This! Place! Needs! More! Hype!…read more Okay, back to typing normally. Kar's Char is a relatively new Texas-style bbq place inside of Lowe Mill. It occupies the full restaurant space that used to belong to The Veggie and belonged to Happy Tummy before that. It's to the left of Piper and Leaf as you face P&L from the parking lot. I only belabor this point because some folks do have a hard time navigating Lowe Mill and no one should miss out on giving this place a try because they can't find it. I saw a few posts about Kar's Char when they first opened and have had them bookmarked since then. Recently, I was in the area after work around 2 PM and looking to kill some time before a doctor's appointment. I was feeling hungry and figured why not give them a go and enjoy a little time at the Mill while I waited. I arrived and took a few minutes to look at the menu. I am, admittedly, freakishly obnoxious and snobby about barbeque and was determined to have a positive experience, so I decided not to play with fire that day and instead decided to order one of their burgers, which I'd seen a few people rave about online. I selected their hatch green chili cheeseburger and placed an order for that. It comes with one side and I decided on macaroni and cheese. They have bottled drinks available next to the register and so I grabbed a water out of the cooler to round things out. My burger was cooked fresh just for me so I had a few minutes to hang around and take in the fun, nerdy, classic Lowe Mill ambiance. This is a truly local business and they seem very dedicated to supporting and uplifting their fellow businesses in and around the Mill. The service I received was incredibly kind and welcoming -- they really do seem like lovely folks here. My burger came out piping hot and cooked perfectly, with slightly crispy, charred edges and a juicy center. It was a delicious burger, slightly spicy but nothing scary, and I especially loved the chili lime aioli -- added a nice creaminess and moisture. To my pleasant surprise, the soft, lightly toasted bun held up to all the goodness pretty well! Next time I will probably ask for no pickles -- I found their flavor a little overwhelming -- but I am also hot and cold on my feelings about pickles so your mileage may vary! I say keep them on if you're a big fan, and take them off if not. :) The macaroni and cheese was enjoyable but not as good as the burger. Next time I come I will probably try out a different side. Overall, 4.5/5, with extra high marks for the hatch green chili burger and the charming, welcoming staff/owners. I'll be back to try the actual barbeque, and certainly to have another burger!

The food was awesome and so delicious. Service was outstanding. We placed an order for 20 people…read moreto be picked up, and they are very easy to work with. I had the Burnt Ends small plate, and it was so good. The sides were potato salad and onion rings. They both were very delicious. Thanks guys, I think you were awesome.

2 miles from my house and just discovering it. This was amazing BBQ and Catfish sandwich! Fries…read morewere super (taste like butter!) and the Mac n cheese? Delish! Highly recommend you try it! Service was super friendly and helpful. We will be back...again and again!

Saw this little place had 5 stars on Yelp and decided to stop in for some lunch. So glad we did!…read moreEverything tasted great. The pork was so tender. The baked beans were so so good. The owner is so nice. Seriously, a hidden gem! We will be back for sure!

Those who know BBQ often say, "For best BBQ in Alabama, go to Big Bob's." It's not just the best,…read morebut also the inventor's of Alabama Style BBQ, which is particularly notable for the white sauce that's served here and was invented by Big Bob. Big Bob founded the spot back in 1925 and only recently passed away, giving the business to his children. The place is an institution of the state and is packed on weekends. Prices are from an era that's now long gone, making this not only incredible BBQ, but also a steal for the money. I mean, who sells a BBQ pork sandwich for under $5 in 2026? Many staff working here clearly have been around for a long, long time. So, one might ask, what should I get at Big Bob's? For starters, the chicken wings. Likely the best smoked wings to be had anywhere: just the right amount of smokey profile while being tender and juicy. True perfection in something that's hard to master. Next, one of the samplers is not a bad idea. Pulled pork is truly state of the art, winning many competitions around the South. Ribs are fall off the bone and delicious. Brisket is good, but a low fat version that might or might not be to someone's taste. Hand cut French fries and baked beans as a side, and finally, life is all set. Sure, if one gets more adventure, the ice box cakes are wonderful also, with the coconut varietal being a standout. Stop by, enjoy and leave with bragging rights for having tried something truly one of a kind.

Big Bob Gibson is known for winning the Memphis in May BBQ contest. 5 Grand Championship trophies…read moreand more than 13 first place finishes for pork shoulder. I have been eating Big Bob's BBQ my whole life. The quality and taste of the pork shoulder, smoked chicken, and Brunswick stew I recently purchased was very very disappointing. We ordered 2 pounds of pork shoulder. The meat had no taste. I couldn't detect hickory smoke. The pork was burnt and very fatty. The accompanying vinegar based sauce was not seasoned like previous times. Basically it was vinegar with little seasoning. 1/5 The smoked chicken, my favorite, was dry. I wondered if it was leftover from the previous day. The seasoning wasn't very good. 2/5 The Brunswick stew was not good. The recipe has changed. It tasted sweet which was off putting. I do not remember Brunswick stew tasting sweet. The quart of stew had 10 tiny pieces of potato and a few corn kernels. I saw some pork meat floating in a strange red colored broth. I remember when stewed tomatoes were in the stew. Not anymore. The soupy stew did not taste very good. 2/5 The potato with pulled pork was ok. The sauce given was a thin vinegar base that had little seasoning. The potato was the best thing I ate from Big Bob's. 3/5 I am thoroughly disappointed with the quality and taste of Big Bob's pulled pork, smoked chicken and Brunswick stew. I will return again. It will be a while though. I can't get this visit out of my head. This feels like a bad Twilight Zone episode. I really have enjoyed the foods from here in the past. Sadly, not this time. 2/5

