The Brown Bag Review: The Daily Bread Bar-B-Q, Russellville, AL

Russellville Landmark

SHOALS BARBECUE TRAIL - Stop #1
Russellville, Alabama – This week’s review took us south down Highway 43 to the fine city of Russellville, Alabama whose claim to fame is the annual Watermelon Festival and home to the only drive-in theater in North Alabama and one of the last surviving drive-in theaters in Alabama. The King Drive-In, located on Highway 43 just north of Russellville has been around since 1949 and is still owned and operated by founding family of A.L. King.

Our destination on this bright sunny Friday was the Daily Bread Bar-B-Q, located just south of the downtown area on Jackson Ave. S. When we arrived there were several cars already in the lot and more arriving as we exited our vehicle. It was just coming upon the lunch hour and folks were scurrying in to get a seat and order the lunch special of hamburger steak, smothered in gravy with sides of great looking vegetables. As most folks know, you got to have a good “Meat-n-three” to survive in a small town these days and the Daily Bread BBQ is right on with its selections.

The Daily Bread Bar-B-Q is also known for Mrs. Mae Francis Nelson's famous Caramel Cake which a few years ago was selected for the Alabama's Tourism's "100 things you should eat in Alabama before you die"

Even though we would have loved to have the daily special our focus was on BBQ. When we got seated it didn't take but just a couple of minutes for the waitress to take our drink and lunch order. I ordered my usual regular BBQ plate and Jim ordered a BBQ sandwich with the vinegar slaw and pickles. While waiting for our lunch, we couldn't help but overheard the locals talking about different eating locations in Russellville and one gentleman even told about a friend that had dined at the newly re-opened Dales Steakhouse, who said it was the best steak he’d ever eaten, then, the story teller threw in that the feller’s dinner was $48.00. That was followed by the comment that he’d had a “$3.00 rib-eye the night before that was really good.” Hmm, we took that comment with a grain of salt, because there isn't much meat on a $3.00 rib-eye these days.

The waitress brought our lunch and since I had not asked what was on the regular Bar-B-Q plate, I was pleasantly surprised when I found the two hushpuppies on top of the meal. The plate was pleasing to the eye and was a plate full because of being served on the melamine dinner ware. It could have used a little plate space to given some working room to eat it, but, it still looked good.

Jim’s Bar-B-Q sandwich was on a large bun and appeared to have ample meat to cover the bread along with a jumbo spoon full of vinegar slaw. It was also appealing on the eyes as Bar-B-Q sandwich should be.

We both agreed that the vinegar slaw was lacking in taste and Jim’s opinion was it detracted from the taste of the pulled pork. My serving of slaw was enhanced by my adding a generous helping of salt and black pepper which improved the flavor tremendously, but then I like a lot of black pepper in my slaw. We also both agreed that the pork had a day or two old taste which was not helped by being re-heated on a flat-top griddle. At least both the meat on Jim’s sandwich and my plate was served without sauce being added to it before being brought to the table. The Bar-B-Q was not totally bad, but wasn't up to what we considered “Par” for a restaurant that has Bar-B-Q in its name.

As to the Bar-B-Q sauce it was a commercial base sauce that wasn't bad. If you wanted the Bar-B-Q spicy they had Louisiana hot sauce on the table. To me as a Bar-B-Q aficionado and lover of Louisiana hot sauce, it still is not the hot sauce I want on my Bar-B-Q.

On a note of regret, we passed on dessert and I thought later on I should have gotten a piece of the Caramel cake to go. Next time I’m in Russellville that’s on the agenda to do.

Judge Jim’s scoring:

· Service 7

· Atmosphere 6

· Bar-B-Q Sandwich 6

· Vinegar Slaw 4

· Hushpuppies 0*

· Beverages (Sweet Tea) 7

Judge Dave’s scoring:

· Service 7

· Atmosphere 6

· Pulled Pork Barbecue 6

· Vinegar Slaw 4

· Potato Salad 0*

· BBQ Beans 0*

· Hushpuppies 7

· Beverages (Un-Sweet Tea) 7

*(None Available)

Overall Rating: 6

Overall Recommendations:

Pulled Pork is a good choice, but the meat-n-three may be a better choice at lunch. If you get a Bar-B-Q sandwich, ask for the slaw on the side to season yourself before placing on sandwich.

The Daily Bread Bar-B-Q

305 Jackson Ave. S

Russellville, AL 35653

256.332.9621

Credit cards: Cash or Local Check ONLY, No Credit or Debit cards

Catering Service Available: Unknown

Recommendations: Pulled pork, Chicken, Meat-n-three

Suggestions: Pulled Pork and lunch special

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!