Promise Land

The original remains the best. Nestled in an African American rural neighborhood south of town, the…read morevery journey along an old 2-land highway is a throwback to a different South. The building is classic roadhouse style--totally unpretentious with its sign and adverts plaster on the walls. The interior is the same, open seating and seats at the bar. The menu has broadened over the years, rather than just ribs, white bread and pudding, you can get a pork sandwich and chicken with a limited number of sides (the Mac and cheese is superior). The franchised Dreamlands are so different with a plethora of choices, more to the liking of the suburban south. If you like that, go for it. For my money, you can't beat the original. The ribs are charred perfectly and the service is old time South, friendly and helpful. You immediately feel at ease with everything and everyone around you. Take out is available--actually this place is just minutes off the highway. But a whole another world at the same time.

I will say I am extremely disappointed. I use to come here 20 years ago and the ribs were fall off…read morethe bone. They were juicy and spectacularly made. They had a home, love, and story to tell. I took my family here as we traveled through. We were hours away when I would tell them stories of traveling here just for the best ribs I ever eaten. It was now an adventure. We arrived and the building looked the same, the customer service polite and inviting. The atmosphere superb. The food not so much. The ribs were charred, there was hardly any meat. It was the worst ribs I had in a long time. The ribs did not have that love they once had, they no longer had that care of the art of bbq. I felt horrible that I spent so much and took my family here. O' how I dream of those days at Dreamland when the ribs just fell off that bone and the eagerness of the next bite because they were so so good. I pray one day they will go back to their roots and the dream that Dreamland once had to provide the best southern bbq ribs around.

Inside view

Hickory Smoked Sausage

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Line to get into Dreamland

Archibald's BBQ

4.4(197 reviews)

23.7 mi

Walked in and was immediately greeted with that southern hospitality and charm. Laughter and jokes,…read moreeven gave a sample to let us know we came to the right spot after learning it was our first time here. We had just left Dreamland Bbq hungry and disappointed with ribs that tasted bland and boiled. Archibalds ribs were full of flavor, tender and had a nice vinegar sauce, he assured me they were Gluten free and I ordered Beans and potato salad as well. The beans were good but a little sweet for me, and the potato salad was ok as well. My spouse had the Whiting and Fried okra which was not gluten free but said they were really great! We left full and happy! Great prices too, very reasonable!

Wow, was this ever an out of body experience. I thought I've both had and smoked awesome ribs in my…read morelife....that was until I ate at Archibald's today for lunch. After the very first bite it was evident these ribs are on a whole other planet than any ribs I've ever had before.

Seating area is outdoor patio

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Entrance is to the right of the menu/under the Let's "Q".

Bob Sykes Barbeque

3.8(239 reviews)

16.8 mi

I would have to say that Bob Sykes is easily among the top five best barbecue places that I've ever…read moreeaten at. Everything is outstanding.

Service- visit through the drive-thru. Cannot comment on table service. Drive-thru service was…read morefriendly and expedient. Ambiance- Drive-thru only this visit. Food- I ordered the pulled pork sandwich sauce on side, and onion rings. The pork was rather dry and plain in flavor. The barbecue sauce lacked viscosity and tasted like warm ketchup and vinegar. The onion rings were bland , and saturated with grease; but did come with a sauce that complimented them. Price- considering that onions are a cheap vegetable and pork is less than $2.00 per pound wholesale. I cannot justify almost $16.00 for this lunch. Breakdown a pound of onion rings cost $1.00 6-8 ounces of pork maybe $1.00 Bread .50. No mystery here why folks are tired of overpriced food in 2026. It is not inflation. It is the overhead that a business owner must absorb.

Inside counter

Chocolate Cake

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Pulled Pork Sausage Plate

Creekside BBQ

4.4(278 reviews)

23.2 mi

Crazy good, if you don't come here you are missing out. Love it, everything we had was amazing.read more

So good I almost shed a tear The fries were weirdly good…read morefor bbq place The sauces were GOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDD Service was good Ambience good I loved it so much I want to eat it six hundred more times

Front in store

Pulled chicken for the win!

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Outside Patio

B & K Bar B Que

4.6(68 reviews)

39.1 mi

We stopped on our way back from Panama City. She had a slaw dog with baked beans and I had 1/2…read morechicken with slaw and bread pudding. Everything was delicious for $21!

Good food, great people and authentic hole in the wall experience…read more Don't miss the baked beans and peach cobbler!

