And these two are classics.   But running right beside these two and even by them are three other gems that you must find a way to wear on your finger -  at least get a chance to lick their sauce off your finger!

Without putting these in too obvious of an order, as to my preference, let's just go with Alphabetical order.  Then, we'll all agree and say you need to make sure you get all these checked off this year and go with your favorite from here on out.

Here we Roll Tide Roll!

Bio:   George and Betty Archibald opened Archibald's BBQ in Northport Alabama in 1962. The small cinderblock building where George and Betty first started serving ribs is still serving fans today!

Today they have three locations in Tuscaloosa and Northport.  It is owned and operated by George and Betty's grandson Woodrow Washington III, and other family members.   

What  Makes it Unique:    That sauce, though!  It is a vinegar base, not dark in color but not that clear stuff some of those joints push.  No, it has its own rich flavor that goes incredibly well with pulled pork, chicken, wings, and their famous staple Archibald's ribs.  

Their fried okra sides are delicious and the baked beans are really good, too!  

Personal Favorites:  I am all about the ribs.   My son-in-law is all about their wings.  They are both really incredible with that Archibald's sauce

Other Favorites:  If you can get past the ribs and wings, give their catfish a try.  Another person suggested to try the sliced meat... MMMM sounds good!

Advice: This is a gameday staple for many out of towners.  You better get there early and get in line!  

For the Quad or Tailgate:  You can get ribs by the pound, ribs by the slab, pork by the pound, whole pork butts, whole chickens, up to 50 wings, catfish by the dozen, slaw, baked beans, and potato salad by the pound.   Order way ahead and pick up in time for a blow-out tailgate.

1211 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Northport, Alabama 35476

4215 Greensboro Ave

Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405

Bio:    According to Dreamland's self told history, It all started with a Dream…

… and it was in that dream that God visited John “Big Daddy” Bishop and told him to open a restaurant. Mr. Bishop obliged and opened the original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1958. In the early years, the restaurant sold everything from burgers to postage stamps. It was their hickory-fired ribs, however, that quickly became the local favorite.   Soon, barbecue lovers from all over the country began dropping by to enjoy Dreamland’s iconic ribs, white bread, and BBQ sauce. More than 60 years later, they still do.  

What Makes it Unique:  The barbecue is good.  The history and the legend of it is hard to beat.  If you haven't tried it once then you have probably never yelled, "Roll Tide" and meant it.  Their sauce is a deeper richer vinegar based sauce that packs just a bit of heat.  

Personal Favorites:   You can't go wrong with tradition.  I just Roll with the traditional rib "sammich".  Get a bone or two extra though and lick that sauce off those fingers! 

Other Favorites:   The desserts are worth the trip over.   Get you a cup (or a quart) of that "nanner puddin"  to clear up that little bit of heat left over from the sauce.  It will make your mouth happy.

Advice:  Visit the original Dreamland on 15th Ave East just to say you did!

For the Quad or Tailgate:  Dreamland specializes in full packages for Tail-gating large groups 20-50.   Each package level has pork, chicken, sausage, rib-tips or ribs.  You get a choice of 2 sides, 1 dessert, and 3 or 6 gallons of their tea.  Hard to beat when you see the prices.  It averages about  $20 a plate.  

101 BRIDGE AVENUE

NORTHPORT, AL 35476

5535 15TH AVENUE EAST

TUSCALOOSA, AL 35405

Bio:   While they may not have the Tuscaloosa pedigree, and are a bit more of a chain now, this barbecue restaurant was founded in 1986 and has been run by the two brothers, David and Joe Maluff since 1997.

What Makes it Unique:  Full Moon makes their bones based on its fuller menu of various meats and treats.  I still wouldn't take a vegetarian there, except for dessert, but they will be able to serve even those pagans in your family that aren't much on barbecue.  

Personal Favorites:   For Barbecue I am going to go with their pork but get it sliced.   I also HAVE to have those collards on the side .  Just wish I could get hold of some corn bread to crumble in that pot liquor.  

