawaiian BBQ
5000 Whitesburg Drive
This Asian-American cuisine specializes in Hawaiian fusion BBQ. You can find the tastes of Hawaii here in Huntsville with BBQ classics like BBQ Chicken, shrimp, short ribs, and katsu plates served with rice. Loco Moco, spam fried rice and Spam Musubi, BBQ chicken salads are some favorites here.
BONUS BBQ:
Stone Age Korean BBQ
Huntsville is home to Korean BBQ, too! Places you can cook your meat and veggies yourself over a small hot plate on your table with Korean-style flavors like bulgogi and kimchi at Stoneage Korean BBQ with two Huntsville locations.
2319 South Memorial Parkway (close to downtown Huntsville) AND 7929 HWY 72 Madison, AL 35758
Booming Hot Pot
6275 University Drive
Korean BBQ tables and Hot Pot option at the tables. Private rooms are available.
Q Korean BBQ & Revolving Sushi
6125 Highway 72
Korean BBQ tables and revolving sushi train with rocket ship table delivery.
Vujee Vegan
4701 Meridian Street (near Alabama A&M in North Huntsville)
Vegan comfort food, including the popular plant-based menu item, BBQ Ribs. Counter service with indoor seating and a menu full of Vegan comfort food entrees and sides.
The Veggie
7504 US 72 West Madison, AL
Roasted Jackfruit BBQ wrap. Vegan plant-based alternative to pulled pork.
