We stopped by one Saturday afternoon for an early dinner. Front dining room was about 1/2 full. Started with tea. Ordered hamburger steak plate with baked beans and fries. Beans were OK. Nothing special. Hamburger steak was a 5-6 oz patty with onions and brown gravy. Fries were crisp and good with the onion gravy. My wife had the open face smoked pork bbq on texas toast with fried okra and potato salad. Everything was good. Probably try the catfish next time. Service was good. Its a sit down and order by waitress place. Pay at the counter when you leave. I think they have renovated and spruced up the place since our last visit. read more

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The Burger Man with Best Burgers in America Association, and I am out scoring burgers for restaurants. I was invited to Top Hat BBQ to score their burger, and WOW! They have a 1-pound burger called "Death by Cheeseburger," and it is fresh hand-patted out of top-ground beef, never frozen, and grilled and seasoned to perfection. Great Customer service. They have a Top Burger. I recommend this place for awesome BBQ and Burgers. read more

When I want a great country meal, this is my place! Whenever friends from other parts of the country come to town, we take them there. My favorite meal is the country fried steak and I always save room for fried pie! read more

Since my fiancée lives in Hayden, she eats at Top Hat once or twice a week. I was finally able to eat at Top Hat this afternoon...for the first time in two years. I got the grilled chicken plate with potato salad and fries. Fiancée got the fried chicken sandwich plate with potato salad and coleslaw. I wish I had tried Top Hat sooner because this is one of the best places to eat in Hayden! Better than Porky's! :) read more

I was brought back some take out from Top Hat Barbecue. Let me just get right to the point.... The hamburger steak with gravy and onions is amazing!! This meal comes with slaw and french fries. The portion size was quite filling. I really enjoyed this delicious meal and can't wait to return to top hat barbecue to get the FULL experience! read more

My hubby and I drove past this restaurant and noticed the neat buildings. Then we realized it is a restaurant. We decided to stop. The restaurant is big and decorated simple. Our server was very friendly. She suggested we get the pulled pork and catfish. This is a simple restaurant. You get your food on a styrofoam plate. The pulled pork and BBQ sauce was ok. The catfish is probably some of the best I have ever had. I loved the cornmeal breadcrumbs. Too bad they don't have homemade tater sauce. For sides we had fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, beans and onion rings. The onion rings and fried green tomatoes were yummy. Reasonable prices. If I am in the area again, I would eat here. read more

Top Hat Barbecue - Catfish, fries green tomatoes and beans. The catfish is delicious! - Barbeque Near Me - Blount Springs, Alabama

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Food is always delicious. Service was great. Restaurant and restroom was clean when I visited. read more

I'm from Mississippi, and had always thought Memphis BBQ was best, but the few times I've eaten Top Hat Barbecue have convinced me that it's possible I just hadn't tried enough branches off that BBQ tree. Nope, it's not a fancy building, but who wants a BBQ joint to be pretty? It's not necessary. If you ever find yourself near Blount County, Alabama, find your way to the nice scenic part of HWY 31 and you'll find some finger-licking good pulled pork, some sweet-hot sauce, and other stuff that wasn't important to me. One thing that was important was the fact that there could be leftovers and that they made the trip back to Mississippi in a cooler. I think it was better today than it was yesterday. read more

Best sauce around. Enjoy the Barbecue baked potato. Also, have good catfish. Friendly service. read more

HORRIBLE! My wife's family has been eating here since they opened (the live just down the street) and this is the 3rd time I've eaten it. The other night was hands down the worst BBQ experience I have ever had and I have eaten BBQ all over the country. The BBQ tastes like it was out of a prepackaged tub you can buy at the store (zero flavor), the sauce was their version of sauce so I can't hit them for it except that it's as if they combined cheap tomato soup to generic BBQ sauce, the backed beans were definitely out of a can, the green beans also out of a can and per my 6 year old; "we used to eat these in kindergarten and I thought they were gross", and finally the Mac-n-cheese....OMFG it was disgusting!!!! We almost vomited and had to throw it away. It had zero flavor, was weirdly still infused with water, felt and tasted like rubber, and coated your mouth with this nasty cheese remnant. This wonderful "full sarcasm" experience cost us $50 for take-out. We will absolutely never go back. There is just too much information on the internet for a business to be this bad and too many other BBQ places in the area to continue with this lack of quality & care. read more

