Alabama white sauce barbecue stands apart from every other style in America. This creamy, tangy sauce was born in North Alabama and has become the state’s signature barbecue tradition. While most places serve red sauce, Alabama’s white sauce creates a completely different flavor experience that barbecue lovers need to try. Here are the best places to experience this unique regional treasure.
1. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q (Decatur) — Pit-Smoked Chicken with Original White Sauce
Want to taste history? Big Bob’s invented white sauce barbecue 100 years ago, and they’re still doing it right. Their signature chicken gets split, seasoned, and slow-smoked over hickory wood until perfectly tender.
The original white sauce recipe remains unchanged after a century of barbecue excellence. Order the BBQ Chicken plate or splurge on a half bird for the full experience.
Every bite connects you to Alabama’s barbecue heritage in the most delicious way possible.
2. Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q (Cahaba Heights/Vestavia Hills) — Hickory-Smoked Chicken & House White
Birmingham area folks know Miss Myra’s serves some serious barbecue magic. Their hickory-smoked chicken develops an incredible smoky crust while staying juicy inside. The house white sauce brings just enough pepper kick to wake up your taste buds.
Quarter or half chicken plates come with generous sauce portions for proper dunking. Save room for their legendary banana pudding afterward.
This local institution proves white sauce barbecue reaches perfection when smoke and spice work together beautifully.
3. SAW’s BBQ (multiple Birmingham-area locations) — Smoked Chicken with Alabama White
SAW’s puts white sauce front and center on their menu, exactly where it belongs. Their smoked chicken gets the royal treatment with both red and white sauce options available. The Alabama white sauce perfectly complements their smoky wings and tender thighs.
Try the Smoked Chicken & White BBQ Sauce Sandwich for handheld perfection. The smoked chicken thighs plate offers maximum flavor with every forkful.
Multiple locations mean you can satisfy white sauce cravings throughout the Birmingham area whenever hunger strikes.
4. Moe’s Original BBQ (statewide; try Huntsville or Montgomery) — Smoked Wings & Chicken with White
Moe’s makes ordering white sauce barbecue incredibly easy across Alabama. Their menus specifically highlight smoked wings and chicken paired with Alabama white sauce, taking the guesswork out of ordering. Extra sauce comes on the side for serious white sauce enthusiasts.
The smoked wings offer perfect finger food for sharing with friends. Chicken plates provide hearty portions that satisfy big appetites.
Statewide locations mean consistent quality whether you’re in Huntsville, Montgomery, or anywhere between these Alabama cities.
5. Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q (statewide) — Bar-B-Q Chicken with Morgan Co. White
Jim ‘N Nick’s honors Alabama barbecue tradition with their Morgan Co. White sauce option. This clever name pays tribute to Decatur’s white sauce heritage while serving customers across the state. Their Bar-B-Q Chicken pairs beautifully with this tangy, creamy creation.
Reliable quality makes this chain a safe bet for white sauce newcomers. Wide availability means you can find this classic pairing throughout Alabama.
The Morgan County connection adds historical significance to every delicious bite you take.
6. New Market BBQ (New Market, NE of Huntsville) — Half or Whole Chicken + House Alabama White
Weekend warriors know New Market BBQ delivers authentic pit-smoked perfection. This weekend-only smokehouse keeps things simple and traditional with their made-from-scratch Alabama white sauce. Every chicken order includes a sauce cup for proper dipping protocol.
Half or whole chicken options let you choose your hunger level. The pit-smoking process creates incredible flavor that pairs perfectly with their house white sauce.
Simple, traditional, and absolutely terrific describe this hidden gem near Huntsville perfectly.
7. Full Moon Bar-B-Que (statewide) — Smoked Wings with Alabama White
Full Moon takes white sauce seriously enough to bottle their own Alabama White Sauce for retail. Their smoked wings get the full white sauce treatment, making them perfect for sharing at events and gatherings. Extra sides of white sauce ensure nobody goes without.
Wings or chicken plates both shine with their signature sauce. The bottled sauce means you can take the flavor home with you.
Event menus frequently feature white-sauce wings, proving this combination works for any occasion or celebration.
8. Old Greenbrier Restaurant (Madison) — Bar-B-Que Chicken & White Sauce
Old Greenbrier represents North Alabama barbecue culture at its finest. Hushpuppies and white sauce define the dining experience here, just like locals have enjoyed for decades. Their barbecue chicken invites serious dunking in creamy white sauce.
Generations of families have made this restaurant their barbecue destination. The white sauce tradition runs deep in Madison, creating authentic regional flavor.
Locals know to dunk everything in white sauce, and you should follow their lead for the complete experience.
