Alabama Rib Shack - Gainesville, Alabama

Chasa F.

Saturday, August 10, 2024

The food is quite good! The seasoning and flavor of everything was really good. I had the pulled pork sandwich. You really could eat the pulled pork without any bbq sauce on it. It was seasoned so well.

I went with a rather big group. It took us a few to order but the food came out quite fast.

The owner is super friendly and made sure everyone in the restaurant was happy. This town is small but do not sleep on this restaurant when going through.

Decent seating inside but plenty of outside seating. The outside patios are beautifully decorated with plants and Willow trees. It would be a lovely place to eat outside during fall.

I highly recommend.

Mark W.

Alright, gather 'round, folks, and let me spin you a yarn about a recent midday culinary adventure my lovely wife and I embarked on at a little slice of Southern heaven known as Alabama Rib Shack. Now, Gainesville, AL, might not be the first place that springs to mind when you're plotting a food pilgrimage, but trust your old pal here, it's worth the detour.

We dove headfirst into what they affectionately call "The Big Sampler." Imagine, if you will, a carnivorous carnival featuring a vibrant array of smoked delights. We're talking a quarter of barbecue chicken (we opted for the dark meat, because, let's be real, that's where the flavor party's at), a rib rendezvous showcasing St. Louis, Texas, and baby back varieties (two bones each, mind you, just enough to get you properly acquainted), a charmingly curled pig tail, a half-pound of rib tips, another half-pound of sausage, a respectable portion of jerk chicken, and, to round things out, a half-pound of pulled pork. And as if that weren't enough, they threw in collard greens and candied yams as the supporting cast.

Now, while we were patiently waiting for our impending feast, we got a glimpse into the heart and soul of this establishment. The pitmaster, who I'm fairly certain is also the owner, a fella named Jamie, emerged from the smoky depths of the kitchen. He wasn't there to bark orders or survey the scene; no, he was there to chat with a customer, advising them on how to strategically place their future orders to maximize savings. And get this, he even refunded them $4 on the spot! That, my friends, is the kind of genuine, community-lovin' spirit that warmed the cockles of my heart.

But let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? The chicken was moist. The ribs were infused with the intoxicating aroma of the smoke that had lured us in from the parking lot. The sausage? A masterful blend of spice and flavor, a gentle caress to the back of the throat that leaves you wanting more.

And those collard greens! Oh, sweet mercy, those collard greens! Now, my wife, bless her heart, isn't exactly a card-carrying member of the collard appreciation society. Yet, there she was, practically inhaling them, savoring every last drop of that magical pot liquor. For years, I've held Mert's in Charlotte as the gold standard for collard greens, but Alabama Rib Shack has officially reset the bar.

So, here's the bottom line: If you ever find yourself within a hundred-mile radius of Gainesville, Alabama, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Alabama Rib Shack. It's not just a meal; it's an experience. You'll thank me later.

Linda R.

My 1st visit was wonderful, great, fantastic, 5 stars in every category, and even gave a military discount. But this 3rd visit was not so good. The 2nd visit, they were closed, but when I called before driving 20 miles, the voicemail never mentioned they were closed that weekend.
The owner was the only one with a smile. His employees, not so much. The cashier and waiters were not invested at all. Standing around in a huddle, only going to clean tables once the customer leaves. Not offering to clear used dishes or refresh drinks or offering dessert. Oh! and still no Greens again! which were on the menu. I think the previous weekend when they were closed played a part on this weekends focus.

Dedria S.

The food was ok. I drove from Tuscaloosa to try it because I heard it was good. The homemade pineapple bacon sausage was really delicious. The smoke master himself gave me a sample. Other than that the baked beans and the meat tasted more like the charcoal. The potato salad may need a little improving. The jerk chicken needed more jerk flavor or marinade and the ribs were ok. The pulled pork was slight salty and I didn’t really have any bbq sauce. The regular grilled chicken was delicious. I may be back for the chicken and sausage though!

Brittany

The Texas ribs and pulled pork were amazing. Pitmaster Jamie Lee is the friendliest dude and knows his stuff!

Darla L.

Oh my goodness, there are so many great things I can say about this hidden gem! 💎 The service was amazing, the wait time was short, and the food was the BEST I've ever had. If I could, I'd give them a 10 star 🌟 rating! The owner was so friendly and even came out to see how we liked the food and explained their cooking process. The decor was very interesting to look over whilst waiting for our food to arrive as well. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we will definitely be back!

Tyler H.

Food is truly amazing, I thought it was a little pricey until I saw the portions and didn't mind what I spent. 1 complaint is you are a bbq joint, real soap is needed in the bathroom. The automatic soap despenser just doesn't put out enough soap, nor is it soapy enough.
Staff was super friendly, too.
Definitely recommend the brisket

Konner W.

My girlfriend and I were driving through Alabama during a roadtrip and wanted to get some barbecue for lunch. We found Alabama Rib Shack and it was everything we could have wanted and more.

We got the rib sampler and smoked turkey. The ribs were amazing, the turkey was perfect, and the sides made me rethink everything I thought I knew about yams and coleslaw. If you have the opportunity, do yourself a favor and eat here.