OT: What, no Dreamland BBQ on the list?

Nov 16, 2005
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17th Street BBQ is excellent. I have eaten at the one in Murphysboro, IL. It's on I-57 on the way to Chicago.
 

Optimus Prime 4

Redshirt
May 1, 2006
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Pretty good, but I think there are 5-6 better places near Luling or Lockhart, TX

if you're looking for TX bbq.
 

Jimbob Cooter

Redshirt
Apr 30, 2013
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Care to name something better? Not disagreeing, and no, I don't think the Tuscaloosa Dreamland is all it's made out to be. I actually like their chain locations better.

And if you say Moe's or something like that, just keep it to yourself.
 

oldawg

Redshirt
Oct 25, 2009
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if you're looking for TX bbq.

Agree about Lockhart, TX. If there is better brisket than that at Kruetz I'd certainly like to hear about it. Black's is also really good. I've not tried Smitty's but am told the grease runs down the walls. There is a food truck parked on 3rd St. in Austin whose brisket approaches Kruetz.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
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Ate at Dreamland in Birmingham once. I was not impressed at all. Also was very unimpressed at the Rendezvous in Memphis.

The Shed used to be one of my favorites back in the original location when I used to go down there a lot. Haven't been since they moved.
 

UIUCDog

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
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Ate at the Dreamland in Gwinnett County/metro Atlanta and thought it pretty much sucked.
 

Irondawg

Senior
Dec 2, 2007
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Ate at Dreamland in Birmingham once. I was not impressed at all. Also was very unimpressed at the Rendezvous in Memphis.

The Shed used to be one of my favorites back in the original location when I used to go down there a lot. Haven't been since they moved.

The absolute worst BBQ I've had in a while came from Dreamland in B'Ham a few months ago. I hyped it up to the wife and then had to explain myself b/c it was terrible. I had only eating at the T location a number of years ago and remember it being really good.

My Rendevous vists have gone pretty well. Probably a tad overrated, but I enjoyed it.
 

ckDOG

All-American
Dec 11, 2007
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I'm glad Central BBQ was the Memphis selection.


I think it's all around the best in Memphis and is where I take guests from out of town. Of course, you can find better places that do certain things better than Central, but I think they are the safest best for anyone and do a great job.

Rendezvous is turrable - it's simply a tourist trap. I'm sure they were great at a point in its history, but they have two flavors now: burnt and fat. I've probably had 1 solid slab of ribs there in the dozen or so times I've been (guests sometimes want to be tourists...hah).

I like Dreamland ribs for what they are. Giant fatty sloppy ribs. They are what they are, but if you are in the mood for that style of rib, they are tasty.
 

seshomoru

Junior
Apr 24, 2006
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Let's see how we are doing...

Checklist for Required Posts on an SPS BBQ Thread:

1. Initial snide remark about Dreamland x

2. Pile on Dreamland x

3. Lil' Dooey sucks x

4. Petty's/Sonny's mention _

5. No, not that Sonny's _

6. Begin an argument on the best BBQ in Bama x

7. I've always wanted to go to (place) x

8. Place from 5 isn't the best in <town> x

9. Something about the Shed burning x

10. List of the best places to get specific
bbq dishes around the country that is
totally irrelevant because nobody is going
to ever be in Los Whoknowswhereitis, NM
ever again _


11. Snobby Memphis BBQ post _

12. Except for Rendezvous it sucks _

13. Allow the thread to devolve into a
list of places somebody ate at on
vacation one time _</town>
 

dawgman42

All-American
Jul 24, 2007
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Smitty's is pretty good. I can do better brisket, though, but it was still really good. The best thing they had, which surprised me considerably, was the sausage. Some of the best I've ever had, and I'm not much of a BBQ joint sausage eater. It was top shelf, however.

I plan to stop at Kruetz or one of the ones around Austin next month on a trip to SA. However, no way I'm waiting in line at Franklin's. Just not worth waiting an hour plus for BBQ.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
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I was wondering about that too. Just because a food is regional doesn't mean that some place in another part of the country can't do a good job with it (I actually had a very good catfish po-boy once in Providence, RI, only they called it a poor boy), but there's no way so many of the best could be from outside the region. Also noted that, for all they like to talk about their BBQ, nothing from Carolina was even mentioned. They did get this part right. Carolina BBQ isn't even in the same league as Memphis (southern) BBQ.
 

jamdawg96

Redshirt
Feb 27, 2008
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Franklin BBQ in Austin. Google it, find it, drink a beer while you wait in line, order a little bit of everything, thank me later.
 

ckDOG

All-American
Dec 11, 2007
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I got the Rendezvous diss already covered.

