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National Geographic
9 hours ago
- General
- National Geographic
Take a mouthwatering trip down Alabama's Barbecue Trail
Texas has brisket, Memphis has ribs. The Carolinas enjoy their pulled pork, and Kansas City is all about the sauce game. But not many immediately associate barbecue with Alabama Well, except for one thing—the mayonnaise-y white sauce. While the state's polarizing contribution to the American barbecue consciousness celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, there's much more to the state's barbecue than white sauce, and many Alabamians would proudly put their barbecue among the best in the country. With a mouthwatering Alabama Barbecue Trail—from civil rights hot spots to 100-year-old joints—there's no better way to uncover Alabama's unique cuisine and history than biting into it. The origins of Alabama barbecue Barbecue borrows the cooking methods of Native Americans, meats and sauces of European immigrants, and the labor (meaning recipes and know-how) of Africans to create a taste that is perhaps singularly American. In Alabama, barbecue—as a food, social gathering, and style of cookery—has been an essential part of life and society for ages. Barbecues were not only used for celebrations and commemorations, they were also so intertwined in political processes that the state government tried banning them altogether in the 1800s. But Alabama barbecue as we know it today didn't come into its own until the late 1800s with the rise of the interstate, and joints started sprouting up along major highway routes between Southern cities. While barbecue in neighboring states developed identities that captivated Americans, Alabama barbecue hasn't really caught on in the national psyche. 'I think not being recognized as one of the barbecue regions like Kansas City, Texas, Memphis, and the Carolinas has maybe ruffled some feathers,' says Mark Johnson, author of An Irresistible History of Alabama Barbecue. 'There's a sense of pride here. Alabamians will defend their barbecue against anyone else's.' So, what is Alabama barbecue? 'Alabamians don't even agree on what barbecue is,' says Johnson. 'Chicken and white sauce is the specialty of North Alabama, Decatur, and Huntsville. Birmingham is very much dominated by pulled pork with a tomato-based sauce. And then in Tuscaloosa, it's by far ribs with a vinegar-forward sauce that's got some kick to it. When you get closer to the Georgia border, you start seeing the South Carolina mustards creeping in.' (6 barbecue styles, from Alabama white sauce to Memphis pork ribs) The rise of white sauce Inextricably linked to Alabamians' appetites like apple pie to the broader U.S., Alabama's white sauce is a concoction of bubbling hot mayonnaise mixed with a hefty dose of vinegar and black pepper. The creation is the brainchild of a railway worker turned pitmaster named 'Big Bob' Gibson, who, back in the day, soaked his pit-cooked chickens in this barbecue sauce to prevent them from drying out. Now celebrating its 100-year-anniversary, Big Bob's namesake sauce and restaurant in Decatur is a juggernaut on the world barbecue circuit, with walls covered in plaques denoting it the 'World's Best Barbecue.' As for the polarizing sauce, it has earned homages across Alabama and the world. Back in the pit, Andrew Lilly, the great-great grandchild of Gibson and current manager of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, forks a whole bird off the brick pit and dunks it in the white sauce before tossing it back on the grill. 'It keeps the chicken moist and just gives it that good tangy peppery flavor,' says Lilly. 'You just don't get that any other way.' White sauce is the brainchild of a railway worker turned pitmaster named 'Big Bob' Gibson. Photograph by Jeffrey Greenberg, Universal(Top) (Left) and Photograph by JFsPic, Getty Images (Bottom) (Right) In total, he'll cook this first batch of 75 chickens slowly for three-to-four hours. By roughly 11 a.m., when he pulls them off the pit, the restaurant is full of ravenous diners. Although, not everybody is a fan. White sauce may reign supreme in barbecue joints across Northern Alabama, but head south and many will disavow the sauce entirely. Love it or hate it, barbecue chicken and white sauce is part of the state's culinary identity. Barbecue and the civil rights movement 'Get the pig ears,' says Larry Bethune. 'We sell a lot of 'em… we sell a lot of everything, really.' Bethune is the second-generation owner of Brenda's Bar-Be-Que Pit in Montgomery. Brenda's has been a staple in the city's Black community since its opening in 1942, serving up everything from the famous pig ear sandwiches to legendary ribs and chicken platters at its drive-up counter. What Brenda's may lack in square footage, it more than makes up for in flavor and Black history. On the restaurant's window is a newspaper clipping of Larry's mother, Jereline Bethune, at the March of Montgomery. He starts singing, 'We Shall Overcome' and recollects his mother's role during the civil rights movement. She became involved during the 1955 and 1956 Montgomery Bus Boycott and worked with the NAACP, printing out fliers about when and where meetings and protests would occur. Following the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Jereline would host classes at the restaurant to help Black people pass literacy tests so they could vote. The pig ear sandwich arrives slippery, cartilaginous, soaked in ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce. Like the restaurant's history, it may not look pretty, but it's a taste to be savored. The story is similar at the opposite end of the state's historic National Civil Rights Trail in Selma at Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot. Back in the '60s, Lannie's was a popular hub where activists like Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and Ralph