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Decatur, AL food/beer recs?
Posted on 9/27/19 at 12:36 pm
Posted on 9/27/19 at 12:36 pm
I’ll be there for work next week. I’ve never been lucky enough to visit the area. Anyone have recommendations for good food and beer, preferably at the same place?
7
Posted on 9/27/19 at 12:43 pm to Mad Dogg
Posted on 9/27/19 at 12:43 pm to Mad Dogg
Big Bob Gibson’s is the famous place there, home of Alabama white sauce. I’ve never been impressed with it though.
Posted on 9/27/19 at 12:45 pm to Dam Guide
quote:
Big Bob Gibson’s is the famous place there, home of Alabama white sauce. I’ve never been impressed with it though.
Same here. Anyone can make it.
Posted on 9/27/19 at 12:57 pm to Mad Dogg
Big Bobs is worth it. Just the experience its not bad but it get shite on a lot in here.
I prefer a sandwich from Whitts.
I prefer a sandwich from Whitts.
Posted on 9/27/19 at 1:14 pm to Mad Dogg
Decatur is the home of "family-friendly" restaurants, thus there are few local / unique places.
The Brick (downtown) serves bar-food / lunch plates. Unique to my interest in music is that is where the Alabama Shakes first played.
There is a brewery a block away: The Cross-Eyed Owl XEOBrewing. Super nice folks running it. Beer didn't excite me much, but their sodas (root beer, cream soda, etc.) are phenomenal.
We occasionally hit the true-Mex place up on Joe Wheeler Highway: Taqueria Acapulco. Try to go when they are cooking chickens on multiple barrel cookers out front.
For a better variety of unique stuff, take the 20 minute drive to Huntsville. Check out one or more German restaurants that are in and around HSV, for example.
The Brick (downtown) serves bar-food / lunch plates. Unique to my interest in music is that is where the Alabama Shakes first played.
There is a brewery a block away: The Cross-Eyed Owl XEOBrewing. Super nice folks running it. Beer didn't excite me much, but their sodas (root beer, cream soda, etc.) are phenomenal.
We occasionally hit the true-Mex place up on Joe Wheeler Highway: Taqueria Acapulco. Try to go when they are cooking chickens on multiple barrel cookers out front.
For a better variety of unique stuff, take the 20 minute drive to Huntsville. Check out one or more German restaurants that are in and around HSV, for example.
This post was edited on 9/27/19 at 1:18 pm
Posted on 9/27/19 at 3:48 pm to Mad Dogg
Get the hell out as fast as you can. Might want to bring in your own food.
Posted on 9/27/19 at 4:43 pm to Mad Dogg
Drive over to Florence and check out stanfields river bottom grill in McFarland Park. It's a floating restaurant/bar. While you're over that way, you can see FAME recording studio, WC Handy birthplace, Helen Keller birthplace, and muscle shoals sound studio. A lot of history in the shoals!
Posted on 9/27/19 at 5:09 pm to Mad Dogg
Decatur is a shithole. Big Bob Gibsons or The Brick are decent. Otherwise you’re out of luck
Posted on 9/29/19 at 7:34 pm to Post It Bandit
Bump
Posted on 9/29/19 at 8:47 pm to Mad Dogg
Don't waste your time at Big Bob Gibsons, don't like their food at all 
This post was edited on 9/29/19 at 10:29 pm
Posted on 9/29/19 at 10:07 pm to DoctorTechnical
Second the Cross Eyed Owl recommendation. For fine dining Simp McGhee’s is great. Railyard is good place for burgers and a little more casual dining. There’s some other places in the downtown area around Railyard and Cross Eyed Owl.
Wisk’d is very good for breakfast.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try Penn’s Burgers. It’s a local deal where they deep fry hamburgers in million year old grease. Ask for extra grease and they’ll dip the bun in grease for you.
Big Bob’s is a local landmark. The BBQ they make is way different than their competition BBQ that they are known for. However, it’s worth a stop just to say you’ve been there.
If you didn’t go to Simp McGhee’s, I’d consider it a wasted trip.
Wisk’d is very good for breakfast.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try Penn’s Burgers. It’s a local deal where they deep fry hamburgers in million year old grease. Ask for extra grease and they’ll dip the bun in grease for you.
Big Bob’s is a local landmark. The BBQ they make is way different than their competition BBQ that they are known for. However, it’s worth a stop just to say you’ve been there.
If you didn’t go to Simp McGhee’s, I’d consider it a wasted trip.
Posted on 10/10/19 at 8:55 pm to Aubie Spr96
Update?
Posted on 10/10/19 at 9:12 pm to Aubie Spr96
I checked out Big Bob Gibson’s. I enjoyed it, but I can why others poo-poo on it. It was my first time trying white sauce, and I loved it...left with a few bottles. Forgot the name of another BBQ place I tried, but it was pretty good too. I typically look for good food + beer selection when I’m somewhere new, and The Railyard and The Brick really hit the spot for me. It was tough to choose a sandwich from the Brick menu, but the one I had was fantastic. I went to Cross-eyed Owl for a flight. Cool place, average beer. Didn’t make it to Simp McGhee, but I’ll check it out when I go back in a few weeks.
Posted on 10/10/19 at 9:14 pm to Aubie Spr96
Aubie, I'm not the OP but I had to run up to DCA today. Defaulted to Cheeseburger Bobby's for lunch.
Yes, it's just an add-your-own-toppings chain-burger place out of ATL, but it was better than a stick in the eye. Kinda wish we had one here in BHM.
Yes, it's just an add-your-own-toppings chain-burger place out of ATL, but it was better than a stick in the eye. Kinda wish we had one here in BHM.
Posted on 10/10/19 at 9:35 pm to Mad Dogg
Dogg, on your next visit may I suggest that you reduce your fine-dining expectations and try what we in AL uniquely call a "Meat-and-Three" (A-K-A a plate lunch) at the Decatur City Cafe.
Not sure where you are from, but if you can sneak away an hour down south on I-65 to Birmingham we are full of M+3 spots (prime example: Niki's West). Plus we are chock-full of local breweries.
Not sure where you are from, but if you can sneak away an hour down south on I-65 to Birmingham we are full of M+3 spots (prime example: Niki's West). Plus we are chock-full of local breweries.
Posted on 10/10/19 at 11:15 pm to greenwave
quote:
Whitts.
Get you some Dub's burgers in Athens while you're nearby.
Posted on 10/11/19 at 8:45 am to Mad Dogg
quote:
It was tough to choose a sandwich from the Brick menu, but the one I had was fantastic.
My brother raises hell about this place, but I haven't been there yet. I'll make sure I go next time I'm up there.
quote:
I went to Cross-eyed Owl for a flight. Cool place, average beer.
Totally agree with this assessment.
quote:
Didn’t make it to Simp McGhee
Damn it OP.......
Posted on 10/11/19 at 9:07 am to DoctorTechnical
quote:
Niki's West
A Bham landmark.
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