Dreamland BBQ

THIS place epitomizes southern barbecue. A little grimy, loud, sports and great food. You sit and they bring the sauce and bread. Tables have paper towel rolls and you will need them. We got half a slab, half a chicken, Mac & Cheese (capitalized bc it’s so good), cole slaw, and baked beans. Mrs Beautiful thought the beans were so good she compared them to her mom’s - instantly earning a five star review. I liked the chicken best. So well seasoned and smoked that the meat was permeated with amazing flavor. We ended with puddings - banana and chocolate. Both were 5 stars. You only need a little because they are so rich (& you’ve already stuffed yourself with too much meat). We even ordered an extra pint of mac & cheese to go - jr liked it that much.

This place is BUSY. If you want service, make sure you approach one of the servers, as they are constantly moving between tables, serving, cleaning tables, closing out tabs, etc. They were fast with taking my order and closing out my tab, but depending on patrons, it can take a while. It took about 15-20 minutes to get our order. We ordered the legendary bbq pork (chopped) sandwiches and quarter slab pork ribs. And oh boy, now I know why this bbq restaurant was packed! I think I ate the pork sandwich in less than 4 bites, so get the large sandwich!! Best pork ribs I’ve ever had - and the sauce is amazing(vinegar based, not sweet). The baked beans and potato salad were also very good.

First time going after hearing about it for years. Sandwich was good. Ribs not so much. Ribs were chewy as if just quickly grilled not slow smoked. May be that I am used to Memphis style. Beans seemed straight out of a Showboat can. Potato salad was ok. Mac n cheese was solid. Sauce is pretty good. Tangy and a bit spicy. Service was not great. One person trying to handle a full house.

The original Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa was a great experience. The building is not large. However, the day we visited, there were plenty of seats. I would assume that during football season, there could be a wait for a table. The ribs were awesome, and the sauce had a slight kick that was perfect. The loaf bread and extra sauce were the perfect accompaniment. I got the half rack of ribs, and it was a lot of food. The banana pudding was also great.

Here from Florida for an Alabama game and was told this place has the best RIBS ever! DK E was absolutely amazing Hometown feel and delicious food! Must try!

Great bbq nice staff even let me take pictures

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An Old-School BBQ Pilgrimage Worth Every Bite Nestled in a sleepy hollow outside Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Original Dreamland Bar-B-Que is the kind of place that turns a road trip into a rite of passage. A friend messaged me when he saw I was headed toward Louisiana: "If you're going through Tuscaloosa Ala-bam, you HAVE to stop at Dreamland BBQ. Until a few years ago, the only thing on the menu was ribs." From the outside, it looks like your classic hole-in-the-wall joint—but the second you walk through the door, you're transported to another era. The smell of hickory wood smoke greets you like an old friend. This place isn’t just BBQ—it’s history, tradition, and soul, all wrapped up in one unforgettable bite. I always trust the staff’s recommendation, so I went with the half chicken. Let me tell you—it was a religious culinary experience. Smoky, flavorful, and perfectly moist. I’ve eaten a lot of BBQ in my time, but this was next-level. Of course, I couldn’t just stop there. I left with a cooler full of goodies: •A full slab of ribs (because it’s Dreamland—you have to) •Another half chicken •Their Legendary BBQ sandwich •And both kinds of dessert: the banana pudding and the chocolate dream The sweet tea—Big Daddy’s Iced Tea—was the perfect Southern pairing. Everything was authentic, soulful, and utterly delicious. The vibe? Pure Americana. The kind of place where the story is as rich as the sauce. And that sauce? A vinegar-based masterpiece with just the right kick. Don’t leave without buying a jar to take home. Dreamland says it best: “Ain’t nothing like ’em nowhere.” I couldn’t agree more.

Delicious bbq and quick service with a smile. We got there early on a Sunday and had no problem getting a table. Our ribs were on our table less than 5 minutes after ordering and man were they good! Smokey and sweet and that sauce was tangy! Loved the atmosphere and will be back!

