Two Birmingham-area barbecue restaurants have earned national recognition for serving some of the best smoked chicken in the United States.
National Recognition for Local Barbecue
Food publication The Takeout recently released its list of the 14 best barbecue restaurants for chicken in America. The Birmingham metro area secured two spots on the list, highlighting the region’s reputation for quality smoked poultry.
While brisket and pulled pork often steal the spotlight, these local restaurants impressed reviewers with flavorful, slow-smoked chicken and time-tested cooking techniques. Another well-known Alabama barbecue destination also earned a place on the national ranking.
Birmingham Favorites Earn High Praise
Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Cahaba Heights has served customers since 1984. The family-owned restaurant slow-smokes its meats over hickory wood using a custom-built brick pit. The Takeout praised the restaurant’s half-chicken for its crispy skin, juicy meat, and signature white barbecue sauce. The publication noted that the sauce adds tangy flavor without overpowering the rich smokiness of the chicken.
The restaurant has also attracted attention from well-known food personalities. Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern has previously described Miss Myra’s barbecue chicken as one of the best he has ever tasted.
Just outside Birmingham, Rusty’s Bar-B-Q in Leeds also earned a spot on the national list. Owner Rusty Tucker blends professional culinary training with traditional smoking methods learned from his father. Reviewers highlighted the restaurant’s bone-in smoked chicken for its deep smoky flavor and consistently tender texture. Local barbecue fans frequently rank it among Alabama’s best smoked chicken destinations.
Alabama’s Barbecue Legacy Continues
North Alabama also received national recognition. The Takeout included Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, one of the state’s most famous barbecue restaurants.
The restaurant has served customers for more than 100 years. It is widely known as the birthplace of Alabama white sauce. Its signature method involves dipping whole hickory-smoked chickens into the creamy vinegar-based sauce immediately after cooking. This process helps keep the meat moist while adding the distinctive flavor that has become a hallmark of Alabama barbecue.
The national recognition for these three restaurants highlights Alabama’s long-standing barbecue tradition. It also reinforces the Birmingham area’s reputation as a destination for exceptional smoked chicken.
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