Big Bob Gibson’s Barbecue in Decatur AL

I have been to the river Jordan and I have seen the promised land.  Actually we crossed Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama and found Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q. It is the same thing as far as I am concerned.  This was my second trip to Big Bob Gibson’s’.  475 miles round trip to eat some of the best barbecue in the country.  Actually this trip was a business trip but I have a habit of making sure my business trips include stops at bbq joints. I wasn’t disappointed.

We arrived at 1145 just as the lunch crowd was coming in and from the look of the parking lot it was going to be full.  We met our friend Larry from Birmingham and we went in and had a seat right away. I remembered the last time I was here last year and I was definitely looking forward to some good ribs.  The last time I visited I had the full platter and paid for it later…..  It was so good I just couldn’t stop and that sin of “gluttony” reared it’s ugly head. Oh well…….. I enjoyed it anyway.  This time I decided to go a little smaller and had a half rack of ribs, brisket, potato salad and baked beans.  The serving portions here are very large and it was more than enough. When I left I was comfortably full without hurting myself.  That didn’t stop me from ordering a full rack of ribs to go.  My wife threatend me………if I didn’t bring any back then I might as well not come home.

The ribs were cooked to perfection. Unfortunately the photos I have here don’t do justice to the meal. I forgot my camera and these were taken with my camera phone. I picked up my first rib and bit into it and the meat just slid off the bone and my mouth was alive with flavor. These ribs obviously were made by a master. There was a slight smoke ring but it the smoke flavor wasn’t overbearing. It was just right. I added a little of Bob Gibson’s sauce and it was perfect.  The brisket was just as good.  Once again great flavor and easy to eat. There was no toughness and the brisket just about melted in my mouth. In a word WOW.  The sides of potato salad and baked beans were very good. In fact I dare say the potato salad was as good as my mom’s (I hope she doesn’t read this…….sorry mom).

To top everything off, our friend Larry is friends with Don McLemore the grandson of Bob Gibson and he stopped by and joined us for a few minutes. Wow…what a treat.  I felt as if I was in the presence of barbecue royalty. The fact is I was in the presence of one of the legends of barbecue. Don is a great man with a great barbecue heritage and a lifetime of experience, and just as importantly a great personality and friendly.

All in all it was a great day and a most excellent eating experience. If you are anywhere near Decatur, Alabama (northern part of the state on I65) then you need to stop.  Tell them Eric from BBQ-Festivals.com told you about the place. When I say in the area I mean if you are within 300 miles then make the stop. You won’t be disappointed.  Big Bob Gibson’s is at the top of my list and I have a feeling I will need to journey to Decatur at least once every quarter on one kind of business or another. And if I cant find a busines reason then I will just go to go.

Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q gets FIVE STARS from BBQ-Festivals.com and BBQHub.com

Address: 1715 6th Avenue SE, Decatur AL
Phone: 256-350-6969

Ribs at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q in Decatur Alabama

Big Bob Gibson's

All Done - Big Bob Gibson's Ribs

Lunch crowd at Big Bob Gibson's Bar-B-Q