The real deal! Slow smoked BBQ over hickory wood. Tender, meaty ribs with great smoke ring. Good pulled pork. Friendly people. Screened in deck with picnic tables for dining. read more

On my quest to find the best BBQ in Tuscaloosa, I came across Archibald's. As where it's technically across the river in Northport, it's definitely making a strong argument for best in T-Town, if not all of Alabama. Let's disect. Facility: Located about a mile off the main drag the BBQ Pit of Archibald's looks to be 100 years old, and it has the creosote to prove it. With about enough room to fit 5 standing customers and 3 employees inside, the dining room is forced to be outside at a few picnic tables. It appears that nothing has changed on this building in generations, and that makes sense. BBQ: I went with the large combo. For $9 or so I received a decent portion of sliced pork (not shredded) and about 4-5 bones. Topped with six slices of white bread the portion size was quite impressive. The pork, noticeably smokey and tender, was sliced in silver dollar sized portions. Topped with their signature BBQ sauce, but not drowned in it, and placed between two slices of white bread, the sandwich was delectable. Ribs: Spare ribs. If you know me, you know I don't seek them out, but Archibald's does them right. Smokey, lightly sauced, and fall off the bone tender, the ribs are some of the best that I've ever had. Also dropped on 4 slices of bread, these ribs are worth the trip by themselves. Sides: Not available. Who needs 'em. Service: I had the pleasure of being served by Archibald, his sister, and another very happy gentleman who made sure that everything was perfect. You couldn't ask for a friendlier place to have dinner. Of course a hearty "Roll Tide" was exchanged upon our exit, and they said "Come on Back". You know I will. Overall, I think that Archibald's is the kinda place I think of when I think of BBQ joints. Down home, family owned, friendly as all get out, and damn good 'Que. read more

While I prefer Dreamland's BBQ sauce, Archibald's has the best ribs. The texture was very memorable, and something I didn't expect from a rib. It doesn't rely so much on the sauce to carry the meal. The sauce doesn't resemble BBQ to me. It was much more tangy and sour. I'm not from Alabama so I'm not sure that I appreciate the different local flavor as much, but it really felt like the ribs stole the show. The coleslaw is super creamy. It resembles KFC but with more watery mayonnaise. It almost has no resemblance of a salad but more of a coleslaw pudding. The restaurant is a two-room house run by a family. There's hardly any room to sit and it's dark inside. The employees literally cook out of an oven in the wall. It's not the ideal place for a date but it feels like you're visiting family. read more

Archibald's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

I know BBQ. Or at least I thought I knew BBQ until I tried a half slab or ribs at this place. OMFG. That is all. read more

This place has amazing reviews, I am not sure how. First off it is in the middle of a neighborhood, dang near impossible to find at night. I got the 2 meat plate and was not impressed. The meat was dry and over coated in sauce to make up for it. Staff: Friendly guys just working the pit Atmosphere; 2 stars 1 star for actual building 2 stars for the small pit bbq feel on the inside. Price: 5 stars 11.95 for a two meat plate wasn't bad at all. read more

Archibald's BBQ - Small mix plate - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

It's all true, the BBQ is amazing. The whole parking lot is filled with the most delicious aroma. We drove through the entire state of Texas and didn't find BBQ this good! We got two rib dinners but were licking our fingers when we were done seriously considering seconds. We're driving away now to continue our road trip and I'm still wishing we did! Yum! read more

Archibald's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

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Absolutely love this place. Very local and quite tasty. The ribs are tender and the bbq sauce is delicious!

Authentic southern BBQ joint. Two days in Tuscaloosa- two large rib dinners here. No rub, just slow in a pit over hickory. Vinegar- based tangy sauce. You'll like the first time you try it, you'll love it the second time. The meat is very moist. Loved the baked beans. Sweet tea was pleasing, and I'm not an iced tea type. Finished with banana pudding which was bordering on decadent. LaShawn and Peter couldn't have been nicer. Pete mans the pit, and LaShawn is a granddaughter of the founder. The place is a little rustic for northern sensibilities, but just roll with it. They take credit cards. Outstanding. read more

Archibald's BBQ - Large Rib Dinner w slaw, beans & bread. - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

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How do I begin. This joint checked all of the boxes for me. From the moment I walked into the small door and saw the pit that takes up most of the place I knew I was where I was suppose to be. I ordered a rack with a side of banana pudding. The ribs were perfect with the right amount of seasoning, not over done, and the sauce to accompany it was not overbearing. The banana pudding was a great dessert. The service was good. I'm not one that feels like the establishment should bend over backwards to be nice, but when I walked the lady at the register was courteous and the two guys working the pit were prompt. Next time that I am back in Birmingham I will definitely make another trip out to Northport. read more

Food is good sometimes tastes like it is not fresh this. The service can be ok from time to time. The ambiance and lighting is typical of roll tide. read more

Delicious food! Very unique barbecue flavor and sauce. Don't expect a fancy restaurant- in fact, expect to doubt that you've even pulled up to a restaurant. But, the best BBQ comes from the worst looking standing structures! When we walked in, we realized there are really only a few options. So, choosing your meal is not difficult. My husband (who eats a lot) and I shared a mixed meat platter and it was more than enough food. The ribs and pork were deliciously cooked- the Smokey flavor from decades of char on the grill was amazing! And their sauce is very unique- both sweet and salty! The baked beans and slaw were also delicious. And you can't leave without trying the banana pudding, y'all! Definitely stop by (in some clothes you don't mind getting dirty) to chow down on some great Alabama barbecue! read more

Best BBQ ribs and smoked wings you could ask for... tender, juicy and that sauce is the best. Nice and tangy.

