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| Brooks Barbecue |
Muscle Shoals, Alabama – As many barbecue joints as there are in the Shoals area very few have been operated by the same family for a couple of generations, Brooks Barbecue in Muscle Shoals is one of those that has remained in the same family since it's inception. They opened their doors in 1965 and have been smoking pork, ribs and chicken ever since then. It is hard work keeping a family tradition alive and well and the current generation of the Brooks family are following those time honored methods and still turning out savory barbecue.
We don’t know if the current location is where the
original location was or not, however, the building is teeming with décor that
screams 1970’s. It is a small unassuming
brick over block building just off Second Street in Muscle Shoals that seems to
have been constructed just for the selling of barbecue. You can tell the Brooks family is fairly
frugal due to the lack of fancy signs and advertisements. There is one homemade sign at the corner of
Second Street and Union Ave proclaiming “Brooks Barbecue, since 1965” and a
sign on the front door. It’s one of
those places like every small town in the South has that if you have to ask
where it’s located then folks know “You ain't from around here.” However, once you do locate it, mark it on
your GPS because you’ll want to keep going back for more.
On our visit, we arrived at about 11:45 am on a
Friday and there was a steady flow of customers picking up lunch orders to go
which appears to be the majority of their business. However, there is about five tables and ten
chairs in a small dining area if you don’t want to take it with you. As to ambiance, the dining room/ordering
counter area is decorated in Golden Flake Potato chip bags with a Coke and
Pepsi drink cooler stuck in a corner.
Let’s just say not a whole lot of attention was paid to décor, but then
most folks don’t go to a Q-Joint for the décor.
We waited our turn to order and bellied up to the
counter where there was one young man taking orders, manning the phone and
running to the kitchen to help bag orders to go. When we ordered he did not ask if we wanted
it to go or dine in, so when our food was presented he had it all bagged up. Didn’t bother us though, we un-bagged it and
looked it over and dove right in. My
dining buddy ordered the smoked chicken sandwich which comes with a heaping
helping of hot mustard slaw on it. Along
with the barbecue sauce it looks a lot worse than it is, in fact my fellow
judge gave it high ratings with the only complaint that the pulled chicken
could have used a tad bit more smoke to have made it a hit. Judge Jim scored it a solid 8 on taste even
though the presentation was lacking a bit due to the wrapping.
As usual, my order consisted of the BBQ plate which
came with beans, hot mustard slaw and potato salad. In our estimate they must have been nearly a ½
lb. of pulled pork on the plate, the pork had a decent smoke ring and was a
mixture of inside and outside meat. The
pork tasted fresh and did not have the warmed over juiced up taste that a lot of
q-joints try to push off on their customers as fresh barbecue. Overall, the pork was very
tender and lean, juicy and with a light smoke flavor. The meal scored well when
it was presented with the sauce in a separate container and not on the
meat. We always suspect q-joints that sauce
their meat when it’s plated and wonder what they’re trying to cover up.
The potato salad was good and appeared to be
standard food service mustard potato salad with a little extra punch added. It was an adequate side item to the pork and
while not the best we've ever had, it certainly was head and shoulders above
other potato salad we've been served.
The hot mustard slaw on the other hand was juiced up with a good mixture
of mayo, mustard and kicked up with some cayenne pepper to give it a bit of a
bite. It paired well with the barbecue
and the tangy taste played well with the smokiness of the meat.
Our biggest disappoint of the meal was the BBQ
beans, they were quite appealing on the plate with chunks of pulled pork in
them and we just knew they were going to be a hit also. Upon tasting the beans,
we were taken aback by the presence of a spice that we just couldn’t wrap our
taste buds around. After several bites,
it was decided that the beans was not a contender for the best side of the meal
and they were left on the plate.
Here are the individual ratings of the items we
taste tested:
Judge Jim’s scoring:
·
Service 5
·
Atmosphere 5
·
Smoked Chicken Sandwich 6
·
Hot Mustard Slaw 7
·
Hushpuppies 0*
·
Beverages 8**
Judge Dave’s scoring:
·
Service 5
·
Atmosphere 5
·
Pulled Pork Barbecue 6
·
Hot Mustard Slaw 7
·
Potato Salad 7
·
BBQ Beans 4
·
Hushpuppies 0*
·
Beverages 8**
*(None
Available)
**(high rating due to both Coke and Pepsi available)
**(high rating due to both Coke and Pepsi available)
Overall
Rating: 6.5
Overall recommendations:
Pulled
pork is a good choice as is the smoked chicken.
The hot mustard slaw is a “Must Try” and the potato salad has enough
character that it is a great addition to any meal. The BBQ beans is something you should try
before you buy especially if getting a large family pack.
Brooks Barbecue
203 Union Ave
Muscle Shoals, AL
256.381.1491
203 Union Ave
Muscle Shoals, AL
256.381.1491
Credit cards: Accepted
Catering Service Available: Yes
Recommendations: Ribs, chicken, pulled pork
Suggestions: Remember
seating is limited
Alcohol: No
Ambiance: Small cafe
Service: Fast & Friendly
Vegetarian-friendly: Nope
Price range: Most entrees $5 - $10.
Alcohol: No
Ambiance: Small cafe
Service: Fast & Friendly
Vegetarian-friendly: Nope
Price range: Most entrees $5 - $10.
The
opinions expressed in this review are the honest opinions of the author and
fellow judge, and whom are solely responsible for its content. This opinion was
not influence by any third party whatsoever. If and when you visit the reviewed
restaurant your opinion may vary greatly. So as always YMMV!
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| Brooks BBQ |
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| Open |
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| Ordering Counter |
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| Limited Seating |
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| Smoked Chicken Sandwich |
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| Pulled Pork BBQ Plate |
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| 1 oz Sauce Cup |
