Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q

Fabulous ribs and mac and cheese! Salad was super fresh. And obviously, the sauce speaks for itself 10/10! Definitely stop here if you are passing through Decatur! Super polite staff as well!

Big Bob Gibson’s is the second stop on our Easter Break trip. We were originally turned on to Big Bob's by Matt Pittman of Meat Church who told us that they are the originator of the Alabama White Sauce. We are familiar with AWS having loved it at Mission BBQ and the Duke’s (mayonnaise) version. In addition, a couple days before our trip, I saw the April 2025 Southern Living magazine which ranked Big Bob's as the best BBQ joint in Alabama. So I was excited to say the least about trying Big Bob Gibson's BBQ! Having spent the day at the Space and Rocket Center we made the 30 minute drive from Huntsville out to Decatur. As we stepped out of our vehicle we could smell the glorious fragrance of smoking hickory coals pouring out onto the lot. Like a fish after bait, I was hooked. I couldn't get inside fast enough. The building and interior are a little dated but welcoming and cozy. We were a little before dinner time and there was no wait to be seated. Everyone on the staff was very friendly and attentive. We had done our homework before we arrived and decided to get the full spread by ordering 2 Pitmaster Feasts for my family of 4. One order was with the quarter chicken and the other was with smoked turkey. Both orders had BBQ Pulled Pork, beef brisket and St. Louis spare ribs. Our four sides were redskin potato salad, mac n cheese, coleslaw and fresh cut fries. We also ordered sweet tea. We'll cut to the chase, as by now you know what I'm here for. Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Pulled Pork was fantastic! Smoke and bark were apparent and the flavor was great, very tender and moist. I also tried the three sauces. The sauce I preferred with the BBQ Pulled Pork was the white sauce. It's much thinner than most of the white sauces I've tried but the flavor with the pepper was phenomenal. They had run out of bottles of white sauce to purchase at the restaurant but we were able to find them at the local Walmart. The ribs were great too, I enjoyed them plain but my family liked the ribs with Big Bob's Championship Sauce. The brisket was sliced and smoked to perfection. I liked pairing the brisket with the white sauce. The smoked turkey was also very good, possibly the best I've tasted. I’ve left the chicken quarter for last because I found it to be the star of the show. The flavor of the chicken borders on instantly addictive at first bite. It came sauced with their white sauce which only served to amplify the flavor. Big Bob Gibson’s White Sauce won me so completely that it will be my go to white sauce when I smoke chicken. I highly recommend the chicken quarter. Each of the sides were good too. Fresh cut fries tasted great as expected. The coleslaw was different and I thought I tasted a bit of horseradish but our waitress said that was not an included ingredient. The potato salad was rich but not overpowering. Unfortunately, I was not afforded a taste of the Mac n Cheese. Even the sweet tea was done very well. Joining with Southern Living and Matt Pittman, I highly recommend Big Bob Gibson's. They are definitely doing things right. If you're closeby, get here soon. In the event I return to Alabama and am within driving distance, you can bet I'll be back. Keep up the great work!

Big Bob Gibson lived up to the hype! This charming little spot delivers the perfect small-town atmosphere you'd expect from world-famous BBQ. The welcoming vibe and friendly service make you feel right at home, with that classic Southern hospitality shining through. Now, onto the food—absolutely incredible! The greens are seasoned to perfection, and the macaroni and cheese is the real deal, made with actual cheese (no powdered stuff here!). The meats are cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful, with plenty of their world-famous BBQ sauce on the table to drench every bite. If you're looking for top-notch barbecue with unbeatable charm, this place is a must-visit!

Big Bob Gibson's is a treasure and a wonderful place to have a BBQ meal by yourself or with the family! The brisket and the turkey were delicious and had a mild gentle flavor. The regular platters will certainly fill a hungry person, get the large if you plan on taking some home! My wife also swears the coconut cream pie is one of the best she's EVER had!