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Archibald & Woodrow's BBQ

3.6(238 reviews)

22.6 mi

Was recommended to try Archibald's while in Tuscaloosa- and so glad we did. It's a no frills place…read moreand is all about the food- service was on point- you order it in one building and can eat in the other or take it to go. We chose to stay and enjoyed the cool air and clean tables. I had fried okra and potato salad. The best okra I have ever had- not greasy and nice and crunchy. The potato salad was the way we like it - mustard and pickles - so good. We both had the mixed plate combo with ribs and chopped pork- they give you 5-6 ribs so come hungry. The bbq sauce is a vinegar base and was delicious- not overly vinegary so delicious. A local hidden gem worth the trip for sure.

I was tired of eating the same things on Skyland and this is another I will try to avoid. When I…read morewalked in I was greeted to loud, obnoxious and vulgar music. I asked for a drink wanting to order one and woman working the till just shook her head at me until she saw I wanted to pay with my phone. I should've listened because when I went to pour Dr Pepper the empty fountain shot a nice fruit fly in my cup. I pour it out and try Sunkist to be greeted by more black stuff in my drink. I tell the cashier that some black stuff came out in my drink, she gaslights me and tells me it was probably the ice. Which doesn't make me feel any better nor did she even offer a refund. I wait what feels like 10 minutes while listening to her watch someone getting assaulted or fighting. Then cook finally comes out to call my order and I decide to take it home. When I go to eat the food I'd been starving for it was overcooked and looked like they tore it apart to see if it was cooked. I wish I could get my money back.

Fried tomato

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SAW's BBQ

4.4(741 reviews)

26.5 mi

Hands down the best Que I've found since moving here in 2019. Great burgers and the homemade pork…read morerinds are a must

Sauce it down you put to muchhhh…read more Bbq flavor bomb, the ribs? Bomb, that Cole slaw? Bomb, beans? Bomb, chicken and ribs was tender and juicy, only thing is I wish they didn't smother the ribs with all the sauce, server here she was patient and kind to all questions! Made our experience enjoyable, the white sauce with the chicken bomb, everything was just too saucy here ngl. But overall it was pretty good, ribs are big, don't let your tummy fool you!

The vibe in the place.

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Robertson BBQ

The grub is totally authentic Southern BBQ...and it's awesome...Rib plate was piled high with mega…read morejuicy ribs and most excellent onion rings and maximum flavored beans...Add two slices of white bread and sweet tea and you taste the epicurean magic at Robertson BBQ...

I hate to be "that guy," but this place is not great. We were visiting the area for a day trip to…read moreSharktooth Creek and looking for a good place to eat. We came here based on Yelp reviews (there really isn't much in the area). Seeing the accolades and rave reviews gave us high expectations, which were quickly dashed. We went in to place our order and found the cashier impatient. As far as we could tell, the only menu is taped to the counter directly in front of the register, so you can't really decide what you want until you get up there. Among my family of 4, we got pulled chicken, burgers, and chicken tenders with various sides. The pulled chicken was good, but the white BBQ sauce was overly sweet and not good. The burgers and chicken tenders are all just cooked from frozen, so nothing special. The slaw was truly horrible-- mayonnaise-based with imitation bacon bits leaching their color into the dressing. The onion rings were actually good-- fried nice and crispy, but again, pre-frozen. All the while, you're sitting in a gas station with flies everywhere. In summary, the food was edible, but it was certainly nothing to write home about. It tasted like your typical fairground food at more reasonable prices.

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Half chicken with two sides, potato wedges and onion rings

BoonDocks BBQ & Restaurant

4.6(38 reviews)

19.2 mi

My wife had seen this place posted on social media, so we decided to make the drive out there one…read moreevening. Anytime there's steaks on the menu, I'm happy to give it a go. Nice, laid-back place that's probably pretty convenient if you don't live closer to Calera, Alabaster, etc. Staff was pretty friendly, and the steak was cooked exactly as requested. They've got a porch outside that looks like it would be a nice place to sit when the weather is cooler.

Always nice and order is always correct . They post daily specials on Facebook and keep it updated…read moreso check them out !

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Tin Top

4.4(58 reviews)

26.1 mi

We stopped not knowing what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised. It's a little hole the wall…read morespot with killer food.Wow it was good. The BBQ sandwich beans huge and priced affordable for these days. Ther service is great and going back very soon!

Food and service great barbeque Pork. Onion rings. Great…read morelocation. Like the outdoor ordering window.

Rib Sandwich

Half rack of ribs! Seemed more like a full rack! Tons of food!

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Pig Wing

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StephAnie E.

0

3

0

7 years ago

When driving by, you think it's just a shack, but these wings are the absolute best. When football season rolls around, we always call and order 50 wings. I love the hot wings, but my husband loves the bbq wings. The sweetest people own this place, and the prices are great for the quality and amount of food. read more

Timothy F.

