From Texas-style brisket to New Orleans-style ribs and vegan barbecue, here is where to eat barbecue in Huntsville and Madison.
Huntsville sits in the middle of Alabama barbecue country, and the range here is wider than you might expect: Texas brisket, soul-food ribs, a New Orleans twist, and even a plant-based smokehouse. This list favors local spots, and it includes a couple of side trips. Menus and hours change, so check before you go.
Blue Oak BBQ - MidCity's New Orleans Twist
Blue Oak BBQ in MidCity District puts a New Orleans spin on traditional barbecue. Look for the slow-smoked spare ribs, pulled pork and brisket, and check its site for happy hour specials. It is an easy pre-show meal before a concert at The Orion.
Kar's Char - Texas Style at Lowe Mill
Kar's Char opened in August 2023 in Lowe Mill's historic Railroad Rooms and focuses on smoke and spice in the Texas style, with beef brisket as the star of the menu. It is a good stop while you browse Lowe Mill.
LawLers Barbecue - Home of the Stuffie
LawLers Barbecue has served the Tennessee Valley since 1978, and its barbecue is cooked at its own facility in Ardmore before heading to locations across Huntsville, Madison, Harvest and Hampton Cove. Its signature Stuffie, a baked potato loaded with barbecue, is on Alabama's "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" list.
Sac's Kitchen - A North Huntsville Staple
Sac's Kitchen is a long-standing North Huntsville favorite for Southern food and barbecue. Check with the restaurant for its daily specials.
Mizz JuJu's - Soul Food and Smoked Ribs
Mizz Juju's Cafe on Jordan Lane is a family-owned local favorite for soul food and barbecue. Its homemade yeast rolls come from a family recipe.
Chuck Wagon BBQ - Madison Brisket
Chuck Wagon BBQ in Madison does Texas-style barbecue. The brisket and the Macwagon (brisket, sausage, and mac and cheese) are the calls, and items often sell out early, so go for lunch.
Moe's Original BBQ - Reliable and Everywhere
Moe's Original BBQ has multiple locations around Huntsville and Madison, including a spot on St. Louis Street in Madison. Known for smoked wings, red and Alabama white sauces, and rotating daily sides, with live music at select locations.
Vujee Vegan - Plant-Based Barbecue
Vujee Vegan near Alabama A&M University serves plant-based comfort food, including vegan BBQ ribs, burgers, and wings. It is the answer when someone in your group does not eat meat.
One Worth the Drive: Big Bob Gibson in Decatur
About 30 minutes from downtown, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur is where Alabama white sauce was invented in the 1920s. It is outside Huntsville, but if you are in the area it is worth a special trip.
Quick Picks
- Best pre-concert: Blue Oak BBQ
- Best at Lowe Mill: Kar's Char
- Best soul-food ribs: Mizz Juju's or Sac's Kitchen
- Best vegan: Vujee Vegan
For more, browse all food and dining businesses in Huntsville.