You are missing life if you miss this place been here many times. Great value and great quality, we actually drive an hour just to eat here

I live an hour away . Big bobs has always been a favorite ( used to live here ) . I happened to be in town and grabbed a meal to go . I got home and my sides melted through the plastic into each other. So there was plastic in my food /melted . The sandwich was pitiful. Due to their new rule of having to bring the food back same day for a refund, there's nothing i can do . Sucks for those of us that drive from other cities but cant be reimbursed when its not our doing .

First time visit while driving through Decatur I have to admit, the line around the building almost had us choosing another restaurant. But! We are so glad we didn’t. Once inside, we realized the line was actually more for take out orders than dining in. Lucky us, we were seated within 10 minutes. Considering there had to be 100+ people, we were pleasantly surprised. Definitely lives up to the hype. Would recommend to anyone who is in the mood for bbq. Only con, is that our waitress did not remove our used plates the entire visit. When our dessert was served, we had to move plates to make room for the pies. Will be our family go to restaurant while in Decatur from now on. ❤️

This is my first time visiting the area and six years and I knew exactly where I wanted to have my dinner. Big Bob Gibson barbecue it sets the bar so high and all my travels I give this location my number one barbecue experience their champion red sauce is perfect, the blend gives you a little of everything. I had the barbecue pork platter with a side of macaroni and cheese and green beans there macaroni and cheese is the best I’ve ever had at any barbecue joint and I’ve been to lots of barbecue joints across the country the green beans were Good it also came with a roll and the dinner roll was very good but the pork add a little of that champion red sauce and your mouth is just watering It is so good. And of course, I had to save room for one of their homemade pies. This time I chose the coconut cream pie, which is tapped off with a meringue. It was good. I do prefer having whip cream on top, but this definitely sufficed. I can’t wait for my next trip to the area so I can have another meal here Server was fantastic very polite and accommodating. It’s probably the most food for your buck. It’s a very inexpensive dinner.

Big Bob's chicken is a legend and for a good reason: it is superb and unique. Known near and far as the creator of "Alabama White Sauce," this unusual concoction perfectly complements their smoked chicken, which is juicy, tender, and flavorful. I ordered the Big Bob Combo, which paired my bird with ribs, which were quite good. But it is the chicken that shines here. All three of us left full and with a bottle of the white sauce to take home. Service was friendly and sassy. A must if you find yourself in Northern Alabama.

Looked for some hot chicken spots and this was the number one spot that came up! Here was our experience AMBIANCE: Parking: Plenty of parking. It has its own plaza with room for about 30 cars. Seating: Inside seating for about 80 people. Great for groups! Vibes: The area is a strip of other everyday stores but mainly restaurants and gas stations. The restaurant itself is pretty historic. The place prides itself rightfully with all of its rewards and longevity with its history. No music playing or anything just the comfort of the chatter and the hustle and bustle of the servers. Great for a family outing or food adventure. FOOD: Big Bob Gibson Combo (Recommend) St Louis ribs and choice of meat with add-on meats for an additional cost and then two sides and a roll. I got the beef brisket and pulled pork for this one, along with green beans and mac and cheese. This can last you two meals! The meats were delicious. The ribs fell off the bone, the brisket was juicy and well-seasoned, and the pulled pork was smoky. The sides complemented it well the green beans made things a bit healthy and the mac and cheese was cheesy and gooey. French Fries (Recommend) Crunchy, lightly seasoned, and salty. A good comforting side all around. Smoked Chicken Wings (Spicy) - (Recommend) It's saucy and charred appearance made it look aesthetically pleasing. Juicy, fresh and delicious! Sweet Tea (Recommend) Splendid. Your mild hint of bitter earthy tea but a nice balance of sugar makes this drink pleasant. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Great! As a visitor I felt the excellent Southern hospitality with a warm greeting and genuine patience as I needed help on deciding what to order. TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. Delicious food, great selections, reasonable prices, and a great atmosphere. What complements the food well is the service. This may be far from Birmingham but if you're in this neck of the woods, definitely worth trying, especially tasting flavors of history such as trying a place that created the "White BBQ sauce" TIPS: * Unsure what to get? Go with the combo plates! * Want more sauce, they sell them! * Curious about the bbq white sauce - it's a bit vinegary mixed with mayo.

