Big Bob Gibson’s earns the awards. Dreamland has the name cache. Saw’s is the up-and-comer.
But, if you love ‘cue, and if you want the full, undistilled experience of what Alabama barbecue is and should forevermore be, there is one place that immediately comes to mind for the experienced porcine gourmand.
Archibald’s BBQ, in Northport, is a small cinder-block shack built in the backyard of the property of owner, George Archibald, Jr. It’s been in business for more than 50 years. The restaurant isn’t much to look at, but I dare you to drive past it with your windows down and not stop in.