I don't easily hand out a 5 because there is always better. But not here. This is a hole in the wall but perhaps the best BBQ I've ever had. Lady cooking says she's been here 53 years!! read more

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A plate full of bones there was no rib meat at all. I was so disappointed as my mom and I were excited to try this classic restaurant. We bought a plate of bones and a tiny cup of beans and slaw. Not worth it at all. read more

Giving a 1 Star only because "0" is not an option. We were there in September 2023 for a football game weekend. "Dining Room" was overflowing with trash with big fans blowing. We had to hold our styrofoam trays and napkins from being blown away! Lady taking the order and workers were very rude...I felt like I was bothering them by placing an order. We waited 45 minutes for food. My daughter ordered a hot dog... got a hot dog on a piece of bread. Other customers that were waiting seemed to have the same feelings as I did. After all that hassle, the food wasn't even good. Don't waste your time.... read more

I will start off by saying my first experience here was during the Covid 19 pandemic. Needless to say, we didn't get to go in and order, sit down and enjoy the food. With that being said, we still had a wonderful experience. They were as prompt as they could be with customer service and getting the food out to everyone. Not to mention, they were slammed and really busy when we arrived passing through town. Our food was hot and fresh as you would expect. We had the combo plates. The ribs were really good. Nice smoke ring and flavor. Not overwhelming smoke flavor, but just perfection. You could pull the bones out clean. They know the difference between done and ready. The pulled pork was very well also, and ohhhhhh those baked beans were to die for. The fish here is really good also. The sweet tea was on point as well. Now here to the negatives of our experience. We didn't really care for the slaw that much, but I won't hold that against them. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences. We are pretty partial to our own slaw recipes. I really cannot say anything negative about them or the food. I would recommend this place to anyone that is looking to eat some very good BBQ or fish. If you're passing through town, don't hesitate to stop here. This place beats the famous Dreamland's by a long shot - hands down. I promise, you won't be disappointed with the food or the service. The only thing that will disappoint you is if you get some sauce on your shirt. read more

Wow! Who knew bbq could be so good! Ribs are out of this world. Place is just a little shack and as authentic as they come. Not a spot to dine in but for take out ON POINT! read more

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I've been wanting to try this place and since we were already in Tuscaloosa I said why not. It's nothing spectacular just good down home BBQ. Now I'm not a vinegar base sauce person so I didn't like the sauce but I loved the ribs and the baked beans. The banana pudding was way too sweet. The service was friendly and straight to the point. Go try this place next time you visit Tuscaloosa. read more

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Best ribs in Tuscaloosa, no doubt! Dreamland is good, but I think Archibald's takes the cake when it comes to ribs. It's the smallest restaurant I've ever been in, but it's one of my favorites in Tuscaloosa! read more

Archibald's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

Picnic tables outside for eating as well as indoor covered area for eating. The food was absolutely dynamite. Pulled pork and chicken wings. I'm going to have to go back for the ribs. Down home comfort food! I'm a big fan of eating where the locals eat. This it one of those places. read more

The BEST non franchise BBQ in Tuscaloosa! These folks take pride in the food they serve. The banana pudding is yummy also.

Most of the reviews for this place baffle me. I don't have an issue with a barbecue place looking a bit disgusting. I do have an issue with the barbecue tasting a bit disgusting. I stopped for lunch on my way through town, opting for the pulled pork dinner. The lukewarm pulled pork, which was clearly several days old and had no smokiness whatsoever, was the main offender. The white bread was also going stale, and the slaw had way too much mayonnaise in it. On the bright side, the baked beans were edible, the sauce for the pork (more of a liquid than a sauce, really) had a nice vinegar bite to it, and I haven't fallen ill in the six hours since I ate there. Not making a miserable experience even more miserable doesn't warrant a second star, though. read more

The ambience was exactly what i love about small non-chain "hole-in-the-walls"...especially when it comes to BBQ. So not disappointed at all. Maybe could have been a little more friendly, but can certainly overlook that. So i ordered more than i could eat intentionally. I wanted to try the chicken, pork and ribs. The 1/2 chicken was amazing. Very juicy and flavorful, even the breast. Would order the whole chicken if/when i return to Tuscaloosa. I ordered the small pork/rib sample plate. The pork was pretty good, with a very pronounced smoke flavor. I would say maybe a little dry, but would definitely order again. I actually dipped them into my beans to moisten and loved the combination. Ok, this may have been an off day on ribs. They were just not that good. They were too dry (for me) and not that tender. I would rank them middle of the road at best. Would like to try them again, as i really wanted to love them. read more

It's a fantastically authentic bbq joint with some of the best smoked wings I have ever eaten!