The food is always delicious! THE BEST BBQ!!! Big Bob Gibson NEVER disappoints!! Service is always great!!!

I'm a lifelong resident of Alabama but had never tried the famous Big Bob Gibson BBQ, inventor of the Alabama White Sauce. In fact, I had only tried a copy of the white sauce once before today, so on our trip to Decatur, I was excited to try the OG. First impression: It's a typical BBQ joint, smells great soon as you pull up in the parking lot, and crowded! We were seated immediately & the server helped me decide what to order. I asked, "What can I order that will help me truly experience the famous white sauce?" She recommended the Turkey for sure and added that people often pair it with the chicken. So that's what I ordered: the Little Bob Gibson Sampler, with greens and chips for sides. My husband ordered the Rib and Meat Combo with smoked turkey, Mac n cheese, and fries. My food was great, though I was disappointed that the chips were a tiny bag of Lay's Classic. I think I was expecting homemade potato chips. (The menu doesn't say that, it was just my incorrect assumption) Turkey was great, especially with the white sauce and the greens with bits of meat were very good. The chicken leg quarter was also good. My husband was also happy with his plate. Oh & he raved about the Chocolate Pie. He usually doesn't care for meringue, but said the pie was so good "even with the abundance of fluffy stuff on top." Tip: the sauces are on the table and the rib sauce is vinegar based I'm so glad I tried the home of the Alabama White Sauce and I recommend it if you're in the Decatur area.

Not too long ago I found myself bored and with a bit of time on my hands, and it occurred to me that I was hungry and that I'd never been to Big Bob Gibson's BBQ which is famous for inventing Alabama white sauce. It stood to reason that I had to go there and so I did. There's a lot of seating. A lot. This place can accommodate your group for sure. It's got your classic bbq joint menu, all the meats, all the sides that you'd expect from an Alabama bbq spot. The prices are low, especially given the portions which are big enough to send you home with leftovers. I had the brisket, some mac & cheese, fries, bread and a rib of 2 for good measure. The brisket was cut thick, and relatively lean. I tend to prefer fattier brisket but this stuff was legit. The ribs fell off the bone and were loaded with flavor. The mac & cheese was above average. Would order it all again. In summary, it's worth the drive if you're thinking of giving it a try, and it's a no brainer if you're in the area. Give em a shot. You'll be glad you did.

I just happened to be in the area when this place opened, and I was happily surprised by their early hours. I ordered the Big Bob Gibson Combo. It came with ribs and I ordered pulled pork and brisket with greens and beans for the sides. My favorite meat was definitely the ribs, and for the sides, the beans hit the spot. To finish things off, the very nice waitress recommended the coconut cream pie. It was light and delicious, not too sweet. I really liked the toasted coconut flakes on top. All it all, I was greeted promptly, and my food was out on my table very quickly. It was enough food to take some home for dinner too. All in all, a pretty good bbq place.

So I was excited to try famous Bob Gibson's bbq. I was in Red Bay Al so I drove an hour and 15 minutes to satisfy my que needs. Well I was disappointed. My chicken breast was dry, my friend's brisket was dry and my St. Louis ribs were good not great. The sides were good and the pie was good. So my bottom line was it was pretty good but definitely not championship barbecue. Not worth going out of my way for other than being able to say I went to the oldest bbq in the U. S.

I had lunch on a Saturday at the Decatur AL location. Half chicken, fries, and cole slaw. The chicken was great, juicy and good enough the sauce was unnecessary. The sides were disappointing. Fries seemed reheated. Cole slaw was fresh, but I'm more of a creamy fan rather than the vinegary style which is served here. Being a gluten free diner, the choices were limited, but next time, I will just stick to the meat bring a gluten free bun or take it home. It wouldn't take much to offer some good gluten free sides and bread.