I've always liked Top Hat and two of the workers are wonderful Rebecca and Michael there's some more that works there that's wonderful but I can't think of their names I wish they put the shrimp back on the menu read more

Country as it gets. Good food just like mama cooked it. Service was good but never as sweet as mama!

While growing up in the Corner of Jefferson, Walker, and Blount counties, there were two cafes my family frequented. Both were BBQ. One in Dora, and Top Hat in Hayden. If I must be specific, I'd say try the catfish, ginormous hamburger or a plateful country fried steak, and without a doubt inside chopped bbq sandwich or plate. My favorite side is fried green tomatoes with homemade ranch. Dessert will be a fried peach pie. Also check out the other unique sweets located by the cash register. Fifty years of experience has taught me that I'll be eating here fifty years more. read more

Awesome service and food is always great .It's one of the best barbecue joints in the state .Fries are always cooked perfectly.Definitely worth checking out .The staff is always friendly.I believe they're closed on Mondays and Tuesdays before you make the drive .Barbeque Sandwiches are my favorite .Catfish Filet Is a great choice too .They also have whole catfish as well. read more

Best BBQ around, country food, mom and pop atmosphere. I love the servers, they are readily available to answer any questions and always a smile on their face. read more

Top Hat Bar-B-Q has been, "and still is", the go to place for the down home Bar-B-Q experience. The staff is polite, food is awesome, and the price won't break the bank. read more

Been coming here since a child (40 now). Everything has always been wonderful. You can even ask for the burnt bits and get them. The fried green tomatoes are cooked fresh and just like I remember my maw maw making. It is a nice drive out there and well worth it. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. read more

Top Hat Barbecue - Pork plate with burnt bits, baked beans and fried green tomatoes. Sorry had already started eating when I took picture. - Barbeque Near Me - Blount Springs, Alabama

Sorry didn't care for it at all! Expensive for the quality of food. Sweet tea was good though!

Great BBQ for years. Since I was little have loved this place. Salads are amazing. Will continue to visit.

I was in Hanceville today for the first time ever. When passing by Top Hat, it was impossible to miss the smoke billowing out of the massive chimney. I knew that we had to stop on the way back by. The inside is decorated like an old country store. Tons of old memorabilia covered the walls. Think Cracker Barrel, but more authentic. There's nothing fancy about this place, and I like it. The dining room was full of what seemed to be locals. They were all polite and seemed to be in no hurry. The waitress was really kind and attentive. The order took longer than you would expect to come out, but it wasn't a huge deal. I ordered the open face pork plate with fries and slaw. The fries were good and crispy and the slaw was cold and flavorful. The sandwich was good as well, but was more about the bread than the meat. Either way, it was definitely enough food. If for nothing more than the atmosphere, you should defintely stop here if you're ever in the area. It's the real deal. read more

Top Hat Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Blount Springs, Alabama

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I have been visiting this restaurant since I was a child. The atmosphere is great and it is the best BBQ near me. I always get a BBQ baked potato and it is always 10/10!! This spot is abiding by COVID protocols by wearing masks and socially distancing tables. This restaurant is highly sustainable since they use reusable glasses, silverware, and plates. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys BBQ and a good atmosphere. read more

Best fried catfish in Alabama! Don't forget to get some tarter sauce for those hushpuppies too. Well worth the short drive off I-65 to check out some excellent catfish and bbq. The bbq is well smoked and tender - yum! read more