Best BBQ in Tuscaloosa. Try their wings!!! Best BBQ in Tuscaloosa. Try their wings!!! read more

There is a great debate in Tuscaloosa about Ribs...Archibald's or Dreamland? I am firmly in the Dreamland camp. Dreamland has a more rich tasting sauce and the ribs are juicier. I would describe Archibald's as dryer and having a thinner sauce. A lot of people love Archibald's and say it's the best ribs in Tuscaloosa, but I definitely prefer Dreamland. And for bbq pork - Robertson's. read more

Came here last night Everything is fantastic The banana pudding is to die for Best bbq I have had (in town from Ca to watch the game... roll tide) Great service Can't recommend it highly enough read more

Great food! Best BBQ in Tuscaloosa! Very friendly at home environment. Would give 10 stars if I could! Love Archibald's!

After some mediocre reviews of BBQ I needed a sure winner. Haven't been to the "original" Archibalds in 20 years. Not much has changed. I am not going to say best ribs ever but I have no problem giving this place 5 solid stars. If you go don't try to make it something it's not. Go on a nice day in comfortable clothes and order the rib plate and a Pepsi sit outside on a picnic table and enjoy awesome southern ribs cooked by folks that's know how. All you get is ribs and lightening bread soaked in a tangy vinegar sauce. That's all you need. read more

Archibald's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

Not impressed at all and don't understand the hype. Sauce was watery, BBQ overly fatty, sides small and food totally greasy. Service was fantastic but this is the least impressive BBQ in T-town to us. read more

To me this is the best place for ribs or bbq in Tuscaloosa! They are very consistent with the seasoning and sauce. The food taste the same every time you go. Service is always friendly. read more

Pretty much as good as it gets for Alabama BBQ. Little place behind the house in the middle of a rural area (sort of). Big plates, tasty ribs, nice people, banana pudding to die for. I like the sauce. I get the idea this is an empire but still feels like a private discovery. read more

Archibald's BBQ - yep - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

So yummy! Only place in the Tuscaloosa area that tastes like barbecue. Could eat here everyday!

Best sauce in the whole world. End of discussion. Grew up on it and nothing compares. Thin and spicy vinegar sauce on meat or just bread. My only question (since I am now low carb/Keto) is how much sugar is in it. BBQ sauces are notorious for sugar being added but this one should be much lower than that but they wouldn't tell me when I asked because they don't want to give away their secret recipe. ‍ read more

Was good but not what I Expected at all. I ordered a pork sandwich it was on bread with a hot BBQ sauce different but good. And their baked beans were my fav could eat those all day. Would go back just for them. read more

We stopped by Archibald's while visiting Tuscaloosa for a Razorback game. I loved everything about this place: the atmosphere, food, and service all made for a wonderful experience. The folks that run the place have essentially set up shop in their backyard. The restaurant itself is mostly set up for takeout. There's very little seating in the front area. Most people we saw placed to-go orders for their tailgates. We ate our meal on the picnic benches out by the road. My crew got different combinations of pork sandwiches and ribs and both were delicious. The sandwiches were super sloppy - the way they should be, in my opinion. It's family-run and to me that upped the experience. Fun anecdote: while we were waiting on our food, someone called in to place an order. It appeared they were having a hard time making up their mind. After a few seconds of silence, what appeared to be the owner (large guy sitting in the corner - Archibald??) said "How 'bout you call me back when you know what y'all want?" and promptly hung up the phone. I loved it. That might come across as poor customer service, but trust me that we were well taken care of on our visit. read more

For wet ribs, I've never had better in my life. Huge ribs with a beautiful smokiness. The sauce is delicious, salty with hint if mustard I think . I had the pound and it was plenty. Ladies would likely be full with the half. If you are in Tuscaloosa, head across the river and visit this place. I got mine to go since there isn't much room on site, and took it back across the river to the park. My only regret is not eating here sooner. read more

Archibald's BBQ - The best BBQ comes from places like this. It's like the history of the building is cooked into the food. - Barbeque Near Me - Northport, Alabama

Best damn pulled pork you'll find anywhere! I've had BBQ from all over and always have to visit Archibalds when I'm in town.

Just average at best. Beans were full of bbq sauce. Pork not quite tender enough. Sauce has too much vinegar.

Visiting Archibald's while passing through Tuscaloosa was a transformative experience. I've eaten my way across every BBQ joint in the Carolina's over the last 20 years and spent countless hours making my own rubs, sauces and 'low and slow' pork cooks. This was all for naught. The secret to the best BBQ I've ever had is hidden inside the minds of the cooks at Archibald's. The pulled pork and ribs were perfectly prepared.. extremely juicy and tender.. and covered in a fantastic sauce. A wonderful blend of spicy, vinegar, smoke and sweet which even a week later makes me salivate. Forget the smoky interior and low rent look to the place - it's inside that counts and what's inside is the best BBQ ever. read more