Soooooo if you are born and raised in the south - you know big bob Gibson's BBQ. Chris Lilly is well known for his ability to smoke some meat to perfection. I just finished watching him and Michael Symon cook on BBQ USA so we stopped by here on our way home from my mothers house. We immediately seated ourselves and ordered: I am a huge chicken fan and Gibson's white sauce is what I grew up on.... No one else knows how to make it right. So I was super stoked to get some chicken - 1/4 chicken with beans and Mac and cheese. when it came out and I had the breast meat quarter - I was surprised. I grew up in the south so I have never gotten white meat unless I ask for it and paid extra for it. I asked the sweet server if i had to specify dark meat and she said yes. SO I SPECIFICALLY asked for dark meat. She was kind enough to bring me a leg and thigh. So much better ..... in case you didn't know. The meat was just like I remember from years ago - Smokey flavor and juicy with a tangy vinegar white sauce. Brings back memories of my child hood with my dad who was a BBQ expert. My husband had the brisket which was excellent with a dark bark and great flavor. Yes the world champion still has it- great food. We did go to the original restaurant and the building has some age but the inside still smells great and boasts all the championship trophies!!!

Best pork ribs we had throughout our bbq road trip so far!! We came in at 5pm and weirdly they only did take outs as they "had no waiters "(????) We ordered the wings, pork ribs plus 2 meats combo but they eventually forgot to put in the brisket (as it was takeout , we only found that at home ). Here's the food we had : 1) pork ribs - oh lord . So good . So juicy and flavourful . 6 stars 2) pulled pork - just ok. We had a better . A bit too dry . 3/5 3) wings - excellent . The sauce was so good , and the blue cheese dip was great. 4/5 They also forgot to put their famous white sauce . So disappointing . All together , the ribs were worth the drive

Was in Alabama from Georgia this weekend visiting family. Wanted to take my sister who was with me to Big Bob Gibson's. She thinks when traveling the only place to eat is Sonny's Bbq. And she always gets the smoked chicken. Well today she learned what real smoked chicken taste like!!!! It was so tender, fall off the bone and juicy!!! It needed no sauce at all!! However, we did sample the sauces offered they were all good. But, honestly it was so good I didn't want sauce. And I always use sauce!! For sides we had fries which were hand cut, baked beans and potato salad. All delicious! The potato salad reminded me of my mom's so of course it was my favorite! My daughter got their pit grilled hot dog. She loved it! Said it tasted like it had came of the grill from someone's summer bbq. We were stuffed so we didn't order dessert. However, I saw the slices of pie being delivered to other tables and they looked amazing!! Our waitress was super friendly and our food came out quickly. Would give our Visit a five star review! Will definitely be back After traveling the 45mins back to where we were staying realized I had left my cellphone at the restaurant. We tried to call the numbers listed on the website. None worked. So that is my only criticism. We drove back. When we arrived my daughter went back to our table to look. One waitress got on her hands and knees hunting my phone!! I went to the cashier stand. Some kind soul had turned it in!! Everyone was so kind and helpful!!! My rating for service is a 20 out of 10. Go to Big Bo Gibson if you are anywhere near! You will not regret it!!!!

Not as heavy on the smoke as I typically like (I'd give a 4.5 rating if I could), but really good nonetheless. We stopped here and had pulled pork and ribs and they were great. The ribs didn't need a single thing and we devoured them. The pulled pork needed a time bit of sauce and the slaw really added a nice touch. I'd definitely go back if the opportunity ever arose.

Service was really good Food was good , very tasty , decent price for your money just needs a bit more attention to cleanliness You get to choose where to sit but if all the tables are dirty then maybe you need to asigne tables once their clean My humble opinion Good luck !! And again good service

Food portions Staff actually listening to what the customer wants in the order . I am 59 years old and have been eating here since I was about 9 . The food portions and the attentive ness of the staff as of the last 6 months leave a lot to be desired. Out of the last 6 times I have ordered this plate I have asked repeatedly for the red sauce and unless I bug the living heck outta the drive thru person I won't get it. Once out of the past 6 attempts have I gotten the red sauce I have asked for once . I have lately been going to Whitt's Barbecue up the road because they get the order right 99% of the time and I get almost twice the meat for around the same price.Food is great at Gibson's if you don't mind not getting what you want on a consistent basis.

