A real local stop this BBQ offers a break from seafood aplenty in the area. Definitely high on character and pleasant staff. This is a no frills place offering a few tables in and outside and supports to go orders and catering. Nice sides and a solid, award winning sauce, makes for a casual bite on the road. Have some BBQ when you are in the area read more

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LOVE the pulled pork but All Capt. Frank's barbecue is the best! OLEASE-Go order some and see what I am saying! He caters also!

My husband just ate here. He said he had the best ribs of his life, And he really loves ribs. My brother was with him. He had their brisket and it was fabulous as well Thank you for making them so happy and serving such a delicious food! read more

This BBQ is melt in your mouth, slap yo' mama good! The owners are so nice and helpful. There isn't much room to sit, but it's great for grab and go - especially if you're staying on Dauphin Island. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing food with great service up front. A nice casual shack ambiance that increases the mood as you can see the kitchen right from the bar. Great place to eat. read more

Nice owners, great lil cozy bbq spot, The loaded baked potatoes are bomb hands down, I always get them when I visit.

First time here and it's been hands down the best loaded baked potato I've ever had. Ate half of it and I was full. Everyone was welcoming and answered my questions. Would definitely go back again. read more

Capt Frank's Smoke Shack - Loaded pulled pork baked potato. - Barbeque Near Me - Bayou La Batre, Alabama

Some local guys told us to check this place out, and they were right. We got the sampler platter and it was plenty for 2 people. Nice smoke to the meats, but not overly smoked. Sweet tea was perfect, and the folks inside were very nice and helpful. We ate at one of the tables outside, which was clean and comfortable. Will definitely come back. They know what they're doing. read more

The best seafood gumbo in the area. Great flavors, and loaded with shrimp, chicken and sausage. I hit the other seafood places in town, there is no comparison. This will be the only place in town for gumbo! read more

This is the best southern style meat we've had all our trip all across the southern USA. Captain Frank and his wife were simply the nicest people you'll ever meet. Worth a detour from the highway, and absolutely worth a stop if you're passing through or staying in Bayou La Battre. With a single table inside and two tables outside the shack, take away may be your best choice, but eat in certainly worked for the three of us. We tried everything except the Gumbo, and if that is only half as good as the meats, we can recommend that too. read more

Capt Frank's Smoke Shack - This is what I had to doggy bag after the sample platter. There was A LOT of food. - Barbeque Near Me - Bayou La Batre, Alabama

Had lunch and ribs were a little tough, brisket did not taste smoked at all. Beans tasted like canned beans with a little sauce. The potato salad and slaw were extremely good. read more

This place is great! Good service, good food. We got the sample plate with a couple of extra sides, and it was enough food for my husband and I and our three kids. We liked the pork and ribs best, but the chicken and brisket were awesome also. read more

Capt Frank's Smoke Shack - Menu! - Barbeque Near Me - Bayou La Batre, Alabama

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Capt. Frank's is one of those establishments off the beaten path you hope to find out about through conversation with the locals. And, boy, are you happy you did. My wife and I ordered a full slab of 12 ribs, a pint of gumbo and a pint of potato salad. The salad was good, the ribs very good and the gumbo excellent. All came at a fair price. A word of caution, these are not your Costco baby-back ribs, these are large, meaty and filling. The 4-rib plate that comes with 2 sides, and a pint of gumbo would have been plenty for two. We had ribs for 4 nights...lol, but they actually seemed to get better with each passing day. A minute in the microwave and you were good to go. We would highly recommend Capt Frank's. Oh, and one more reason I liked it, Mrs. Frank kept calling me "baby." read more

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Gumbo. I am from the Midwest. I do not know what a good gumbo is supposed to taste like. When I ordered gumbo at Captain Frank's, it was meant as a curious accompaniment to our Bayou Pig sandwich. The Bayou Pig was good. It was huge, saucy, salty and messy. Pork kissed with pecan wood smoke, topped with a delicious kitchen sink of peculiar items including green olives. Captain Frank generously gave us an up-close look at his smoker to see first-hand how the pork is cooked using his gigantic black smoke box and lots of seasoned pecan wood. Back to the gumbo. This is Captain Frank's Smoke Shack. After furiously gulping down a cup of his gumbo, I recommend changing the name to Captain Frank's Gumbo Shack. Frank's bbq is great and done the hard way, but I will be back one day for the gumbo. I dream of waking up on a Saturday morning and taking off for Bayou La Batre on a ridiculously irresponsible 12-hour roadtrip with one goal: a large styrofoam vessel of gumbo. Broth the color of 2-day-old coffee. The complex flavor of a roux that is brought so close to being burnt, a hint of bitterness permeates each slurp. Innards of rice, shrimp and chicken with a hint of sassafrass from the file round out what I would desribe as heaven in a cup. Frank's is not only the best gumbo I have had, but the best food I have ever eaten out of styrofoam. I believe this is what good gumbo tastes like. Worth the drive. From Ohio. read more