Very great place to eat a good bbq sandwich! Loved the pork sandwich! I loved the flavor of it

I've been going to Top Hat my whole life and I agree with many of the positive and negative reviews. I always order the big platter of BBQ and catfish and french fries, which is more than enough food for a whole day. The BBQ favor is good but it is usually served cool. The fried catfish is really good, and hot, better than catfish restaurants I tried. Though I like BBQ better in other places Top Hat has good memories. The building has a lot of atmosphere and feels like they spend the minimum on maintenance, but that is part of the charm. Top Hat is a classic and so I'll keep going back when I'm in town. I went July 17 after a remodel. Attached are some photos. I prefer the old a bit more run down country look though. But the newer restrooms were nice. The wooden posts in the main room are still the same. read more

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It's the absolutely the best BBQ restaurant in the state no fat meat no bone no cartridge it's all lean pork. And for the loaded baked potato lover's get the loaded large baked potato loaded with everything and you will not regret it read more

I grew up eating Top Hat. As a matter of fact, it was the first restaurant I remember going to as a child. Over 40 years ago... First off, their BBQ used to be the best EVER, hands down! Secondly, the catfish used to be the best you could find in a restaurant! The last few times I've eaten here I've been sadly disappointed. It's wasn't nearly as good as it once was. I suppose all good things must come to an end. I'll still stop in from time to time, but it's not even in my top ten now. read more

When I was younger their food was delicious. However they have taken a few things off the menu. Like grilled fish instead of fried. And when you're someone that's dealing with diabetes you're not giving very many options to choose from. Their food has become bland and not that great. Also they're very much updated and there is lots of flies in there. read more

A hidden gem stuck away in hills. Very popular with the locals. Good food, good service, and clean. Was remodelled about a year ago. Try the fried apple pie. Also good luck finding a seat after church on Sunday! Health rating was 95 at the time of writing this. read more

Top Hat Barbecue - Small BBQ plate - Barbeque Near Me - Blount Springs, Alabama

It's awesome BBQ in Blount Springs. Great service, good food and worth the trip up I-65 to Blount County

The pork had a great, smoky flavor but it was wet as if it was chopped ahead of time and held in water. The sauce was too sweet for my tastes but it was good. For sides, I had fried green tomatoes and potato salad. Both were good. The service was friendly. It's not my favorite bbq but it was good. read more

I would give 0 stars if possible. Yeah I have been going to the top hat for over 50 yrs! But no more! Worse server on the planet. To lazy to even get me a box to put the fat in with the watered down sauce. Didn't even ask if we need anything. Paper plates paper cups no knives! What the hell! How are you supposed to cut your meat with a fork? Surely someone bought his place out and and don't know how to run a greased wheel! 35 $$ paper plate of tasteless fat! And a lazy employee to boot! read more

This is a great place to eat. A few miles off the highway and worth the drive. Pork is outstanding, lean flavorful and not too much smoke. The homemade Thousand Island dressing was perfect. We got the opportunity to chat with kitchen crew and to see the pits. The service is friendly and attentive. This is a great restaurant if you want outstanding barbecue and nice service. read more

Good BBQ! The ladies I go with always rave about the home-made fried pies and always order their pies at the same time they order the meal because they sell out fast every day. read more

Excellent BBQ voted one of the best in Alabama! Excellent Burgers Fried Green Tomatoes Okra coleslaw potatoe salad! Catfish is amazing hamburger steaks and the delicious fried pies. Have a tall glass of sweet tea and linger a while! Very rustic decor and comfortable! Yall will love this hidden BBQ joint. Not far from the interstate! read more

I grew up eating at this place. The have very good B.B.Q and pretty good Ribs. But the past couple of times i ate there it was kinda hit or miss. Not to mention they have great Cheese Burgers. read more

Top Hat Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Blount Springs, Alabama