On vacation myself while my hubby is working haha took time to look up restaurants that may have appeared on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in Decatur/Huntsville lucky for me Big Bobs was on it!!! So we decided to go here for lunch, first off greeted very warmly from two sweet young ladies then our waitress was just as pleasant. She offered up some choice menu items that were considered popular and I decided to have the Little Bobs Sampler best choice if you're not looking to eat too much. Lol I said that at a BBQ restaurant. They have t-shirts you can buy, the sauces and I even grabbed a cook book to take home. Definitely will make a stop here again when or if we come back to Decatur. Thanks Guy‼

Good food. Award winning BBQ, famous white sauce, and unforgettable pies. Table service, friendly faces and casual atmosphere can be hectic at times.

Craved a summertime lunch------pit fired hot dog and seasoned fries! So delicious! Fast and extremely friendly service at the drive-thru! Highly recommend!

Always have to go here when I'm in town! Pulled pork is excellent brisket is solid- of course sweet tea and always get a slice of pie, doesn't matter how full you are.

First Time In Decatur!! I stopped into Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Que during my first ever visit to the Decatur area. It was recommended to me by my Field Service team at work who had been to the area and had eaten there before. I did my due diligence and checked the reviews and the locations before settling on the 6th Street location. Big Bob's has been around since 1925 and long history of making world-class barbecue. Apparently they 'invented' the famous Alabama White Sauce. I was seated in a booth and even given a Cook Book by the Hostess to peruse while I was ordering and eating. I ordered the Smoked Turkey Plate with a side of Al La Carte Ribs just so I could try them. My plate also came with barbecue baked beans, Greens and a homemade bun. The Smoked Turkey Breast Platter was as advertised, the turkey was tender and not dry at all, and absolutely delicious. The ribs were Fall-off-the-bone tender with a really nice smokiness to them. I also tried all of the sauces that my server brought to the table. It was a really enjoyable meal and I was very happy that I chose this location to eat. The service was great and the food was as well. If you're ever in Decatur Alabama or any city with Big Bob Gibson's location, give them a shot, you won't be disappointed.

I've been down South many a times, including frequent trips to Alabama. I am always on the hunt for the best BBQ and each place I've been to has not disappointed. This holds true for Big Bob Gibson. A favorite of the locals, this place is hopping on a Tuesday early afternoon. The dining area was almost filled to the max but we were able to snag a booth in a corner right away. My friend who I went to visit got her usual stuffed loaded potato with pulled pork. Not only does this potato come as the size of your head, but it's packed to the brim with deliciousness. Pulled pork and cheese tower the potato and I got to try a bit and Oh em gee was it tasty! For my meal I got the Little Bob Gibson combo with smoked Turkey, brisket and pulled pork. For my sides, I chose the Mac and cheese and potato salad. There was nothing little about this combo platter. I went home with more than half leftover. And even though we were taking home food, we needed a slice of pie. The pie I selected was coconut, which comes with a nice topping of meringue. Perfect way to end the hearty meal. Our server was on the ball! You can tell she was tending to a bunch of tables, but she did this with ease. I wish I remembered her name because she was incredible. Finally, dining here was just wonderful. Nothing like an old barn with delicious BBQ and a home-like atmosphere. You can purchase merch on your way out, like a shirt or a bottle of award winning BBQ sauce. This will be a stop on my next visit for sure!

Food was just eh.. I didn't care for the white bbq. Tasted like glorified mayonnaise. The consistency of the coleslaw reminded me of something you might find in a convalescent home. It wasn't shredded it looked like it was pulverized in a food processor and slipped on my plate. The service was top notch. From the moment we walked in to the time we cashed out. We were greeted with a smile. The server was gracious enough to answer all our out of town questions. We were served in a timely manner. The food was served hot.

My mom and I went to Big Bob Gibson's BBQ for lunch on a recent weekday. We arrived just before 11 so there weren't that many people there yet. We were given menus and directed to sit where we liked. We choose a booth along the windows. The interior was mostly wood and homey but not over decorated. Our server came right away to get us started with drinks. My mom had the smoked turkey sandwich and baked beans. I wanted the brisket sandwich and couldn't decide between mac and cheese and potato salad. Our server recommended the mac and cheese and it was delicious. As was my brisket. So often it is tough and overdone but this was tender. We shared a delicious piece of coconut pie but I noticed the older couple behind us each wanted their own. Perhaps I'll take that advice next time because I will be back.

