Best BBQ in Tuscaloosa, AL: 3 Smokehouses, Ranked

Tuscaloosa is the home of the original Dreamland BBQ. Dreamland BBQ at 5535 15th Ave has grilled over hickory on an open-pit pit since 1958. Archibald's Bar-B-Q at 1211 University Blvd has done the same since 1964. HogHeaven BBQ at 6521 Highway 69 S rounds out the field. Rankings follow how many independent local roundups list each joint - tie-broken by verified fact count - and every listing is checked against the joint's own published information.

The ranking

1. 01

   Dreamland Tuscaloosa

   Dreamland BBQ is at 5535 15th Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405. It has grilled over hickory on an open-pit pit since 1958 and is open Mon-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, and Sun 10am-8pm. The signature item is legendary pork spareribs and white bread in the Alabama BBQ tradition with the house vinegar-based sauce. A full slab ribs is $19.99 and a half chicken is $9.99. Sides include white bread, beans, slaw, potato salad, and banana pudding.

2. 02

   Archibalds Bar B Q

   Archibald's Bar-B-Q is at 1211 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. It has smoked over hickory on a brick pit since 1964 and is open Mon-Sat 10:30am-9pm and Sun 10:30am-8pm. The signature item is pork spareribs with the original Alabama vinegar sauce in the Alabama BBQ tradition. A full slab ribs is $18.99 and a half chicken is $9.99. Sides include white bread, beans, slaw, and potato salad.

3. 03

   Hogheaven Bbq

   HogHeaven BBQ is at 6521 Highway 69 S, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405. It has smoked over hickory on an indirect-heat pit since 2008 and is open Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, and Sun 11am-8pm. The signature items are a pulled pork sandwich and ribs with Alabama white sauce in the Alabama BBQ tradition. A pulled pork plate is $12.99 and a full slab ribs is $20.99. Sides include white bread, beans, slaw, potato salad, and banana pudding.

By neighborhood

FAQ