Abernathy could commiserate and devour hickory-smoked pork shoulder, ribs, and the whole fixings. Today, Lannie's is still run by the family, and, although the dirt floors are gone, they're still slinging the same dishes that have brought the city of Selma together for 80-odd years. Deborah's brother Floyd sets down a mountainous pulled pork sandwich and a few pork ribs all coated in Lannie's famous barbecue sauce. One bite, and that tangy, vinegary, spicy sauce envelopes the tongue and cheeks. Suddenly, it's easy to understand why the community (and state) continues lining up to eat here. (The symbolism behind traditional Juneteenth foods—from barbecue to hibiscus) Continuing legacies Ultimately, the story of Alabama barbecue is also a story about family, community, and togetherness. Andrew Lilly is building upon his great-great grandfather's legacy at Big Bob Gibson's. Larry Bethune continues plating the ribs and pig ear sandwiches his mother did at Brenda's. Historic joints like Lannie's in Selma, Archibald & Woodrow's Barbeque in Northport, and Top Hat in Blount Springs are all in their third generation (and beyond) of ownership, and each owner can rattle off the list of regulars they've been feeding nearly every week for decades. At Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q in Bessemer, Van Sykes is honoring the foundation his father and mother, Bob and Maxine, laid at the family restaurant in 1957 by keeping things simple—almost alarmingly simple considering the restaurant's barbecue sandwich sits atop the pantheon of must-eat dishes in Alabama. 'It's just salt, meat, and fire,' says Sykes. But he finds giving back to the broader Birmingham community just as important as the world-class barbecue he's cooking. He shares his craft in local high school home-economics classes. You'll see him offering cooking advice on the local news and promoting Southern food and culture as a founding member of the revered Southern Food Alliance. 'Barbecue cuts through class, race, gender, history, everything,' says Sykes. 'It shakes a common table for everybody." Each spring, Sykes brings his community in Bessemer together for a little barbecue and blues at the Bob Sykes Barbecue and Blues Festival. 'I look out at the crowd and see my customers,' he says. 'You'll find everything from Porsches to pick-up trucks, Blacks and whites. It sets a common table around the things we love and come together over, which is our love of food, music, and the blues. It's peanut butter. The togetherness is a sentiment echoed by Deborah Hatcher at Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot. During the tumultuous civil rights movement in Selma, Black and white customers at Lannie's dined together. 'We didn't have segregation here,' says Deborah Hatcher, granddaughter of founder Lannie Moore Travis. 'Everybody came in that one door. Everyone sat down together, mixed together, and ate barbecue. Everybody just having a good time.' Where to try Alabama barbecue Archibald & Woodrow's Barbeque: Popular among University of Alabama students and Tuscaloosa crowds, Archibald's ribs have become a true culinary destination in the state. Cooked over hickory and until they develop a wonderfully crisp 'bark,' the ribs and spicy vinegar sauce are the perfect pre-game or post-game meal during Crimson Tide football season. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q: What started out as a backyard pit has turned into one of the best barbecue joints in the country. Big Bob Gibson's may specialize in the famed pit-cooked chicken and white sauce, but don't miss out on the sublime ribs, 'championship' red barbecue sauce, and, of course, the meringue pies. Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q: Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q keeps things simple: Salt, meat, and fire. Their specialty is the pulled pork sandwich and barbecue sauce (the recipe for which took nearly 20 years for Bob to develop). Brenda's Bar-Be-Que Pit: It may be just a countertop joint in a residential Montgomery neighborhood, but locals are consistently lining up to engorge on Brenda's seriously good barbecue, from the pig ear sandwiches to towering rib plates. Saw's BBQ: A staple in the Birmingham barbecue circuit, Saw's serves up every iteration of Alabama barbecue and each location follows a special theme. No matter where you go, the low-and-slow-cooked ribs are divinely tender and the chicken and white sauce is loaded with puckering tang. Born in Detroit and displaced all over, Tom Burson is a travel, food, and culture writer and professional lollygagger. His writing is rooted in uncovering the quirky, not-so-talked-about nooks and crannies and traditions around the world. Follow along at @tommyburson
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Two Wiregrass students appointed to U.S. Military Academies
Dothan, Ala. (WDHN) — Two standout Wiregrass students are among the 21 Alabamians appointed to U.S. service academies for the Class of 2029, according to a recent announcement from U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville. Aiden Harkey, a graduate of Slocomb High School, has accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Harkey says his experience at Boys State — where he met a former cadet from West Point, and a Wiregrass native — inspired him to apply. He plans to study chemical engineering and hopes to return to his community after his service to give back and support future generations. 