0

9

1

10 years ago

We found Promised Land BBQ over 5 yrs ago and have never been disappointed! The BBQ chicken potatoes are enough for at least 2 people. The sauce is amazing with it's hint of cinnamon and sweetness. The hashbrown's will blow you away! Thank you Mr. Holt! read more

Nathan C.

0

1

0

7 years ago

Great food small restaurant, you eat outside but still amazing food! Highly recommend you go 10 out of 5

Ora A.

0

2

0

6 years ago

Ribs were delicious. Very tender. I highly recommend trying if you are a big rib eater

John W.

0

1

0

10 years ago

Perfect. Saw it out of the corner of my eye and had to turn around. Yeah.

Promise Land - bbq - Updated September 2026

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Tin Top

4.4

(58 reviews)

We stopped not knowing what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised. It's a little hole the wall…read morespot with killer food.Wow it was good. The BBQ sandwich beans huge and priced affordable for these days. Ther service is great and going back very soon!

Food and service great barbeque Pork. Onion rings. Great…read morelocation. Like the outdoor ordering window.

Uncle Sam's Barbecue

3.7

(111 reviews)

Solid choice for a bbq spot. I have been here several times over the years, and it's fairly…read moreconsistent. You get large portions at a decent price. They have daily specials, so if you're looking to save money, check those out. I especially like their onions rings, potato salad and baked beans as sides for something different besides fries. The pulled pork is always a winner. Service is fair and ambiance is a typical bbq place. Pro Tip: Ask for an extra sauce on the side (or two). If you like a saucy sandwich, you're gonna need it!

I went there earlier today to get a sandwich, and the person running the drive-thru was audibly…read moreangry and very rude at the window. They snatched my card to take my payment and said nothing while they ere scowling handing me my food. Worst experience I've had there. Really soured my view on the place.

Carlile's Barbecue

4.0

(44 reviews)

Good solid bbq and burgers at reasonable prices. Friendly staff. I got #1 combo with pulled pork…read moresandwich and ribs Pork was nice and juicy with good sauce. Decent ribs. Sides were good. Wife enjoyed the burger. Nice portions. Recommended for a hearty lunch.

Needed to be at a nearby business for a meeting so we ended up here for lunch beforehand. I was…read moreintrigued by the fact they've been in business since 1945. This is exactly the type of place I love. Nothing pretentious; no fancy decor driving up the prices; just a modest business offering good food. I was kind of hoping that the people dining with me would order something different from me so I could see what it all looked like, so I purposely ordered last (third). Well, as soon as I did, one changed the order to the same thing I had ordered. Then the other also said that sounded pretty good and changed, too. I, and subsequently all three of us, ordered the Carlile Burger. Comes with bacon, cheese, grilled onions, and some Carlile special sauce. The burger was not greasy, and I even asked if they ground their own since it seemed to be a finer grind than many burgers. They do not, but they do hand pat their own burgers each day. And the special sauce turns out to be a combo of the Original and Red Sauce Carlile makes. They do offer it bottled at the register if you want to take some home. We also split a pint of their hand-cut fries for the table. Added some cookies at the end since we didn't have time for the pudding or pie, but they looked fantastic. I think the cookies may be another brand they just bake instead of homemade--like the baked ones you might find at several fast food joints. Definitely a place I would go back!

The Pit Bbq

4.1

(44 reviews)

I have never been to this part of downtown which would explain why I had never eaten at the Pit Bbq…read morebefore. It's not a very big "place". The front is barely big enough for an entrance. When I drove by at 10am on a weekday and saw a line of at least 7 cars snaking through their drive-thru, I knew this place had to be worth a look! The Pit has been at this location for about 38 years! There's no seating inside, but you can enter and place and pickup orders. If you call in an order, you must come inside and cannot pick it up through the drive-thru. Their menu is nailed to the wall where you speak into a speaker to place your order. Then you drive around to the pickup/pay window. There's always 2 lines for prices. Cash and Card. So there's a discount if you pay with cash. They are only open for breakfast and lunch until 2pm. The have a standard breakfast which includes plates and omelettes cooked with every combination of egg, cheese, sausage, bologna, sausage or ham. Their lunch menu includes sandwiches and plates. They have two desserts: pecan pie and fried apple pie. Sides are crinkle fries, slaw and baked beans. So not an extensive menu, but comprehensive. Honestly I had wanted to try a breakfast item, but it was past 10am so I opted for the two meat combo of smoked sausage and bbq pork with slaw and baked beans. I also two toasted and buttered sides of a hamburger bun. I got 2 links of sausage with the link being about 4 inches long. Each link was sliced right down the middle so it looked like I had 4 pieces of sausage. The sausage were delicious. When they say their bbq pork is shredded, they mean it. I really liked how all the pork is shredded and there's no random large chunks. That's just me. Others probably prefer chunks. The shredded pork was tender, but the kicker is of course the sauce. I'm not a bbq connoisseur, but I liked their sauce. It was thick, dark, had a wonderful smoky, sweet and tart! Yom Yom Yom Yom. The baked beans was on point and I can easily tell their slaw was made that yesterday if not that morning. They make a mayo based slaw which I prefer and it was outstanding! Chilled just right! Yom Yom Yom Yom. The 2 toasted sides of hamburger buns were kinda corny but acceptable. I would've preferred 2 regular slices of white bread. The Pit is a typical hole in the wall that knows how to serve good ole southern comfort food. In 38 years they have figured out what works for them and their fans (who probably eat there at least once a week) and they stick to it. I may find myself going back to this corner of downtown to go through their drive-thru sooner than I think.

