Gameday in Tuscaloosa means a lot of things but few are more important than barbecue (outside of beer and football, obviously). And T-town's best kept barbecue secret just might be Archibald's (well, it's actually in Northport but you know what we mean).
Originally opened in 1962 by George Archibald, it's now run by his son, George Jr. The distinctive mix of the Hickory wood smoke and the vinegar-based sauce gives the barbecue a flavor you'll find good enough to compete with anyone's.
It was good enough for John T. Edge to include on his list of "100 Southern Foods You Absolutely, Positively Must Try Before You Die" so we promise it will do you just fine.
Here is a fantastic interview with George Jr. via The Southern Foodways Alliance and here's a great account of what it's like to experience Archibald's first hand.
ARCHIBALD’S BAR-B-Q
1211 MLK Blvd.
Northport, AL 35476
(205) 345-6861
over 1 year ago
kleph
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Though it may be blasphemy to some...
I have to tell you that I think Archibald’s is the best barbecue in town. I have a really good friend who visits from St. Louis and he insists we get barbecue form there every time he comes into town. I like Dreamland, like it a lot…. but man o’ man, that Archibald’s is the bomb!
Pro Tip:
If you can’t get to Archibald’s on gameday (or if the place is too packed to get in) head to The Quad and ask around. A big portion of their business is doing barbecue for folks to take to their tailgate on gameday. It’s not as good as eatin a few ribs that just popped out of the pit but it’ll still be a damn sight better than 99% of what else you’ll find.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
I think Archibald's meat is seasoned the best...
But Dreamland’s sauce (and, about 15 years ago, atmosphere) is unbeatable.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 2, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
You ain't lyin'!
"You give me Jim McMahon and Jim Thorpe and I'll beat any team you put in front of me." -- Larry Johnsonasia, offensive coordinator Lincoln High School, 1987
I heard a disgusting rumor...
that Archibalds closed. Someone please dispel this rumor so I can stop crying.
"In the second quarter, I saw Torretta look over at me, and he froze for a second. I saw fear." -- DE John Copeland
our crack investigative team has looked into it...
and it seems archibald & woodrows is the one that closed. that was run by george jr’s cousin and was also in northport. most of the barbecue folks we spoke to said they did a good job but it didn’t touch the sublime heights of the original.
there is smoke coming out the chimney at this morning at 1211 MLK this morning so we don’t think you need to fret.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
yeah it wasnt the real one that closed
towerofbammer.com: "full of factual inaccuracies"
by Alabama ManDance on Oct 2, 2010 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
smoke, meat, garden hose
Nothing better.
by TETRAGRAMMATON on Oct 2, 2010 9:20 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
enjoy this rec.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 2, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
The one southern thing I miss most is real BBQ.
I spent 1971 through 1975 living in Northington, the old Army hospital that had been converted into student housing. Bob Sykes was 2-3 blocks away and the smell would drift over the house and drive us all crazy. We were so poor we only ate there a few times but that style of BBQ set the standard for me. I wish I’d had the chance to try Archibalds.
It is truly impossible to get good BBQ here in Utah.
(Oh, and the Batchelors 3 was that close too and I got to talk to a drunken Joe Namath on several occasions when he would greet his guests on the front step.)
You don't know what it does to me
My Crimson sane intensity.
I used to frequent Archibald's...
and Woodrow’s (in Northport) many moons ago. I preferred both of them to Dreamland, but I liked all three. Woodrow’s sauce has a little more kick (spiciness) than the other two.
Speaking of Archibalds
My buddy named his band after the place. Check out this post from my music blog, which features some T-Town rock for country rollers. Since we have time to kill before the game and all.
Rebel Land, Alabam: The Dexateens & Archibalds
"That rug really tied the room together."
this is my favorite place in the entire world.
towerofbammer.com: "full of factual inaccuracies"
by Alabama ManDance on Oct 2, 2010 11:58 AM CDT reply actions
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