I thought this would be more like fast food than restaurant style, but turns out I was wrong. They were pretty busy at 1:30pm on a weekday, but the wait wasn't too bad. I ordered the Bar-B-Q Pork Platter with Mac & Cheese and Red Skin Potato Salad with the Cocunut Cream Pie as dessert. Everything tasted good, but I think I enjoyed the Cocunut Cream Pie the most out of everything. The pork needed some sauce and the white sauce at the table wasn't doing it for me. The sides I ordered were decent. It's a good place to go if you are in the area, but not a place I would purposely seek out.

I have to say... I was underwhelmed. I didn't want to be but I was. The wings were good but I wouldn't put them at amazing. I'd still say they are 4 stars. Had the ribs and they were okay. Honeslty would rather of had them dry not w sauce. Green beans were okay too. Potato salad was my favorite part of my meal. My daughter had the pulled pork sandwich and she wasn't a fan. I tasted it and it was bland to me. My wife had the pulled pork baked potato and she enjoyed it. The Cole slaw was strange. Like nothing I've had before. Staff was friendly and service was good. Neat place all around.

Food was excellent. Ribs were done right. The Mac n cheese was very cheesy and baked beans were really good too. Service was a little slow. Took them 10 minutes to even take our drink orders. Can't wait to come back again.

I'm traveling with Decatur natives who couldn't pass up the chance to stop at Gibson's for some BBQ. The parking lot was full so I thought there would be a wait. To my surprise, we walked right in and seated ourselves. Gibson's is typical of your local restaurant - simple decor and friendly staff. There aren't any vegetarian entrees. However, they do offer the BBQ salad and loaded BBQ potato without meat. You can also piece together a veggie plate with the sides. As you can see in the picture the salad is just a simple side salad and the potato was large but basic with chives, cheese, butter, and sour cream. I also had a piece of pecan pie to finish things off. It was a good consistency and not too sweet or crunchy. Not bad!

We drove down from Michigan to do the 127 garage sales and after one day we had enough so we went exploring. I had made a copy of Big Bobs white sauce and liked it and we were About 100 miles away so off we went. OMG was it ever good. We had the best waitress (Amy) who guided us through the menu. We had ribs, pulled pork and the chicken. Everything was delicious. Make sure to save room for some pie

Food was delicious But there is something coating the floor that is so slippery that I won't be able to take my family old and young because I am afraid of them falling

We have eaten here several times and the food has been pretty good and consistent. The service has been "fine". On our recent and last visit, we waited 18 minutes for a server to take our order. Then we waited again, at least another 20 minutes and when the order did show up, several parts of the order were wrong. 1) Potato Salad instead of the fries I ordered. 2) Nasty cole slaw instead of the Mac and cheese. The correct items were finally delivered and although the Mac and cheese was DELICIOUS, the fries were burned. I mean very very dark brown! Why serve those?? We were pretty much DONE at this point, finished our pulled pork and my Mac and cheese, paid our bill and left. We will not be returning.

The food was delicious and the service was exceptional. Their homemade pies looked wonderful but the portions were so big that we just didn't have room, maybe next time.

Smoked Turkey was tender but bland and didn't have a Smokey taste. Pulled pork wasn't seasoned at all. The pecan Pie however was amazing

My Wife and I stopped by Big Bob's about 4.p.m. Tue. The 15th. The service was great. Neeka our waitresses was great also (Neeka) . Restauraunt and restrooms Spotless. We ordered 2 loaded chicken potatoes.When Neeka served them I'm thinking is this it. ??? Very small amount of chicken...2.so called "loaded".bake potatoes and 2 teas. $32.00. Wow !!!

The white sauce is very good. The last two time I have been there the quality wasn't as good. The ribs and chicken were very dry. Service is fair. For me there are better barbecue options. Bib Bobs never lived up to the hype. I guess what they cook at the contests is at a much different level. It apparently doesn't scale up well.