The Pit BBQ, located in the original Milo's building, is a true local staple that's been…read morefamily-owned and operated since 1988. It's a tiny, no-frills shack with no seating--definitely a grab-and-go or drive-thru kind of spot--but clearly loved by locals. I ordered the beef barbecue plate with coleslaw, fries, and baked beans, and it was a solid choice all around. Simple, classic BBQ done right.

Creekside BBQ

4.4

(278 reviews)

Crazy good, if you don't come here you are missing out. Love it, everything we had was amazing.read more

So good I almost shed a tear The fries were weirdly good…read morefor bbq place The sauces were GOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDD Service was good Ambience good I loved it so much I want to eat it six hundred more times

The Pottery Grill

4.3

(31 reviews)

Very good food I've had just about everything on the menu and it never disappoints. The owner and…read moreeveryone that works there are amazing and always friendly definitely a 10/10 when it comes to food and service as well as the atmosphere. Can't beat

The food here is always great. We know the owner and he is a great human being. The food is…read morealways great. I have celiac disease now and went here to eat today. They were honest with me about what options are gluten free and which are not. The food is always good here. The pork plate is great and the meat never has fat pieces in it. It's perfect! The baked beans are over the top good too. The people that work here are very nice. Support your small business and eat here. It's good. The ribs are really great too!!

SAW’s BBQ - Southside

4.4

(56 reviews)

Smoked wings were so good. The fries were good but I feel like they'd be better if the garlic herb…read morewas a seasoning instead of a sauce. The coleslaw was so good. The white sauce was so good. Service was great. I love it I would come back

Food? Phenomenal. Customer service? Phenomenal…read more Just everything about this place is amazing. Don't let the outside of this place deter you from coming. One of the best sandwiches I've EVER had. All of the decor... everything is PHENOMENAL. I can't say enough good about SAW'S. First time here, but WON'T be the last.

BoonDocks BBQ & Restaurant

4.6

(38 reviews)

My wife had seen this place posted on social media, so we decided to make the drive out there one…read moreevening. Anytime there's steaks on the menu, I'm happy to give it a go. Nice, laid-back place that's probably pretty convenient if you don't live closer to Calera, Alabaster, etc. Staff was pretty friendly, and the steak was cooked exactly as requested. They've got a porch outside that looks like it would be a nice place to sit when the weather is cooler.

Always nice and order is always correct . They post daily specials on Facebook and keep it updated…read moreso check them out !

Smoked Magic

4.1

(11 reviews)

Great food. You get a lot but they fail in the sauce department. A tiny cup of sauce for a pulled…read morepork plate that doesn't even cover half of the meat doesn't cut it. Hearing my husband rant about it every time we order is annoying. Most bbq places cover the meat in enough sauce. They charge extra for an extra cup when you're paying for a bbq plate that should come with enough sauce to begin with. lol. If they would give enough to cover your food they'd definitely get 5 stars.

My husband saw that this restaurant was gone g to have a good Truck today, so we decided to check…read moreit out. There wasn't a food truck, so we ordered at the wk die for carry out. It is Taco Tuesday, so I ordered two chicken tacos and ordered two beef I am not a fan of spicy food, and these tacos were really spicy for me. The tacos have absolutely no lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, or guacamole. Only the meat, cheese, and corn. The dude in the tacos always too spicy for me. It is a Bar B Queue restaurant so I will have to try that before I completely pass judgement, but I. Certainly will never ever get the tacos again.

Hit Different BBQ and Grill

4.7

(44 reviews)