Wow, what a fantastic local barbecue joint! Came here on Friday before a game. We were able to snag a table right before the place got overwhelmed. They serve some bread and their barbecue sauce to dip it in as a starter. TBH the sauce seemed a bit too vinegary and with a slight heat, interesting but not great. Ok. Had a half rack of ribs (split a full rack.) OMG these ribs are fantastic and that sauce that didn't seem right on its own was the perfect flavor on the ribs. The ribs were cooked very nicely with just a bit of char on the end, which added to the fantastic flavor. Wow, these ribs are great. Had a side of Mac n cheese and it was tasty. Had a little chocolate pudding for desert and it was also delish. Washed thus all down with a cold natty light. The waitress was helpful and friendly. Real barbecue shack atmosphere. Would definitely look to return if in the area.

So we visited since I was attending my graduation. Maybe its because of the search engine and my expectations but this place was overrated. Limited menu. The mac n cheese was thick but there was nothing special. Same thing with the bbq. Nothing worth driving for. The chicken was moist but taste was dull. Service was mediocre. The waitress seemed as if she didnt want to be there. The sauce had a vinegar taste to it and felt more like something to use while the meat was cooking in lieu of serving with the meat.

Is it worth an hour wait? I'm not so sure! But if you can get in quickly, it's pretty good barbecue with homey and casual vibes on the inside. Everyone in my party got the bbq sandwich, we were headed to a concert and didn't feel ribs were a smart choice for this particular night, however if we were to ever make it back that's definitely what I would order!

I think the place is very good. I just think that although they're famous for their ribs & bbq sauce they should have a better variety of things you can get. The ribs & bbq sauce was good, but if you're looking for a sweet bbq sauce they don't have it.

Don't microwave ribs and check quality of each plate as it's delivered. I love them ribs and hope there will be some attention to the process.

Awesome food great atmosphere! Everyone was nice will go back again in the future! Awesome

What a great find in our travels today!! Sometimes when you end up off the beaten path, you find the best places for a great meal!! We each had the legendary bar-b-q chicken sandwich with a side of cole slaw. If you can't eat pork - don't stress! The chicken is delicious!! Servers were attentive and provided great service!! The inside is somewhat dimly lit but it just adds to the relaxed vibe of the place!! We felt welcomed, we enjoyed our food, and we left happy!! Thanks for the great stop!

Food amazing. 100% the best I have ever had. Service was a little dull but the food made up for it and will bring me back!! That's how good it is.

Not a lot of words required here. I've been eating at Dreamland for nearly 40 years. It's a bucket list place for so many and it will not disappoint. I ate there earlier this week on my way home to Atlanta. Did my heart and my stomach good! Mercy, do I love that sauce!

Price for chips on menu said $2; I was charged $2.49. Mgr said price went up. If the menu says $2, then either charge the advertised price or update the menu.

By far the best bbq!!! Been traveling for 10 days across 9 states. Are here tonight and it was the best we have had all trip long. The atmosphere was just like a home.

When I get the chance I love to experience BBQ at an original location. Dreamland did not disappoint! A building with history and many memories, if only the walls could talk! Service was fantastic and friendly. We ordered a rack of ribs, potato salad, Mac n cheese, and baked beans. The ribs were hot, fresh, and very tender. I'm a sauce girl and loved the sauce they make. It was light and full of flavor. The potato salad was creamy and delicious, the baked beans were hot and yummy, the Mac n cheese was just ok, a bit dry instead of creamy.

Mom & Pops feel BBQ spot. Nice environment. They have the best sweet tea I've had this side of the Mississippi!