Being a proud owner of an XJR 8 cylinder supercharged jag equals tons of Road Trips. So on our way from Biloxi to Dauphine Island to catch the Ferry in the wonderful town of Bayou La Batre we passed an interesting lil 5 by 7 BBQ Shack. Unfortunately it was closed. After spending the rest of the day in Redneck Riveara reciting Forest Gump lines I kept day dreaming about trying that BBQ Shack. Then Reading Miriam's Review made it more tantalizing. So upon returning back to our hotel in Biloxi the next morning we decided to take another trip to Bayou La Batre. Destination point "Captian Franks! You would think being the town known as the fishing village with a seafood-processing harbor for fishing boats and shrimp boats you could find a good seafood eatery. BBQ it is We arrived at Capt Franks around the lunch rush. And boy was it busy. Parked on the grass in the back. I was immediately won over by the fresh cut piles of wood stacked high behind the building. The Americana colors, Our Flag displayed proudly on the sign in the front and the quaint small town atmoshphere. When I walked in (line out the door) I see everyone ordering the pulled pork sandwich's mostly locals fueling up on some BBQ goodness after a hard morning of work. I walk up to the counter. Frank was sort of rocking back and fourth (in a good way) just making sure everything is running smooth like a Fine Captian would. I look over to my right and see a wonderful little Shrine......Pics of the family, pics of Franks Boat, & then my eyes zoom in on a heart necklace that hung with pride. Sort of gave you that feeling like love is in the air. Just made you feel at home, at ease, very Peaceful. I did not feel like an outsider. I know it was obvious with my iphone tucked in over my hip in my ripped jeans and my desinger hand bag. City Slicker spelled across my forehead. I wasn't any of that when I walked in the door, I was a hungry anticipating lost soul longing for Darn good food and down to earth hospitality. Anywho back to the BBQ goodness. I order some pulled pork and brisket. I walk back outside, very excited to try and waited patentiantly for the 2 outside tables to be free. oh boy was I so ever excited. So the family sits down and as soon as I open the styrofoam package steam comes right off the meat! Wow, like fajitas from a mexican restaurant on a hot skillet. Is Frank Magical? My gosh everything was cooked to perfection. How the heck does this happen? Is he a wizzard part-time? Naw, just a passionate hardworking pit master. So after my family attacks the BBQ like a pack of wild birds I have to go right back in to order some more! My gosh the sauce was good. Hands down best BBQ sauce on the planet. For the couple that takes road trips together and discovers a new foodie experience and shares it with the world this place is for you For the hardworking American, the one that holds the door open with a smile on his face (even though he's tired, and just living day by day) this place is for you For The kid that constantly dowses ketchup on everything this place is for you. For the kid that orders Mac and cheese at every eatery this place is for you. For the kid that skips lunch due to peer pressure and skinny jeans this place is for you For the gal that dines at white table cloth establishments and orders Foie Gras and a 1996 Chateau La Mondotte Saint-Emilion this place is for you For the C.E.O that completes dinner with a fine cigar and LOUIS ROYER 32 YEAR OLD GRANDE CHAMPAGNE (Cognac) this place is for you This is the experience that I long for. This is what it's all about folks. finding a new discovery that you can always remember and take back with you. It's hard to come across eaterys like this. I can not wait to go back. Thank you Capt. Frank and Daughter read more