That White Sauce is disgusting. And they're ruining several of the food items by only offering them with this nasty garbage. Other than a few locals; I've yet to find anyone who likes that White Sauce. I was going to order BBQ chicken and was told that it is available ONLY with the nasty white sauce. Then I was told the same thing about the BBQ chicken sandwich. They tried to push the pulled pork. We absolutely despise pulled pork. We don't know why people go crazy over it. It is edible (except at Bucees) but it is the lowest quality thing a BBQ joint has... with the exception of anything with the nasty white sauce). Serving pulled pork is like serving table scraps or floor sweepings; it looks like something I'd feed a dog, not something I'd have for lunch. BBQ Ribs and BBQ Chicken are far above anything else on the menu at anything else on the menu at any BBQ joint in the world... (when they have real BBQ sauce, not that white sauce garbage). But not in Alabama, everyone was to eat shredded up scraps. We would like to have some great BBQ Chicken, but this place only prepares it with that nasty white stuff. Prepare it with real BBQ sauce and I'd be in there every week to get some... But with the current menu, we'll never have any desire to go back.

I came to this restaurant not because I thought the food was going to be awesome, but because it's famous in the bbq world, they invented the "Alabama white sauce" afterall. Inside, the decor is dated, think 1975, and the menu is pretty simple. I noticed that if you want the white sauce already on any of the meats, it only comes with the chicken.. of course there are bottles of sauces they make on every table. The white sauce ingredients basically have the same as a bottle of mayo from the grocery store, with a few other spices like coarsely ground black pepper. I ordered the st louis ribs, quarter chicken, Mac n cheese, kettle beans, roll and sweet tea. I also added a homemade peanut butter pie. Essentially one of their higher priced 2 meat plates. The ribs were good, not great and slathered in bbq sauce when they arrive on your plate. Nice and tender. I ordered the 4 bone. And got like 6 bones. The chicken was basically a breast and wing. Wing was small amd smoky, breast was average size and mostly dry. Should have skipped the chicken. I just wanted to see what the white sauce would taste like on chicken. It didn't have a pronounced taste though. The beans tasted like they were from a can. The mac n cheese was on the dry side and probably had processed cheese in it. It left a sticky taste in your mouth. The roll was blah, tasted like a store bought roll. The best part of the meal was probably the sweet tea and peanut butter pie. It was interesting because it was a meringue peanut butter pie, never seen that before. Although I don't care for meringue. The pie consisted of meringue on top, then the pb cream, then a cookie crumb layer, then a regular pie crust on bottom. Overall, I don't care how many awards they have won, or how many times they've been written up in various papers and magazines, their bbq still doesn't compare to Texas BBQ. I was also dissapointed that there is no sausage on the menu either. It is truly a regional thing. However, if you want to try what's practically an institution in Decatur, and the place that invented a separate type of bbq sauce which is important in bbq history, then this is your place.

First off, Thank you Timmy Tickles for the Award winning rib recommendation! The Discovery Channel Smoke Ring Series show is an awesome show and I will have my summer adventures to go experience all of them. Big Bob Gibson's BBQ is THE premiere place to go for Alabama BBQ ! With two locations situated just of N/S Interstate 65, you have fast and easy access(with Semi truck parking) to the best Alabama has to offer, including their signature "White Sauce". They serve every cut of meat imaginable in varying plates and combinations. Eat in or take out- it's up to you. The line was out the door on a Monday night which kinda already hit a nerve but it was actually the Take Out line and Was seated in less than 10 minutes. The dining room was very clean, classic and family looking type. Alcohol is not served here. I had ordered the Sweet tea and combination of Brisket, Ribs and Pulled pork with 2 sides being traditional baked beans and the cheesy mac n cheese. Everything was just absolutely delicious. Tracie my waitress was just perfect, and a southern delight with hospitality. Bought a couple souvenirs and the check was under $80.00. Super great value for the money here. Stop at Big Bob's and see what the fuss is all about.