This is the OG. Dreamland first opened in 1958, and now there are 11 locations throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. This modest and battered building is where Big Daddy's "dream" started. It is a short drive from the McFarland exit of I-65, but feels miles away from all the commercial development on McFarland Avenue. And, less than 5 miles from the University of Alabama. A perfect dining option if you have an event on campus. Seat yourself after you enter the very rustic and dicey feeling dining room. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. Service moves at a "southern" pace so don't be in a hurry. Instead enjoy some sweet tea and the generous serving of plain white bread and the Dreamland BBQ sauce. The sauce is excellent for dipping. It is vinegar based and is a wonderful blend of tanginess with a little spiciness. Dreamland is most famous for their pork ribs so I ordered 1/2 slab of ribs with a side order of potato salad. The order is six large ribs, that I was not able to finish on my own. They were five star excellent. They were seasoned, smoky, and tender. They went perfectly with the vinegar-based sauce. The potato salad was yummy too, and a good compliment to the tangy bbq sauce. Obviously this is not a fancy place, but I would say a "must" try place in Tuscaloosa..

Food a very long time I've been wanting to visit this location. My first experience was the one in Birmingham, and second in GA, and I've heard about this location. In any matter, the ribs were good, however not as good as Birmingham's. Might have to dust the place down. Other than that it was a good experience.

Hadn't been in Tuscaloosa since 2013. We decided to hit an old favorite the original Dreamland BBQ. Menu has definitely changed. Used to be ribs, mulligan stew, and a few sides. And of course the original chips and white bread. Now they offer chicken, sausage. Ribs were still good. Not quite as good as I remembered but BBQ overall has come a long way in last twelve years. Everyone still friendly and good service. Prices still fair too. Especially compared to what they want us to pay here in Texas. Lot of these fools wanting $38 lb for their brisket and ribs. Next time your in Tuscaloosa give the original a try. Lot of history and good food.

The food was good. We have eaten at various Dreamland bbq locations many times through the years. However, the staff at this location today, one person in particular, made the experience uncomfortable, stressful and unenjoyable. The staff member was loudly yelling at other employees during our entire meal, arguing about who gets what table (ours in particular), the bathroom, and the hierarchy of the staff. We will not stop at this location again. Charles, at the bar, was excellent, friendly and courteous! He gets 5 stars. And sorry Charles if your $10 tip did not make it to you!

Excellent BBQ, tried the slab of ribs, sausage, Mac and cheese, potato salad baked beans, and coleslaw, served with slices of white bread. Service was great waitress was super nice and helpful. The food was hot and BBQ sauce was delicious. Would totaly recommend the place. The neighborhood is sketchy but they actually have a security guard at the restauraunt.

If you're reading this, then you already know that dreamland barbecue is the finest ribs. You can get in the United States. I go there every single time I'm anywhere near Tuscaloosa.

Bucket list: Eat at the original Dreamland BBQ... check. If you live in Alabama, you've heard of Dreamland BBQ. A little off the beaten path, this is the original and first Dreamland BBQ opened in 1958. After entering you will agree. I was told originally, it had a dirt floor. Now it's concrete, small, rustic and decorated with what would can be described as "vintage". The walls are covered in Alabama football memorabilia as well as license plates from around the country. With a bar on one wall, the ceiling is splattered with funny t-shirts. You won't find any LED lights here so it's not the most brightly lit restaurant. The only thing missing was a couple of pool tables in a corner. It was a rainly cold night that myself and 2 fellow yelpers, Paul and Gary visited. We sat ourselves and was met by our server, a very friendly young man. He took our drink orders. My sweet tea was good but it was so sweet, I had to ask for a cup of unsweet tea to mix. If you're the OG, you don't have to do much with your menu and so they didn't. Just the facts mame! Full slab, half slab of ribs, rib sandwich, chicken, smoked sausage, legendary bbq sandwich. That's all you get to choose from and the fixins: coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad or mac n cheese. I almost got their famous pork ribs, but opted for their legendary pork bbq sandwich. I don't know about legendary, but it was a pretty good sandwich on a warm toasted bun with pickles. I'm glad they didn't flood it with their BBQ sauce, but instead didn't put much sauce on it at all. So I had the opportunity to flavor it myself. Their BBQ had a hint of sour and tang probably from some vinegar. With the contrasting sweetness of the sauce, I can see why many love Dreamland. My potato salad was ok. The coleslaw was also on par. Paul let me have a couple of his ribs and now I know why it's famous. Tender and falling off the bone delicious. Oh I have to mention that after being seated they bring you a free appetizer plate of sliced white bread and 2 small cups of their famous BBQ sauce... something different. Now that I can say I've eaten at the original Dreamland, I'd like to go back and try their sausage. If you're in Tuscaloosa, give em a try.