Saw Big John's on a YouTube food blog. We were not disappointed. Philly Cheessteake stole the show…read more Loaded fries very good, so were the wings....

Oh my goodness when I say GOOD!!!! First off, the service is so good. Workers are great and…read morewelcoming. I ordered a fried fish and wings plate. Everything was piping hot. Two huge filets of catfish with honey sriracha wings so good! Please visit their truck behind The Open Bottle ASAP.

Tried Blue Oak BBQ for the first time and was really excited to check it out. It was pretty busy…read morewhen I went, but I was still able to find seating easily, and the place had a nice ambiance with both indoor and outdoor options. The service was good, nothing to rave about but everyone was nice. The food, though, didn't quite meet my expectations. The brisket was a bit dry, the tri tip was somewhat chewy, and the mac and cheese was surprisingly watery. The chili was also kind of cold, which made it hard to enjoy. That said, not everything missed, the wings were really good, and the smoked chicken stood out with super crispy skin while staying juicy inside. I also liked the slaw. Overall, it felt a bit overpriced for what you get because of the portion size (my total came out to around $75 for two 3 meat plates and smoked wings during happy hour). I'm glad I gave it a try, but it's probably not somewhere I'd go back to.

The service was excellent here. So nice and friendly. The food was excellent here. The chicken was…read morebbq'd perfectly and the sauce was delicious. Finished it off with a nice desert of banana pudding and it was a very pleasant meal. The place was loud but not crazy and very good for a group.

While driving past a strip mall, I noticed a giant (gigundo) smoker and piles of wood in the…read moreparking lot behind the building. If I hadn't seen that, I'd never have known that a BBQ even existed there. That smoker was what brought us in. As we read the menu, we were told that only some things were available right now. The brisket I wanted to order wouldn't be ready for another hour. Macaroni and cheese? This afternoon. I settled on a pulled pork plate with baked beans and broccoli salad. Hands down the best broccoli salad I've ever had. No onions. Perfect. The baked beans were right up there in the top 10, maybe top 5 of all time. The pulled pork? Ehh. Not the best. A little dry. The plate was served in to-go box, a very full to-go box - the amount of food served was astounding. I planned on bringing home extras to serve to the family for lunch the next day. By now the brisket was ready. I also ordered a large baked beans, green beans, banana pudding and a pound of chopped chicken to go. The mac and cheese still wasn't done. The meat had great flavor but all of it was a little dry. All of the sides absolutely rocked. I will definitely be back but I'm going to call first - I want my mac and cheese please. Ps: wish sweet Maddie well as she starts A&M in the fall!!!

Decided to go here yesterday it always smells so good! Glad I did !!! I ordered two (2 meat) meals…read morewith 1/2 chicken , ribs , Mac /cheese and baked beans!!!! It came with 2 slices of bread as well as bbq sauce and a white sauce ... I was greeted by the owner immediately and my order was placed.. I received my food quickly and the atmosphere is nice...in order of best to least fav see below... 1. Baked beans amazing!!! They were flavorful and had a nice punch !!! 2. Ribs!! Tender , juicy and grilled/cooked to perfection I wasn't a fan of the sauce only because I'm used to thicker sauces ... and the Mac & cheese has room for improvement.. this place is definitely worth a visit !!!

This place has the best burgers! The burgers were so big, the seasoning was amazing, cooked to…read moreperfection (medium well). The whole restaurant gives a welcoming vibe to all ages. The wait staff is fast and friendly. It was after the lunch rush however the waitress found things to keep busy if they were not helping customers then they were cleaning. It far out there but definitely worth the drive. We will be back!!

The staff was very helpful and accommodating. They recommended great items for a first timer, and…read morethey were perfect. Nice spot for a bite and a drink. I had their sliders with a Kimchi, BBQ, and a bacon swiss. Good place.

This is the second time we've eaten here. Both 5 star meals. Both times, waitstaff have been…read morefriendly and knowledgeable about their menu items. The fried rib and stuff jalapeños appetizers were both very good. I had the two pork chops. They were excellent. This is about the cleanest restaurant you'll ever dine in. The waitress was continually removing dirty plates and napkins off the table. This our go-to place for special occasions. Make sure you make reservations as it gets packed. Well worth the drive!

It was great. I…read morereally enjoyed the food and the service was exactly where it needed to be. It was quite busy, but worth the wait!