'After my four years at the academy I hope to come back and serve my community, potientally doing aviation at Ft. Novosel and after my service hopefully come back and support my community that has supported me throughout,' Harkey explains. Cammi Tillery, a graduate of Enterprise High School, has earned a scholarship to attend the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. Tillery, who comes from a strong military-based family, plans to pursue a career in military intelligence and is committed to serving on active duty after completing her training. ' I come from a military family both my parents are Army retired, my oldest brother is Army, and my second oldest [brother] is a marine; so its just something you're born into,' says Tillery, adding that she is very excited to serve her country. West Point is widely recognized as one of the premier leadership institutions in the world. Graduating from the academy is a major stepping stone for those pursuing careers in military service and leadership, opening doors to specialized training, advanced education, and impactful roles within the U.S. military and beyond. In a press release, Senator Tuberville praised the appointees for their discipline, dedication, and patriotism. 'It was an honor to nominate these Alabamians for an appointment, and I have no doubt they'll continue to make our state and country proud,' Tuberville said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Expecting parents are expecting the worst with UAB and UnitedHealthcare negotiations
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) – UAB facilities across Alabama could become out-of-network for the thousands of Alabamians insured by UnitedHealthcare. 'Obviously, the hope is they find an agreement and I don't have to swap providers,' Christian Holly said. Holly and his wife are getting ready to welcome their first child into the world. Their due date is in October and their doctors are at UAB. 'My wife was big on using UAB,' Holly said. 'They've got the best trauma center, the best neo-natal care, all of those sorts of things.' UAB and UnitedHealthCare (UHC) have until July 31 to finalize an agreement. Each party sent out statements that read in part: 'We are deeply disappointed that UnitedHealthcare has created this uncertainty for our patients…UAB Hospital alone provides more than $100 million a year in care for which it is not paid; and United reimburses care providers less than other insurers.' – UAB Statement. 'UAB continues to drive up health care costs for people and businesses throughout Alabama through its acquisitions…Our goal is to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while providing continued, uninterrupted network access to UAB.' – UHC Statement. The two parties have seven weeks to make that happen. 'If this doesn't get squared away in the next month, we'll have to swap providers,' Holly said. If UAB becomes out-network for the Holly's, they have two options: pay out of pocket or find a new doctor to deliver their first born. But it's possible both could happen. In the chance his wife needs emergency medical attention during delivery, or their child needs emergency medical care – they'll have to go to UAB and pay out of pocket. 'If she does have an issue, they'll have to swap her to UAB so it just adds a lot of worry to everything,' Holly said. CBS 42 News requested the total number of Alabamians who are insured through UHC. As of Thursday, we were still waiting for that number. However, thousands of retired public school teachers and their dependents are insured through UHC. 'We have about 80,000 lives that are covered currently through PHIP United Plan,' The Government Media Relations Manger for the Alabama Education Association, Allison King said. Anyone who worked for the Alabama Public School system for at least 25 years qualifies for Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Plan King said. That plan provides those state retirees with UHC. 'We'll certainly be working to advocate on the behalf of our retirees and make sure they have quality programs both in service providers and health care options,' King said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Alabama is one of the best places in the U.S. for a summer road trip, new study finds
The Yellowhammer state is one of the best states for a road trip, a new study shows. Dunhill Travel Deals — an organization that provides free resources for travelers and information on travel deals, airfare, cruise, hotel, and vacation package discounts — commissioned a study that surveyed the contiguous United States on several factors to assess which states had the best opportunities for a summer road trip vacation. Categories considered include average hotel nightly rate, average gas price, cost of everyday expenses, annual National Park Service visits and total National Park Service sites, arts, entertainment and recreation density, and share of roads in good condition. Each category is weighed by importance, with average gas and hotel prices being the most influential in the composite scores. Alabama overall ranked sixth out of the lower 48 states, earning a composite score of 84.81. More: Buc-ee's in Alabama: Here's every location and what makes each one unique Hotel nightly rates in Alabama average out to $132 and gas clocks in at an average of $2.74 per gallon. The Yellowhammer state has the 10th lowest nightly hotel rate in the country and the fifth lowest gas prices, as well as charges 10% less for everyday expenses. As far as the experience of visiting Alabama goes, the state has several sites that are owned by the National Park Service, including Little River Canyon National Preserve, part of the Natchez Trace Parkway, Russell Cave National Monument, the Tuskegee Institute, the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, and more. Additionally, the study said Alabama has 2.7 arts and recreation businesses per 10,000 residents, giving travelers and Alabamians a significant amount to do. States ranking above Alabama in the top five include Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma. The study cited the reason for this is that prices are generally lower overall across the Southern and Central United States, as well as the existence of many activities — particularly in the form of arts and recreation businesses — outside of National Parks that attract visitors. More: Southern Living says this is Alabama's prettiest town and you've probably driven right past it Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@ or follow her on X @sarahgclifton. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: AL is one of the best states for a summer road trip, new study finds