Other Favorites:   Get a dozen of those Full Moon, Half-Moon Cookies.   That pecan chocolate chip, half-dipped in chocolate sauce... you just gotta decide if you are going to go cookie side, chocolate side, or start right down the middle.  

Advice:  This may be one of the better places that give you less of a chain feel but an atmosphere where you can take the younger kids and get them easily fed, too.  

For the Quad or Tailgate:  Because of their large selection they have a full catering menu.   It's best to let you give that a look yourself.   Link below to download:

1434 McFarland Blvd E

Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

Bio:   Officially, it all started in Birmingham in 1985 over on Clairmont Street.  The idea was to have a sit down restaurant that was barbecue first, but added other favorites.  Since then it has grown to a full blown franchise with 42 locations across the South East.

What Makes it Unique:  Jim n' Nicks is more of a destination type restaurant than a drop in barbecue joint.   It's prices and its menu as well as the fact most of their locations even have their own bar area make more of a good date night or after game favorite.  It is unique and set apart from the others in that it takes in other regional favorites in sauces and styles, even including some of that foreign stuff from over in the Carolina's.

Personal Favorites:  So this is supposed to be about the 'Que, but.... I could make a meal outta just those corn muffins and their famous sweet tea.   I also LOVE their deviled eggs... who knew?

Other Favorites:  When it comes to barbecue, in Alabama, turkey is the other white meat.... And they do it RIGHT.   Their Alabama White Sauce is dead on and makes a great alternative to the heavier weight stuff you may have been killing all day.   

Advice:  If you do go for the ribs, they are good... but get them to tell you how many bones you are gonna get with the 1, 2 or 3 pound choices.... Just sayin'

For the Quad or Tailgate:    This is not a drop in and get a few pounds and quarts kinda restaurant.  They actually have a minimum catering order of $250.00.   It will work out to about $25.00 a plate at their minimum.  But look... this is a bit upscale and what you get will be great.  It is even more personalized as they will work with you on putting together the best package.   You can call them at 205-637-2977 for more details.  

305 21st Ave

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Bio:  Moe's has been around in other parts of the country since 1988 but is one of the newest barbecue  restaurants to open in Tuscaloosa.  They went all out, though, and set down smack dab in town on University Blvd.  Their real draw is not the barbeque, which is good, but their location and their atmosphere. 

Good news is the owner is a Bama boy and they do the southern style sides right.  

What Makes it Unique:   Their atmosphere is about barbecue and the Blues.  They say that inside you will feel like you are in the Rocky's but still in the South.  OK.  But we are talking about barbecue and not granola trail-mix.  What they do well is draw in the college crowd for the bar and the music.   The downtown location is a cool draw, too, with an easy walk from some of the hotels that surround this popular area.  

Personal Favorites:   I just go with the pork sandwich, potato salad and mac n' cheese.   Hard to go wrong  and all are good quality.  

Other Favorites:  They do their wings well and the Bama boy that opened this place brought in the right white sauce to compliment them and their pulled chicken.  

Advice:  During the weekday this is a fine place to bring the younger members of the family but go ahead and skip it after the game if they are tagging along.  Otherwise, it is a Roll Tide Roll favorite with the college crowd.  That bar is hopping on Thursday, Friday, and gameday nights!

For the Quad or Tailgate:  Moe's may be your best bargain on the lower budget tailgate.   And, they make it real easy.  You can get packages that will feed 3-4, or 5-6.  These average at about $9 a plate.  No desserts included, though (word is that they may substitute banana puddin' or Mississippi mud pie as a side).

  

They also have very reasonable per lb. prices on their pulled pork, smoked turkey, whole chicken, and racks of ribs.  

2101 University Blvd.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Tuscaloosa is a great town for Barbecue!   And, barbecue is one of the greatest parts of gameday.   Give each one of these a try and then reach out and give me your thoughts.

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