The pulled pork was absolutely as good as it gets...but the sides were even better. Top 1 or 2 potato salad I have ever had. The mop is spicy but excellent. You have arrived it is as down south bbq experience as you can have.

Forced to patronize for a business dinner. Been on the road for over 5 hrs, super tired then asked to meet at Dreamland at 8pm. Dreading it, I went. Best pork ribs I have ever had! Atmosphere A++, barbecue A++, sides A++, overalls A++++. Highly recommend no matter how road weary you are.

Slow service. Food was good, server was nice but waited over 1.5 hrs for food. They said it would take an extra 15 minutes for ribs but it was an hour later. Very disorganized place.

Was really good. Service was excellent and friendly and the atmosphere was really fgood here. Definitely recommend it.

The service here was horrible. We got dirty looks as soon as we walked in. Not quite sure who trained these people but they need some more training. As soon as we sat down the tables were extremely sticky. We had to put paper towels on the table to eat.The food was actually good. The ribs were a little dry and the atmosphere is very tense in there . My husband even asked for an extra cup of Mac and cheese and the other server stated she will let our server know. We never even received it. I will never go back to this establishment. You guys should do better.

This was my first BBQ road trip in a few years and I feared that I'd blown it by getting off to a late start. My arrival time in Tuscaloosa would be 7:00 p.m.  ...too late for most BBQ restaurants, but not Dreamland. Dreamland is open on Sunday nights until 9:00! I got there around 8:30. I ordered a rib sandwich and an order of coleslaw to go. The ribs were still warm when I got to my hotel room. My brain was telling me that a mistake was made as I placed the container on the table... it appeared to weigh at least 1/2 pound. Opening the container revealed four hefty bones. These were full-size spare ribs (St. Louis + rib tips), cooked to perfection and covered in a tangy, sweet, vinegary, red sauce. The ribs were tender, smoky and had a distinct vinegar and pepper kick. The order was more than I should have eaten in one sitting (but I ate them anyway). The coleslaw was a nice creamy mayo-base complement to the ribs. I'd learn from a previous visit to dip the bread in the sauce and eat it along with the BBQ. Texas rules when it comes to pit-smoked beef and sausage. Someone will try to take away my Texas card for this, but northern Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia can't be beat for barbequed pork ribs!

This unfortunately appears to be a case of good products, but staffed by incompetent employees. I'm not sure if we were treated differently since one of my colleagues is black. Either way the service was so bad. We walked in the door at 5:37pm, we were unable to leave until 7:11pm due to our waitress struggling to run our payments. In the time we were there, the waitress (Porscha) neglected our table and decided to charge me for the half chicken that remained untouched on my plate. In short I paid 13:00 for chicken I didn't want and$3:00 for coleslaw that I did actually eat. She ran away each of the meager 3 times that she visited our table bed I could ask for a lemonade, or cut me off when I'm in the middle of trying to tell her I want the chicken sandwich. Not half a cracked bird on my plate. 1 star would not recommend. If the choice is between you going hungry & eating at this establishment. Go hungry

The ribs were great. The atmosphere is warm and the service is fast and friendly. My chicken was a bit dried out, but the BBQ sauce made it better.