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit challenging minority representation on Alabama board
The Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama as seen on Feb. 4, 2025. A law that maintains diversity on the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board remains after case challenging it is dismissed. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit last week that challenged a state law and administrative regulation requiring the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board to have at least two minority members. U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker, Jr. dismissed the case on Friday after both parties agreed to end the proceedings after the plaintiff in the case, American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), objected to being subjected to discovery. With both parties agreeing to end the litigation, Huffaker then agreed to the stipulations from both parties and ended the case with prejudice. The American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), a group founded by anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum, argued that a 1989 law requiring that 'no less than two of the nine board members shall be of a minority race' on the board violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Huffaker, appointed to the bench by President Donald Trump, dismissed the case without weighing in on the merits of the case after the litigants agreed to end it. Pamela Wyatt, president of the Alabama Association of Real Estate Brokers (AAREB), a mostly-Black organization that intervened to preserve the law, said in a statement that the case 'allowed us to demonstrate how important state laws ensuring diversity on state boards are to people in Alabama.' 'State boards make decisions that affect all Alabamians and should be reflective of the communities they serve,' the statement said. 'For the past three decades, this Alabama law has aimed to ensure that state boards reflect the state's rich diversity, and we are thrilled that this case has been dismissed with prejudice.' The association intervened in the case after Gov. Kay Ivey's office said in court filings that the regulations were an 'unconstitutional requirement that 'she does not—and will not—enforce,'' according to court documents. The governor's office did object to AAER's challenge to inclusivity language in the statute. Blum, the founder of the AAER, brought a lawsuit that led to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 to strike down race-conscious college admissions. The AAER sued the state after the appraisers board rejected an application filed by Laura Clark, a member of AAER, because her appointment would have violated state statute that at least two of the board members be nonwhite. Clark, who is white, also serves as the interim president of the Alabama Center for Law and Liberty, a conservative nonprofit law firm that says it advocates for 'limited government, free markets, and strong families.' The AAREB said Alabama's long history of racial discrimination in housing made minority representation on the state appraisal board critical to fairness. 'This particular law is critically important for that organization and many, many, other real estate professionals of color, and people of color in the state, who will suffer immensely if the law is struck down,' said Brooke Menschel, an attorney with Democracy Forward, representing the AAREB, last year. The parties proceeded to discovery last July after Huffaker rejected a request for summary judgment filed by AAER for the court to rule in its favor. AAER was listed as a plaintiff in the case, which subjected it to discovery. That meant opposing counsel could depose the members and staff of the organization and request documents to be used as evidence during litigation. 'Rather than continue to litigate an issue that both plaintiff and defendant agree is unconstitutional, we went ahead and agreed to have the case be dismissed,' said Haley Dutch, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. In the spring, AAER requested to be removed as a party to the case and have Clark added instead, which would have subjected her to discovery. 'AAER brought this case on Ms. Clark's behalf, relying on the doctrine of associational standing to assert her interests, not its own,' AAER said in a request filed with the court in March to substitute Clark for AAER as the plaintiff. 'AAER is thus not a necessary or indispensable party to the litigation.' Democracy Forward opposed the request. 'It is a fundamental rule of litigation that when you choose to sue you have to expose yourself to discovery,' Democracy Forward said in a filing in April opposing the substitution. 'AAER has a clear choice. If AAER does not want to litigate this case, it may voluntarily dismiss this litigation and Ms. Clark can file a new case if and when she has standing with regard to a live controversy. But if AAER wants to maintain this action, it must sit for a deposition, like all other litigants. It cannot shirk its discovery obligations.' Huffaker rejected the request for substitution. 'What does appear clear is that AAER declared itself the jockey in a race that it started and has ridden this horse in this manner since February 2024,' Huffaker said. 'Clark could have been the jockey from the outset, but AAER chose not to proceed in that manner. Similarly, AAER could have switched riders (i.e., Clark for AAER) well before the amended pleadings deadline.' 'The Court will not tolerate such tactics,' Huffaker added.
