Buddy's -b-que - Alabaster

Not sure what the .99 service fee is in addition to the almost 18 on a large bbq sandwich and the order of the onion rings. Onion rings are really good, but the price is really high.

A bajillion years ago when we moved to Alabaster, back before there was the shopping center, a state championship football team, and just about any chain restaurant you can name--including the big boy barbecue joints, there was Buddy's Bar-B-Que. It sits back from the road, so you might miss it were it not for the wafting smells of smoked ribs et al. billowing forth from the little smoke stack. There's only a small table or two outside, unprotected from the elements, so best just take your plates, and pounds, and pudding and enjoy them at home, if you can wait that long to dig in. I've gotten Buddy's burgers several times, and they're very good. But so is the pork plate--chopped or sliced, ever how you like. Most recently, I got the pork plate with fries and potato salad. Now the potato salad was a little wetter than I like, but it had okay flavor, and of course, the fries are always good. We went back later that week when they were open on a usual off day for the holiday weekend and got some ribs, smoked sausage, and baked beans. Lots of folks think they're the best baked beans around since there are bits of meat in them. The ribs were perfectly cooked, and we were glad we went early, because they were almost out before lunch had gotten swinging. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, or you want to enjoy a little something sweet later, there's always banana pudding available or a homemade cake.

Sometimes I forget about Buddy 's since they don 't advertise or have any online presence so to speak. You just seem to go 'oh yeah when you drive by. Buddy 's was the first of the BBQ places in Alabaster; been here since before the Shelby county boom. It 's simple; nothing fancy here. We got the pork plates. It came with 2 sides, so fries and potato salad. Fries were good. The potato salad was runny. There was a little too much sauce, but the meat itself had a good flavor to it. I need to make more of an effort to come back more often and try some different sides. But I do recommend the burgers; always worth the wait.

Buddy's is amazing! I absolutely loved my 1/2 slab of ribs and baked beans from here. The food is packed with flavor and definitely has that homemade touch! This isn't a big establishment and likely would be considered a whole in the hall. That's totally fine with me because I love a good hole in the wall. You walk in and you get a good view of the grill. That's where the magic happens! Hickory smoked meat perfection!! The staff was so nice and didn't rush me at all as I was trying to decide what to order. I have passed Buddy's many times in the past. I'm so glad I decided to stop in to grab dinner while I was in the area. Food is amazing!!!! The menu boasted a good variety so I'm excited to try more of their menu options. I will definitely be back real soon!!!

For three decades I've driven past Buddy's and admired the delicious aroma but never stopped. So glad I finally did! BBQ done to perfection! Highly recommend.