I have heard my whole life about Dreamland and its iconic status. That may be all it is any more, a status, because the food there is sub par for the name recognition it has. Texas Roadhouse has better ribs than Dreamland. I was so disappointed. Sweet tea was good, but if they run out at night, they just tell you no more refills. Their sauce is tangy and not my cup of tea, and they spread it on everything they serve, probably to mask the mediocre ness of their meat, so request no sauce if you aren't sure, because it taints everything it touches. Decor is meh. They have ceiling fans that run 24/7 and you can see where the dust ring has accumulated above them and I'm surprised none randomly falls onto people and their food. We went here before A-day football game and the best part of the meal was just listening to the locals talk. But if I were you, I'd try Full Moon or Jim n Nicks. Just let dreamland stay legendary in your mind as to not ruin it

Ok I think the warning sign was there were no cars in the parking lot... Restaurant-its basic, filled with old license plates, t-shirts and pictures. It was clean though. Food-I don't know about the others, we were a group, but the food was just ok. Wait, let me back up...they were out of the half chicken so I resulted to the chicken sandwich. They give you plain white bread with 2 cups of BBQ sauce. My chicken was dry, the bread was toasted tho, although I didn't eat the bread. The ribs were not hot that my husband had and the half chicken that was served was not flavorful. I didn't use the restroom, but everyone said it was useable. I was not impressed

For my first time visiting the south, specifically Alabama I went to a local at the hotel we were staying at to ask where she would go for BBQ....she didn't even have to think about it she blurted out right away, Dreamland BBQ. This spot is truly old school has been around since the 1960's. Simple decor and down home hospitality was the takeaway here. The food was great, simple and well cooked. I opted for the link sausage. My girlfriend the half rack of ribs. The BBQ sauce had a nice vinegary tang but accented the meal well. To end the meal their two desserts had to be tried. The banana pudding and chocolate pudding were delicious, homemade and just made out meal a memorable one at this Tuscaloosa staple restaurant.

Since my first review, I have been to Dreamland two more times and forgot to update my review. All I can say is that Dreamland is one of my favorite places to go eat when I visit Tuscaloosa! I have yet to find any other place in the area that feels like home cooked meals. Thank you!

The food was ok. The sauce was excellent and the potato salad wasn't bad. It's divey, which doesn't bother me. It was freezing inside, and by that I mean both the a/c blowing really cold, and the lack of hospitality. Our server seemed completely pissed off by our presence. It was uncomfortable and while we all have bad days, it wasn't professional. It's sad, because this is exactly the kind of spot we love to choose over the soulless chain restaurants and bad BBQ out there. But nobody wants to feel unwelcome in a restaurant from the moment they sit down.

Delicious food and the staff was friendly-also iconic atmosphere-unless you're a Georgia Bulldog fan haha, wish I lived closer, I would have this a lot more often

Don't order as much ribs as you normally would; serving sizes are huge here. Baked beans are horrible. We went to the original store.

Ribs. Bread. Banana pudding. Dreamland needs nothing more I can still remember the first time I stopped by here. I'd heard and read about Dreamland before, and passing through Tuscaloosa I thought I'd give it a shot. Well, finding it can be a bit of an adventure, as the location of this classic is not exactly on the beaten path. But pulling up, I remember getting my first sight of the place, and it instantly looked just like the sort of restaurant where I find the greatest experiences. Simple building, clean but certainly not fancy. These are ribs in their purest sense, meaty, messy, and delicious. Adding in the bread and sauce as accompaniment sounds a little disappointing at first, but it all just fits together so well. Then a home-style serving of nanner puddin' to finish things off makes for a full stomach and a quality experience. That's how it was on my first visit, and on every visit since. Never, never a bad experience here after several stops.

Great ribs great atmosphere people are usually always glad to help and always gotta roll tide or 2 around!!!

Such good sausage links and bbq ribs! Not overly saucy! Perfectly cooked ! The sausage links were by far the best I had ever had. Super casual amazing spot as a must visit before or after any game. Simple food done well!