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Captain Frank's Smoke Shack 13876 South Wintzell Ave. Bayou La Batre, Alabama Are you noticing a trend here? Alabama seems to be the best state for barbecue, although we have more legwork to do, especially in Georgia. We were in Mobile hanging out and decided to drive down to the coast and visit Dauphin Island. We passed the turn off for Bayou La Batre on the way down, and Doug said, "Bayou La Batre, that's where Bubba was from in Forrest Gump". So, naturally, we had to go check it out, it being the shrimp capital of the South and all. We must have taken our smart vitamins that morning, because that was a good move. One of the ways, the only way, really, to experience the real Dixie barbecue, is to take your time and drive to places you might not need to go to for any particular reason. This willingness to get lost led us to Captain Frank's. Yes, there really is a Captain Frank, and he runs the place with his daughter. Frank is a retired shrimper and ex-Merchant Marine, and now he's a much valued member of his community, serving up some great barbecue. So we go in and order ribs and chicken with slaw and beans for sides, and they're all terrific, just great. I was looking around at the walls while we were eating and I noticed lots of awards for, not barbecue, but gumbo. Gumbo! All of the awards had been issued at this gumbo cook off they do down there every year during the Blessing of the Fleet, so I'm thinking maybe he doesn't make it for the restaurant, as it wasn't on the menu, but I decide to ask him anyway. Like I said, smart vitamins. I say, "Hey, you don't make that gumbo for the restaurant, do ya?", and he says. "Sure, I've got some in the fridge". Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not in Bayou La Batre that often and here's the guy who makes the best gumbo in the area with some in the fridge. I had just eaten half a chicken and some beans and slaw, but I don't hesitate. Yeah, Captain Frank, we want to try some of your gumbo. Please. It was good, too, full of andouille, chicken and mudbugs...that's crawfish to you landlubbers and carpetbaggers. Yeah, yeah, I know, we're landlubbers and carpetbaggers too. This is the review that Doug left the day after we stopped in: Dixie BBQ is Here - Feb 10, 2010 This is the best in the Mobile area that we have found. We tried the ribs and the chicken. Frank and his daughter were working when we were in and we made ourselves at home in this 2 table shack. The chicken was moist and we really liked the dry rub. The meats had perfect smoke. Not too overpowering. The sauce is served on the side as it should be and was a perfect complement. Slaw and beans were perfection. The beans had the same black pepper goodness that was found in the rub and sauce. Frank thanks for the hospitality. You are a great pit master. Cannot wait to go back. read more

My son and I both had the pulled pork plate. They were big portions. The beans slaw and potato salad were good. Mrs. Captain was quite friendly. The prices were low for the food, and great conversation. read more

A Captain, potato salad, baked beans and coleslaw is the best combination ever. Best barbecue I've ever had! Bucket list kinda good. The only thing bad is if I eat it more often I get reflux.. but that's a personal problem. :) read more

This is some delicious food. The bayou style pulled pork sandwich was a great take on the elvis/memphis style; in addition to the cole slaw and hot link on the sandwich... JALAPENOS! This thing is tremendous. I brought the sandwich and gumbo back to my hotel, where the housekeeping staff came in the room for a minute... the first thing they said was, "Damn, that smells good!". I did not share. read more

I didn't know what to expect from driving by, but we turned around for the best gumbo ever! We also tried the barbecue sandwich and it was delicious! The sandwich was enough for two people to share. If we happen to be coming through This way again, we will definitely stop back by read more

Best BBQ I've ever had - and I'm from Texas. Really the best! I got the brisket and ribs combo plate with potato salad and baked beans. My husband got the large BBQ sandwich. All of it was incredible. They gave us some salmon to try as well, and it was just as good. Seriously going to have to take the 9 hour drive from Austin just for this place. Don't let the looks of the building fool you. Pull in and grab a bite. You won't regret it. I promise. Captain Frank and his wife are the friendliest people. I'm coming back soon. read more

Yelp reviews let me down on this one. I read all the great reviews and drove out of my way to try this bbq. Close your eyes and imagine everything you don't want bbq to be and that was my experience. Chewy, greasy and the sauce was overkill. I literally have never had worse, we didn't finish it. Maybe the gumbo is what this place is known for but I wished I never read the good reviews and avoided trying it. read more

It must be great to have so many friends to post such great reviews. This was the worst rib place I've ever been to. It was a Monday and the smoker was not on, so everything was left over from the weekend. The ribs were cold, mushy, and seemed to have been left out overnight. Brisket was served room temperature, one thick, fatty slice. A bun that came from the day old bread store. The gumbo? At least it was hot. Lots of good chicken and shrimp. One tired, overcooked piece of sausage. But no vegetables at all, a thin roux, and not much taste. If this was the best food people have had, maybe they should get out more. This is a place to avoid if you like to eat. On the other hand, the staff was friendly. read more

First of all I didn't realize their business hours and I actually arrived 10 min after closing. Whoops! Luckily they had food left and they were happy to help me out. If I was going to rate on just the friendliness it would get high marks. The building is small and looks like a smoke shack should. No pretentious hipster stuff here. I'd edited their business info to add the business hours since my descision to swing by was rather impulsive, I had no clue. I couldn't decide what to eat so in an attempt to be polite I finally just chose ribs after vacilating for a couple of minutes. I got the 4 rib plate with Baked Beans & Potato Salad and they also throw in a roll. I also decided that it would be rude to sit outside at one of their tables if they were closed and I didn't want to get caught eating in the parking lot. The smell of the ribs drove me nucking futz on the way home. Ultimately it was good but just OK. The ribs seemed huge and were filling, the BBQ sauce is a thin vinegary based sauce. The baked beans were nothing to write home about but the potato salad was yummy with bits of egg just like I would make at home. I should have ordered the pulled port sandwich which someone else told me was really good. She said they also sell a lot of stuffed potatoes and you need to call ahead to make sure they'll have enough when you get there since they normally sell out. It's worth another trip to try those two items and from the other reviews I probably need to get a bowl of gumbo to go next time as well. The only tables are the two booths they have outside on the porch. Plan accordingly. read more

