Brooks Barbecue, Muscle Shoals, AL

Brooks Barbecue

SHOALS BARBECUE TRAIL - Stop #1
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)

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

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. 

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!

Brooks BBQ

Open

Ordering Counter

Limited Seating

Smoked Chicken Sandwich

Pulled Pork BBQ Plate

1 oz Sauce Cup