I absolutely love this spot. I was on a road trip scouting some places for my friends bachelor's party and came across this place in reviews, and through recommendations from locals. I heard that they use the original pit, and only recently did they add anything other than ribs on the menu. That's some hardcore rib-loving bbq! How could I not try it? Glad I did. The star of the show is the ribs, hands down. Matched only by the decor and the friendly staff. They are truly happy to see you and when you show an interest in the history of the place they light up! Highly recommend. Side note, the merchandise is great too. Go home with the sauce. It's that good.

Love this place!!! Go to any Dreamland that you can, go out of your way, heck if you just order it online and have it shipped! Anyway you do it you will not be disappointed. Their Ribs are the best around, and dipping that white bread in their BBQ sauce is just perfect. Keep on smokin'!

Looking for a decent BBQ spot while driving through town and found this place on yelp. I ordered the RIB sandwich (which was basically two slides of bread and a couple of ribs where you had to rip the meat off yourself). Food was average, but definitely not 5 star exciting. Hopefully if I pass through town again, I will be able to try a different BBQ place.

Dreamland came as a recommendation from a friend who knows his BBQ. We were visiting Tuscaloosa for a campus tour and headed over for dinner. I was a bit taken aback as we wound our way through neighborhood streets but was so happy we sought it out. When we sat down, we were given white bread and BBQ sauce. I'll admit I had to look around to see what I was supposed to do with it. We say others tearing and dipping and eating. HOLY COW!!! It was off the charts great! We ordered the BBQ sandwich and a half slab of ribs. For sides we had mac and cheese and fries. My daughter said she'll dream about that mac and cheese and hopes her brother goes to school so we can come back. But the BBQ was the real star. Incredibly delicious. And make sure you don't leave without trying the banana pudding. It's a simple, laid back atmosphere. The staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely 5 star all the way around.

Original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa and the BBQ is absolutely great. Friendly service and quick too. It's a little bit off the main drag in a neighborhood but don't be fooled by it's location. Food is superb!

I've been to dreamland's other outposts before, but never to the original in Tuscaloosa. Definitely casual in attitude but you come here for the ribs. And of course the wonder bread they hand out to dab in the sauce. The university,of Alabama vibe and memorabilia on the walls makes this place special and different from the outposts. If you were a rib connoisseur, this is your Cooperstown.

Awesome service and atmosphere, plus the food is very good! Will be back to visit. Some of the best BBQ I've had.

For todays #foodreview, I'm at Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa, AL. They came highly recommended from all the locals here so I had to try it. A very old school, well-established place with a simple menu, friendly service out of this world barbecue. I opted for pork ribs, sausage and potato salad with a sweet tea, of course to wash it all down with. They bring you a plate of white bread and some sweet, spicy bbq sauce to get started. Then comes the mains. Let me tell you, these ribs were simple, smokey and tender. Easily some of the best ribs I've ever eaten anywhere. The house-made sausage was just divine with a nice snap to it. Potato salad was southern style mustard based, creamy and the perfect side. If you are ever in this area, go out of your way to enjoy some of Alabama's oldest and most loved places!

Been to dreamland BBQ multiple times, never disappoints. Very popular place. Joshua was a great server, very kind, maybe needs some more confidence but he seemed kind of young and he was great. Food came out in a timely manner and the place was clean.

Very polite and attentive staff! I stopped in on a Sunday evening-they had steady business but not crazy busy-easy to be seated and was served quickly. No alcohol sales on Sunday's. Atmosphere is neighborhood sports bar The big daddy's sweet tea is southern style sweet-delicious. Prices are reasonable for the portion size. The sauce-now the sauce I'm gonna have to buy a pint to go home the next time I visit. It's got a little tang, little sweet, and a gentle heat that lingers but doesn't burn. If you're in Tuscaloosa, give this iconic community restaurant a try.

Phenomenal, if you looked up Southern Bar-B-Q joints, there should be a picture of this place! Atmosphere & food are off the chain! Just watch when ordering rib Sandwich, as it's only ribs & not a sandwich! Highly recommend!