The only thing that deserves any star is the chicken wing. It came hot, crispy with great favor. Everything else from the family platter ranges from ok to lousy. Chicken leg quarter with white sauce - the size of the drumstick is the same size of the drumette. So tiny. But the worst is the taste. It was so salty and dry that I had to spit it out. Pulled pork - nothing special, nothing bad Briskets - dry and bland Pork ribs - good texture but covered in too much sauce Lastly, the service is lousy. The server acts like she did not want us there. There was no smile, no greeting. She looked impatient and rushed. At one point, she was holding an infant and carrying a water jug, so I assumed she was taking care of the baby while working. That would have been perfectly fine with us, just don't show the attitude.

Had to try them out. They are apparently swamped constantly but the wait wasn't long. Great service and the food came out fast. Chicken with white sauce and the smoked Turkey were excellent. Brisket was a little dry. Outstanding Mac and cheese, turnip greens and some of best beans ever. Will be back.

Had Smoked Chicken Wings for appetizer and they were fantastic. then for Dinner we each had the loaded baked potato with brisket and this thing was huge and very delicious! Love this place we stop here every time we pass through going on vacation. attaché our server Tracie was the best, she took really good care of us. she is a rockstar!

Great bbq food that has a lot of variety and sauce was the boss. Service was good. I'd definitely come back.

Hands down‼ Big Bob Gibson is the best barbecue I have enjoyed. The brisket, the ribs, the chicken with Alabama white sauce are all spectacular. I can't imagine going without. You need to go and experience the wonders of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.‼

This place is always great. I come here twice a year and I've never had a single person complain. The food is pretty impressive and they have the trophies to prove it! I will from now on be buying a bottle of sauce every single time I visit. Like it so much I was tempted to have it shipped! All in all, you have to give this place a try if you are anywhere near.

Yes, it's a dive in need of a deep clean. There's a smoker out back and a stack of wood. What more do you need? You won't be sorry you went. Be prepared to weave through the rows of barbeque competition trophies and framed mentions on national media to get to your table. Decor is early steakhouse on the Love Boat. You're not here for interior design. Double down on this menu because you won't be disappointed. We had the nachos, pulled pork, Mac and cheese, greens, slaw, and fries. Everything was delicious! We particularly loved the white and vinegar sauces for the meat. Big Bob is the innovator of Alabama white sauce. Go try the original!

Always delicious and the best in Decatur for sure. Hard working kitchen and waitstaff.

When I'm in Decatur, Alabama, I always try to stop in here. The place is rustic and authentic and the bbq is always amazing. I typically order the pork or brisket, but the turkey is equally tasty. The mac and cheese is the best I've had and the baked beans are always a favorite of mine. The mac and cheese is rich and buttery, tasting perfectly homemade. The beans are spicy and flavorful with a bit of sweetness. But, what other side would you get with bbq! We'll, there's several other tempting co-stars to the bbq. If you're looking for Vegan or white table cloth, why would you come to a bbq place? But if you're a carnivore who wants some great smoked meat, this is the place! The sauce is great as well and you can pick up a bottle or two at the register. Every time I come here, it feels like a big family cookout! Roll up your sleeves and dig in! Don't miss it!

We really liked the chicken with white sauce and the Mac and cheese. Smoked turkey was pretty solid too. Service was good and prices are very reasonable. The reason I'm giving 3 stars only is due to the brisket. Man that is a poor excuse of a brisket. Dry and hard and flavorless. They really have to do better with that.

Sheeeeew! This bbq slaps like the rub they put on it! I ordered a loaded tater and boy was it! I had to pack half the sucker up and take it back home to eat later.... The food is fresh (no gristle here), service is extraordinary (bout like the bbq) and the environment is relaxed and old school. If you're in Decatur and looking for something good to eat, come on and getche some bbq! Right On!

The ribs are amazing . The rub is perfect for The ribs and the sauce is a good compliment to the rub . And big bob is the 7 time Memphis in may world champions and you can feel and see that as soon as you walk in

Meat was good quality, bbq sauce unremarkable. Pulled pork was tender , but portion was small. Kettle beans are good. They were out of greens, so sad! Did not take more than 2 bites of the coleslaw. It had a very green flavor with no zest or spices. Service was quick and efficient, but not overly friendly. Would not go again.