Checklist for Required Posts on an SPS BBQ Thread:

1. Initial snide remark about Dreamland x

2. Pile on Dreamland x

3. Lil' Dooey sucks x

4. Petty's/Sonny's mention _

5. No, not that Sonny's _

6. Begin an argument on the best BBQ in Bama x

7. I've always wanted to go to (place) x

8. Place from 5 isn't the best in <town> x

9. Something about the Shed burning x

10. List of the best places to get specific
bbq dishes around the country that is
totally irrelevant because nobody is going
to ever be in Los Whoknowswhereitis, NM
ever again _


11. Snobby Memphis BBQ post _

12. Except for Rendezvous it sucks _

13. Allow the thread to devolve into a
list of places somebody ate at on
vacation one time _</town>

I'm not ashamed. It's a well deserved insult.
 

os62

Heisman
Mar 18, 2003
10,642
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Agreed, I've never thought Dreamland was anywhere near the best BBQ. In fact, I was very disappointed when I went there (Tuscaloosa version. The Mobile version is average at best too) years ago during my freshman year.

I love the Shed (if you can't tell by the username, I'm a little biased) but it's not for everyone. They tend to have very, very saucy ribs which I like, but I also like dry ribs so I'm not always in the mood for them.
 

UpTheMiddlex3Punt

All-Conference
May 28, 2007
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One thing I was thinking about was how much of BBQ in the South is tied to regional variations. You're expected to have a certain style in Texas or Memphis or the Carolinas, but nobody knows what to think when you get to California, New Jersey, or Colorado. In many ways they're actually better off since they can adapt different styles and develop their recipes without expectations of what the food should be like. That's one thing that kinda bugs me about north Alabama. You have some really good places, but most places except for the Chuckwagon in Madison serve the same style.
 

tcdog70

Junior
Sep 24, 2012
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Most Tuscaloosa folks eat at Archibalds. I think they are Kin with the Dreamland people. When I was there we ate Archibalds
 

biteyoudawg

Redshirt
Jan 2, 2012
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Pigout BBQ in Columbus, MS

Totally blows Little Dooey off the map. Best rib tips I've ever had. Located in east Columbus near the Pizza Hut.
 
Nov 16, 2005
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Best BBQ in the Memphis area now is Memphis BBQ Company. Dare I say it's just as good as Central. You're not multiple time Grand Champions of Memphis in May and don't have a good product.
 

ckDOG

All-American
Dec 11, 2007
9,971
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I'll have to make the trip down to Horn Lake to try it out...

Still haven't yet. I've heard nothing but great things though...
 

oldawg

Redshirt
Oct 25, 2009
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Franklin BBQ in Austin. Google it, find it, drink a beer while you wait in line, order a little bit of everything, thank me later.

Went to Franklin's last August, stood in line for 30 minutes, never moved, and they sent someone out to tell the folks ahead of us that the food would be gone before we got anywhere near the door. So it isn't automatic that you get fed even if you wait.
 

Snoop Dawg

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2010
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I never can understand why everybody hates on Little Dooeys? When I eat there it brings back memories of dining as a student with my girlfriend who is now my wife. I will agree it is not the best barbeque I have ever eaten, (still better than Dreamland and Rendezvous combined) but it is consistent and the hot barbeque sauce is the bomb. I think one of the best things on the menu is the Blackened catfish, go on and get the big order it is addictive.
 

jamdawg96

Redshirt
Feb 27, 2008
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Ah, sorry. Well it is that good, and they do sell out pretty much every day. I waited for over an hour. Totally worth it. His PBS videos on YouTube are also helpful for anyone looking to smoke at home.
 

zerosktr151

Redshirt
Jan 13, 2009
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gotta agree with Fox Brother's, they were on a 1:30 wait time i jokingly said busy huh? to the bartender and she said nah not really. Have to try the Chicken Fried Ribs, Foxaroni, and the Beef Brisket sandwich is excellent.
 

PBRME

All-Conference
Feb 12, 2004
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Although it's fairly new compared to the rest of these, but Memphis Barbecue Co. is about the best I've had. From a restaurant that is.
 

woozman

All-Conference
Nov 13, 2004
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I don't understand all the national love for the Shed. I think that it is average, at best. I live 15 minutes from the Shed and probably only eat there once per year. There sauce has too much chili powder in it -I burp that **** up for 2 days after eating there. Rob's on the Side in the 'Goula is much better to me.
 

klong-dog

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2012
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The best BBQ I have ever put in my mouth is in Germantown at the Commissary. Unreal! Next best, is Jim N Nicks in Trussville, AL.
 
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punterjoe

Redshirt
Nov 12, 2009
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Franklins in Austin, the brisket, WOW.

Careful talking about Memphis BBQ Company, some don't think we know how to BBQ in Mississippi, that lady sure does. Melissa's potato salad is the best I've ever had too.

I was excited to try the Shed after seeing it on TV numerous times. When I finally went I was severely disappointed. It was good, but certainly not TV worthy in my opinion. The sweet potato casserole though, had to buy a gallon to take home.