The Bayou Pig has been haunting me (in a good way) ever since the last one I devoured. It's hands down the best pulled pork sandwich I've ever bitten down on. I spent a lot of time in Bayou La Batre as we were filming a TV show in the area and we spent a lot of time at the Smoke Shack. Frank and his staff are super friendly and the BBQ is kick ass. If you're anywhere in the area stop in and try this place, you won't regret it. read more

Best BBQ this side of the Missisip! But what you may not know is that Capt. Frank also has the best seafood gumbo around. While it's hard to beat his giant slow cooked ribs or the Greater Tater stuffed with BBQ pork, the gumbo is what makes the Smokeshack my favorite Bayou eatery. Now everyone has got a gumbo opinion. Mine just happens to be that Capt. Frank knows what real gumbo should be. This is cajun style gumbo with a dark, spicy roux. It has shrimp, smoked chicken, and sausage. This is what I mean by "seafood gumbo"! I get it with a potato salad to balance out the heat (it's not unusually spicy, I just like the potato salad really). And if gumbo's not your thing may I recommend the Bayou Pig--the best BBQ sandwich ever invented! (Protip: The house BBQ sauce is excellent but if you like spicy BBQ, ask for the Super Secret Spicy Smoke Shack Sauce) read more

Hole in the wall like I like em. Had the barbeque baked potato. The meat was moist, the tater large the addons good. The only thing I did not like was the person who checked me out. I called in the order. When I arrived it was packaged and waiting, the check out person picked it up of the table behind her and placed it on the counter in front of me, then specifically looked at how much I tipped. That was beyond bounds for me. There was no special service involved, it took her all of 1 minute to check me out. As the song said, "what do you want for nothing.... a rubber biscuit?" read more

Smsll place but best bbq I have had in a looong time. Very friendly folks who personify Southern hospitality!

We were visiting bayou la batre when we decided to stop and eat. I had wanted to order gumbo, but they were out. That is a good sign. We had two bayou pig meat sandwiches. Coleslaw was mixed with the pig meat inside each sandwich. The food cost was $17 or $8.50 per person, including drinks. You receive a good amount of food, so the price is reasonable. As an extra benefit, we ate outside in front and observed the bayou la batre Christmas parade! We enjoyed the flavor of the food and recommend the bayou pig sandwich to anyone. read more

Capt Frank's Smoke Shack - Bayou pig sandwich with Cole slaw - Barbeque Near Me - Bayou La Batre, Alabama

Dont let the outside fool you! Stop for a good sampling of BBQ. Franks personality leaves a little to be desired but the BBQ is worth a look. Had the sampler platter; 1) Pulled Pork Rocked 2)Ribs were first rate 3)Chicken was cooked right 4)Brisket was dry and not much flavor. BBQ sauce needs work. Should have tried the award winning gumbo but was too full! read more

I finished a small pulled pork sandwich and it was very tasty. Capt Frank put plenty of meat on the bun and the sauce was also good.

The smell of fresh smoked BBQ walking up to Cpt. Frank's alone is worth the detour. Delicious ribs, beans and salad, backed by down home Southern service. read more

Capt Frank's Smoke Shack - Capt. Frank's Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Bayou La Batre, Alabama

Our secret BBQ joint won't be a secret for long. Captain Frank knows his stuff whether it's beef, pork, chicken or seafood. Yummy!

A great out of the way place and a fantastic barbeque. Staff is very nice and all the sides are excellent. My wife loved the sauce and thankfully it was served on the side. I hate when the kitchen combines the two, makes me think the 'que can't stand on its own. Definitely not the case here. read more

Best BBQ ever!! Love the pulled pork and brisket are great!! Love the sauce. The sides are awesome!! Best cole slaw and potato salad! We catered from there for our wedding and the guests raved all night and the next morning about the food. CAPTAIN FRANKS IS AWESOME MUST GO!! read more

We sought this place out after Miriam and Mary's reviews and not only was it worth the drive, we'll be back - it was truly, truly excellent BBQ. read more