Once there was a guy who told that there was nothing like Top Hat BBQ. He was absolutely correct, but I think what he meant and what I experienced are totally different. If he was talking about the most bland and expensive BBQ, then he was right. Something told me when I was ordering that this was not going to be a good BBQ experience when I was asking the waitress about the sides and she said the beans come from a can and potato salad was not homemade. The one good thing Top Hat did right is they gave me a generous portion and that is all. The ribs...did not have a single black grill mark on them and they didn't taste like they were smoked. They seemed to be baked in an oven as ridiculous as that sounds. The pork had a little hint of salt and for the most part was way too chewy and unflavorful. The BBQ sauce didn't help. The perfect description for it is weak! It was too runny and hardly any flavor. It resembled the Dreamland ribs sauce but with little flavor. The slaw seemed to be the only thing homemade and it was good. Potato salad wasn't bad, as it was probably fresh from Walmart. And all of this with a sweet tea was $21! There are countless BBQ places with better prices and better taste. What doesn't make sense is that the place was nearly full. They must know of something on the menu that is way better than the BBQ. So if you are driving through Blount Springs and see Top Hat BBQ, don't stop, keep rolling unless your criteria for good BBQ is bland and edible. Top Hat will take care of that but my criteria is way higher. read more

Top Hat Barbecue - Top Hat BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Blount Springs, Alabama

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This place has the best to die for barbecue and also has the best whole catfish dinners and also the catfish fellia

I've waited a couple of weeks before posting this review for fear that my friends, many of whom have enthusiastically recommended Top Hat, might have rushed to see what I thought after having learned I went for the first time last month. It's time now. The taste of the food was "average" to "above average", but for the most part not something that cannot be found at many other BBQ joints. Some of the dishes were terrific; I'm looking at you here, fried dill pickle spears with ranch dip! None of them were bad at all. But here's the thing that made the experience less than fully satisfactory. The food was barely at room temperature. What a huge disappointment! Could we have sent the food back? Yes, of course. But the issue isn't whether they could have done better. We already knew they could've done better. The issue is whether the restaurant deserves all the adulation of my friends if they can be so careless on something so important. At a BBQ place, one likes to believe their food has recently been in the proximity of an open flame. We arrived about 11:30AM local time, well before the lunch time rush. on a Friday and were two of only about 5-6 patrons when we arrived. As such, the service was reasonably quick; maybe too quick. We introduced ourselves as first-timers from two states away who had been steered in their direction by others. Typically, that would warrant some expression of appreciation by the employees and a commitment to prove the reputation was deserved... not so much this time. Maybe they hear it so often, it's no big deal. Honestly, I'll likely go here again the next time I'm in the area... but not so much because they blew me away. No, it will be because too many high quality people still rave about it upon every mention. I have to believe that something was out of sorts on the day I went and I want to give them a chance to demonstrate it. One last thing... just as we were finishing our meal, there was a power outage. Not a big deal but we waited a while to see if it would be restored. After we waited as long as our schedule would permit, we went to check out and, as we feared, were told they needed electricity to accept payment by credit card. We didn't have enough cash. Fortunately, another nearby retailer was there and he accepted our payment via a wireless device. I'd encourage Top Hat to have a backup plan other than "cash only" in the event of power outages. read more

The BEST fried catfish in Bama for sure! BBQ AND Burgers are also good. Decor is rustic but a fitting part of what makes Top Hat what it is, some vintage posters and stuffed animals...an authentic rural eatery. Location is just far enough off of I65 that you have to be going here it get here kind of thing. But, well worth the effort...I'll be back when passing through the area. read more

Top Hat is one of the best, and is always full of locals and non-locals. It is a must-try if you are in the area! Top Hat might be known for their BBQ, but the cheeseburger and other items like a baked potato with chicken or their catfish are just as exceptional. It was renovated a few years back, so the older reviews might mention how the place looks a bit run down, that has since changed and it give the southern-historic feel. I absolutely love Top Hat and will always stop by! read more